The first order of business would be firstly to define ‘Intersectionality’ in order to gain a better understanding and grasp of the concept. ‘Intersectionality’ is a term that was first developed during the second wave of academic feminism during the 1970’s where women’s’ experience was at the forefront of Feminist thought according to Shields (2008). In 1989 Kimberle Crenshaw, an American Legal Scholar, did a study on ‘intersectionality’ in which she refers to an interaction between the different aspects of our ‘identities’ such as ‘gender’, ‘race’ and ‘class’. ‘Intersectionality’ as a concept aims to understand social inequality and systematic injustice by observing the ‘multiple categories of difference in individual lives, social practices, institutional arrangements, and cultural ideologies and the outcomes of these interactions in terms of power’ (Davis.2008). ‘Intersectionality’ has two major focal points which are identity and difference, and inequality and oppression. The scholars Brah and Phoenix (2004) understand ‘intersectionality’ as an interconnection of a multiple axis of differentiation found when observing at categories’ of identity. They further extend the definition by adding …show more content…
Donna Lancianese raises the point that identities intersect at the point of symbolism or the meanings associated with the identities. The symbols and meanings associated with the identities are ‘moderated and integrated’ (Lancianese.2014) by society and this is what essentially causes the conflict. (conflict in meaning and interpretation).Thus according to Shields(2008) intersectionality has changed the way in which, particularly feminist scholars, view and challenge ‘gender inequality’ as well as the meaning attached to membership of the groups as written by
Some may live through being sexually abused, live in extreme poverty, or even fall victim of being physical or verbally abused. Whatever the reason is, this book shows an outlet for these struggles. The only way we can help others fight these intersectionality issues is by knowing your privilege and using it to help the oppressed with no voice. In Brittney Cooper’s article “Feminism’s ugly internal clash: Why its future is not up to the white women” she states that “the future of feminism is not up to the white women. Not by themselves anyway”.
The predominant ideas put forth in the piece from the Combahee River Collective were those that addressed the shortcomings of the feminist movement to include all women and to address the full range of issues that oppress individuals and groups of people in our patriarchal society. This greatly furthered my ongoing development and understanding of what intersectionality is, what its goals are, and how it can help everyone instead of the predominately white, cisgendered, heterosexual, upper middle class women that composed and continue to compose a large portion of the feminist movement. One of the biggest shortcomings that are addressed in this piece focused on the racism within the feminist movement and its limited or even minimal efforts
This question poses an interesting discourse based on the intersectionality
In this part, the intersectionality of race and gender developed by Critical Race theorist can be used. Critical Race Theorist argues that “race does not occur independently of the histories of
In “Intersectional Resistance and Law Reform,” Dean Spade proposes that the United States was founded through “racialization…(which) continues to operate under new guises… that produce, manage, and deploy gender categories and sexuality and family norms” (16). More over, these laws and norms tend to maintain the “status quo,” and employ an inherently flawed justice system that is only equipped to address single-axis discrimination issues (5). Thus, the intersectionality movement is largely dismissed by the social and justice systems, as it utilizes “critical intersectional tools… that are often (too) difficult for legal scholars to comprehend” (17). Interstionality’s progress is also impeded by advocates leaving to support single-axis issues. However, Spade warns that this approach is ineffective, as it fails to protect the most marginalized members of society.
In “Coalitions as a Model for Intersectionality: From Practice to Theory,” Elizabeth Cole addresses how the intersectional approach should be utilized to form coalitions that seek to advance marginalized populations (1). However, unlike the feminist movement, that narrowly defined its goals and constituency, these newly formed coalitions should be broad based, incorporating diverse populations and directives. Moreover, the alliances can even be formed by seemingly unlike populations, which when analyzed through the intersectional lens, may share similar experiences and goals. In addition, by examining the numerous axis of gender, race, and other intersectional components, one can identify other similarities not previously recognized.
Write an essay that explains and illustrates the significance of taking an intersectional approach to queer studies. Intersectionality is a theory which states that people have multiple identities and therefore belong to more than one community and thus experience multiple oppressions at the same time. Those who face multiple oppressions because of their layered identities are mostly queer women of color. Taking an intersectional approach to queer studies means exposing the inequalities and disadvantages that occur when people have multiple identities in order for transformational political work to happen. People of color, especially lesbian women of color experience this layered oppression.
