as a quick question, what do you mean by describing yourself as a radical feminist? my understanding of the term relates it to radfems--or well, gender absolutists or TERFs. clearly, that's not you. I am not very educated on the actual feminist community or history, so i will admit my own ignorance. do you mean radfem as in the original principles it stood for? or like a modern revision? genuinely curious. I love terminology and learning about new ones.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment, and it’s such a valid question.
When I describe myself as a radical feminist, I mean it in the original sense. "Radical" literally means "to the root," so radical feminism is about addressing the root causes of oppression, not just treating the symptoms. It’s not about getting a seat at the table. It’s about asking who built the table, who’s missing from it, and whether it needs to be completely dismantled.
So instead of saying "women should be CEOs too," radical feminism asks, "why is this structure built on exploitation in the first place, and who benefits from it?" It challenges not just patriarchy, but capitalism, white supremacy, colonialism, the prison-industrial complex, the medical-industrial complex, and more. It's about whose bodies are controlled, whose labour is invisibilised, and whose voices are erased.
The term "TERF" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) was coined in the early 2000s to describe people who claimed the radical feminist label while excluding and actively harming trans people. That ideology does not reflect what radical feminism actually is, and I don’t align with it at all.
For me, radical feminism has to be intersectional, anti-carceral, and rooted in collective liberation. It’s about deep systems change, not surface-level reform.
Hope that helps clarify it, and thank you again for asking so thoughtfully.
I felt this in my chest. The way you wrote this, hit hard. It is honest, sharp, and much needed. Too many people are afraid to speak or say anything. You didn't sugarcoat a damn thing. Thanks for naming it, building it, and reminding us we're not crazy for being tired of being left out. I'm building my own ark too or a raft or a paddle boat but either way, I'm going to be present.
Jessica, this was great. I love the metaphors you used here, and the experimentation with your writing style.
If it isn’t intersectional, it isn’t radical feminism 🙌🏻
This is SO powerful. And (as you’ve referenced that you have been experimenting with your style) I’d say the results were fantastic!
i love this post so much--thank you for it.
as a quick question, what do you mean by describing yourself as a radical feminist? my understanding of the term relates it to radfems--or well, gender absolutists or TERFs. clearly, that's not you. I am not very educated on the actual feminist community or history, so i will admit my own ignorance. do you mean radfem as in the original principles it stood for? or like a modern revision? genuinely curious. I love terminology and learning about new ones.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment, and it’s such a valid question.
When I describe myself as a radical feminist, I mean it in the original sense. "Radical" literally means "to the root," so radical feminism is about addressing the root causes of oppression, not just treating the symptoms. It’s not about getting a seat at the table. It’s about asking who built the table, who’s missing from it, and whether it needs to be completely dismantled.
So instead of saying "women should be CEOs too," radical feminism asks, "why is this structure built on exploitation in the first place, and who benefits from it?" It challenges not just patriarchy, but capitalism, white supremacy, colonialism, the prison-industrial complex, the medical-industrial complex, and more. It's about whose bodies are controlled, whose labour is invisibilised, and whose voices are erased.
The term "TERF" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) was coined in the early 2000s to describe people who claimed the radical feminist label while excluding and actively harming trans people. That ideology does not reflect what radical feminism actually is, and I don’t align with it at all.
For me, radical feminism has to be intersectional, anti-carceral, and rooted in collective liberation. It’s about deep systems change, not surface-level reform.
Hope that helps clarify it, and thank you again for asking so thoughtfully.
Damn, i think i learned the terminology to describe my own beliefs. Thank you for responding so thoughtfully!
I felt this in my chest. The way you wrote this, hit hard. It is honest, sharp, and much needed. Too many people are afraid to speak or say anything. You didn't sugarcoat a damn thing. Thanks for naming it, building it, and reminding us we're not crazy for being tired of being left out. I'm building my own ark too or a raft or a paddle boat but either way, I'm going to be present.