Intersectionality

Venn's four ellipse construction

Black women leading the way

Dyke*Line auf dem Jungfernstieg und neuen Jungfernstieg und auf Booten auf der Binnenalster 002

Intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. Examples of these aspects include gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, and age. The term was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. Intersectionality identifies multiple factors of advantage and disadvantage. These factors might include gender, race, ethnicity, class, nationality, and sexuality. Intersectionality recognizes that identity markers do not exist independently of each other; each informs the others, often creating a complex convergence of oppression.

History

The concept of intersectionality emerged from the critical race theory movement within the late 20th century. Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term in her seminal 1989 paper, "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics." Crenshaw argued that the experiences of Black women are often marginalized in both feminist theory and antiracist politics because the intersection of race and gender is not considered. This concept has since been expanded to include other forms of identity.

Key Concepts

Intersectionality seeks to understand how systemic injustices and social inequalities occur on a multidimensional basis. It posits that traditional frameworks of oppression, which focus on one factor (such as race or gender alone), fail to capture the varied and intersecting forms of discrimination individuals may face. For instance, a Black woman might experience discrimination in ways that are distinct from both Black men and white women, due to the intersection of race and gender.

Applications

Intersectionality has been applied across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, feminist theory, psychology, political science, and more. It is used to analyze and address various forms of inequality and to promote social justice and equity. In practice, intersectionality can influence policy-making, educational curricula, organizational practices, and social activism, by highlighting the need to consider multiple facets of identity and oppression.

Criticism

Intersectionality has faced criticism from various quarters. Some argue that it complicates social justice efforts by dividing people into ever-smaller groups. Others contend that it focuses too much on identity and not enough on the systemic structures that underpin inequality. Despite these criticisms, intersectionality remains a key framework in understanding and combating systemic oppression.

See Also

• Critical race theory
• Feminist theory
• Social justice
• Identity politics