The powerful lens of intersectionality | Keadrick Peters | TEDxBowieStateUniversity
Summary
TLDRDr. Krick Peters delivers a powerful speech on intersectionality and allyship, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing injustices faced by different communities. He highlights the significance of the African proverb 'I am because you are,' and discusses the role of historical figures and movements in advancing human rights. The speech includes an interactive activity to raise awareness about the different levels of vulnerability to police killings and hate crimes, urging the audience to reflect on their own privilege and oppression, and to take action in solidarity with marginalized groups.
Takeaways
- 🌍 The speaker acknowledges the ancestral lands of the pasaway people and the contributions of black people to the country's existence.
- 🤝 The concept of 'true human allyship' is introduced, emphasizing shared responsibility and empathy for each other's injustices.
- 📜 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s influence is highlighted, particularly his quote about injustice being a threat to justice everywhere.
- 🏛️ Bowie State University's commitment to addressing injustice is showcased through their inclusive practices and events like the Tunnel of Oppression.
- 🌈 The Tunnel of Oppression event is described as transformative, aiming to raise awareness about various forms of oppression.
- 📚 The speaker shares a personal transformation through reading 'Hood Feminism' by Mikki Kendall, which challenges the notion of easy allyship.
- 🔗 The importance of intersectionality is discussed, explaining how different forms of identity intersect and influence experiences of privilege and oppression.
- 🚫 The limitations of a single-issue approach are critiqued in favor of a more comprehensive understanding of social justice issues.
- 🙌 An interactive activity is conducted to illustrate the concept of intersectionality and the varying levels of awareness and impact on different groups.
- ⏰ The CDC's declaration of racism as a public health crisis is mentioned, urging a multidimensional approach to address it effectively.
- 💡 The call to action encourages self-reflection on one's position in society, privilege, and ways to serve others in the fight against injustice.
Q & A
Who is Dr. Krick Peters and how does he identify?
-Dr. Krick Peters is a human rights activist who identifies with the pronouns 'he' and 'human.'
What is the significance of acknowledging the ancestral lands of the pasaway people?
-Acknowledging the ancestral lands of the pasaway people is a way to recognize the indigenous stewards of the land and to honor their history and ongoing presence.
What does Dr. Peters commit to honoring in his speech?
-Dr. Peters commits to honoring those who came before, those who are present, and those who will come after, in the context of recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of black people.
What is the meaning behind the phrase 'I am because you are' in the context of the speech?
-The phrase 'I am because you are' is an African proverb that Dr. Peters uses to emphasize the concept of human allyship, suggesting that individual well-being is interconnected with the well-being of others.
How does Dr. King's quote from the Birmingham Jail letter relate to the idea of human allyship?
-Dr. King's quote 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' underscores the idea of human allyship by implying that everyone should be concerned about injustices happening to others, as they are all part of a shared struggle for justice.
What is the Tunnel of Oppression event and how does it relate to human allyship?
-The Tunnel of Oppression is an experiential learning event hosted by Bowie State University to raise awareness about different types of oppression in society. It relates to human allyship by providing an immersive experience that encourages participants to understand and empathize with various forms of injustice.
How did the global pandemic impact the Tunnel of Oppression event?
-The global pandemic led to the suspension of in-person human connection, which paused the Tunnel of Oppression event, highlighting the importance of physical presence in fostering human allyship and understanding.
What is the significance of the book 'Hood Feminism' by Mikki Kendall in Dr. Peters' journey?
-The book 'Hood Feminism' by Mikki Kendall resonated with Dr. Peters and changed his life by challenging the notion of allyship and emphasizing the need for continuous effort and understanding of privilege and inequality.
What is intersectionality and how does it relate to the concept of human allyship?
-Intersectionality is a concept that describes how various aspects of identity such as race, class, and gender intersect and overlap, influencing the levels of privilege or oppression one may experience. It relates to human allyship by encouraging a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities of injustice and the need for inclusive support.
