Intersectionality
Introduction
Intersectionality refers to the framework to conceptualize social problems associated with disadvantages and discriminations in society. Intersectionality requires one to understand people’s experiences and overlapping identities to know the prejudice’s complexity they face (Crenshaw, pg. 139). In regard, the intersectional theory points out that people are discriminated and disadvantaged by various sources of oppression; religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, class, race and identity makers. One identity maker informs other complex sources of oppression meaning that gender discrimination informs the race oppression (Crenshaw, pg. 140). For instance, a white man and a black man make $0.78 and $0.74 respectively. On the other hand, a black woman facing various forms of oppression make as low as $0.64 hence proving how different forms of oppression affect people in the society.
The term intersectionality first was coined by social theorist and law professor known as Kimberle Crenshaw. The professor coined the word intersectionality in her paper referred to as “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex” (Crenshaw, pg. 139). Intersectionality emerged due to the discrimination and disadvantages faced by black women. The oppression of black women triggered many females to speak out about the disadvantages they were facing in comparison to whites and middle-class women. Most of the black women experienced challenges since they were subjected to the pressure of being homemakers. Many women argued that being a homemaker was not luxurious job since they had families that required them to provide necessary welfare (Bryson, pg. 63). As a result, black women were forced to speak out about the oppression they faced to get equal job opportunities as white women.
Additionally, most of the black female encountered sexism while trying to participate in the movements of Civil Rights. Besides, black women were not allowed to hold leadership positions in society (Collins, pg. 79). The intersectional experience of sexism in human rights and racism in the movement of feminist encouraged various black female to organize for feminist practice hence centralizing their experiences of their lives.
In 1978, Black feminism was encouraged and defined by the organization of black feminist lesbian by releasing the Collective Statement known as Combahee River. The collective Statement by black women stated that “oppressions’ synthesis creates our lives conditions. As a black female, we view black feminism as a political and logical movement to fight simultaneous oppressions faced by women of all colour face”. The women not only fought for inclusion in feminist movement and civil rights representation but also for black women recognition.
Professor Crenshaw enhanced intersectionality on the collective theory. The professor emphasized the essence of looking intersection of womanhood and blackness to enhance understanding of black women oppression. While intersectionality was initially championed by an African-American female, the theory was later proven important to understand individuals’ disability, class, age, sexual orientation and other aspects of the society.
Currently, many sociologists consider intersectionality very critical to understand social equity. Community organizations and activists are participating and calling for conversations regarding the differences experienced by people in the society due to overlapping identities. Intersectional movements and events play a critical role in addressing the injustice faced by any group in the society as it helps to minimize chances to perpetuate inequality towards different groups. Intersectionality enlightens health women disparities regardless of the colour. Also, intersectionality enhances identity understanding among youth leaders thus is critical for advocating support in work.
Work Cited
Augustin, L R, Gender Equality, Intersectionality, and Diversity in Europe, Palgrave, London, 2013
Bryson, Valerie. Feminist political theory. Macmillan International Higher Education, 2016.
Collins, Patricia Hill, and Sirma Bilge. Intersectionality. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
Crenshaw, Kimberle. “Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics.” u. Chi. Legal f. (1989): 139.
Outshoorn, J Ed. European Women’s Movements and Body Politics, Palgrave, London, 2015