What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality was essentially a term that was coined by a legal scholar by the name of Kimberlé Crensha back in the 1980s which serves to examine and explain how various social categories such as race, religio, gender, class, and sexual orientation intersect to create unique experiences of inequality, unfair treatment and unlawful discrimination and marginalization within certain groups and populations worldwide.

It aims to recognize and bring awareness to the fact that oppression, inequality and discrimination aren't always experienced in isolation but are often due to a combination of factors.

 

A Common Example of Intersectionality.

Intersectionality essentially means that people don't always experience discrimination based on one identity, such as gender, race, ability or age, etc and that it is often a combination of several factors that lead to inequality, unfair treatment and discrimination.

It serves to recognize and bring awareness that individuals can experience multiple forms of inequality, unfair treatment and discrimination based on the combination of their various identities which intersect. 

For example you have a middle aged woman with a disability in Australia who may experience both ageism and ableism, and the combination of these two experiences can be quite distinct from the experiences of a younger woman who doesn't have a disability.

A middle aged woman with a disability may encounter unique challenges in navigating systems of oppression, inequality and discrimination. 

Impact of Intersectionality

Understanding Oppression: Intersectionality helps to analyze how various forms of oppression interact to create unique experiences of inequality and marginalization. 

Social Justice: Understanding intersectionality is vital for developing inclusive and effective social justice strategies that address the needs and concerns of all individuals and groups. 

Not a Hierarchy: Intersectionality is not and should not be about putting various forms of oppression into a ranking system, but rather about attempting to better understand how multiple systems of power and oppression interact and shape each person or group's lived experiences and to effectively advocate for positive changes in the future to come.

Key identities that intersect

🔴 Race

🟠 Gender identity

🟡 Sexuality

🟢 Ability (disability)

🔵 Socioeconomic status

🟣 Age

🟤 Religion

⚫ Nationality

🔴 Ethnicity

🟠 Immigration status

🟡 Housing status 

🟢 Health status

🔵 Educational background 

🟣 Criminal Justice Involvement

🟤 Employment status 

⚫ Physical appearance