by Frankie DeFaria (staff writeer)

Our independence is defined by our individuality– who we are and where we come from– and how we interact with others. In order to understand both, we have to look at every aspect of our identity in conjunction with society and the communities associated. When we do that, we realize that we share at least one identifying factor with anyone and everyone around us. This is intersectionality. This is one of the many reasons why advocating for the rights of all marginalized groups is absolutely imperative and why the abrogation of independence to any group of people is a threat to one’s own. 

Kimberle Crenshaw, a Black feminist and critical race scholar, coined the term intersectionality, defining it as “a method and a disposition, a heuristic and analytical tool.” When including intersectionality in your activism, you are actively discovering and learning more, and being more genuine in your fight for social justice. Without intersectionality, however, social justice movements and individual activists inadvertently or intentionally leave out other marginalized groups of people. One example of this is the early feminist movement. In the 1910s and 1920s the feminist movement claimed to be one for women’s equality, however, this pertained almost exclusively to white women. It also often actively derailed the civil rights movement, thereby contributing to the oppression of Black women. These exclusions led to the creation of Black feminism and intersectional feminism. 

How can intersectionality be practiced? It is never enough to simply say “I am an intersectional feminist.” This term, phrase, label, does not make a difference nor does it actively dismantle white supremacist patriarchal power structures. In order to do so, you must act and advocate from an intersectional point of view. Continuing the example of the women’s rights movement, advocates for this movement cannot fail to neglect the fact that all women are not equal currently. Advocacy for marginalized women by listening to those willing to share, confronting our own biases, and actively working to corrode oppressive systems is the only way to truly achieve women’s equity. Feminism cannot function without intersectionality as there are women with hundreds of different identities– women of color, trans women, Muslim women, disabled women, and a multitude of other identities that coexist within womanhood. Additionally, the concept of intersectionality is applicable to any social justice movement, not just feminism– Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ movement, and Stop Asian Hate to name a few.

The fundamental rights that people should have are a part of one’s own independence. The systemic oppression in place working to suppress these rights are an attack on that. Activism, proper, intersectional activism effectively fights for those rights, and for everyone’s individual freedom. 

Sources: 

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-intersectionality-and-why-is-it-important

https://www.aaup.org/article/what-intersectionality-and-why-it-important#.YPAZUBNKhQI