The feminist movement in the United States has always been a complex tapestry woven with competing priorities, intersecting identities, and shifting allegiances. White women, as the historical founders of feminism, were pivotal in securing rights for women, from suffrage to workplace equality. Yet, over time, a significant subset of white women has pivoted from the progressive ideals that defined early feminist waves to embrace a return to traditional family values. This ideological shift raises critical questions about the inclusivity of the feminist movement and its consequences for Black women, who remain entrenched in struggles exacerbated by systemic inequities.

Even more troubling, this retreat has fractured alliances and highlighted the underlying tensions in feminist solidarity. Many Black women, influenced by feminist narratives, have been led to see Black men as adversaries rather than allies in the fight against racial injustice. This has deepened divides within Black communities, undermining collective efforts for progress.

The growing disconnect was underscored when Joy Reid of MSNBC took to TikTok to warn white liberal women not to expect Black women to join them if they march on Donald Trump. It is unfortunate that it took our sister so long to realize that the narrative and rhetoric she often delivered on MSNBC contradicted the actual needs of Black people, especially Black men and women. However, it seems the lenses of her liberal feminist perspective have finally been cleared. Reid’s message on TikTok urged Black women to focus instead on saving themselves, prioritizing Black men, and supporting Black businesses and communities—an approach that Black men had been advocating all along, only to have their voices drowned out by the noise of left-wing media. This shift signals a long-overdue reckoning with the true priorities of the Black community.

This call for a shift in focus reveals a growing recognition that the feminist movement, as shaped by white women, no longer serves the needs or addresses the realities of Black women’s lives. It is a rallying cry to redirect energy toward building Black-centered solutions and alliances to confront systemic injustices and foster empowerment within the community.

The Feminist Movement’s White Foundations

The origins of feminism in the U.S. were overwhelmingly white. First-wave feminism, which centered on suffrage and property rights, largely excluded women of color. Second-wave feminism, with its focus on reproductive rights and workplace equality, began to incorporate more intersectional concerns but often fell short of fully addressing the unique oppressions faced by Black women. The mainstream feminist movement was built on a framework that assumed a shared womanhood while ignoring racial disparities, leaving Black women to forge their own paths within the fight for gender and racial equality.

White women’s leadership in feminism was instrumental in securing landmark victories, yet it often failed to extend solidarity to women of color. Black feminists like Bell Hooks and Kimberlé Crenshaw have long critiqued this exclusion, calling attention to how white feminist agendas often centered their own experiences and ignored the compounded challenges of racism and sexism faced by Black women.

The Return to Family Values

The 2024 U.S. presidential election highlighted a significant shift among white women voters. Despite Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about women and policies perceived as hostile to gender equality, 54% of white women cast their ballots for him, an increase from previous elections. Notably, among white women without college degrees, support for Trump surged to 61%, underscoring a continued embrace of traditional family values over feminist solidarity. This voting trend prioritized the nuclear family narrative and economic stability over collective progress.

This pattern echoes the cultural conservatism of the 1970s “family values” movement, which cast feminism as a threat to traditional roles of motherhood and homemaking. Trump’s campaign once again leveraged this legacy, framing his agenda as a defense of motherhood, family, and nation—values that resonated deeply with a significant portion of white women voters. This alignment demonstrates how race and privilege often outweigh gender solidarity, as white women’s votes reflected a commitment to preserving a social order that benefits them racially and economically, even when it conflicts with broader feminist ideals.

Black Women: Feminism’s Forgotten Pillar

While white women retreated to the comforts of traditionalism, Black women remained steadfast on the frontlines of progressive movements. Black women have long been a driving force behind social justice initiatives, from civil rights to reproductive rights, yet their contributions often go unrecognized within mainstream feminist narratives.

The retreat of white women from feminist solidarity has left Black women grappling with compounded challenges. Systemic issues such as mass incarceration, economic disenfranchisement, and healthcare disparities have devastated Black communities, contributing to low marriage rates and fractured family structures. Black women bear the brunt of these realities, often navigating single parenthood and systemic racism without the support structures that white feminism once promised to dismantle.

