What is Intersectionality? (Kimberlé Crenshaw, Applying it to Environmentalism, + the Start of IE)

Summary

This video explores the concept of intersectionality, coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. The term highlights how overlapping identities such as race and gender shape individual experiences and challenges, especially for marginalized groups like Black women. Crenshaw's work has influenced movements in civil rights and environmental justice, as seen in Leah Thomas's Intersectional Environmentalist community. Intersectionality helps us understand how different identities interact with systems of privilege and oppression, promoting inclusivity across various social, racial, and environmental issues.

Takeaways

• 💡 Intersectionality is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, addressing how overlapping identities like race and gender shape individual experiences.
• 📚 Crenshaw's essay 'Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex' highlighted the unique discrimination faced by Black women.
• 🔗 Intersectionality explores the interconnectedness of various identity factors such as race, gender, ability, and more in shaping people's lives.
• 🌍 In 2020, following George Floyd's murder, Leah Thomas founded the Intersectional Environmentalist community to advocate for both social justice and environmental issues.
• 🙌 Intersectionality is used today to amplify silenced voices, especially in advocacy for marginalized groups.
• 📝 Leah Thomas is heavily influenced by Crenshaw’s theory and emphasizes the importance of considering overlapping identities in her work.
• 🔍 Intersectionality helps recognize the varying levels of advantage and disadvantage people experience based on identities they cannot control.
• 🌿 In environmentalism, intersectionality highlights how interconnected systems affect both the planet and marginalized communities.
• 💬 Intersectionality dismantles privileges and structures that benefit certain groups while disadvantaging others.
• 🌟 Crenshaw's theory has redefined movements, making them more inclusive, and aims to build a future where the approach is intersectional.

Q & A

Who coined the term 'intersectionality' and when?

Kimberlé Crenshaw, a scholar, writer, professor, and civil rights advocate, coined the term 'intersectionality' in 1989.

What is the primary idea behind intersectionality?

Intersectionality is the idea that different aspects of a person's identity, such as race, gender, and other factors, overlap to shape their experiences and identity, particularly in terms of advantages and disadvantages in society.

What was the title of Kimberlé Crenshaw's essay that introduced the concept of intersectionality?

The essay was titled 'Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex.'

What issue did Kimberlé Crenshaw address in her essay on intersectionality?

She addressed the discrimination of Black women and how the experiences of being Black and being a woman are not mutually exclusive, meaning race and gender intersect to define one’s experiences.

How has Kimberlé Crenshaw's work impacted modern movements?

Her work has redefined social justice movements by encouraging inclusivity and accessibility, especially for communities often left out of the conversation, such as marginalized racial and gender groups.

What does Leah Thomas, the founder of Intersectional Environmentalists, emphasize in her work?

Leah Thomas emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in environmental advocacy, calling for a pledge to Black lives and intersectional advocacy that supports both people and the planet.

How does Leah Thomas describe intersectionality in her personal identity?

Leah Thomas describes intersectionality as the overlapping of her identities, stating that she is equally Black and a woman, while also including other aspects of her identity such as spirituality, sexuality, and gender.

What role does intersectionality play in environmentalism according to the script?

Intersectionality in environmentalism highlights how different people experience environmental issues differently based on their identities and socio-economic positions, and it encourages the inclusion of marginalized voices in the conversation.

Why is the intersectional framework important in social justice movements?

The intersectional framework is important because it helps identify the ways in which various identities (race, gender, ability, etc.) influence how individuals experience advantages or disadvantages, leading to more inclusive advocacy.

How does the concept of intersectionality connect people to 'earth-based systems'?

The concept of intersectionality helps people see the interconnectedness between societal systems and environmental issues, allowing for a more holistic understanding of how social and environmental justice are linked.