Have you seen the term
“intersectionality” floating around cyberspace? It seems to be popping up, for me,
in many areas.
My online dictionary
defines the term as:
The interconnected nature
of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a
given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent
systems of discrimination or disadvantage: through
an awareness of intersectionality, we can better acknowledge and ground the
differences among us.
As I read it,
intersectionality goes beyond the common definition of identity by understanding the political implications underlying who
you are, not just who you identify as. The phrase “creating overlapping and
interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage” casts a negative
shadow over “intersectionality” that doesn’t necessarily apply to “identity.”
For example, my husband
climbs and clambers around in the canyons and mountains when he can. He climbs
mountains, but he doesn’t identify as a “mountain climber.” He will say he is a
hiker. He is a white male in his 70s who had a successful career in education
and remains somewhat active in his field still. All of these are identities
that he’ll claim.
In terms of his
intersectionality, he’d be categorized as a straight white male middle class
senior citizen. He is like a part of Venn Diagram, sharing characteristics with
some of his acquaintances but differing from them on other aspects. The only
one of his characteristics subject to the “discrimination and disadvantage” of
the definition is, possibly, senior citizen.
But, honestly, he knows he
enjoys white privilege and straight privilege. Just as he knows that the
majority of other senior citizens face discrimination and disadvantage on a
regular basis for a variety of intersectionality aspects.
But why does the term
intersectionality have to have negative implications? Why can’t the term be a
neutral one that simply defines who each of us is? Whether we face
discrimination or disadvantage doesn’t obviate that we are, each of us, of a
gender, race, and SES level. Realizing we are all intersectional can bring us closer
by seeing our shared characteristics.
Recognizing our
commonalities should help us to tear down more of the separation barriers just
as mixing black and white children in schools led to bonds forged that never
could have happened before integration. Did discrimination disappear? No. Did
everyone stop hating? No. But they are lessened because familiarity need not
breed contempt. Familiarity can breed respect and civility. Interracial
marriages, while still not the norm, do happen and they are no longer illegal.
Gay and lesbian couples can adopt children in many states. Things are better. Not
great, but we are not regularly lynching people with impunity these days.
Having said that, the state
of equality that is the American ideal is still on the horizon. Perhaps when we
embrace intersectionality as describing who we are, in all our aspects, we can
come to see how we are all more alike than different.
I share commonalities with
older, middle class, straight women. With mothers. With grandmothers. With educators.
With writers. With the overweight. With . . . well, you get the idea.
If we broaden the
discussion around intersectionality beyond race, gender, and SES, I think we
can forge new respect, understanding, and support for all God’s children. God
doesn’t make mistakes. ALL God’s children should see their connections to one
another.
Please share this post with
others if you found it interesting.
Facebook:
Intersectionality is a way to divide us or connect us. What does the term mean
and why should we broaden it? http://bit.ly/2wOWSME
Twitter:
Intersectionality is a way to divide or connect us. @RomanceRighter comes down
on the side of connection. http://bit.ly/2wOWSME
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