Refusing to Wait: Anarchism and Intersectionality

by J. Rogue, Deric Shannon

Anarchism can learn a lot from the feminist movement. In many respects it already has. Anarcha-feminists have developed analyses of patriarchy that link it to the state form. We have learned that no revolutionary project can be complete while men systematically dominate and exploit women; that socialism is a rather empty goal if men's domination of women is left intact.

This essay argues that anarchists can likewise learn from the theory of "intersectionality" that emerged from the feminist movement. Indeed, anarchist conceptions of class struggle have widened as a result of the rise of feminist movements, civil rights movements, gay and lesbian liberation movements, etc. But how do we position ourselves regarding those struggles? What is their relationship to the class struggle? Do we dismiss them as "mere identity politics"?

Genres: Feminism, Politics

10 pages, Pamphlet

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

J. Rogue is an intersectional anarchist-communist who has been organizing in anarchist, feminist and radical queer movements for over ten years. Much of that work has centered around HIV/AIDS, prisons, and militarism, and making connections between systems of oppression and exploitation, in particular through the lens of media analysis. Rogue is a member of the Black Rose Anarchist Federation and the Civilian Soldier Alliance, and lives in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Pranav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, small overview and introduction. Worth reading for feminists, anarchists, and people broadly interested in social justice with a desire to smash all oppressive hierarchical structures in our society.

[Sean Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We mustn't wait for some ill-conceived revolution to begin to tear down hierarchies, and no revolution is complete so long as any are in-tact. The Mujeres Libres learned this in Catalonia, where when capitalism fell, patriarchy continued its gendered violence. They had to then fight their own revolution within the revolution. We can learn from that past. We must start now. A truly excellent piece on intersectionality, and essential for any anarchist and verily any leftist.