Ria Patel

Image: Ria Patel wearing her hearing aids (left) and cultural dress (right) – Ria Patel with permission for Girl Talk

The validity of each unique experience within feminism is not contingent upon its alignment with the mainstream. Every experience and identity is valid and valued, regardless of its popularity.

In many feminist spaces, discourse tends to revolve around issues that are easily relatable or widely accepted as ‘feminist’. In light of this, diverse experiences faced by marginalised communities can sometimes feel overlooked or sidelined unless they directly intersect with these more widely-recognised aspects of feminism.

Issues such as those faced by, for example, POCs (people of colour) or people with disabilities, may not always receive the same level of recognition within feminist circles. It can lead to those with less mainstream, less broadly relatable, experiences to feel alienated and hesitate to raise these issues.

I’ve encountered this hesitation firsthand. As a Deaf individual, there have been moments when I’ve felt uncertain about whether to bring up disability-related topics within feminist spaces. As someone of Indian ethnicity, I have also felt similarly when it comes to discussions around race within feminist spaces in Cambridge. Will they be perceived as relevant? Will they be met with the same level of enthusiasm and support as other feminist issues? Even writing this article raises these doubts in mind.

The pressure to conform to mainstream expectations can often feel stifling. Before raising any issue, there’s a constant internal dialogue, questioning whether it aligns with the perceived relevance and values of mainstream feminism. Unfortunately, more often than not, this hesitation leads to silence.

Fear and uncertainty about participating in discussions is particularly acute for individuals who belong to multiple marginalised communities, as their intersecting identities can make them feel increasingly distant from mainstream feminism. The more marginalised identities one holds, the smaller the minority within mainstream feminism becomes. This shrinking space can leave individuals feeling isolated and unheard, as our experiences and perspectives may not align with the dominant narrative.

Within mainstream feminism, there often seems to be a binary: either conform to the dominant narrative, which may downplay aspects of your identity such as being a POC, or assert your POC identity loudly and confidently to gain recognition. This dichotomy can leave individuals feeling pressured to fit into predefined roles or to constantly advocate for their identities, rather than allowing room for us to explore and express our identities fluidly on our own terms, realising that we don’t have to be finished products in our identities.

Even when spaces for POC exist within the mainstream, they may not always feel inclusive or welcoming. Individuals might have to actively push and carve out space for themselves, rather than feeling like it’s readily available. It promotes this idea that your voice must be loud and assertive to be valid. There’s a sense that you have to shout the loudest, be the most visible, or fit into a certain mould of what a “successful” confident feminist looks like. This pressure to perform can be exhausting and alienating, especially for those who may not naturally conform to these expectations.

Ultimately, mainstream feminism should be a space where all voices are valued and respected, regardless of whether they are relatable to the masses. It should be a space where individuals feel free to exist as they are, without feeling pressured to constantly perform or assert their identities in a particular way. True inclusivity means creating space for diverse voices and experiences, even if they don’t neatly align with the dominant narrative.

To foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment, mainstream feminism must prioritise diverse representation at all levels. This means uplifting the voices of POC, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people, and other marginalised groups in leadership positions, media portrayals, and public platforms. It means actively seeking out and amplifying a wide range of perspectives and experiences, rather than defaulting to the same homogenous narratives.

Representation matters. When individuals see people who look like them, share similar experiences, or advocate for issues that directly affect them, it can serve as a powerful validation of their identities and perspectives. Conversely, the absence of diverse representation can leave individuals, particularly POC and members of other marginalised groups, feeling alienated, invisible, and unwelcome.

Exclusivity in feminist spaces can be particularly potent at Cambridge, where it often feels hostile to those who don’t fit a certain mould. The pressure to conform to a specific set of criteria, whether it’s having read the same books or being part of the same social circles, or having a certain personality and level of confidence can make it difficult for newcomers to feel like they belong.

The notion of being a “proper” feminist often hinges on meeting certain arbitrary standards, whether they relate to academic knowledge, social connections, or ideological alignment. This exclusivity and gatekeeping can create barriers that prevent individuals from fully participating in feminist spaces and providing their unique perspectives.

The problem with this type of exclusivity is that it undermines the very principles of feminism, which should be about inclusivity, solidarity, and empowerment for all. When feminism becomes a club with strict membership requirements, it perpetuates hierarchies and reinforces power dynamics that marginalise certain voices. Instead of gatekeeping who gets to be a “proper” feminist, we should be actively working to dismantle these barriers and create more inclusive spaces.

Representation in mainstream feminism is not just about visibility; it’s about validation, empowerment, and inclusivity.