The term “intersectional feminism” has underlined most of everything we have discussed in class so far, and rightfully so. Regarding Woman’s Gender Studies, talking about intersectionality is one of the most important conversations to have because it is paramount for feminist analysis. Throughout history, many scholars have produced exemplary pieces when true intersectionality is misused or blatantly ignored, and stress its connection to feminism. Intersectionality matters because feminism cannot be inclusive without it. In Vivian M. Mary’s infamous piece, “Intersectionality” she argues that, “The point is to create a framework that shows how often frameworks meant to examine inequality only look at one axis like race OR sex” (156). According to her, intersectionality seeks to shift the logics of how we understand “domination, subordination, personhood and rights” (168). Mary proclaims that intersectionality is significant to feminism because being feminist does not mean the same to someone who is oppressed by sexism and racism as it is to someone who is oppressed by classism and heterosexism. To May, it is not enough to say that everyone is just naturally “doing intersectionality,” …show more content…
According to Audrey Lorde, each oppression is interconnected. It is paramount that we must not think of various kinda of oppression as separate from each other, but as one. She states in her paper, “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppression,” “Any attack against lesbians and gays is a Black issue, because thousands of lesbians and gay men are Black.”and as such, “There is no hierarchy of oppression“(86). Lorde underlines the importance of recognizing, accepting and celebrating all parts of ourselves and each other, stating, “I simply do not believe that one aspect of myself can possibly profit from the oppression of any other part of my identity”(85). This idea is the whole basis of intersectionality; the understanding that no one is able to be labeled by one
The theory of intersectionality as a whole can be applied to more than the experiences of race and gender, incorporating the various aspects which make up an individual, to better explain the unique experiences felt by various groups of similar individuals. Within the field of feminist discourse, there are two theorists who have employed the theory of intersection to more powerfully punctuate the issues which they discuss. This paper shall focus on how the theory of intersectionality is applied to two articles, put forth by Angela Davis and Julietta Hua, to further explain and understand the complexities of the particular fields of discourse they represent.
According to feminist scholar Victoria Bromley, intersectionality is a theory used by feminists that considers the intertwinement of systems of oppressions, intricate multiple identities of individuals, and social inequalities of society. Each of these factors influence the lives of humanity and have ultimately created a world where being different can either be a negative or positive thing. Through the use of expression and persuasion, Bromely argues that intersectionality analyzes the complexity of multiple identities and their interrelationships, the experiences and positionalities of those with multiple identities and their existence within the frameworks of power, which are systems of inclusion and exclusion, and hierarchies of privilege,
“[T]he cage may or may not be specifically developed for the purpose of trapping the bird, yet it still operates (together with the other wires) to restrict its freedom” (Alexander, 184). This metaphor used by Michelle Alexander gives a good basis on the idea of intersectionality within feminist theory. What Alexander has stressed hugely in ‘The New Jim Crow’ is the idea of racial hierarchy, which bell hooks also stresses in her chapter Men: Comrades in Struggle in her book ‘Feminist Theory: from margin to center.’ She discusses the hierarchy of men and women while also discussing race. She claims that the history of the feminist movement has not wanted to “acknowledge that bourgeois white women, though often victimized by sexism, have more
The identities have tended to be divided into some different categories, such as gender, race, and class, and these sources have been judged in the different ways. In other words, the different determinant factors of the individuality have been considered separately, and these components have been regarded as a unrelated simple category. Under these points of view, however, it is hard to recognize the problems of interrelated individual component of the identity. Thus, to solve the disregarding crossover point, the new theory of the “intersectionality” are essential. This essay explores the key definition of the “intersectionality” from the viewpoint of gender studies, and how the concept is connected with the social system and individual identity
According to feminist Victoria L. Bromley, if feminism is about combating all forms of inequalities, including oppression, towards all social groups, then feminists must study how masculinity oppresses both men and women. Patriarchy, men’s powers and dominance, hegemonic masculinity, the idea that the “dominant group” in society is most powerful, and hyper masculinity, the exaggeration of the emphasis on male characteristics, all lead to oppression through multiple forms: privileges and unearned privileges, hierarchies of power and exclusion. Bromley argues that the feminist approach towards eliminating oppression, is to use an intersectional analysis, a theoretical tool used for understanding how multiple identities are connected and how systems
Intersectionality is the feminist framework that overlaps gender, race, class, etc. in order to work toward equality and justice for all. Through the lineage of intersectional speeches/writing we can see how it is imperative for contemporary studies, how the current use of intersectionality differs from original intent, and how the application of the intersectional framework is used on contemporary feminist usage.
