Watch the video below to learn more about how privilege and oppression, through an intersectional perspective, overlap and reinforce each other, then answer the question after. I invite them to honor any feelings of anxiety, discomfort, guilt, and anger that may surface, and embrace them as signs of learning and growth, rather than believe it means the topic is bad or wrong. Intersectionality. Highlighting SGM Persons Living with Disabilities, History of Black Scientists: Ruth Ella Moore & James McCune Smith, Honoring "The Dream" Through Acts of Service and Allyship, How the Past Informs Views on Racial Discrimination, How to Utilize Your Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Intersectionality Part One: Intersectionality Defined, Intersectionality Part Three: Intentional Intersectionality, Intersectionality Part Two: The Workplace, Latinx LGBTQ+ Pride: A Conversation with Dr. Erik Rodriquez. Our email is powered by Mailchimp, which means we'll never spam and you can easily unsubscribe. Hire Our Students Intersectionality is a framework to begin the conversation - never underestimate the importance of learning about individuals and their unique stories. Stella looks through her companys new diversity report and is troubled to find that a photograph of her features four times in the 6-page document. Farm To Table: Does It Matter What We Eat? In Canada, indigenous people have been raising the alarm about the apparent lack of police or government interest in the high rates of missing indigenous women. With 57,766 graduates, there were almost twice as many white women who were awarded a doctorate than the 31,465 women of color graduates that included women who identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific, Read More A White Mans World: What WOC Should Know Before Doing A PhDContinue, Social justice, intersectionality, and diversity are necessary and important topics to introduce in classrooms, but when youre underprepared, lessons can become difficult, triggering, and destructive. The framework of intersectionality reminds us that we should bring our whole and authentic selves to work in order to perform our best and foster a collaborative environment with our colleagues (see Part 3). By Olena Hankivsky, 2014. In your own time, seek out existing intersectional narratives, from your podcasts to your television. For example, it was used as an argument against gay hate crime laws. As Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie phrased it, there is a danger of the single story. Instructors should be aware of the histories of institutional racism, sexism, ableism and ageism that have resulted in extremely challenging educational climates for BIPOC students, in particular female, trans, and queer BIPOC students and BIPOC students who have a disability. The OE is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or content of the resources above. ", Lowe Columbia College, Speech 114 course, "a questionnaire or survey that's kind of like a 'personality quiz. Intersectionality brings our understanding of systemic injustice and social inequality to the next level by attempting to untangle the lines that create the complex web of inequalities. Instead, we must pay attention to all the important factors that intersect within an individuals identity, because each helps shape their experience of the world and the discrimination they face. An activity that highlights how different identities may be experience or differently salient for each individual Materials & Media: Identity signs Clips, tape, or something sticky to hang the signs Set Up: Hang up the identity signs around the roomideally, before the workshop begins so they are part of the space from the very beginning. Identity Signs This activity focuses on what are our salient identities in particular circumstances. Campus Tour As you hear about issues othersface, learn about the work that is currently being done around these topics. Intersectional feminism is an intellectual and political movement that identifies and challenges the ways interlocking systems of gender, sexual, racial, colonial, class, and dis/ability oppression impact social life. In addition to the resources provided below, you can alsoreview additional terminology interconnected with Intersectionality here. Ask students to apply Mari Matsudas practice of asking the other question: When I see something that looks racist, I ask, Where is the patriarchy in this? When I see something that looks sexist, I ask, Where is the heterosexism in this? When I see something that looks homophobic, I ask, Where are the class interests in this? Working in coalition forces us to look for both the obvious and non-obvious relationships of domination, helping us to realize that no form of subordination ever stands alone. Crenshaw, K. (1989). "Intersectionality is simply about how certain aspects of who you are will increase your access to the good things or your exposure to the bad things in life. No prob. At the end of the semester, I bring the consideration of interlocking systems of power back to the students identities and prompts them to cut a path for action: Write a journal entry of how your work and/or life have been shaped by the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy (or its permutations across cultures), and the effects this had on you, the organization, and society at large. If it's about equity, diversity, or inclusion, please submit to edi.stories@nih.gov. The