What Is Intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The Advocate

Summary

The 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.