Social movements continue to foster change in how people view the world. More people are becoming aware of their inherent privileges and experiences of discrimination. However, understanding how individuals' overlapping identities affect their life experiences isn't as widespread.
This blog will talk about intersectionality and why understanding it matters.
The Basics of Intersectionality
This term has been around since 1989. It was first coined by famous American Civil Rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw. Intersectionality is a framework to understand how a person's identities overlap and shape experiences.
Everyone has unique experiences with oppression, privilege, and discrimination. The key to genuinely advocating for social rights is to consider everything and anything can marginalize a person. No human being falls under a single identifier. Most marginalized people have multiple overlapping identities that lead to discrimination.
Take, for example, the queer person of color community. A black queer woman has three distinct experiences that overlap. She's a queer-identifying individual who has to deal with prejudice, a woman who has likely encountered misogyny in its many forms, and a person of color whose seen the ugly side of racism. For more information about queer person of color community, visit the website.
All of those identities and experiences matter. But they also overlap and exacerbate one another.
Why Intersectionality is Important
It's beautiful to see so many social movements gaining traction. But are they equal? Does a fight for women's rights count if it ignores the plight of women of color? What about civil rights? Can a civil rights movement be equal if it doesn't include the unique battles black women face?
Those are all questions you have to ask.
Activism must be intersectional and take into account all marginalized identities. That includes all races, genders, sexualities, classes, abilities, etc. The goal is to achieve true equality, but when a movement only benefits a particular group, you can't do that.
Intersectionality is a newer concept in the grand scheme of things. But when you look at historical movements, the understanding is evident everywhere. Feminist pioneers ignored the needs of women of color, and modern police brutality often doesn't mention that black Americans with disabilities have the highest risk of violence.
Understanding intersectionality ensures true advocacy in our age of social change. Whether it's fighting for women minorities or the queer person of color community, every marginalized person deserves to benefit.
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