Women of Color are Celebrating Success and Challenging White Feminism with #WOCAffirmation
#WOCAffirmation is a social media response to the silencing of non-white voices.
A global Twitter boycott took place this morning in response to the social media platform's handling of sexual assault accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. On Thursday, the account of actress, Rose McGowan—a vocal Weinstein critic who disclosed that she had been raped by the producer—was suspended. Twitter cited her decision to share a private phone number as the reasoning for the suspension.
Several folks decided to rally behind the #WomenBoycottTwitter movement in order to protest the suspension. Yet, while this was occurring, another group of women—namely women of color—decided to call attention to the fact that women of color have gone through similar experiences, yet we don't always receive the same level of support. Where's the international outrage when our voices are silenced?
Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven't received support on similar issues.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 13, 2017
Heard there was a Twitter boycott... the reasoning irked me. Couldn't bother with a thread (I like run-on sentences), so: pic.twitter.com/O0DoU92aud
— A M Y S A L L (@amy_sall) October 13, 2017
Some women, decided instead, to participate in #WOCAffirmation, created by popular media personality April Reign, in which women shared their accomplishments, stories and support for one another.
The hashtag is both a celebration of sisterhood, and a critique of "white feminism."
WOC are silenced regularly. Its happened to me. It happens to others. That has to be recognized. #WOCAffirmation
— Tanzina Vega (@tanzinavega) October 13, 2017
I took 20 minutes off for the women boycott twitter thing but I do think #WocAffirmation is more important so I'm back.
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) October 13, 2017
Hi, I'm Janet Taylor Pickett, mixed media artist, inspired by Matisse x Bearden #WOCAffirmation#janettaylorpicketthttps://t.co/GDNQatIsNTpic.twitter.com/yxvnpqQ3gL
— Janet Pickett (@jtpjan) October 13, 2017
Support Black Women
Support Brown Women
Pay Black Women
Pay Brown Women
Defend Black Women
Defend Brown Women
Show em Love#WocAffirmation
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) October 13, 2017
Three hundred thirty-nine days since a majority of white women voted for Trump, and over 90% of black women voted for Clinton, #WomenBoycottTwitter. #WOCAffirmation
— Franklin (@AlumniUSC) October 13, 2017
I am the creator of #DisabledAndCute that celebrates disability&loving ourselves in a society that wishes we didn't. #WOCAffirmation
— Keah Brown (@Keah_Maria) October 13, 2017
And accolades aside, sometimes it's just nice to celebrate being here.
I'm still here. #WOCAffirmation
— Kelly Wickham Hurst (@mochamomma) October 13, 2017
Thankful for @ReignOfApril to starting the conversation around #WOCAffirmation. Seeing such amazing work being shared👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/NZMwGkwhok
— Ida B. Wells Society (@IBWellsSociety) October 13, 2017