What Does Intersectionality Mean?
Intersectionality is a term that has become more popular in the last few years, and it is important for us to know more about how it affects all of us.
Intersectionality is the understanding that individuals experience oppression and privilege differently based on their own identity. Individuals are shaped by factors such as race, gender, sexuality, class and ability. These same individuals are also affected by the varying degrees that the opposing forces of privilege and oppression change their experiences and perspectives. Intersectionality highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the ways in which these different variables are connected in our lives.
“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. Intersectionality is about having a dance floor that welcomes and celebrates everyone.” Verna Myers
Why Is Intersectionality Important?
Intersectionality has had a significant impact on activism and social justice movements, as it has helped to create a more inclusive and intersectional approach to advocacy. By recognizing the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect, activists and advocates can work to create more effective and equitable solutions. This helps to minimize unconscious biases, increases the interest in staying up-to-date with policies and procedures and education, and creates a more inclusive and accepting environment.
For example, an intersectional approach to feminist activism might include advocating for policies that address the unique needs of women of color, or working to challenge cultural stereotypes about masculinity that harm both men and women. By centering intersectionality in our activism and advocacy, we can work towards a more just and equitable society.
“Intersectionality is not only a matter of social justice; it is also a business imperative. Embracing diversity and acknowledging the intersection of identities within our organizations leads to more innovative solutions, increased employee engagement, and stronger relationships with customers and stakeholders.”
What is the History of Intersectionality?
The concept of Intersectionality was first introduced in 1989 by law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. Crenshaw created the term "intersectionality" to describe how Black women experience discrimination differently than white women or Black men due to the intersections of their race and gender. She wanted to emphasize that when thinking about equality, we cannot think about attributes such as skin color and gender, but we also need to recognize that folks typically have more than just one characteristic that can be discriminated against. Intersectionality has since been developed to include other social identities, such as sexuality, class, and ability, where each of these identities intersects in ways that create unique experiences of privilege and oppression.
Intersectionality acknowledges that individuals belong to multiple social groups and that these groups interact with one another to shape experiences of oppression and privilege. By recognizing this, intersectionality provides more clarification of how power and privilege operate in society and how different forms of oppression can be interconnected. This helps to develop more effective solutions to systemic oppression and allows employers to create policies and procedures that accommodate all of their employees.
Examples of Intersectionality in the Workplace
Pay Equity for Women of Color
According to the National Women's Law Center, women of color in the United States face a significant wage gap when compared to white, non-Hispanic men and white women. For example, Black women earn 63 cents, Native American women earn 60 cents, and Latina women earn 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This intersectional wage disparity is influenced by both gender and racial discrimination.
LGBTQ+ Immigrants
The experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals who are also immigrants demonstrate the intersectionality of their identities. According to the Center for American Progress, LGBTQ+ immigrants face unique challenges due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and immigrant status. They may experience discrimination, barriers to healthcare and social services, and increased vulnerability to violence and harassment. This intersectional perspective underscores the importance of inclusive immigration policies and support systems.
Disability Rights and Gender
Intersectionality plays a crucial role in understanding the experiences of women with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, women and girls with disabilities often face multiple layers of discrimination, including gender-based violence, limited access to healthcare and education, and exclusion from employment opportunities. An intersectional approach is vital to addressing these disparities and advocating for inclusive policies.
“Intersectionality is about recognizing the complexity and interconnectedness of our identities. By embracing intersectionality in our businesses, we create environments where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, allowing them to contribute fully and authentically. This not only benefits our employees but also drives innovation, fosters creativity, and enhances our overall business performance.”
How Does Privilege Affect Intersectionality?
Privilege correlates to intersectionality, as it recognizes that individuals may experience privilege based on certain aspects of their identity while simultaneously experiencing oppression based on other aspects of their identity. Privilege refers to the advantages that individuals receive based on their social identities, such as race, gender, class, and ability. These advantages may be invisible to individuals who hold them, but they can have a profound impact on their experiences and opportunities. By recognizing privilege and its impact on individuals and society, intersectionality aims to promote greater understanding, inclusivity, and social justice.
How Does Oppression Affect Intersectionality?
Systemic oppression refers to the ways in which social, political, and economic systems perpetuate discrimination and inequality against certain groups of people based on their social identities. This can take many forms, such as policies and laws that disproportionately harm marginalized communities or cultural norms and values that reinforce harmful stereotypes and biases. Understanding systemic oppression is crucial for promoting social justice and equality, as it allows us to identify and challenge the ways in which power and privilege are distributed in society. By examining systemic oppression, we can gain a better understanding of racism and discrimination.
For example, intersectionality can help us understand how policies that are officially gender-neutral may disproportionately harm women of colour or how cultural stereotypes about disability may intersect with other identities to create unique experiences of marginalization.
“As business leaders, we have a responsibility to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by individuals who experience multiple forms of discrimination. Embracing intersectionality means fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, leveraging their diverse perspectives and talents for the success of our organizations.”
The Intersection of Multiple Social Identities
Social identities are the various ways in which individuals define themselves and are defined by others. These identities can include race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, and many others. Each identity can have a significant impact on an individual's experiences and opportunities. For example, a person's race and gender can impact their experiences of discrimination and marginalization, while their class and sexuality can impact their access to resources and social networks. Understanding the ways in which these identities intersect is crucial for promoting greater inclusivity and social justice.
Intersectionality is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing systemic oppression. Despite criticism which we will explore later in this article, intersectionality remains a crucial concept in discussions of social justice and equity. Centering the experiences of marginalized communities and recognizing how different forms of oppression intersect can lead to more effective and equitable solutions. By doing so, we can build coalitions and solidarity across different communities and historically marginalized groups.
Critiques of Intersectionality
Intersectionality has received its fair share of criticisms, with some arguing that the theory is too complex and difficult to apply in practice. Others have accused intersectionality of being divisive, as it focuses too heavily on differences between groups rather than shared experiences. Additionally, some critics have argued that intersectionality is too focused on identity politics and not enough on broader social and economic issues.
In response to these criticisms, advocates of intersectionality have argued that the theory is not meant to be prescriptive or dogmatic but rather a tool for understanding and analyzing complex social issues. They also note that intersectionality is not meant to be a replacement for other theories or approaches but rather a complement to them. Advocates also argue that intersectionality is not inherently alienating but rather a way to build coalitions and solidarity across different groups.
Despite its limitations, intersectionality remains a powerful and important tool for understanding and addressing systemic oppression. By recognizing the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect, we can get a better understanding of the needs employees request in the workplace to make the work environment feel like a safe space to be in. Intersectionality helps to center the experiences of marginalized communities and provides them with a voice to share their experiences and to encourage colleagues to be active allies. While there are certainly challenges to implementing intersectionality in practice, the theory remains a vital tool for promoting social justice and equality.
