INTERSECTIONALITY IN PRACTICE According to Valentine (2007), feminist geography studies tend to look at intersectional types of issues which limit their analyses to the relationship between particular identities such as class or gender rather than addressing the full implications of the above theorisation of intersectionality (Valentine 2007, 14). The reason behind narrowing the scope of empirical work is due to the complexity of intersectionality itself. Valentine further argued that researching on intersectionality has the tendency to collapse back to focusing on the non-privilege groups rather than how privileged identities are done and undone. Moreover, when research on intersectionality are done in practicality, and due to certain limitation, …show more content…
With the use of an intersectionality approach, researchers in human feminist geography can locate the points of intersection, the dynamic processes, and its complexity in what constitutes and interacts rather than focusing on categories that are confined within certain identity. Moreover, Valentine (2007) and Crenshaw (1991) has also stressed the importance of how the concept intersectionality needs to be improved so that it can encompass the diverse social and cultural understanding of each axis. Moreover, when conducting research on intersectionality, one cannot assume that one single axis or variable in social categories is more significant in understanding individual’s experiences. Alternatively, it should be understood that intersectionality conceptualises the multifaceted layers of social identities as interacting with and co-constituting one another to create unique social identities that vary according to time and place (Hankivsky 2014, …show more content…
This is so because intersectionality theory has highlighted the need to consider other multiple axes of social categories such as age, gender, ability, class, and so on when doing feminist studies as these social categories can serve in producing the lived experiences of an individual. Moreover, intersectionality in feminist geography calls for a reengagement with questions of structural inequalities and power (Valentine 2007, 19). Considering that intersectionality is not primarily about identities, Crenshaw (1991) stresses that intersectionality is about how structures make certain identities, the consequence of the vehicle for vulnerability. Therefore, it is crucial for human feminist geographers to be able to see the context of the discrimination as in what kind of discrimination is at play, what are the policies, the institutional structures that play a role in contributing to the exclusion of some others and not
Some may live through being sexually abused, live in extreme poverty, or even fall victim of being physical or verbally abused. Whatever the reason is, this book shows an outlet for these struggles. The only way we can help others fight these intersectionality issues is by knowing your privilege and using it to help the oppressed with no voice. In Brittney Cooper’s article “Feminism’s ugly internal clash: Why its future is not up to the white women” she states that “the future of feminism is not up to the white women. Not by themselves anyway”.
This question poses an interesting discourse based on the intersectionality
In “Intersectional Resistance and Law Reform,” Dean Spade proposes that the United States was founded through “racialization…(which) continues to operate under new guises… that produce, manage, and deploy gender categories and sexuality and family norms” (16). More over, these laws and norms tend to maintain the “status quo,” and employ an inherently flawed justice system that is only equipped to address single-axis discrimination issues (5). Thus, the intersectionality movement is largely dismissed by the social and justice systems, as it utilizes “critical intersectional tools… that are often (too) difficult for legal scholars to comprehend” (17). Interstionality’s progress is also impeded by advocates leaving to support single-axis issues. However, Spade warns that this approach is ineffective, as it fails to protect the most marginalized members of society.
Write an essay that explains and illustrates the significance of taking an intersectional approach to queer studies. Intersectionality is a theory which states that people have multiple identities and therefore belong to more than one community and thus experience multiple oppressions at the same time. Those who face multiple oppressions because of their layered identities are mostly queer women of color. Taking an intersectional approach to queer studies means exposing the inequalities and disadvantages that occur when people have multiple identities in order for transformational political work to happen. People of color, especially lesbian women of color experience this layered oppression.
Identity is how a person is perceived by both themselves and others. Combining different values, experiences, and distinguishing characteristics make up a person's identity. Intersectionality is how people are disadvantaged due to race, gender, and status, which shape their identity. This disadvantage is evident through the oppression and discrimination towards the individual and their identity. In Brent Staples' essay "Black Men in Public Spaces," we learn how appearance, a defining aspect of identity, can lead to unwarranted discrimination and trepidation.
Intersectional analysis still matter because race still matters in this generation. Intersectional analysis is a theory of discrimination with an individual identity, race, sex, age, and other characteristics. I personally think that not only women face intersectionality but men do as well. In this essay, I will argue that bell hooks’ main argument is how white people do not know what people of colour are going through and how “whiteness” has more privileges then the blacks. hooks approach is intersectional because people of colour are being treated as slaves to the “white” just because of their race and at times their gender.