group activity in-class (including its two variants using fictive or real-world cases) and the final end-of-semester self-reflection are ways to encourage students to link their identities with society. To learn more about YW Bostons intersectional work, please sign up for our newsletter: Demarginalizing The Intersection Of Race And Sex: A Black Feminist Critique Of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory And Antiracist Politics.. About The Helpful Professor Becoming comfortable recognizing difference also involves recognizing when that difference is not represented in the spaces you occupy. He speaks about how people didnt acknowledge that he was LGBT because his disability was such an overpowering aspect of his identity: In high school I was just seen as the disabled kid.. KimberlCrenshaw coined this term in 1989 in reference to her experience of being black and a woman; describing the ways in which social identities influence one another and overlap. Just as many disciplines now require a positionality statement in published research, instructors may consider reflecting on their teaching positionality. Please note, the OE does not accept solicitations to partner, sponsor, promote, and/or publish content from external organizations. The Office of Inclusion and Outreach (OIO) provides sustained, comprehensive programs across all educational levels to promote access and increase numbers of underrepresented populations in healthcare, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and research professions. Do not expect people who face different systems of oppression than you to rally for causes you care about if you do not rally for theirs. Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. refers to the interplayofonesidentities, the status ofthoseidentities, and the situational context ofhow, when, and wherethose identitiesshow up and influence personal experience(s) within multiple dimensions of societal oppression. Similarly, middle-class WASPs can enjoy significant privilege when interacting with police and in job interviews due to the lack of negative stereotypes facing them. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion invites you to learn more about the importance of intersectionality and its role in creating a more equitable and inclusive community and campus during our first annual Day of Intersectionality. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion offers an in-class facilitatedprogram on social identitiesthat aims to raise awareness among students of the many ways their identities show up in the classroom. How do our different identities intersect, interact, and affect our daily lives. Mel Baggs was a non-binary blogger who wrote about autism and disability. As an instructor, you may also wish to reflect on how your own identitiesboth those you identify with and those that are ascribed to you by othersshow up in the class. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Whats often missing is how some people are subject to all of these, and the experience is not just the sum of its parts.". The very first week of every school term is where I establish the rules of engagement and set firm expectations with my students about my subject. Intersectionality: Mapping the Movements of a Theory by Devon W. Carbado, Kimberl Crenshaw, Vickie M. Mays, Barbara Tomlinson Kimberl Crenshaw on Intersectionality: An Interview There is No Hierarchy of Oppression by Audre Lorde Social Inequality, Power, and Politics: Intersectionality and American Pragmatism in Dialogue by Patricia Hill Collins We ask that any redistribution or reproduction of content is credited appropriately to the creators of the content, and if applicable, credited to any scholars or outside resources that were acknowledged and cited in adapted content. What does intersectionality mean for us in the NIH community? Helen Keller was not only a woman, she was also a deafblind person who changed the world in the early 20th Century. Interestingly, the stereotype is not rolled-out against lesbians, showing how it is the unique intersection of being male and homosexuality where this stereotype is weaponized. Keller spent her life writing, speaking, and campaigning for disability rights. Crenshaw expanded on the Collectives theory, stating that in order to understand the oppression of black women, it is necessary to look at the intersection of blackness and womanhood. Harassment in the Workplace: What Should You Do? hosted by Kimberl Crenshaw, Video: Kimberl Crenshaw The Urgency of Intersectionality, Video: Kimberl Crenshaw Defines Intersectionality, Race and Feminism: Womens March Recalls the Touchy History, Rethinking Intersectionality by Jennifer C. Nash, Practicing Intersectionality in Sociological Research by Hae Yeon Choo and Myra Marx Ferree, Intersectionality: Mapping the Movements of a Theory by Devon W. Carbado, Kimberle Crenshaw, Vickie M. Mays, Barbara Tomlinson, Kimberl Crenshaw on Intersectionality: An Interview, There is No Hierarchy of Oppression by Audre Lorde, Social Inequality, Power, and Politics: Intersectionality and American Pragmatism in Dialogue by Patricia Hill Collins, (Re)Imagining Intersectional Democracy from Black Feminism to Hashtag Activism by Sarah J. Jackson, On Violence, Intersectionality and Transversal Politics by Patricia Hill Collins, Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and the Politics of Empowerment by Patricia Hill Collins, Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender, and