#4 Intersectionality

Why intersectionality can’t wait by Crenshaw 

The first line in this article stood out to me because it recognized that intersectionality existed before it was even recognized as a term. I was discouraged to read that, “neither the black jobs nor the women’s jobs were appropriate for black women, since they were neither male nor white” (Crenshaw). Since certain jobs were for men and secretarial jobs were stereotypical jobs for white females. These stereotypes limited black women and other individuals that did not and do not fit the mainstream mold. 

By focusing on how racial and gender discrimination overlap in more than the workforce, but in education and other areas as well. The intersection of different identities gives people a voice and allows them to fight for their inclusion. Those without a voice, cannot fight for their rights and what they deserve. Not only is it the responsibility of those who do not have power, to fight for power, but the people with power need to educate themselves and see the injustices that occur around them. 

Intersectionality 101

I found this video engaging due to its cartoon-like presentation but also deep in the value behind the words and ideas that were being explored. Something that stood out to me was that black women face both gender and racial discrimination. The different parts of one’s identity influences how they view themselves, the world around them and their interactions. The comparison and contrast between someone who has a disability and is the caretaker of their family vs a student from Somalia who felt that her classmates made assumptions about her values vs the white middle class individual who did not have to worry about outside factors contributing to her future.

Most individuals have to worry about meeting their basic needs before even considering what they will do in the future. This reminded me of Delpit’s culture of power in that those with power are often least aware of it. The individual who had parents that both went to college and one parent ran a successful business, was unaware of how others do not have that same opportunity due to larger societal forces such as gender, race, socioeconomic status and other factors. The main takeaway from this video was that what you have and do not have will determine your life outcomes. 

Hyperlink: The urgency of intersectionality by Kimberle Crenshaw 

Violence toward black people and violence towards women but never see violence toward black women in the media - “women’s names have slipped through our consciousness” (Crenshaw). She stresses how black women face double discrimination by gender and race. 

Intersectionality raised our awareness to how African American women live their lives as well as how they die. These statements and many others resonated with me about the reality of intersectionality and how it impacts the lives of different people.