intersectional theory

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Intersectional Theory: Identities and Social Justice

Introduction to Ethnic StudiesOctober 10th, 2012

Gender

Race

Sexuality

Class

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Intersectionality is a theoretical approach that recognizes the dynamics, relationships and

connections between different categories of identity, such as

race, class, gender, sexuality and ability.

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Emergence of Intersectionality

Social Movements of the 1960s and 1970s

Identity Politics

Single factor identity

Eliminate De Facto Discrimination

+The Feminist Movement

Experiences of White, MC, Women

1. Right to Work

2. Right to Not have Children

3. Stop Violence Against Women

4. The ‘Essential’ Woman

Experiences of WC Women of Color

1. History of Forced Labor

2. Controlled Reproduction

3. Violence Inside and Outside Community

4. Racialized Stereotypes of Womanhood

+Civil Rights Movement

Race as central category

Agenda was determined by men and reflected such position

Women were placed in ‘traditional’ roles

Sexism and sexual harassment in the movement

+Gay Rights Movement

White Gay Men as the central category

Fought anti-sodomy laws, gay as consumption culture

Queer vs. Gay vs. Two-Spirit

Homophobia as a cultural aspect of communities of color

+Historical Example:Dividing Labor by Race

Bacon’s Rebellion

Post Civil-War- Populist Party tries to unite poor Blacks and Whites, Wealthy whites introduce segregation laws to break up the party.

Myth of ‘them’ taking ‘our’ jobs

+The Whitewashing of the Gay Community

+Contemporary Examples:The Labor Market

Racialized Divisions of Labor placed people of color in undesirable positions that served the white population.

The gender division of labor channels women into doing reproductive labor (childcare, cleaning, service-sector)

+Contemporary Examples:Gay Marriage

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Contemporary Examples:Gay Marriage

Assumes a ‘normative’ family structure (They are just like us)

Middle class status allows homosexual couples to participate in wedding consumer culture

Social Justice= Assimilating into the system

Race, Class impact a person’s relationship with state institutions.

+ Practice: Sojourner Truth, 1851

What is Sojourner advocating in this speech? What is she saying about how the category of ‘woman’ is defined? When people talk about the rights afforded to women, does she feel included?

+Practice: The Exotification of Women

+Apply: What does Intersectionality Look Like in Your Life?

Write down some of the identity characteristics of your own life (race, gender, class, ability, sexual orientation etc. )

Do certain ones define you in certain situations? When? Are that some that matter more to other people? To you?

What privileges and penalties do those characteristics hold?