Patriarchal and colonial structures have dominated North American society for centuries, consistently predicting the outcomes of lived experiences for marginalized groups. Over time, collective efforts within society have come to challenge these structures, including the contemporary feminist movement as well as decolonization efforts, respectfully. What has often been ignored within the mainstream feminist movement, however, is the interconnected nature of patriarchy with other oppressive structures, such as colonialism. This has resulted in a clear lack of identity of many in today’s world with the feminist label, despite adhering to sentiments of gender equity. Additionally, numerous other varieties of feminist scholarship and activism have emerged, seeking to ameliorate many of the existing gaps in mainstream feminism, including indigenous feminisms. Thus, I argue that as the mainstream feminist movement progresses in the contemporary moment, it is imperative that it make space for other feminisms.