Intersectionality according to Patricia Hill Collins is the “theory of the relationship between race, gender and class” (1990), also known as the “matrix of domination” (2000). This matrix shows that there is no one way to understand the complex nature of how gender, race and class inequalities within women’s lives can be separated; for they are intertwined within each other.
Feminism is a word that is stock-full of implications, and has many misconceptions. Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti attempts to give a broad overview of what feminism is, and how you should feel about it (hint: it’s positively). The book is directed primarily towards the younger generation, and talks about a variety of issues relevant to the feminist movement today and in history. The weaknesses of the book include the casual writing, the assumptions Valenti makes, and the contradictory statements that are consistently made. The strengths include providing an entertaining, broad overview of feminism, and discussing ways to contribute to gender equality. Overall, the book is more likely to be a positive experience for high-schoolers that identify as women then college-aged individuals looking for a critical analysis of issues society faces in regards to gender inequality.
Our world is constantly adapting to new morals, values, and societal norms; and with any new set of beliefs, many former negative outlooks on life cease to exist. With current laws in place that prohibit multiple areas of discrimination, and more individuals becoming accepting and understanding of the oppression that marginalized communities face daily, changes are being made. One of the most notable changes has been bringing awareness to the term intersectionality and the adoption and practice of intersectional feminism by many men and women around the globe. Unfortunately, intersectional feminism has not adopted by everyone, and our ability to rid the world of the multiple systems of oppression that plague our ever-changing society, is a
Intersectionality and feminism is crucial to address as many women are confronting multiple forms of identities and the vulnerability that each one creates.
Throughout the texts we have read in English thus far have been feminist issues. Such issues range from how the author published the book to direct, open statements concerning feminist matters. The different ways to present feminist issues is even directly spoken of in one of the essays we read and discussed. The less obvious of these feminist critiques is found buried within the texts, however, and must be read carefully to understand their full meaning- or to even see them.
Intersectionality also known as intersectional theory originally was a theory which was encoded in feminism. Intersectionality was a term in which feminists developed to explain how they were being socially oppressed because they were woman, in particular this theory addressed issues of the women’s suffrage movement and women wanting to retain the same rights as their male counterparts. As time progressed it became more common to see see it branched out into multidimensional levels of institutions such as- race, class, sexism, culture, religion, and even biological transgender. Intersectionality by definition aims to analyze multiple identities exposing different types of discrimination and disadvantages that occur
In just a few decades The Women’s Liberation Movement has changed typical gender roles that once were never challenged or questioned. As women, those of us who identified as feminist have rebelled against the status quo and redefined what it means to be a strong and powerful woman. But at...
Multiracial Feminism: Recasting the Chronology of Second Wave Feminism introduces ideas by Becky Thompson that contradict the “traditional” teachings of the Second Wave of feminism. She points out that the version of Second Wave feminism that gets told centers around white, middle class, US based women and the central problem being focused on and rallied against is sexism. This history of the Second Wave does not take into consideration feminist movements happening in other countries. Nor does it take into consideration the feminist activism that women of color were behind, that centered not only on sexism, but also racism, and classism as central problems as well. This is where the rise of multiracial feminism is put to the foreground and a different perspective of the Second Wave is shown.
Among the many subjects covered in this book are the three classes of oppression: gender, race and class in addition to the ways in which they intersect. As well as the importance of the movement being all-inclusive, advocating the idea that feminism is in fact for everybody. The author also touches upon education, parenting and violence. She begins her book with her key argument, stating that feminist theory and the movement are mainly led by high class white women who disregarded the circumstances of underprivileged non-white women.