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What is Intersectionality?

Divrsity Dictionary: Intersectionality

Understanding Overlapping Identities for True Inclusion

1^st March 2023

In recent years, the term "intersectionality" has gained prominence in social justice and equality discussions worldwide. It is a concept that recognizes the complex and intertwined nature of social identities and highlights how various forms of discrimination and oppression (such as racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia) overlap and interact; creating unique challenges for individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

Intersectionality sheds light on the fact that our personal experiences are shaped not by just one aspect of who we are, but by the interplay of various factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, ability, and more.

As the conversation around diversity and inclusion evolves, understanding intersectionality is crucial for creating truly inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected.

The Birth of a Word

The term "intersectionality" was first coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. As a black feminist scholar, Crenshaw sought to highlight the ways in which racism and sexism intersected and impacted the lives of black women, who often faced unique forms of discrimination that were not fully addressed by either anti-racist or feminist movements. She introduced the concept in her influential essay, "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics."

Crenshaw's work built upon decades of activism and scholarship by women of color who had been advocating for the recognition of their distinct experiences. The word "intersectionality" itself evokes the idea of multiple roads converging at a crossroads—a powerful metaphor for understanding how different forms of oppression can overlap and reinforce each other. This concept challenges the notion that issues of race, gender, class, and other identities can be tackled in isolation from one another.

Why It Matters

Intersectionality matters because it acknowledges the complexity of human identities and experiences. By recognizing intersectionality, we move away from a monolithic view of social groups and instead embrace the nuanced reality of individuals' lives. This is crucial because people do not exist as single-issue beings—their various identities interact and shape their perspectives, opportunities, and challenges in intricate ways.

For example, a black transgender woman may face discrimination and oppression not only from broader society but also from within specific communities due to the intersection of her racial, gender, and sexual identities. Her experiences are distinct from those of a white cisgender woman or a black heterosexual man because of how these identities intersect and create unique forms of marginalization.

This is NOT to say there's a competition on "who has it worse" but, as Crenshaw references, the term intersectionality serves as “a metaphor for understanding the ways that multiple forms of inequalities or disadvantages sometimes compound themselves”, causing compounded advantage or disadvantage.

Accordingly, there is an inherent connection to the power structures that exist around an individual e.g. a gay person's experience will vary hugely depending on whether they're in a country where homosexuality is legal or not (don't get us started on how outrageous and harmful it is that legislation is even built around people’s sexual identity).

Over the past two years, there has been a heightened focus on issues of social justice and equality, spurred by global movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. These movements have brought to light the pervasive nature of systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination. As a result, there is a growing awareness that tackling these issues requires an understanding of how they intersect and impact different communities in varying ways.

Embracing Intersectionality for True Inclusion

Embracing intersectionality is essential for fostering true inclusion within organizations and societies as a whole. Here are some key reasons why:

Uncovering Hidden Struggles:

Intersectionality sheds light on the experiences of individuals who may be marginalized or invisible within broader social justice movements. For example, the unique struggles faced by LGBTQ+ people of color or women with disabilities might go unnoticed if we solely focus on single-axis identities. By embracing intersectionality, we can uncover these hidden struggles and advocate for change that benefits everyone.
Recognizing Complex Realities:

Each person brings a unique set of experiences shaped by their multiple identities. Intersectionality helps us recognize how factors such as age, religion, class, ability, immigration status, or political affiliation intersect with other aspects of identity to create distinct advantages and disadvantages in different contexts. This understanding allows organizations to create more nuanced and effective inclusion strategies.
Multiplier Effect of Marginalization:

The intersection of multiple marginalized identities can amplify the negative impacts of discrimination and exclusion. For instance, a person who is both transgender and from a low-income background may face compounded challenges due to the interplay of economic barriers with transphobia or homophobia. Intersectionality helps us recognize these multiplier effects and address them through targeted interventions.
Creating Safe Spaces:

Embracing intersectionality encourages the creation of safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work or other areas of life. When people feel seen, valued, and respected across all aspects of their identity, it fosters a sense of belonging and contributes to overall well-being and productivity.
Informed Policy-Making:

Intersectional insights are crucial for policy development and decision-making processes within organizations. By understanding the interplay of different identities, leaders can create more comprehensive policies that address systemic barriers and promote equity for all employees or community members.

How Divrsity Insights Help

At Divrsity, we recognize the importance of intersectionality in fostering true inclusion. Our platform is designed to help organizations gain insights into their workforce's diverse identities and experiences by providing a safe and anonymous space for employees to share their stories.

Through our advanced AI-driven analysis, we uncover patterns and themes that highlight areas where intersectional challenges may exist within an organization. This data-driven approach enables companies to move beyond surface-level diversity initiatives and create targeted action plans that address the specific needs of their diverse workforce.

For example, Divrsity's platform might reveal insights into how working mothers of color experience higher levels of burnout due to intersecting caregiving responsibilities and racial bias in performance evaluations. Armed with this knowledge, organizations can develop tailored support systems and mentoring programs to alleviate these challenges while also addressing systemic biases that contribute to the problem.

Additionally, our platform facilitates ongoing dialogue and feedback loops by providing a safe digital space for employees to share their experiences anonymously. This continuous engagement helps companies stay attuned to evolving intersectional issues within their workforce and adapt their inclusion strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

The main takeaway is that everyone's background & lived experiences are unique - we must understand and recognise that people have multiple parts to their identity which can interact in complex ways and can create unique forms of discrimination and oppression as a result.

This makes Intersectionality a powerful framework that pushes us to recognize the complex realities of individuals' identities and experiences.

By embracing this concept, organizations can create more inclusive cultures where everyone feels valued and respected across all aspects of their identity. Divrsity's Diversity and Inclusion platform plays a crucial role in uncovering these intersectional insights, enabling companies to take informed action toward building a truly equitable future for all employees.

Together, let's embrace the richness of our diverse identities and continue striving for a world that celebrates and supports us all.