The powerful lens of intersectionality | Keadrick Peters | TEDxBowieStateUniversity

Summary

Dr. 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

00:00

🌟 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.

05:04

🔗 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.

10:05

🌈 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.

15:09

🌍 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.

Keywords

💡Human Allyship

Human allyship refers to the act of supporting and standing in solidarity with marginalized groups, even when one is not a member of that group. In the video, Dr. Krick Peters emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing injustices as a collective responsibility, not just an individual one. The video suggests that true allyship requires empathy and a commitment to action, as illustrated by the African proverb 'I am because you are,' which is used to convey the interconnectedness of all people's struggles.

💡Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw that describes how various aspects of a person's social and political identities, such as race, gender, and class, interact with one another, often leading to unique experiences of discrimination or privilege. The video uses intersectionality to highlight how different forms of oppression are interconnected and cannot be understood in isolation. For example, the script mentions how black women face a unique combination of racial and gender-based violence.

💡Privilege

Privilege in this context refers to the unearned advantages or rights that some individuals or groups possess based on their social identity, such as race, gender, or class. The video discusses how recognizing one's privilege is a crucial step in becoming an effective ally. It challenges the audience to reflect on their own positions of privilege and how they can use these to support others who are less privileged.

💡Oppression

Oppression is the unjust treatment or control exerted over individuals or groups based on their social identity. The video script discusses various forms of oppression, such as police killings, sexual assault, and colorism, and how they affect different communities. It emphasizes the need for collective action to address and dismantle these systems of oppression.

💡Injustice

Injustice is the violation of fairness, rights, or laws, often resulting in harm or suffering for individuals or groups. The video script repeatedly returns to the theme of injustice, using it to illustrate the need for allyship and collective action. It encourages the audience to see injustices faced by others as their own, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

💡Racism

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice. The video script discusses racism as a public health crisis, highlighting its systemic nature and the need for intersectional approaches to address it. The script also references historical and contemporary examples of racism, such as the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

💡Gender

Gender in this context refers to the socially constructed roles, expectations, and behaviors associated with being male, female, or non-binary. The video script discusses gender in relation to intersectionality, emphasizing how gender intersects with other identities to create unique experiences of privilege or oppression. It also addresses gender-based violence, particularly against transgender individuals.

💡Activism

Activism is the act of advocating for, or working towards, social, political, or environmental change. The video script encourages viewers to engage in activism by recognizing and addressing injustices. It uses historical figures like Harriet Tubman and contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter to illustrate the importance of activism in driving social change.

💡Equity

Equity refers to the fair and just distribution of resources and opportunities, often in contrast to equality, which simply means treating everyone the same without considering differences in needs. The video script discusses equity in the context of diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the need for institutions to create environments that are truly equitable for all individuals, regardless of their social identities.

💡Diversity

Diversity refers to the variety of different characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives present within a group or society. The video script discusses the importance of recognizing and valuing diversity, particularly in educational and professional settings. It highlights how diversity can lead to more inclusive and equitable environments.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion is the act of involving and valuing all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented or marginalized groups, in a way that respects and acknowledges their unique experiences and perspectives. The video script discusses inclusion as a key component of creating a just and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.

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