Even more divisive has been the effect of feminist rhetoric that positions Black men as obstacles rather than allies. Many Black women, persuaded by white feminist narratives, have viewed Black men as the root of their struggles, framing them as patriarchal oppressors rather than co-victims of systemic racism. This misdirection undermines unity within Black communities and diverts attention from the structural forces—mass incarceration, unemployment, and systemic racism—that have long disrupted Black families and relationships.

The Rent, Not Race

The crux of white women’s retreat from liberal feminism lies not in a rejection of racial equality but in an urgent response to economic instability. While Black women often preached independence and embraced the mantra of “I don’t need a man,” influenced by feminist narratives, white women were focused on ensuring their sons would someday become heads of households with wives and families to support. For many white women, the stability of their children’s futures—particularly their sons—has been a central concern. They view financial security as essential to fulfilling these traditional roles, reflecting the societal structures they grew up with and still value.

This divergence in priorities is deeply rooted in lived experiences. Many Black women grew up without a strong male presence in the household or a consistent father figure, leading to different perceptions of family dynamics and independence. Without witnessing traditional male roles in the home, Black women often did not share the same vision of male leadership that many white women sought to preserve for their sons. Instead, Black women were influenced by a combination of necessity and cultural narrative, prioritizing self-reliance and independence as tools for survival in a system that frequently failed their families.

The independence Black women thought they were building alongside white women, in solidarity against patriarchal structures, was, in reality, a divergence in both experiences and objectives. As Black women celebrated self-reliance, they were unaware that many white women were simultaneously reinforcing traditional gender roles within their own families, particularly for their sons. This misalignment has left Black women grappling with systemic inequities and fractured alliances, navigating a reality starkly different from the solidarity they once believed they shared.

A Manufactured Divide

The tension between Black men and women, exacerbated by certain feminist narratives, is not an organic consequence of their lived experiences but a manufactured divide that overlooks the unique racial dynamics shaping their relationships. Feminism, as conceptualized in many mainstream discourses, has often failed to account for the intersection of race and gender, leading to narratives that inadvertently pit Black men and women against one another.

By framing gender as a struggle against men broadly, rather than examining how systemic forces distinctly affect different racial groups, white-centric feminism has encouraged Black women to adopt adversarial stances toward Black men. This framing, however, neglects the historical and ongoing realities of shared oppression that both Black men and women face under systemic racism.

This division became glaring during the most recent election, where the unfortunate narrative that Black men were at odds with the Democratic platform or policies gained significant traction. Despite Black men’s historic and overwhelming support for the Democratic Party, any critique they voiced about Democratic strategies or policies was frequently dismissed as misogynistic or indicative of hatred toward Black women. Such characterizations have not only deepened mistrust between Black men and women but also given cover to a toxic strand of Black feminism that weaponizes gender conflicts to dismiss legitimate concerns raised by Black men.

This toxic form of Black feminism often amplifies the most damaging stereotypes about Black men, painting them as inherently antagonistic, oppressive, or politically regressive. It creates a harmful binary where Black women’s alignment with feminist ideologies that center whiteness is seen as progress, while Black men’s critiques are demonized as backward or even harmful. This binary has fueled divisions, distracting both groups from addressing the systemic forces that oppress them collectively.

For Black women, engaging in a feminism that marginalizes the nuances of Black lived experiences has sometimes meant prioritizing gender solidarity over racial solidarity. This approach ignores the ways in which Black men and women are both impacted by institutionalized racism, poverty, mass incarceration, and educational inequities. For Black men, the dismissal of their perspectives as inherently misogynistic fosters feelings of alienation and resentment. This cycle perpetuates mistrust, impeding unified efforts to tackle shared struggles and undermining collective advocacy for racial justice.

The historical roots of feminism often overlooked the unique challenges faced by Black women, who simultaneously navigate the dual oppressions of sexism and racism. By failing to center these intersections, feminism has at times fostered divisive ideologies that do not align with the lived realities of Black communities, where survival often depends on unity rather than division.

