Feminist Hypocrisy

“The Masters Tool Will Never Dismantle the Masters House” by Audre Lorde represents a vivid metaphor (The Masters Tool) satirizing females for claiming to be feminists when, in fact, they seem to be following the patriarchal system previously set out by men by classifying and segregating women into groups (in this case, white, upper-class feminists vs. black, third-world, and/or lesbian feminists). Her central argument reflects upon the irony of this situation; she expresses frustration in the ignorance and hypocrisy of these women by falling into the same errors as the men they protested against. Further, Lorde emphasizes the need for a more unified everyday thought and existence between all feminist women, calling for an identity in “our [women] relative roles in joint survival” (27). 

While I agree with her point that it is hypocritical of certain feminists to classify themselves as better or more elite than others based on social rank, I find that Lorde seems to neglect that people are different and have different general outlooks on the world, even if they stand for feminism. The fact is some feminists come from white upper-class families and others from a third-world country so naturally they will view the world differently. Even if they share a common belief that men have mistreated women for thousands of years, the fact is white women did not go through slavery, wealthy women do not suffer the same as women in third-world countries, heterosexual women may not always agree with homosexuality, etc. Lorde makes a compelling argument, yet fails to fully consider the context between different classes of feminists and states, “This is a diversion of energies and a tragic repetition of racist patriarchal thought." (27). Maybe I am a cynic. Maybe I am a realist. Maybe being around an all-male environment severely sways my views towards feminism. I just do not believe bickering over the women involved in the movement serves a purpose; rather, feminists should focus on their commonalities and neglect their differences for the greater good of the cause.