Kimberle Crenshaw on Intersectionality | The Big Idea

Summary

The video script discusses the concept of intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to address the overlapping of different forms of inequality. It uses the case of Emma DeGraffenreid, a black woman denied a job at an auto manufacturing plant, to illustrate how discrimination based on race and gender was overlooked by the court. The judge dismissed her case as the company had hired both blacks and women, but not black women. This highlights the need for an intersectional approach to understand and address complex social inequalities.

Takeaways

• 📚 Intersectionality is a concept developed to understand the overlap of different forms of inequality that individuals may face.
• 🌟 It serves as a framework to analyze how social problems arise from the intersection of various forms of discrimination.
• 👩‍💼 The case of Emma DeGraffenreid illustrates the challenges faced by black women in seeking employment opportunities beyond traditional gender and race roles.
• 🏭 Emma's lawsuit against an auto manufacturing plant for race and gender discrimination was dismissed due to the court's narrow view of discrimination.
• 👩‍⚖️ The court's decision highlighted the inability to recognize intersectional discrimination, as it focused on hiring practices for blacks and women separately, not considering their intersection.
• 🤔 Intersectionality challenges conventional interventions and calls for a reevaluation of how we address and understand social inequalities.
• 🧠 It emphasizes the need to rethink pre-existing schemas and assumptions about identity categories and how they interact with systems of power.
• 🔄 The concept points out the asymmetry in legal and social frameworks that often fail to account for the complexities of multiple intersecting identities.
• 🌐 Intersectionality is a tool for understanding the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with intersecting identities, such as women of color.
• 💡 The story of the surgeon and the father serves as a metaphor for the difficulty in recognizing intersectional identities and the need to break away from traditional categorizations.

Q & A

What is the concept of intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a framework that allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how different forms of inequality can overlap and interact with each other, particularly when individuals face multiple forms of discrimination based on their intersecting identities.

Why did Kimberlé Crenshaw create the term 'intersectionality'?

Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term 'intersectionality' to create a word picture that would help people understand the complex ways in which different forms of inequality intersect and compound each other, especially when they are not typically considered together.

What does the term 'word picture' refer to in the context of intersectionality?

In the context of intersectionality, 'word picture' refers to the use of language to create a vivid and understandable representation of complex social dynamics, particularly the way different forms of discrimination intersect.

Can you explain the case of Emma Degraffenreid mentioned in the transcript?

Emma Degraffenreid was a black woman who sued an auto manufacturing plant for race and gender discrimination after being denied a job. The case highlights the limitations of legal interpretations of discrimination at the time, as the court dismissed her suit because the employer had hired both African-Americans and women, but not African-American women.

Why was Emma Degraffenreid's lawsuit dismissed by the court?

Emma Degraffenreid's lawsuit was dismissed because the court argued that since the employer had hired African-Americans and women, they had not engaged in race or gender discrimination. The court did not recognize the intersection of race and gender discrimination in her case.

What was the significance of the court's decision in Emma Degraffenreid's case for the concept of intersectionality?

The court's decision in Emma Degraffenreid's case highlighted the need for a framework like intersectionality, which recognizes that discrimination can be based on multiple, intersecting identities. It showed the limitations of legal systems that do not account for these intersections.

What is the problem Kimberlé Crenshaw identifies with pre-existing schemas in relation to intersectionality?

Kimberlé Crenshaw identifies that pre-existing schemas often fail to account for individuals who possess multiple marginalized identities. These schemas can lead to a failure to recognize the unique forms of discrimination faced by people like women of color.

How does Kimberlé Crenshaw use the story of the father and surgeon to illustrate a problem with pre-existing schemas?

Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the story to illustrate how our pre-existing assumptions can prevent us from quickly recognizing the intersection of identities. In the story, it takes an extra moment to realize that the surgeon could also be the child's mother, highlighting the cognitive delay in acknowledging intersecting identities.

What does Kimberlé Crenshaw suggest needs to be rethought in terms of conventional interventions for inequalities?

Kimberlé Crenshaw suggests that conventional interventions for inequalities need to be rethought because they often come from narrow or non-intersectional frames that do not account for the complex, intersecting forms of discrimination faced by individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

Why is it important to consider intersectionality when addressing social problems?

Considering intersectionality when addressing social problems is important because it allows for a more nuanced understanding of the various forms of discrimination and inequality that individuals may face. This comprehensive approach can lead to more effective interventions and policies that address the specific needs of marginalized groups.