How does the 'say their name' activity in the script illustrate the concept of intersectionality?
-The 'say their name' activity demonstrates intersectionality by showing how different levels of identity (race, gender, sexual orientation) can lead to varying experiences and rates of police violence and hate crimes, highlighting the need to address multiple forms of oppression simultaneously.
What is the call to action that Dr. Peters issues at the end of the script?
-Dr. Peters calls for reflection on one's position in the world in relation to privilege and oppression, and encourages individuals to consider how they can be in service to others, promoting a more active and intersectional approach to human allyship.
Outlines
🌟 Introduction to Human Allyship
Dr. Krick Peters opens the video by acknowledging the ancestral lands of the pasaway people and the contributions of black people to the country's existence. He introduces the concept of shared injustice, where the pain and suffering of one becomes the pain and suffering of all, drawing a parallel to an old African proverb. Dr. Peters then references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham Jail, emphasizing the interconnectedness of injustice and the need for collective action. He highlights the efforts of Bowie State University in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly through the Tunnel of Oppression event, which aims to raise awareness about various forms of oppression. The video script also mentions the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human connection and the author's personal journey of learning about allyship through the book 'Hood Feminism' by Mikki Kendall.
🔗 The Power of Intersectional Allyship
This paragraph delves into the historical examples of intersectional human allyship, from Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad to the civil rights movements and contemporary social justice initiatives like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. The speaker emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, a concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, which allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how different aspects of identity such as race, class, and gender intersect and influence experiences of privilege and oppression. The paragraph also discusses the limitations of a single-axis analysis and how it can lead to ineffective solutions and divisions within social justice movements. An interactive activity is introduced to illustrate the concept of intersectionality, where participants are asked to stand if they recognize the names of individuals who have been victims of police violence or hate crimes, highlighting the different levels of intersectionality and the varying degrees of privilege and oppression.
🌈 Intersectional Review and Call to Action
The speaker conducts an intersectional review of the names shared during the activity, noting that all were individuals who died due to police killings or hate crimes in the United States. The discussion progresses through different levels of intersectionality, from black men to black women, transgender individuals, and indigenous and Latino people, emphasizing the unique vulnerabilities and experiences of each group. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, urging participants to reflect on their own positions within these intersections of privilege and oppression and to consider how they can be of service to others. The speaker quotes Oprah Winfrey and encourages the audience to recognize that it is time for collective action against injustice, using an intersectional lens to foster a more inclusive and empathetic society.
🌍 Closing Thoughts on Intersectional Human Allyship
In the final paragraph, the speaker invites the audience to think deeply about their roles in the world and how they can use their privilege to serve others. They pose questions about personal intersections of race, class, gender, and other characteristics, and how these relate to privilege and oppression. The speaker challenges the audience to consider what they can do for others, echoing Dr. King's message of service. The paragraph concludes with a renewed call for imagining a world where everyone's injustice is shared, and the importance of using an intersectional lens to achieve this vision of solidarity and collective action against injustice.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Human Allyship
💡Intersectionality
💡Privilege
💡Oppression
💡Injustice
💡Racism
💡Gender
💡Activism
💡Equity
💡Diversity
💡Inclusion
Highlights
Dr. Krick Peters emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ancestral lands of the pasaway people and the contributions of black people to the country.
The concept of shared injustice is introduced, where an individual's pain becomes a collective responsibility.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote about injustice is highlighted, emphasizing the interconnectedness of justice and injustice.
Bowie State University's commitment to addressing injustice is discussed through its inclusive recruitment and retention practices.
The Tunnel of Oppression event is described, which raises awareness of different types of oppressions in society.
The transformative impact of the Tunnel of Oppression on student scholars is shared, with calls for it to be a mandatory experience.
The pandemic's impact on human connection and the shift to virtual experiences is mentioned.
The book 'Hood Feminism' by Mikki Kendall is recommended for its insights on allyship and the complexities of addressing inequality.
