What Is Intersectionality

Most often, throughout history, the intersectionality of gender, race, class, and power creates a hierarchical system by isolating minority groups rather than unifying them. The idea of intersectionality is relatively new, and so this essay will explore five different texts that either showcase the inequalities between minority groups, or the effort of people or groups that have tried to change the status quo. As this complicated concept is dissected and understood more and more in recent history, we are able to see that some movements, such as third wave feminism and communism, start to revolve its goals and ideologies around equity instead of equality. To clarify, intersectionality itself does not cause discrimination, but it is society’s lack of knowledge

Ambedkar both wanted lower caste Indians to be treated better, but they had fundamental differences in how they approached this deep-rooted issue. The fact that Gandhi believes that Varnashram (a natural classification within a human population) is an integral part of society, implies that he also thinks intersectionality defines a person’s position and purpose in life.

Oppositely, Dr. Ambedkar fought for the eradication of anything that resembles a hierarchical or caste system, which he believed divided people further apart instead of harmonizing a society. He thought that those who fought for equality but still believe in the innate differences in humans, were completely hypocritical. This is just one example of the contrast between equity and equality that is seen over and over throughout social movements.

Marx’s “The Communist Manifesto” recognized a social and class struggle within capitalist countries, and theorized that communism would implement equality by eliminating exploitation, and focusing on the common interest. This text neglects the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and power even if an equal social system is