Multi-Minority Crisis and Why Intersectionality Needs to be in your Vocabulary
For many years we have heard the word minority used to describe a group of people or a generalization that doesn't meet the typical norms of majorities of society. Imagine being the only person of color in a group of only caucasian people. It's an uncomfortable feeling of not belonging, but imagine adding multiple different identities that compound your skin color. Imagine being a trans female person of color in a group of only cis, white men. When you add in multiple different physical and internal attributes that don't align with most people around you, the judgment and feelings you get are unimaginable.
Stop: Word break
So what is intersectionality and why is it so important. Intersectionality is defined by Oxford as "the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage." Intersectionality is vital in understanding that not just one social category comes into play. For example, when increasing the gender pay gap, headway was made, but black and other women of color were left out of this. So although white women are seeing a pay gap change, women of other races aren't. In fact, black women make around $13 to the white woman's $17 and the white man's $21. Although this article is not in fact about the gender pay gap, this is just one example of intersectionality being intertwined with everyday socio-economic issues.
Thinking of intersectionality as a Venn diagram, all aspects of identity inter-connect, whether you have ever noticed it or not. Intersectionality helps bring word to the idea, where people are impacted by multiple oppressions, not just one. The theory first came about when black, female feminists started protesting the over-simplified nature of the feminist movement and how it was rooted in white, cis male ideals. Since then, intersectionality has become a key player in understanding human rights and equity movements.
Understanding intersectionality is also understanding identity and the factors that come into play.
The layering of different physical and internal attributes creates a whirlwind of different daily dilemmas. The International Journal of Intercultural Relations did an interesting study on this idea of "cultural homelessness," where they explore the effects of people impacted by multiple different cultures and ethnicities. The study dives into how having a skin color that stands out in a certain place can be debilitating for certain individuals.
Although I personally will never understand how it feels to suffer from discrimination based on physical attributes out of my control, it is important we understand words and definitions that apply. As mentioned in a previous article, putting yourself in others' shoes and doing everything you can to give sight to the unseen is a good step towards change.
Disclaimer: This is an opinion blog. Anything said here are my own opinions. Any facts presented have sources attached and included.
Sources:
https://www.ywboston.org/2017/03/what-is-intersectionality-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-me/
https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/429843