Summary of the Argument:
This article critiques the phenomenon of “celebrity feminism” and argues that it is indeed detrimental to the actual feminist movement. The author contends that focusing on the actions (or inactions) of famous women:
* Distracts from real feminist issues: It centers on individuals who are less affected by inequality, making it easier to critique them than to address systemic problems.
* Is structurally useless: It creates the illusion of progress without challenging the systems that benefit celebrities. Corporations actively encourage this “soft” feminism as it doesn’t threaten their practices.
* Avoids accountability: It allows people to feel politically engaged without actually being politically involved, and avoids confronting personal contradictions.
* Flattens feminist work: It reduces decades of activism to branding opportunities for those with little incentive to challenge the status quo.
* Shrinks feminism: It makes the movement seem fragile and unserious, where a celebrity’s silence can be seen as a crisis.
The author emphasizes that true feminist work happens outside the spotlight: in communities, workplaces, schools, and everyday interactions. It’s about collective action, supporting survivors, advocating for policy changes, and challenging power dynamics in all aspects of life.
The core message is that feminism cannot be outsourced to the wealthy; it must be built by those who need it, not those who can afford to treat it as optional. The article concludes with a call to action: to shift focus from celebrity debates to concrete actions within one’s own sphere of influence.
