What Is Intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The Advocate

Advocate Channel

25 Jan 201803:14

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, explaining how individuals can belong to multiple marginalized groups. It highlights the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities, using examples like being gay and black, or a Chinese lesbian. The script critiques media representation, emphasizing the need for more inclusive stories beyond privileged white narratives. It stresses the importance of understanding intersectionality to promote empathy and equality. Practical steps include learning about diverse communities, asking respectful questions, and sharing knowledge to help broaden awareness.

Takeaways

😀 Intersectionality is the concept of belonging to multiple marginalized groups simultaneously.
🧑‍🏫 The term 'intersectionality' was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to explain the struggles of marginalized women, particularly immigrant women of color.
🌍 Intersectionality includes a range of identities such as race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, and body size.
📚 The feminist and anti-racist movements in the 1980s did not fully address the needs of women of color, highlighting the importance of intersectionality.
🏳️‍🌈 Some LGBT media often focuses on white, upper-class gay men, missing other intersectional identities.
🎬 Films like 'Moonlight' provide a more intersectional representation, featuring a lead character who is not only gay but also black, poor, and a survivor of violence.
🤷‍♀️ Intersectional feminism aims to include all women, not just those with fewer oppressions, and encourages solidarity against different forms of oppression.
💡 Understanding intersectionality makes people more empathetic and promotes equality by addressing different layers of marginalization.
👂 To learn about intersectionality, people should educate themselves, ask questions respectfully, and avoid making assumptions.
📢 Sharing information and learning about intersectionality helps spread awareness and encourages inclusivity.

Q & A

What is intersectionality?
-Intersectionality refers to how various aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination or privilege. It was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to illustrate how marginalized communities experience overlapping oppression.
How does the speaker describe their own intersectionality?
-The speaker identifies as Asian, a woman, a lesbian, and an immigrant. They use the word 'intersectional' to describe themselves because they belong to multiple marginalized groups.
Why was the term 'intersectionality' coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw?
-Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term to explain the specific issues faced by immigrant women of color, which neither the feminist nor anti-racist movements fully addressed in the 1980s.
Can straight men be intersectional?
-Yes, straight men can be intersectional, but the term was specifically created to illustrate the unique challenges of marginalized communities.
What example does the speaker give of an intersectional character in media?
-The speaker gives the example of Chiron from the movie *Moonlight*, who is not only gay but also Black, poor, a survivor of domestic violence, and affected by the prison system.
Why is the movie *Moonlight* considered more intersectional than other LGBTQ+ media?
-Unlike other LGBTQ+ media that mostly features white, cisgender, upper-class gay men, *Moonlight* depicts a character who experiences multiple layers of oppression, including race, class, and sexual orientation.
How does intersectional feminism differ from general feminism?
-Intersectional feminism strives to include all women, not just the least oppressed, by acknowledging that different women experience different types of oppression based on factors like race, class, and sexuality.
What advice does the speaker give for learning about different communities?
-The speaker suggests actively learning about different communities by researching online and asking respectful, non-assumptive questions while being polite and open to listening.
How can understanding intersectionality make us more empathetic?
-By understanding intersectionality, we become more aware of how different forms of oppression intersect, making us more empathetic toward the diverse experiences of others and promoting equality.
What can people do to promote intersectionality?
-People can learn about different communities, ask respectful questions without assumptions, and share resources like this video to raise awareness about intersectionality.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Self-Identity and Intersectionality

The speaker reflects on a high school experience where they were asked to describe themselves in one word. However, their identity is multifaceted, as they are Asian, a woman, a lesbian, and an immigrant, making it difficult to condense into a single word. The speaker concludes that 'intersectional' is the most fitting descriptor, introducing the concept of intersectionality.

🌐 What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is defined as belonging to multiple marginalized groups. The speaker gives examples such as being both gay and Black, or Chinese and lesbian, emphasizing the complexity of these identities. The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to highlight the challenges faced by women of color, as neither feminist nor anti-racist movements fully addressed their needs.

🎬 Media Representation and Intersectionality

The speaker critiques mainstream LGBTQ+ media representation, pointing out that it often focuses on white, upper-class gay men (e.g., 'Call Me by Your Name,' 'Brokeback Mountain'). In contrast, the film 'Moonlight' offers a more intersectional portrayal, with its lead character Chiron being Black, gay, and affected by poverty, violence, and systemic issues. The speaker encourages more diverse, intersectional stories.

💭 Feminism and Intersectionality

Feminism is described as a movement for gender equality, but the speaker stresses the need for intersectional feminism that includes all women, not just the least oppressed. By acknowledging the different kinds of women and their struggles, feminism becomes a more inclusive and effective movement in combating oppression from multiple angles.

