Towards the end

For my final project I have desired to write a theory piece that explores the issues of intersectionality, essentialism and the possible difference and agreement between the two. I hope to explore how those topics affect coalition building and political activism. I may use globalism and western views of feminism to explore these topics. I hope that my piece would be able to add to the discussion for any groups hoping to make changes. My goal is that this piece would be relevant to diverse groups of people trying to organize around a common agenda. This piece would ideally be useful to help these groups think about their differences and how all people can be included. This piece would most likely be best placed in a current journal or magazine that explores feminist thought.
To begin this project I researched identity politics in the article database. The articles I plan to use help form my thoughts are:
“When it suits me: International students negotiating feminist representations” by Alison Dahl Crossley.
This piece explores the experience of 13 international students reactions to feminism and the ideals it holds. The goal of the piece is to be able to break through stereotypes of feminist thought and create a global context for the women’s movement.
In reflecting on the women’s statements about feminism being unnecessary in today’s world Crossley writes:

“However, we must consider interpretations of feminism from more of a nuanced perspective in order to recognize changing feminist identities. Although the women refuted feminism in many ways, they were certainly critical about inequalities and social injustice.”

The idea of a changing feminist identity is part of what intrigues and perplexes me. Looking at feminism through the eyes of women from other countries helps me identify in myself the parts of feminism that cause me to wonder if it is a movement that represents and includes me.
I also chose a piece titled: “Beyond Identity Politics” by Alison Assiter.
Assiter critically looks at the book Identity Politics. This piece gives and overview of the book and also explores some of the questions of human rights associated with a global view of feminism. The book Identity Politics by Lloyd discusses the issues of essentialism. In this quote Assiter discusses Lloyd’s view of the perceived need of a uniting identity in order to take political action:

“There is, she argues, no essential nature. Claims that this nature constitutes mothering or feminist reasoning or women’s reality have all been questioned and shown to be flawed. Rather than rejecting essentialism, however, Lloyd suggests that we should accept that there is a plurality of essentialisms. All identity, she argues, is contingent, but it may sometimes be appropriate to affirm a version of essentialism. “

The idea that without a unifying identity political action is hard to take rings true with me. At the same time I see how important it is to include and accept all people. When fighting not be excluded can actually exclude others and limit our focus?
I have chosen this topic because I feel like for me the one question I have been navigating this summer is: “If every feminism represents all groups can it be effective or does it become watered down and immobile?”