The importance of intersectionality in understanding social justice issues is discussed, with a critique of single-axis analysis.
Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality is introduced to provide a more nuanced view of social problems.
An intersectional activity is conducted to demonstrate the varying levels of privilege and oppression based on race, gender, and other characteristics.
The emotional weight of the intersectional activity is acknowledged, and its purpose in raising awareness is explained.
The call to action is presented, urging individuals to reflect on their position in society and how they can serve others.
The closing message encourages the audience to envision a world where collective injustice is addressed through an intersectional lens.
Transcripts
[Music]
good will
all I am Dr Krick Peters and my pronouns
are
he
human
activists I am humbled to be in this
space with you
today before we proceed
it is important for us to recognize that
we are on the ancestral lands of the
pasaway people who are The ancestral
stewards of this sacred
land equally
important I acknowledged this country
would not exist if it were not for the
free enslaved labor
of black people I commit to honoring
those who came
before those who
are and those who will
be can you
imagine living in a
world where my
Injustice which causes me
pain sadness and
rage is your
Injustice and your Injustice which
causes you pain sadness and rage is my
Injustice can you see it with me a world
with true human
allyship it goes back to the old African
proverb I am because you are you see I
believe 60 years ago a and human rights
leader gave us a blueprint a master plan
for human
allyship raise your hands if you know
the Reverend Dr Mar Luther King Jr hands
up hands up great that saves us two
minutes while behind bars inside a
Birmingham Jail Dr King
quips I cannot sit odly by in Atlanta
and not be concerned about what's
happening in
Birmingham Injustice
anywhere is a threat to Justice
everywhere now let me tell you how
Maryland's oldest historically black
University Buie state university has
been treating your
Injustice as our Injustice for nearly
160 years for example
Beyond inclusive Recruitment and the
retention of a diverse
Community each October the office of
Multicultural programs hosts the tunnel
of Oppression to recognize the
intersections of disability employment
awareness Hispanic heritage and LGBT
History Month this Hands-On experiential
learning has its roots at Western
Illinois University
and the purpose is to raise awareness of
different types of oppressions in our
society so in Fall 2019 Buie State
University had five different breakout
rooms police
killings sexual assault Reproductive
Rights microaggressions and
colorism during the debrief the student
Scholars reported the Tona was opening
transformative and should be a mandatory
experience for all firste students now
when Generation Z says something should
be mandatory we should listen and this
is coming from your Millennial big
brother you're
welcome so I left the tunnel feeling
excited to amplify the event during the
spring
semester but a global pandemic ensued
and paused all inperson human connection
and during this pause I came across a
book that has forever changed my life
Hood feminism by Mickey kindall the line
that resonates with me the most
quits to be an ally is just the first
step the easiest one it's the space
we're in where their privilege begins to
accept the flawed dynamics that make for
inequality being a good Ally is not easy
see not something we can just leap
into this claim made me think of another
silver rice leader Fanny Lou HR Mantra
of nobody is free until everybody is
free without a question in history we
have seen intersectional human allyship
from Harriet Tubman's missions the
passing of the 13th the 14th and 15th US
amendments the women's suffrage movement
the passing of the 19th Amendment
affording women the right to
vote to emit Till's mother bold decision
to show the world what happened to her
son her only child in Mississippi to
more recently the me too and the black
lives matter
movements I believe we have a human
problem according to hood feminism
everybody
not some of us everybody should be angry
about
Injustice and not just those
experiencing
it this claim made me think as a
diversity equity and inclusion thought
leader in the next few minutes I will
outline the value of intersectionality
and then how we collectively can engage
in a Humanity call of
action breaking news this just then in
April 2021 the Center for Disease
Control declared racism as a Public
Health
crisis however friends I'm here to
advise us we should not look at racism
through a one dimensional lens in
1989 black feminist legal scholar
kimbery krenshaw gave the world a new
pair of lenses
intersectionality to reimagine how we
process issues like racism and
patriarchy who are the best of
friends intersectionality describes how
race class gender and other