According to Nicki L. Cole’s article, “Definitions of Intersectionality,” the concept of intersectionality “refers to the simultaneous experience of categorical and hierarchical classifications,” including race, class, and gender. Consequently, the different forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, and sexism, depend on one another and intersect to form “a unified system of oppression” (Cole). Using the concept of intersectionality as an “analytical tool,” social scientists may research “how different forms of privilege and oppression exist simultaneously in shaping [one’s] experiences in [society]” (Cole). In the article, “The Case for Reparations,” the concept of intersectionality reveals that capitalists purposely pitted the various
Identity is how a person is perceived by both themselves and others. Combining different values, experiences, and distinguishing characteristics make up a person's identity. Intersectionality is how people are disadvantaged due to race, gender, and status, which shape their identity. This disadvantage is evident through the oppression and discrimination towards the individual and their identity. In Brent Staples' essay "Black Men in Public Spaces," we learn how appearance, a defining aspect of identity, can lead to unwarranted discrimination and trepidation.
Intersectionality is when there is other problematic society that affects a certain group of people within society is interconnected. The minority may all belong to the same group but yet there are many categories within that group that also deal with more than one form of oppression. In the article, the author makes valid points of the daily struggles of being a woman in society but also shines light on the issue that she also faces other forms of oppression because of her skin color. To the average white woman, the only form of institutionalized oppression they experience is solely gender based and therefore they tend to dismiss the idea that other races and religious fight for equality is much more intense. Intersectionality also contends
1.The theory/concept of intersectionality is a theory centered around oppression, domination and discrimination through various mediums from the social and cultural elements of society. The theory can be applied in many ways toward women as well as their involvement in the criminal justice system. Some forms of discrimination that is more prevalent in perceiving the individual is using a woman's status, race, sexual orientation, ability and age, however there can be more added to this list. The wiki article said “The theory proposes that we should think of each element or trait of a person as inextricably linked with all of the other elements in order to fully understand one's identity.”
Intersectionality is defined by social categories, such as race and gender that have interconnected to apply to individuals and groups, causing an overlap, which has consequently created a system of discrimination and disadvantages Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term in her article ‘Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Anti-racist Politics’ (1889). Intersectionality can be recognised in many iconic Disney films such as, Cinderella, snow white. Aladdin and little mermaid. All these well-known movies provide societal intersections. This can be addressed through the protagonists and princesses ethnicity of being white, with Disney only recently introducing a black princess, in 2009.
Reading and Reimagining Social Life In Allan Johnson’s Privilege, Power, and Difference, Patricia Hill Collins describes the Matrix of Domination as an intersectionality between all the isms, especially racism and sexism. Collins describes this cycle of domination saying “that each form of privilege is part of a much larger system of privilege” (Johnson, 52). Work for change needs to focus on the idea of privilege in all forms and the way in which it enables people to think in relation to inequality and power. The only way to understand the matrix, is by understanding its dimensions.
Without applying intersectionality in analysis, oppression can only be understood in general terms, which can cause forms of oppression to become undetected (Mattsson, 2014). Instead, intersectionality, demonstrates the complexity of gender, sexuality, class, and race avoiding stereotypes as a whole, rather than simplifying an individual based on one characteristic (Mattsson, 2014). For example, when I was working at a Community Centre in the Jane and Finch area, I had a conversation with my co-worker. He described the barriers and struggles he has faced because of his race and socioeconomic status. It was through this conversation that I realized the pre-conceived notions my co-worker had about me, as a white individual who did not grow-up in the same neighbourhood.
Kareen Harboyan English 1C Professor Supekar March 15, 2018 Word Count: Crenshaw’s Mapping the Margins: The Marginalization of Women of Color Analyzed Through Generalization and A Feminist Lens Crenshaw's Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color expands on the multifaceted struggles of women of color and the generalizations ingrained in society that limit women of color and keep them in a box. In this text, Crenshaw builds on the concept of intersectionality which proposes that social categorizations such as gender and race are intertwined and have great influence on one another.