(This isn't going to be what you think it is, I promise.)

Intersectionality is a concept often used in critical theories to describe the ways in which oppressive institutions (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, classism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another.

Before I begin, I just want to say this doesn't have to do with the Super Bowl.  I didn't even watch it. xD

TRIGGER WARNING: I AM ABOUT TO DISCUSS SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT, SO PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU AREN'T COMFORTABLE.  I CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WELL-BEING, SO PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Okay, so let me start.

Hello, my name is Monica.  I am an intersectional feminist.  I gave the definition of intersectionality above (I'll give you the source in the comments) and I stand by this belief.

If you're also a feminist, that's cool.  If you're not, that's cool, too.  And if you've never heard of an intersectional feminist, well, now you have!

Now, I know what you're thinking: what do the WWE and the NFL have anything to do with feminism and intersectionality?

Well, I saw an article last night that said there are 44 NFL players who have been charged with sexual and/or physical assault. (I'll include the link to this, as well.) While not all the players still play, there are many who do.

One example is Jameis Winston.  Now, I don't know much about football (I couldn't tell you any of the rules), but I do know Jameis Winston is some big shot.  He was an incredible college player, and he was drafted to the big leagues and even played in the Pro Bowl.

He was accused of rape.  Jameis Winston was accused of rape and he still got to play in this prestigious game. (My brother told me that it's like an all-star game, so I'm basing this description on that.)

A more well-known example is Ray Rice.  In 2014, he physically assaulted his girlfriend, knocking her unconscious.  He was terminated from his team, the Baltimore Ravens, and I believe that was the right thing to do.  Then, the NFL suspended him indefinitely.  But he was reinstated.  He's not currently on a team.

First of all, the NFL shouldn't have suspended him; they should have fired him.  Second, when he appealed his suspension, they reinstated him.  They shouldn't have done that.  This man physically assaulted his girlfriend, and they are rewarding him by lifting his suspension and not firing him.

Now, let's talk about the WWE, shall we?

As far as I know, there haven't been a lot of cases of assault in the WWE, which is good.

So, instead, I'm going to talk about Hulk Hogan.

I'm sure most of you know, but as a refresher, I'll explain what happened.

Basically, video footage was leaked of Hogan using very inappropriate racial slurs to talk about his daughter's boyfriend (who was black).  When WWE found out about this, they fired him, and they erased every mention of Hulk Hogan there's ever been.

Now, the WWE may make me mad sometimes (anyone remember last year's Royal Rumble?), but they definitely did the right thing here.  Racism should never be tolerated, and they got rid of the source of it.

And I believe that if someone else said something racist or inappropriate, the WWE would do the right thing and fire them.

I'm not comparing racism to sexual/physical abuse, as they are completely different (but terrible) things.  But if the WWE handles racism this way, I have hope that they will handle a sexual assault or physical abuse case the same way.  Someone who does these things should not be allowed in the ring.  At all.

Considering they reacted as harshly as they did when Hulk Hogan said something, imagine what they'd do if someone did something.

The NFL should take some notes from the WWE concerning the way they handle certain things.  The way the WWE reacted about Hulk Hogan is how the NFL should react about these 44 players.

[So, I put Feminist Rant #1 in the title because I'm thinking about maybe doing more rants like these in the future?  Let me know what you thought of this, and let me know if you agree or not!

I will not tolerate people bashing feminism, so expect your comment to be deleted if you do that.]