Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

Identity Politics: Do They Create a Greater Divide Among Different Groups of Women Fighting for Equality with Men?

In this paper, using the #MeToo and the #UsToo movements, I attempt to find if the division among the different groups of women using identity politics and intersectionality is causing more struggles in women's fight for equality with men. I believe throughout our history we can see a pattern of minorities being excluded in different areas of life based on the divisions of race, class, and sexuality among the different groups of people. This pattern of exclusion is the major cause of the women's fight for equality with men to be extremely difficult. In the #MeToo movement, we are able to see minorities being excluded, suppressed, and ignored from the white women and celebrities' stories, which gave way for the #UsToo movement. With the #UsToo movement, we are beginning to see a similar effect as the #MeToo movement with other minorities being left out, although it was created in order to have those being left out heard. There are only two ways that I could see change able to come about: (1) if the women and men who are part of the #MeToo and the #UsToo movements were to build a coalition and create bigger numbers within their group; and/or (2) if we changed how society views the gender roles of men and women, especially in the workplace. Once women are seen as true equal beings with men inside the workplace, then I believe it will be an easier transaction to create complete gender equality.