📚 Learning and Empathy

The speaker advocates for actively learning about different communities, reminding the audience to be respectful and open-minded. While it's okay to ask questions, it's important to avoid assumptions and listen. Even if one doesn't fully understand someone else's experience, respect is crucial. The speaker encourages viewers to spread awareness about intersectionality and foster empathy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Intersectionality

Intersectionality refers to the concept of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage that marginalized individuals experience. In the video, the speaker identifies themselves as 'intersectional,' belonging to multiple marginalized groups such as being Asian, a woman, a lesbian, and an immigrant. The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to highlight the unique struggles faced by individuals who exist at the intersection of different identities, particularly in marginalized communities.

💡Marginalized Groups

Marginalized groups refer to communities that are socially, economically, or politically disadvantaged. In the script, examples of marginalized groups include people who are gay, Black, disabled, or belong to racial and ethnic minorities. The video discusses how intersectionality involves navigating multiple marginalized identities, such as being both a person of color and part of the LGBTQ+ community.

💡Kimberlé Crenshaw

Kimberlé Crenshaw is a legal scholar who coined the term 'intersectionality' to describe the overlapping systems of discrimination that affect marginalized individuals. In the video, Crenshaw's work is highlighted to explain how feminist and anti-racist movements in the 1980s were insufficient in addressing the unique challenges faced by women of color, particularly immigrant women.

💡Feminism

Feminism is a movement advocating for women's rights and equality between the sexes. The video refers to intersectional feminism, which seeks to address the diverse experiences of women, especially those who are marginalized in multiple ways, such as women of color, LGBTQ+ women, or women with disabilities. Intersectional feminism aims to include all women, not just those who are less oppressed.

💡LGBTQ+ Representation

LGBTQ+ representation refers to the portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in media. The video contrasts the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in media, noting that shows like 'Modern Family' and 'Will and Grace' often feature white, affluent gay men, while films like 'Moonlight' portray more intersectional identities, such as Chiron, who is Black, gay, and poor.

💡Privilege

Privilege refers to the advantages held by individuals or groups based on characteristics like race, gender, or class. In the video, privilege is contrasted with marginalization, and the question is posed whether white, straight men can be intersectional despite their privilege. The script explains that while they can be intersectional, the term was initially coined to focus on marginalized communities.

💡Moonlight

'Moonlight' is a film mentioned in the video as an example of intersectional representation. Its protagonist, Chiron, is a Black, gay man who also faces other struggles such as poverty, domestic violence, and the prison pipeline. This example is used to illustrate how a person's multiple identities interact and shape their experiences.

💡Feminist and Anti-Racist Movements

Feminist and anti-racist movements are social and political movements that fight for gender and racial equality. The video discusses how these movements historically failed to address the unique struggles of women of color, particularly those who were also immigrants. This highlights the need for intersectional approaches within social justice movements.

💡Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. The video emphasizes that understanding intersectionality can make people more empathetic and help create a more equal society. By recognizing the diverse and complex identities people hold, one can better understand their struggles and experiences.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people. In the video, the speaker humorously references the stereotype of Asians having 'small eyes' as an example of how harmful assumptions can arise from a lack of understanding of different communities. The video encourages viewers to avoid making assumptions and instead to learn about others respectfully.

Highlights

The speaker identifies as intersectional, highlighting multiple identities such as being Asian, a woman, a lesbian, and an immigrant.

Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to individuals who belong to several marginalized groups.

Examples of intersectionality include being gay and Black, being a woman and disabled, or being Chinese and lesbian.

Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality emerged from observing how immigrant women of color faced unique challenges that neither the feminist nor anti-racist movements fully addressed.

LGBT activism often fails to address the problems faced by intersectional LGBT individuals.

Media representation of LGBT characters, like in 'Call Me by Your Name' or 'Modern Family,' primarily features white, cis, upper-class gay men, lacking intersectional representation.

'Moonlight' is highlighted as a more intersectional story, with the lead character being not only gay but also Black, poor, and a survivor of domestic violence and the prison system.

Intersectionality influences how different aspects of a person’s identity inform each other, creating unique experiences of oppression or privilege.

There is a need for more intersectional stories in media, similar to 'Mulan' and 'Moonlight,' that reflect a variety of identities.

Feminism, especially intersectional feminism, strives to include all women, not just those least oppressed, by fighting various forms of oppression simultaneously.

Intersectionality teaches empathy and the importance of addressing oppression from all sides, even if it doesn't directly target an individual.

To foster understanding, it's essential to actively learn about different communities, do research, and ask questions without assumptions.

Respect for others is crucial, even if you don't fully understand their experiences.

Sharing information about intersectionality is key to promoting broader understanding and equality.

The transcript ends by encouraging viewers to share the message about intersectionality and continue learning.