How to explain to you white people who have no other choice? I am at a crossroads and the wind is pushing me towards my people. I must be in solidarity with men. How do I explain this to white women? And to feminists in particular? The women who fought for the recognition that separation and non-mixing are necessary for feminism to blossom as a political project?

I am a woman. Not just any woman. And I do not owe solidarity to just any men. I am an indigenous person and I offer my solidarity to men who share that condition. Those from my community. And if I did not offer it, it would catch up with me and force itself on me whether I wanted it or not.

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Houria Bouteldja is a spokesperson for Parti des Indigènes de la République. This commentary has also been published on the Decolonial Translation Group website, http://www.decolonialtranslation.com/english/pierre-jemila- dominique-and-mohamed.html. It was translated into English by Karen Wirsig and revised by Stefan Kipfer.