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?