The problems with feminist nostalgia: Intersectionality and white popular feminism

Abstract

Contemporary feminisms are ineluctably drawn into comparisons with historic discourses, forms of praxis and tactical repertoires. While this can underscore points of continuity and commonality in ongoing struggles, it can also result in nostalgia for a more unified and purposeful feminist politics. Kate Eichhorn argues that our interest in nostalgia should be to understand feminist temporalities, and in particular the specific context in which we experience such nostalgia. Accordingly, this article takes up the idea that neoliberalism and populism, which have given rise to both neoliberal feminism and femonationalism, have produced a series of contestations regarding the purpose and nature of feminist politics, as expressed by white popular feminism in the United Kingdom. This article examines two dimensions of feminist nostalgia: first, nostalgia for a more radical form of feminist politics – one not co-opted by neoliberal forces, not individualistic and not centred around online activism; and second, a nostalgia for the idea of ‘sisterhood’ – a time before white feminists were called upon to engage with intersectionality or be inclusive of trans-women. We analyse these themes through analysis of white popular feminism produced in the United Kingdom between 2010 and 2020, cautioning against a feminist nostalgia which neglects to engage with the radical politics of intersectionality.

When feminists became ‘extremists’: A corpus-based study of representations of feminism on Weibo

“…This observation suggests that although online activism on Weibo thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, the movement primarily operated on an individual level, lacking collective activism and identity. Such characteristics, emblematic of postfeminism and neoliberal feminism, have been critiqued by many left-leaning feminists (Evans and Bussey-Chamberlain, 2021).…”

Intersectionality and feminist movements from a global perspective

“…The spread of intersectionality in feminist movements has enabled opportunities, but also risks. The risks involve the progressive marginalization of the issue of race, especially in Europe, the bleaching of intersectionality, the drifts of identity politics, and the co‐opting and depowering of the concept in an increasingly aggressive neoliberal order (Collins, 2022; Evans & Bussey‐Chamberlain, 2021; Evans & Lépinard, 2019; Lepinard, 2020).…”

Intersectional power struggles in feminist movements: An analysis of resistance and counter‐resistance to intersectionality

“…For instance, studies on how feminist groups address anti‐racist strategies show that emotions can reproduce power relations and impede discussions about race (Calderaro & Lépinard, 2021; Srivastava, 2006). Moreover, denying emotions such as anger contributes to the reproduction of oppressive dynamics (Quéré, 2020), and particular emotions—such as nostalgia from white feminists—inhibit the adoption of intersectional practices (Evans & Bussey‐Chamberlain, 2021).…”