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Intersectionality is a conceptual framework that examines how various social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability—intersect to create overlapping systems of discrimination or privilege. The term was first coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to address how Black women often face compounded discrimination that cannot be fully understood by looking at race or gender alone.
Overview
Intersectionality seeks to highlight the complexity of identity and how individuals experience oppression differently depending on the combination of identities they hold. It is widely used in academic research, social justice activism, and policy discussions to better understand and address systemic inequities.
History
The concept of intersectionality arose out of critiques of single-axis analyses of oppression, such as focusing solely on gender or race. Early feminists like Sojourner Truth and Anna Julia Cooper alluded to the idea long before it was formally defined, advocating for an understanding of how multiple forms of oppression work together.
Kimberlé Crenshaw's work in the 1980s, particularly her writings on employment and violence against women of color, formalized the framework, making it a cornerstone of critical race theory and feminist theory.
Applications
Intersectionality is applied across a wide range of fields, including:
- Law and Policy: Understanding how laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups based on intersecting identities.
- Health and Medicine: Analyzing disparities in healthcare outcomes for individuals who experience multiple forms of discrimination.
- Media and Representation: Examining how media portrays individuals with intersecting identities and the impact on societal norms.
Criticisms
While intersectionality has been praised for its depth and inclusivity, it has also faced criticism:
- Critics argue that it can be overly theoretical and challenging to apply practically in policymaking.
- Some suggest that it risks creating a hierarchy of oppression, where certain identities are prioritized over others.
Examples
- Workplace Discrimination: Women of color may face barriers that are different from those faced by white women or men of color, such as being overlooked for promotions due to both racial and gender biases.
- Healthcare Disparities: LGBTQ+ individuals of lower socioeconomic status may experience compounded barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
Further Reading
- Kimberlé Crenshaw, Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex (1989)
- Patricia Hill Collins, Black Feminist Thought
- Angela Davis, Women, Race, & Class
See Also
This page is a work in progress. Contributions are welcome to expand its scope and depth.