This polarization within Black male-female relationships has broader implications, creating fractures in personal partnerships, familial structures, and community organizing efforts. Instead of being allies in the fight against structural inequities, Black men and women are often drawn into cycles of blame and defensiveness. This dynamic reinforces toxic stereotypes and serves white supremacist ideologies by undermining the collective power of Black communities.

To address these challenges, there must be a deliberate effort to confront the toxic narratives embedded in certain strands of feminism and their divisive impact on Black relationships. A reimagined framework of feminism and political engagement is needed—one that genuinely centers intersectionality and acknowledges the shared struggles of Black men and women while addressing the unique challenges each faces. It must also reject the oversimplified and harmful portrayals of Black men as inherently adversarial or misogynistic and challenge toxic Black feminism that perpetuates these narratives.

By fostering empathy, understanding, and solidarity, Black men and women can reclaim their relationships and political unity as a source of mutual support and collective resistance against systemic oppression. Only through this recalibration can the cycle of division be disrupted, paving the way for stronger bonds and more effective advocacy for racial justice.

The Way Forward

The retreat of white women from progressive feminism to conservative family values is a cautionary tale about the fragility of solidarity when it is not rooted in intersectionality. The white woman’s abandonment of feminism as we know it underscores a shift in priorities: ensuring the survival of her sons as future husbands and heads of households. This pragmatic move, aimed at preserving the traditional family unit, highlights the critical role of economic and familial stability in shaping societal values. As white women increasingly align with Trump’s family values, it is clear their focus has shifted to securing the future of their families, leaving Black women to reevaluate their own path.

For Black women, this shift presents an urgent call to reconsider their role in the feminist movement and redirect their focus toward Black men, Black families, and Black communities. Black women can prioritize Black men because they are raising Black sons who will one day need to navigate the world as men and potential heads of households. They can prioritize Black men because they have Black husbands, whose strength and support are critical to thriving families. They can prioritize Black families because strong families are the foundation of healthy Black communities. The fight for freedom, justice, and economic empowerment cannot be waged in isolation; it must be pursued together, with Black men and women standing united.

Throughout history, Black men and women have been partners in resisting systemic oppression, from the abolition of slavery to the civil rights movement. This partnership must be revitalized and fortified. Rebuilding trust and unity within the Black community is not only a means to address internal challenges but also a vital strategy to combat systemic forces that continue to fracture Black families and undermine collective progress.

Read: The Election Won’t Save Us: Why Black Prosperity Depends on Economic Unity, Not Political Heroes

Solidarity between Black men and women is the cornerstone for strengthening the Black family and combating the inequities that disproportionately harm Black communities. Feminism in its current form, often centered on individualism and disconnected from the realities of race, cannot address these deeply entrenched issues. Black women must lead the charge in setting a new standard for Black family values alongside Black men, focused on building strong families and nurturing a sense of community that fosters resilience and economic freedom.

Now is the time for Black women to take the lead, working with Black men to reclaim the narrative, rebuild the community, and restore the family. Strong Black families are not just a necessity for Black communities—they are essential for ensuring justice, equity, and economic freedom for future generations. By setting the standard for Black family values, Black women and men can create a unified front that reclaims power, restores dignity, and redefines success in their own terms. Only together can the promise of liberation and progress for all be fulfilled.

When Moses stood before Pharaoh demanding the freedom of his people, he wasn’t there to negotiate for better conditions or gain a place at Pharaoh’s table. God’s command was unmistakable: “Let my people go.” Today, as government support fades, many civil rights leaders continue organizing marches, pushing for inclusion in a system God calls us to leave behind.

Isaiah warned us in 30:1-3: “Woe to the rebellious children… who take counsel, but not of me… who walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth.” The ancient Israelites struggled to let go of Egypt’s familiar oppression, and today, some of our leaders still march back to the very institutions that have historically failed us.

Why do we seek solutions from a broken government of the Democrats and Republicans when God’s direction is clear? Jeremiah 17:5 warns, “Cursed is the man who trusteth in man… whose heart departeth from the Lord.” We must confront why we keep following worn-out paths of protest and petition, looking to the same institutions that have held us back.

