FNED Post #8: Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a term used to describe the fact that every individual has multiple identities that interact and overlap each other. This means that we can have several dominant and subordinate identities all at once. The end here is not to mathematically determine who has the "most oppression" here, but to thoughtfully consider all the ways in which ones different identities play into how they show up and are received in our world.
In Kimberle Crenshaw's TEDtalk, "The Urgency of Intersectionality," she begins her presentation by pointing out the astounding fact that many people are not aware of the black women who have been victims of police violence in the United States. I, like most of the audience, also would have had to sit down when she began naming the first woman, Michelle Cusseaux. It is disheartening that even in the recognition of gruesome police violence, we often hear and are taught the stories of black men, not those of black women and black trans women or men. The urgency in her message sits with the #SayHerName campaign, which aims to acknowledge all the women of police violence who are generally unknown.
Social Justice Standards
Prior to reading through the Intersectionality lesson plan, I never even knew that a set of social justice standards existed! These standards which are differentiated between grades K-12 have four main domains:identity, justice, diversity, and action. Intersectionality is part of the identity domain and I believe works toward self-actualization and the acknowledgement of individuals as complex beings.
When I first learned about intersectionality in college, it was treated as somewhat of an "advanced" social justice topic. Once we all knew what oppression, privilege, dominant and subordinate identities, etc. were could we dive into talking about how several identities could intersect. But these standards are refreshing to me, as they illustrate how even small children can become familiarized with this seemingly advanced topic, in such a simple way as understanding that "I know that all my group identities are part of me—but that I am always ALL me."
In Kimberle Crenshaw's TEDtalk, "The Urgency of Intersectionality," she begins her presentation by pointing out the astounding fact that many people are not aware of the black women who have been victims of police violence in the United States. I, like most of the audience, also would have had to sit down when she began naming the first woman, Michelle Cusseaux. It is disheartening that even in the recognition of gruesome police violence, we often hear and are taught the stories of black men, not those of black women and black trans women or men. The urgency in her message sits with the #SayHerName campaign, which aims to acknowledge all the women of police violence who are generally unknown.
Social Justice Standards
Prior to reading through the Intersectionality lesson plan, I never even knew that a set of social justice standards existed! These standards which are differentiated between grades K-12 have four main domains:identity, justice, diversity, and action. Intersectionality is part of the identity domain and I believe works toward self-actualization and the acknowledgement of individuals as complex beings.
When I first learned about intersectionality in college, it was treated as somewhat of an "advanced" social justice topic. Once we all knew what oppression, privilege, dominant and subordinate identities, etc. were could we dive into talking about how several identities could intersect. But these standards are refreshing to me, as they illustrate how even small children can become familiarized with this seemingly advanced topic, in such a simple way as understanding that "I know that all my group identities are part of me—but that I am always ALL me."
Thanks for your post Cristina and for sharing the social justice teaching standards. I especially appreciate this reflection, "The end here is not to mathematically determine who has the "most oppression" here, but to thoughtfully consider all the ways in which ones different identities play into how they show up and are received in our world." YES! So often the teaching of social identity can feel like some sort of contest/ tallying up/ shaming/ compare and despair, but I agree that at its best, intersectionality is about acknowledging the way we are in the world and perhaps also about a kind of radical empathy--taking seriously the complex ways that others are in the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Cristina,
ReplyDeleteI liked what you stated that it is not mathematically determined who has the most oppression. However, more important how the different identities unfold based on the circumstances of each situation.