Eden Parry, BA Theology & Religious Studies

'White Feminism' in post colonial, religious discourse

I found this area of study very interesting since starting University as I believe it is
highly relevant and because it covers two areas that have been historically excluded
and forced to remain absent from academia. Before university I had a narrow view of
feminism and very little understanding of colonialism as it was never taught in my
formal education. I also saw the two as very different areas. Both are highly
important in relation to religious studies and theology as religion can be used to both
empower and diminish women of colour. In my presentation I will discuss the
Eurocentric nature of my school education and the way in which this shaped my
understandings of colonialism and feminism – particularly in relation to feminism
focused on inequalities of white woman and does not engage in the struggles of
women of colour or acknowledge the role white women have in this discrimination. I
will focus on the use of ‘her-story’ and feminist theology to empower women of
colour in both western and non-western countries and why the voices of such women
have to be heard in academia to do so.