1.The theory/concept of intersectionality is a theory centered around oppression, domination and discrimination through various mediums from the social and cultural elements of society. The theory can be applied in many ways toward women as well as their involvement in the criminal justice system. Some forms of discrimination that is more prevalent in perceiving the individual is using a woman's status, race, sexual orientation, ability and age, however there can be more added to this list. The wiki article said “The theory proposes that we should think of each element or trait of a person as inextricably linked with all of the other elements in order to fully understand one's identity.”
The Intersectionality of Race, Class, and Gender: Understanding Marked and Unmarked Categories Introduction The concept of intersectionality has gained significant attention in recent years, especially in academic and social justice circles. Intersectionality refers to the interconnectedness of various social categories, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability, and how these intersect to shape individuals' experiences. The idea of marked and unmarked categories is a key aspect of intersectionality, particularly in relation to racial identities. This essay will explore the concept of marked and unmarked categories, with a focus on race, class, and gender, using references from Kimberlé Crenshaw's TED Talk, Lisa Wade's Gender Sociology, and @PracticalPsychologyTips' YouTube video on Social Identity Theory.
Intersectionality is defined by social categories, such as race and gender that have interconnected to apply to individuals and groups, causing an overlap, which has consequently created a system of discrimination and disadvantages Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term in her article ‘Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Anti-racist Politics’ (1889). Intersectionality can be recognised in many iconic Disney films such as, Cinderella, snow white. Aladdin and little mermaid. All these well-known movies provide societal intersections. This can be addressed through the protagonists and princesses ethnicity of being white, with Disney only recently introducing a black princess, in 2009.
I define intersectionality as having different life experiences and multiple identities that intersect. For example, the EOP program here on campus helps students who are first generation college students. They often have specific needs and obstacles. These students are sometimes below the poverty line. These two identities intersect because having family members who have never been to college often results in making less money which limits the chances of their children going to school.
According to both Gloria Anzaldúa and Audre Lorde, marginal bodies become silenced and invisible by hiding difference and the “whitewashing” of history. Through their writings, both authors recognize different ways for a marginalized body to be seen by those who would try to make them invisible. From their standpoint, there are problems with identity that requires exclusions, and as feminists, they are speaking against feminists. The identity that is being discussed is being proposed from women that “don’t fit”, by those who are going against the “norms”. Therefore, identity is being both embraced and rejected at the same time by these authors.
Identifying Intersectionality and Solidarity within Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, RRWSC, and “Men: Comrades in Struggle” by bell hooks Throughout this essay, I will be exploring three different medias, the book Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, the Red River Women’s Studies Conference (some talking points from Tammy Kromenaker), and the essay “Men: Comrades in Struggle” by bell hooks. I will be demonstrating how ideas of both intersectionality and solidarity are present and centered in these sources. First, I will provide some background information about the medias referenced. Parable of the Sower is a book by Octavia E. Butler that chronicles the journey of Lauren and how she navigates a dystopian world that is hostile
Kareen Harboyan English 1C Professor Supekar March 15, 2018 Word Count: Crenshaw’s Mapping the Margins: The Marginalization of Women of Color Analyzed Through Generalization and A Feminist Lens Crenshaw's Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color expands on the multifaceted struggles of women of color and the generalizations ingrained in society that limit women of color and keep them in a box. In this text, Crenshaw builds on the concept of intersectionality which proposes that social categorizations such as gender and race are intertwined and have great influence on one another.
Moreover, women with a foreign background should not have more difficulties when searching for jobs nor should women with other skin color than white feel invisible the mainstream media. One of the main arguments against intersectionality within feminism, is that intersectionality will cause feminism to be more about who to feel the sorriest for instead of improving feminism. I totally disagree with that argument on the ground that I believe intersectionality is rather about the fact that all of us experience events differently therefor it is crucial to listen to everyone’s experiences nevertheless to not place each other´s experiences into a hierarchy of who to emphasize the most.
The issue of identity has been a field of interest for many researchers. They have presented many perspectives on identity, on its shifting nature, politics and complexities. To understand this complexity, it is important to establish opposites like I and him (Said, 1978; Gregory, 1994; Thrift, 1995). Identification of oneself is always related to this fact ‘who I am not’ and other people easily accept the identity of an individual which may not match to his (individual) identity even.