characteristics intersect with one
another and
overlap and based on our intersections
we are sometimes afforded privilege or
experienc
oppression according to the inter
intersectionality primer one of the most
significant aspects of the current
current social justice practice that
warrants our rethinking is a dominance
of a particular orientation that breaks
down social problems into discrete
challenges facing a particular group
these groups are often Define in a
mutually exclusive ways creating
artificial
barriers this approach is called a
single AIS analysis and interventions
based on such models are often in
effective create unnecessary exclusion
and conflict within social justice
movements so let's explore how a
one-dimensional lens or single AIS
approach can fail us we understanding
one branch of
Injustice
racism we are now about to engage in
activity so if that in mind
everyone please rise and remain standing
until you hear a name you do not
recognize if you're not able-bodied
please raise your hand and keep your
hand raised until you hear a name you do
not
recognize this intersectional activity
was first executed by Kimberly krenshaw
in 2016 and today we're adding to that
critical
conversation this activity is
emotionally heavy please Che in with
yourself during and after the
activity level
one George
Floyd Eric
Gardner Tamir rice
level
two Briana
Taylor Aaliyah
Anders Latoya Dennis
James level
three Tony McDade
Dustin
Parker Monica
Diamond level
four Jonathan
tubby Paul Cast
Away Zachary
bear
Hills so let's do an intersectional
review what we just what we just
experienced so what do we notice about
the name shared shout it out don't be
shy
Injustice all the name shared were
humans living in the United States of
America who died due to police killings
or hate crimes but as we went level by
level most of us did not make it Beyond
level one or two so let's do an
intersectional
review level one to be
male to be black to be an
American according to the American
Journal of Public Health black men who
look like me are three times more likely
to be killed by legal intervention than
white
men without a question
black men being killed by the police is
a
crisis and let's be clear toir rice was
12 years old killed within seconds
playing in Ohio
Park but what about the other vulnerable
populations level
two to be
woman to be
black to be an American
say her
name can you say it with me say her name
I say it one more time say her name
black
woman they are our mothers our aunties
sisters daughters best friend a United
States Vice President a Supreme Court
Justice and so much more to our Rich
nation and yet
black women have been killed by the
police in their
homes in their
cars in the presence of their parents
and
children according to the Washington
Post fatal shooting tracker by the
police reports since
2015 black
women have been killed at higher rates
than other races of women
why don't we know her name Malcolm X
said the most
disrespected
neglected and unprotected person in
America is the black woman say her
name level
three to be
trans to be
gendered to be black
and an
American according to the Human Rights
Campaign fatal tracker against incidents
of transgender people they report at
least 100 transgender people were
fatally shot or killed in 2021 and 2022
we say at least because these stories
are often not reported and in previous
years most of those cases involve black
and Latino trans gender
women level
four to be
indigenous to be
Latino and to be an
American according to the American
Journal of Public
Health Native Americans are three times
more likely to be killed by legal
intervention than that's of white men in
Latino men twice as
likely I acknowledge this activity was
emotionally
heavy but we must acknowledge this hurt
and
pain this exercise shows us that
knowledge becomes power because we use
the intersectional
lens so what is our call to action Oprah
said it first your time is up can y'all
say it with me your time is up whose
time is up my time is up your time is up
every human time is
up over the next 48
hours I want you to think about your
position in the world and ask yourself
the following questions who am I at all
of the intersections as it relates to my
race my class my gender or any other
care
characteristic do I possess privilege as
it relates to my race my class my
gender do I experience oppression as
relates to my race my class my
gender if I do possess privilege how can
I be in service of
others Dr King quipped one of the most
significant
questions for us is what are you doing
for others so friends I'm asking you
think about your position and how you
can be in service of
others so in closing with our new
intersectional lens we cannot sit odly
by as fellow humans experience
Injustice so again I ask you can you
imagine living in a world where my
Injustice is your Injustice and your
Injustice is my
Injustice I can see it when we both use
an intersectional lens thank you
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