the New Racism by Patricia Hill Collins, Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory by Patricia Hill Collins, GW is committed to digital accessibility. #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH: Be Inspired Unsung Leaders at the NIH, Part 1, #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH: Be Inspired Unsung Leaders at the NIH, Part 2, #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH: Be Inspired Unsung Leaders at the NIH, Part 3, 10 Tips for Using a Sign Language Interpreter, 10 Tips on How to Prepare Yourself and Obtain a Promotion, 2019 MLK Campaign: Telling Their Stories, Marching for Civil Rights, 3 Things That Employee Resource Groups Can Do in Response to Surge in Anti-Asian Attacks, 5 Ways I Am Being A Champion During National Womens Health Week, 7 Tips for Managers in Preventing Retaliation, A New Initiative: Exploring Perspectives from Krystal Kaai, A New Toolkit in the Time of COVID-19: The NoBody is Disposable Coalition, Advancing Racial Equity: A Shared Analytical Framework, Advancing Racial Equity: Acknowledging Anti-Asian Racism, An Inclusive United States: Religious Inclusion in the Federal Workplace, Anatomy of a Black Woman: My Body is Beautiful. Over time, I experimented with different ways to introduce intersectional feminism constructively and sensitively in the classroom. Allow each group to share their case with the rest of the class and present the highlights of their analysis. If you have any suggested resources you think should be added to the guide, please submit them here! For example, at home a person may feel more closely connected to his identity as a father; at work, that same person may feel a closer connection to his position as a biologist. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1057%2Ffr.2008.4. Having reflected on their own privileges and oppressions, I tie the analysis of intersectional identities in with wider Black feminist theories around the interlocking systems of power. Nash, J. Toward a field of intersectionality studies: Theory, applications, and praxis. Take note of the welcoming or distancing practices of the spaces you frequent. This icebreaker can be used to launch a study about leadership or how to respond to obstacles or topics like that. Intersectionality is a framework for conceptualizing a person, group of people, or social problem as affected by a number of discriminations and disadvantages. What is Intersectionality - Kimberle Crenshaw. Javascript is disabled in your web browser. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. Mines Magazine ", Diversity and Inclusion Resources for Curricula. This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase through my link at no additional cost to you. Earlier this week, we explored the dimensions of power and examined how they inform work and society. Some of us have experienced racial discrimination personally, perhaps through generations of our family. In 1955 in Alabama, Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama. How might you exercise your privilege/s towards subverting or transforming any aspect of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy in your present circumstance? I prepare 56 mini-cases relevant to our subject topic. This can render other aspects of their identity invisible. She then tried to attend nursing school in Canada, but Indigenous women were not accepted into nursing schools. Her identities of being black AND being a woman do not operate independently; insteadthe interactions between the two identities frequently reinforce each other and shape her experience within an inequitable system. As you do, you will likely deepen your understanding of your own identity and thesubjectsyou care about most. Feminist Review, (89), 1-15. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Assuming that all women have vaginas or are defined by their bodies is an oversimplification that erases the experiences of those who exist beyond the gender binary. In Canada, indigenous people have been raising the alarm about the apparent lack of police or government interest in the high rates of missing indigenous women. These thought processes and expectations are based on the specific set of social identities we were born into that predispose us to unequal roles that allow us to access (or deny access) to resources. Social class. This activity focuses on what are our salient identities in particular circumstances. Intersectionality may seem theoretical, but it is meant to be utilized. There are many ways of visualizing intersectionality. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. Disability. Further, the OE does not provide any funding to the organizations, programs, and resources identified herein and/or through links. If the subject has been running for a few weeks, this is a good opportunity where you can ask students at the start of class to sit with people they havent had the chance to work with yet. People who are gay have similarly faced discrimination due to their sexuality. When it was introduced into academia, it was seen as a well-needed critique of the failure of race, gender, and class theorists to explore how disadvantage crosses identity factors and compounds upon itself. Intersectionality is a tool that allows us to think about systemic oppression in a broad context and emphasizes individual's experiences in an effort to understand privilege and power. The theory of those