Why I won't "Dial Down The Feminism"

Allow me to introduce myself.

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My name is Kathleen Schwarz. I’m 40 years old and have been a physical therapist for the past 17 years. I became a yoga teacher 3 years ago after practicing gentle yoga had a *profound* effect on my mental health. Since then, I’ve also become certified in Thai yoga and Reiki healing. I called my company Compassionate Healing Services because I truly believe it is my compassion for others that makes me most unique (that, and a weight-neutral approach). It is my mission to make yoga and other holistic wellness services affordable and ACCESSIBLE to all regardless of age, size, physical ability or even financial status. 

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I’m also a proud feminist. Not sure what that means? Activist and author Cheris Kramarae perhaps summed it up best: “feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” I think we can all agree with that, no? 

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Let me be clear, though: I’m no white feminist. In fact, the feminist movements of the past have done more to uphold white supremacist patriarchy than to dismantle it. Until white women as a whole check their privilege and start centering the voices of those who are most marginalized, we will never achieve the equality we seek. As I say in my bio, if your femimism isn’t intersectional, it’s harmful. 

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Are you someone who believes “white supremacy” “patriarchy” “rape culture” and “white privilege” are all BS terms made up by the “liberal media”?

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Cool. You’re entitled to your shitty opinions, but let’s not waste either of our time by commenting or trying to change mine. (I’d also humbly submit our Rapist In Chief as exhibit A.) 

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If you do resonate with my posts, though, PLEASE follow me on Instagram @chsyoga.

I’ve been following the breadcrumbs over the past 3 years, and how I plan to achieve my mission has finally come into full view. I won’t reveal details just yet, but it’s BIG and SCARY and THRILLING and I will need all the help and support I can get. 

.Thank you for reading. ❤️