Intersectional Feminism

illustration by Tyler Feder.

what is intersectionality?

the term was first coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989- a scholar and civil rights activist. However even though she coined the term, she was not the first to address the issue. One of the women who spoke about intersectionality before her was Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist and womens rights activist. The definition of intersectionality is...

intersectionality

/ɪntəsɛkʃəˈnalɪti/

noun

1. 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"

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Definitions from Oxford Languages

 Dr Kimberle Crenshaw described it as "A prisim for seeing the way which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other."  

In simpler terms, intersectionality is about acknowledging that women can experience different types of oppression, not just sexism but also racism, antisemitism, ableism, classism, Islamophobia, transphobia, homophobia...

our feminism should be intersectional!

why should my feminism be intersectional?

Intersectional feminism works to root out all inequality and solve overlapping forms of discrimination, therefore it makes sense for feminism to be intersectional, because if you believe in equality for women, you should keep that same attitude when you see other forms of inequality.

being an intersectional feminist means truly supporting all women no matter race, religion, sexuality, ability or class.

In Reni Eddo-Lodge's book 'Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race' (which i have one more chapter left of but seriously recommend to read !!) she talks about intersectionality, and it's importance, and her experiences as a black feminist. A quote from page 167 says; "too often white feminists ideological standpoint does not see racism as a standpoint, let alone a priority."

how can i be an intersectional feminist?

 . this article by IWDA has lots of helpful pointers and information, i recommend giving it a read:

https://iwda.org.au/3-ways-to-be-an-intersectional-feminist-ally/

.an important aspect of being an intersectional feminist is to stay educated on other issues that LGBTQ+ women, POC women, muslim women... face. 

. another way to be an intersectional feminist is to not get all your information on feminism from straight, white, cis women. broaden your sources and support other feminists too. 

this isn't prioritising some feminists over others, though, because what all feminists say is valuable. however, it is a priority to make sure you support a diverse range of feminists so that you can learn about different types of intersectionality. (again i would like to recommend 'Why I'm Not Talking To White People About Race' by Reni Eddo Lodge).

 -by ayla