Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how totally different types of oppression and discrimination overlap and work together. The time period was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to explain the methods through which Black ladies expertise a number of types of discrimination, reminiscent of racism, sexism, and classism. Nonetheless, the idea of intersectionality might be utilized to any group of people that expertise a number of types of oppression.
Intersectionality is vital as a result of it helps us to grasp how totally different types of oppression are interconnected and the way they work collectively to create distinctive experiences of discrimination and marginalization. For instance, a Black lady who can be working class and LGBTQ+ might expertise discrimination in several methods than a Black lady who’s center class and heterosexual. It is because the totally different types of oppression she experiences intersect with one another and create a singular set of challenges.
Within the following sections, we’ll discover the idea of intersectionality in additional element and focus on a few of the ways in which it may be used to grasp and tackle social injustice.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how totally different types of oppression and discrimination overlap and work together.
- A number of types of oppression
- Overlapping and interconnected
- Distinctive experiences of discrimination
- Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the time period
- Black ladies’s experiences
- Relevant to all marginalized teams
- Instrument for understanding social injustice
- Promotes social justice and fairness
Intersectionality is a strong device for understanding and addressing social injustice. It helps us to see how totally different types of oppression work collectively to create distinctive experiences of discrimination and marginalization. By understanding intersectionality, we will work to create a extra simply and equitable world for all.
A number of types of oppression
Intersectionality acknowledges that folks can expertise a number of types of oppression and discrimination concurrently. These types of oppression might be primarily based on components reminiscent of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, incapacity, and faith.
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Racism and sexism
Black ladies in the US expertise each racism and sexism. They’re extra more likely to be poor, unemployed, and incarcerated than white ladies. They’re additionally extra more likely to expertise violence and sexual assault.
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Classism and ableism
Individuals with disabilities are sometimes discriminated towards within the office, in housing, and in schooling. They’re additionally extra more likely to dwell in poverty and to expertise violence.
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Homophobia and transphobia
LGBTQ+ folks typically face discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare. They’re additionally extra more likely to expertise violence and harassment.
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Non secular discrimination
Individuals of sure non secular teams typically face discrimination in employment, housing, and schooling. They’re additionally extra more likely to expertise violence and harassment.
These are only a few examples of the a number of types of oppression that folks can expertise. Intersectionality teaches us that these types of oppression are interconnected and that they work collectively to create distinctive experiences of discrimination and marginalization.
Overlapping and interconnected
Intersectionality teaches us that totally different types of oppression and discrimination should not separate and distinct, however quite that they overlap and intersect in advanced methods. Which means individuals who expertise a number of types of oppression expertise a singular and compounded type of discrimination that’s better than the sum of its elements.
For instance, a Black lady who can be working class and LGBTQ+ might expertise discrimination in several methods than a Black lady who’s center class and heterosexual. It is because the totally different types of oppression she experiences intersect with one another and create a singular set of challenges.
One other instance is an individual with a incapacity who can be an individual of colour. This individual might expertise discrimination within the office due to their incapacity and due to their race. They might additionally expertise discrimination in housing and in healthcare. The totally different types of oppression they expertise intersect with one another and create a singular and compounded type of discrimination.
Intersectionality helps us to grasp how totally different types of oppression are interconnected and the way they work collectively to create distinctive experiences of discrimination and marginalization. This understanding is crucial for creating efficient methods to deal with social injustice and to create a extra simply and equitable world for all.
Listed below are some particular examples of how totally different types of oppression can overlap and intersect:
- A Black lady who can be working class might expertise discrimination within the office due to her race and her class. She could also be paid lower than white women and men, and she or he could also be much less more likely to be promoted.
- A homosexual man who can be an individual of colour might expertise discrimination in housing due to his sexual orientation and his race. He could also be denied housing or charged increased lease.
- A girl with a incapacity who can be an individual of colour might expertise discrimination in healthcare due to her incapacity and her race. She could also be denied care or obtain decrease high quality care.
These are only a few examples of the numerous ways in which totally different types of oppression can overlap and intersect. Intersectionality teaches us that these types of oppression should not separate and distinct, however quite that they’re interconnected and that they work collectively to create distinctive experiences of discrimination and marginalization.