The Trap of Dependency

For decades, the Black community’s relationship with government assistance has been a double-edged sword. Programs like welfare provided vital support during times of systemic exclusion, but they also ingrained a cycle of dependency that fractured families and weakened community bonds. It is well-documented that welfare policies often required the absence of the Black man in the home for a family to maintain eligibility for benefits, effectively forcing a separation between Black men and women. Have we forgotten how reliance on these programs disrupted the structure of the Black family and undermined its stability?

This dependency mirrors the Israelites’ reliance on the Egyptian system—a system that sustained them in captivity but was never designed to set them free. Our challenge today is not to preserve these systems but to seize this moment of transformation and pursue true empowerment. By shifting our focus from dependency to independence, we have the opportunity to create a legacy of self-sufficiency and resilience for generations to come.

This is why younger generations view economic empowerment as the ultimate equalizer. They are determined to break free from dependency, building their own ecosystems of services, and leveraging tax strategies historically reserved for the wealthy. These young innovators are laying the foundation for generational wealth with a focus on real estate, investing, entrepreneurship, and new technologies like cryptocurrency. Their energy, creativity, and determination are propelling this movement forward, and it is our responsibility to support, guide, and empower them as they redefine independence and build a brighter future for the Black community.

Black Excellence and Economic Power

The Black community has shown remarkable resilience, talent, and creativity in every field, even under systemic constraints. From the entrepreneurial spirit that built Black Wall Street in Tulsa to the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, our achievements are a testament to our strength. Yet, despite these successes, we still lack control over key institutions, underscoring the need for ownership at the highest levels.

We are the most educated group of Black people in the world, yet we don’t own a single national Black airline or even one national Black hotel chain. We have been tricked into codependency on institutions that don’t represent us, and we have been conditioned to accept this dependency without even questioning it. The time has come to reclaim our dignity and assert our economic independence. We genuinely need Moses to lead us because Pharaoh still rules over us.

Our collective economic power—now exceeding $1.4 trillion—demands that we shift from consumers within an existing system to architects of our own. True independence lies in claiming control through ownership, unity, and a steadfast commitment to self-sufficiency. Imagine the possibilities if we could harness this power to build our own institutions, create jobs, and foster economic growth within our communities.

Building a Foundation for Empowerment

To truly transform our community, we must build on three essential pillars: faith, cooperative economics, and community development.

Historically, our spiritual foundation, rooted deeply in our churches, has given us resilience in adversity. Today, these same institutions can become centers of financial education, business incubation, and community-driven initiatives. Proverbs 29:18 reminds us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” By uniting purposefully, our churches and communities can lead toward a renewed vision for economic empowerment and independence.

Cooperative economics, inspired by the principle of Ujamaa, has long shown the transformative power of pooling resources to uplift one another. Imagine if we could replicate the success of Black Wall Street by creating more community-owned businesses and cooperatives. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift his fellow.” This scripture speaks directly to the strength we gain when we support each other. By expanding models of cooperative economics, we can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that strengthens Black-owned businesses, connects local talent, and fosters growth and stability in our neighborhoods.

The resources for this transformation are already within our grasp. Black churches generate an estimated $11 billion annually, and Black consumers possess a collective spending power of $1.7 trillion—more significant than the GDP of some small nations. Yet, despite clear biblical guidance, a dependency mindset has hindered us from achieving independence. Deuteronomy 28:12 promises, “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty… to bless all the work of your hands.” We are called to act and build, not rely on others.

By embracing our faith, practicing cooperative economics, and committing to community development, we can answer this call and build a legacy of economic independence and strength. It’s time to honor God’s vision for us: a community that prospers and stands together, creating opportunity and wealth for future generations.

A New Era of Leadership

The time for traditional marches and political petitions has passed. While we honor the sacrifices of past civil rights leaders, today’s challenges demand solutions rooted in economic empowerment and social transformation, not just political action. Just as Jehovah allowed the older generation of Israelites to wander in the wilderness until they passed on, clearing the way for a new generation of bold, young leaders to carry Israel into the promised land, we too face a pivotal transition.

