Demystifying the term Women of Color

Women of Color is a debated topic. Some folks hate the term because it makes folks put Women of Color in a binary way, creating us verse them category. Some women love it and frequently describe a movement that isn’t talked about in the women’s category. Let’s break down the term Women of Color.

What is the term Women of Color?

According to the  Women of Color Network, Women of Color is a political term. It means addressing and unifying all women experiencing multiple marginalization layers with race and ethnicity as a common issue. It started in the 70s to address women communities’ violence in policies that women from diverse backgrounds experienced. 

Love it or hate the term, Women of Color can create a power dynamic in any institution. People unconsciously put Women of Color together. Even if there are differences between races, color, gender identity, people place Women of Color together because of their otherness. 

The political discourse of the term Women of Color is a heated topic. It makes a lot of sense because the term Women of Color or People of Color does/ and can dismiss Black, Latinx, Native, Asian Americans’ identity and experiences and puts it all into this ONE experience. When we neglect and do not acknowledge how different racial backgrounds affect America and heck the world, it creates the US vs. White America.  

For my book and my research, I used Women of Color for this collective. It’s tricky because many folks only consider Women of Color as Black women or everyone but Black women. I was frustrated with the lack of books and information that spoke about people’s inequity between Women of Color, and it is my mission to get more stories across.