Summary
Intersectionality is a framework coined by Black scholar, Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw which helps describe how individuals’ identities and lived experiences can intersect to create overlapping experiences of oppression. One clear way to navigate understanding intersectionality is through the recognition that a white cis heterosexual women’s experience of oppression differs from that of a cis Black woman, which then further differs from that of a trans Black woman. All of these individuals experience the cis heterosexual capitalist patriarchy in different ways, and these experiences are valid and should be acknowledged to be able to address them in the equity-informed manner they deserve. The same intersectional analysis can take place over any number of sociodemographic, personal, environmental and other characteristics, including but not limited to sex, gender, race, ethnicity, class, income, geographical location, biology, and more.
This module will introduce you to the concept of intersectionality and guide you in an exploration of this topic from a variety of perspectives.
What is intersectionality?
These three resources will allow you to gain a better understanding of what intersectionality is and some information about intersectional feminism in Canada.
The urgency of intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw (watch 19 min)
Content warning: graphic images, videos and details of police violence against black women and girls.
Kimberlé Crenshaw Discusses ‘Intersectional Feminism’ (watch 10 min)
The Facts about Intersectional Feminism in Canada (read 10 min)
Reflect
After learning what intersectionality is from these resources – in your own words take a moment to write down how you would describe intersectionality to a friend?
What does intersectionality feel like in your life? In your own experience what intersections of identity speak to your lived experiences with privilege and oppression?
Additional Perspectives on Intersectionality
Watch and read through the following resources to gain a diversity of perspectives on intersectionality. These resources discuss white feminism, singularity in the stories that we tell and intersectional feminism.
Why We Need To Talk About White Feminism (watch 2 min)
How White Feminists Oppress Black Women: When Feminism Functions as White Supremacy (read 15 min)
Watch The Danger of a Single Story (watch 20 min)
Watch Intersectional Feminism – Angela Davis (watch 6 min)
Digging Deeper
Use the following list of resources to learn more from a variety of activists, writers and allies. This list is by no means exhaustive and it is recommended that you begin your own research on this topic as well!
‘I Refuse to Listen to White Women Cry’ Activist Rachel Cargle (Washington Post) (read 15 min)
Watch On Intersectionality in Feminism and Pizza (watch 4 min)
Privilege, Power, and Pride: Intersectionality within the LGBT Community (read 5 min)
Why I Am Passionate About Intersectionality (read 5 min)
I’m a queer man of color – here’s how intersectionality impacts me. (read 5 min)
Why saying “all black lives matter” matters (read 5 min)
3 Ways to be an intersectional feminist ally (read 5 min)
Sojourner Truth Biography (read 5 mins) and watch her famous Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” Performed by Kerry Washington (watch 3 min)
How Bell Hooks Paved the Way for Intersectional Feminism (read 10 min)
Explore “Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics & Violence” by Crenshaw (read 45 mins)
Reflect
How have these resources enhanced your understanding of intersectionality?
Reflect and note any ways that the framework of intersectionality shows up in your own life.
Write about one thing that you learned from these resources, what is a topic that you want to explore deeper?
Revisit your first reflection – has your understanding or personal definition of intersectionality changed after reviewing these resources?
