Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how different forms of oppression and discrimination overlap and interact. The term was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe the ways in which Black women experience multiple forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and classism. However, the concept of intersectionality can be applied to any group of people who experience multiple forms of oppression.
Intersectionality is important because it helps us to understand how different forms of oppression are interconnected and how they work together to create unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization. For example, a Black woman who is also working class and LGBTQ+ may experience discrimination in different ways than a Black woman who is middle class and heterosexual. This is because the different forms of oppression she experiences intersect with each other and create a unique set of challenges.
In the following sections, we will explore the concept of intersectionality in more detail and discuss some of the ways that it can be used to understand and address social injustice.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how different forms of oppression and discrimination overlap and interact.
- Multiple forms of oppression
- Overlapping and interconnected
- Unique experiences of discrimination
- Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term
- Black women's experiences
- Applicable to all marginalized groups
- Tool for understanding social injustice
- Promotes social justice and equity
Intersectionality is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing social injustice. It helps us to see how different forms of oppression work together to create unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization. By understanding intersectionality, we can work to create a more just and equitable world for all.
Multiple forms of oppression
Intersectionality recognizes that people can experience multiple forms of oppression and discrimination simultaneously. These forms of oppression can be based on factors such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and religion.
- Racism and sexism
Black women in the United States experience both racism and sexism. They are more likely to be poor, unemployed, and incarcerated than white women. They are also more likely to experience violence and sexual assault.
- Classism and ableism
People with disabilities are often discriminated against in the workplace, in housing, and in education. They are also more likely to live in poverty and to experience violence.
- Homophobia and transphobia
LGBTQ+ people often face discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare. They are also more likely to experience violence and harassment.
- Religious discrimination
People of certain religious groups often face discrimination in employment, housing, and education. They are also more likely to experience violence and harassment.
These are just a few examples of the multiple forms of oppression that people can experience. Intersectionality teaches us that these forms of oppression are interconnected and that they work together to create unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization.
Overlapping and interconnected
Intersectionality teaches us that different forms of oppression and discrimination are not separate and distinct, but rather that they overlap and intersect in complex ways. This means that people who experience multiple forms of oppression experience a unique and compounded form of discrimination that is greater than the sum of its parts.
For example, a Black woman who is also working class and LGBTQ+ may experience discrimination in different ways than a Black woman who is middle class and heterosexual. This is because the different forms of oppression she experiences intersect with each other and create a unique set of challenges.
Another example is a person with a disability who is also a person of color. This person may experience discrimination in the workplace because of their disability and because of their race. They may also experience discrimination in housing and in healthcare. The different forms of oppression they experience intersect with each other and create a unique and compounded form of discrimination.
Intersectionality helps us to understand how different forms of oppression are interconnected and how they work together to create unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization. This understanding is essential for developing effective strategies to address social injustice and to create a more just and equitable world for all.
Here are some specific examples of how different forms of oppression can overlap and intersect:
- A Black woman who is also working class may experience discrimination in the workplace because of her race and her class. She may be paid less than white men and women, and she may be less likely to be promoted.
- A gay man who is also a person of color may experience discrimination in housing because of his sexual orientation and his race. He may be denied housing or charged higher rent.
- A woman with a disability who is also a person of color may experience discrimination in healthcare because of her disability and her race. She may be denied care or receive lower quality care.