This year at Invest Fest, with 20,000 attendees—most under 45 years old—the sentiment about the election was crystal clear. No one was waiting for any living president to represent them. Their focus was on how to get the “dead one” to work for them; in other words, how to make money. Real estate, investing, Bitcoin, and residual income dominated the conversation. The wisdom of clearing the path for a new generation resonates today: a generation unburdened by the fears and limitations of the past is ready to lead.

God’s command to the Israelites was not to negotiate with Pharaoh for better conditions but to leave Egypt entirely and build a new nation. This decisive break was necessary to achieve true independence. Similarly, our community must move beyond petitions and protests that seek minor adjustments in a system that was never designed to serve us fully. Instead, we must build something entirely our own.

Nehemiah understood this principle deeply. When it was time to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he didn’t waste energy appealing to the Persian government for assistance. Instead, he organized his people, mobilized resources, and led them in rebuilding with purpose and unity. True sovereignty, he realized, required action, commitment, and self-reliance, not dependency on external powers. This same spirit of determination and cooperation is what we must embrace as we strive for economic independence.

Our community now needs leaders with the same vision and courage—leaders who understand that true independence is built with our own hands, not granted through appeals. We need builders, entrepreneurs, educators, and organizers who are ready to shape a future of self-reliance and collective strength. The path forward is clear: not begging for better conditions but creating a new foundation for generations to come.

Recognizing the Divine Signal

Just as God sent signs to Pharaoh to release His people, the current dismantling of government support is a signal for us. Like the Israelites, who had to learn self-reliance in the wilderness, we, too, are being called to a season of independence. Isaiah 48:17 reminds us, “I am the Lord… which teacheth thee to profit.” God is guiding us toward prosperity, but we must be willing to release our old dependencies and trust in His provision.

God has never desired for His people to rely on earthly powers. Throughout scripture, we see a clear call to place our faith in Him, not in the institutions of this world. Even Jesus, when questioned about earthly authorities, pointed to God rather than Caesar, declaring, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). If Jesus Himself did not place His trust in earthly rulers, why should we?

It is time to reject dependency on systems that do not serve our ultimate good. Instead, let us follow God’s lead, embracing self-sufficiency, unity, and faith in Him as our source.

The Power of Organization and Civic Engagement

What Black people must do now is organize with purpose and urgency. It’s time to channel the energy we pour into tracking football or basketball stats into something far more critical: our community’s political health. Instead of obsessing over game scores, we need to scrutinize the performance of our local representatives. We can rally passionately for parties or entertainment, yet too often, we refuse or fail to organize effectively for meaningful local political engagement. This neglect is a major reason why Black communities across the nation face dire conditions.

We must hold our leaders accountable. Take note of their actions—or inactions—and assess whether they have genuinely served the interests of our community. If they’ve failed us, we must use the power of our votes to replace them with leaders who will prioritize our values, address our needs, and advocate for our advancement.

Our influence is immense, and our communities deserve representatives who reflect our ambitions, stand firm for our rights, and invest in our future. The time to organize is now—not for entertainment or distractions, but for the political and social transformation our neighborhoods desperately need.

The Promise of True Independence

As we move forward, Black Americans must rethink our approach to politics and how it serves our interests. Relying on a single political party has yet to yield the desired results. Instead, our political strategy must be guided by independence, focusing on policies that align with our community’s vision for progress, not loyalty to any one party.

Like Joshua and Caleb, who saw the promise of the land rather than the giants, we must recognize our potential and seize this moment. The old guard may resist outdated methods, but we must embrace new paths and opportunities. As 2 Corinthians 6:17 reminds us, “Come out from among them and be separate.” This separation is not about turning away from the world but building the independence God has intended for us, standing on a foundation of self-reliance and community strength.

The path forward is not in the streets with familiar chants; it’s in shaping our future through ownership, unity, and purpose. Now is the time to trust in God’s call to genuine independence. The era of marching has passed; the era of building, organizing, and reevaluating our dependencies is here. Let us heed this call, stepping boldly into a future that reflects the power, resilience, and potential within us.