Feminism's Problem with Race, Part Two

I've been following the (now three ) threads on Feminist regarding the recent #solitaryforwhitewomen tag, and I highly suggest all white feminists do the same, even those who aren't active commenters on Feministe.

I criticize Feministe a lot, not because I don't like the site or Jill, but because I do. Because there is immense potential there, and I always end up disappointed. Though I will say that it isn't Feministe alone, but something more symptomatic of liberal and progressive spaces overall -- the sense that racism (as well as transphobia, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia) can't exist here because we're good liberals; we've unpacked all our privileges.

Lauren, who started Feministe back in the early 2000s, left a lengthy comment  apologizing for her exclusion of WOC (as well as others who don't fit the straight, white, able-bodied, middle-class template),  and her involvement with HS, which is admirable, but incomplete. She says:

I would have liked to see during the “Full Frontal/Jungle” fight was some feminist bloggers writing explicit guides to up and coming writers — particularly non-traditional writers, say, who hadn’t gone to college or who were home with children or who lacked some of the illustrious friendships, resumes, and connections that would serve as a professional stepping stool — about how to break into the publishing world, write a book proposal, shop for and secure an agent, create a portfolio, create professional social media presences, submit to brick and mortar publishing institutions, and make this process more open and transparent for all instead of guarding trade secrets.

I don't think this is a bad per se -- it's good to share resources --  but it still trades in the idea that feminism is capitalism. Maybe I'm just a hippy socialist, but it seems disingenuous. And the "we need to help them because obviously they can't help themselves" talk is pretty othering.

On a personal note, I'm trying to make an effort to be more vocal in the actual community rather than from the relative safety of my own blog. I see too much happening and say nothing, in part because I feel alienated by feminism, too, but that doesn't make it any less hypocritical.