13-Year-Old Disney Star Pens Essay on ‘White Feminism’ vs. ‘Black Feminism’

Getty Rowan Blanchard
Getty

Thirteen-year-0ld Disney star Rowan Blanchard penned an essay on “intersectional feminism” over the weekend that had at least one Hollywood star praising the young actress for her insight.

Blanchard, who plays the daughter of a grown-up Corey Matthews on the Disney Channel show Girl Meets World, was asked on social media how she felt about the term “‘white feminism’ and how common feminism might exclude women of color and non cis/queer women.”

The fan who asked the question probably wasn’t expecting a three-part essay from the young Disney star in response.

“This is such an important thing to be discussing,” Blanchard began a lengthy post on Instagram. “I have made a very big point at making sure my personal feminism includes everyone – and educating myself and discussing these topics have really helped.”

“Issues that are commonly thought of as feminist issues include sexual assault, rape, abortion, Planned Parenthood, domestic violence, equal education, and the wage gap. Feminists have also adopted marriage equality and gay/lesbian rights as their issue which is wonderful.

However, with as many issues as feminists have succeeded in adopting, many of us seem to have not accepted the fact that police brutality and race issues are our issues too.”

The actress continued by explaining the different ways in which white and black women experience sexism and inequality:

View this post on Instagram

Part 2. By me

A post shared by Rowan Blanchard (◕‿◕)🌹 (@rowanblanchard) on

View this post on Instagram

Part 3. By me 💕💕💕

A post shared by Rowan Blanchard (◕‿◕)🌹 (@rowanblanchard) on

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN on gender equality, quickly praised Blanchard’s essay in a tweet:

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.