Intersected
By Charlie Vargas
@CharlieVargas19
An intersectional conversation of Feminism sparked between students and guest faculty.
Associated Students of Chaffey College (ASCC) hosted an intimate panel regarding feminism for women of color, also known as Intersectional Feminism. The event consisted of three guest speakers Monica Stockhausen, Donna Colondres, and Jackie Boboye. Each of them discussed their struggles of being women of color, along with their different ways of realizing and embracing it.
Colondres shared an anecdote of her youth in which she not only wanted to join her school’s dance team but was also set on becoming the leader.
“I had parents who led me to believe I could be anything,” she said.
When she was not chosen she did not hesitate to ask why and shared that no one could give her a reason. After a couple practices the coaches saw the potential she had a as a dancer and she became the head of the dance team. Colondres believes that it was a struggle for the team to accept since she was the only girl of color on the team.
Struggle was a common theme for the other speakers as well.
Stockhausen, Professor of Business, shared her experiences with the glass ceiling in the business world and found herself having to prove herself to some of her bosses not only as a woman, but as one of color. Boboye went on to say that the struggles that Colondres and Stockhausen faced were ones that were relatable to her and that led to her empowerment.
“I have to struggle to appreciate where I am,” Boboye said.
The speakers spoke about their journeys and had words of advice for young women of color who are on their way to their successes. Stockhausen urged women not to sit and wait for opportunity to arise, but to cease situations and create new positions of power for women of color despite the criticism they might get.
The three women also offered up ideas for what people from any background can do to support women of color. One of these ideas was listening and acknowledging what a woman of color is saying by letting them know they have been seen and heard. Another idea they mentioned was being more conscious of language and image people may perpetuate.
“Sometimes it is not about ourselves it is about people in need of help and teaching them to be educated,” Boboye said.
The women explained that education is a step toward empathy for others, who may not understand another culture and often times that can be in the classroom.
"I thank Chaffey for helping me deal with people," Colondres said, "I can work anywhere with what I learned."
They added in their discussion that getting to know people individually is also another way to understand the different intersections of women of color, resulting in bringing everyone a little closer as a result,
“Let’s learn from one another,” Boboye said, “Let’s love one another.”