systems became known as intersectionality, a term popularized by law professor Kimberl Crenshaw. As black feminist scholar bell hooks argues, intersectionality challenged the notion that gender was the primary factor determining a womans fate. Calendar Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Whats the difference? It takes into account peoples overlapping identities and experiences in order to understand the complexity of prejudices they face. This stance sparked a nation-wide debate about segregation and inequality in the United States. A trans-man? Helena is an intersectional feminist scholar-activist living and writing in Sydney, Australia. Explore any of these five-minute exercises that center on a relevant diversity, inclusion and access topic. Post author By ; Post date chuo cha veta arusha njiro; disadvantages of agents and brokers on intersectionality icebreaker; Delivering the reform for Victoria's diverse communities Analyzing the full impacts of an initiative is a competency. Credit:Sara D. Anderson, Karissa Stolen, and Paulina Venzor, 2020, Office of Equity at the University of Colorado Denver and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The information here provides abasicoverview of important considerations related to IntersectionalityIt is crucial that you continue expanding upon this knowledge and look further into the concepts presented that you are unfamiliar with and/or are curious about. Applying intersectionality theory to an analysis of your experiences, you will be able to understand how your own intersecting privileges and oppressions have an impact on your identity and your relations with others. So, her products subverted the norm and was designed directly for women of color. Intersectionality refers to the overlap, or intersection, of various identity factors such as race, ethnicity, social class, nationality, gender, sexuality, and ability. ), in Britain, there is also growing concern about working-class white boys performance at schools, which is among the worst performance of all social groups. Icebreakers are often a great way to start off group. Sign up for our newsletter, delivered weekly. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI)offers services, resources, and guidance to enhance diversity university-wide and foster a culture of equity and inclusionfor the CU Denver Campus. Among the many policies and procedures I outline, I tell students that we have a collective responsibility to establish a principled space in our classroom. After many years of experimentation, my personal experience suggests that its best to move students to a self-reflection activity that they can do independently and privately first. However, the overarching hierarchy of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing. The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility. On your quest for more intersectional viewpoints, check out this list of podcasts. She has a long list of achievements by her name, including being the first Indigenous woman to vote in a Canadian federal election. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299. doi:10.2307/1229039. John Wiley & Sons. For my subjects, I like to use bell hooks theory of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. SETT-SU FLC is made up of faculty members from various departments across campus who share an interest in learning how to effectively teach topics of diversity and implement pedagogical choices that respect and affirm diversity in our classrooms. The CIIs work consists of the efforts and commitment from the. While she was unable to vote and found it almost impossible to get funding for her business ventures, she persisted, and became the first recorded fmale self-made millionare in American history. and the unique privileges and oppressions individuals may experience where those identities overlap. In the middle of my lecture on the gender pay gap in organizations, a student interrupts me to proclaim how the gender pay gap cant possibly exist because his mother is a senior manager in her company and gets paid more than the men she works with. Mike Robbins explains this using the Authenticity Equation: Honesty Self-Righteousness + Vulnerability = Authenticity (Robbins, 2018). 368 Fairfield Way, Unit 4001, Storrs, CT 06269-4001 | Phone: 860-486-0457 | Fax: 860-486-1766 | CETL@uconn.edu, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Building community and Brave Spaces as a Foundation for DEI work, Supporting and Including International Students, Creating Accessible Classrooms and Courses, Recognizing Identity and Intersectionality in the Classroom, Creating an LGBTQIA+ inclusive environment, Critical Thinking and other Higher-Order Thinking Skills, Tips for Grading without Utilizing Attendance, Flexible Teaching to Minimize Disruptions, Teaching Non-Native English Speaking Students, 50 Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATS), Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning, The Teaching Professor and Magna Digital Library, National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, Teaching and Learning Academy by Gardner Institute, Consultation on Developing an Online Course, Office of Continuing and Professional Education, Office for Diversity and Inclusion Reources. I ask them to allow approximately 30 minutes to complete: One of the most powerful, influential theories that have helped us to rethink power and identities in recent years is intersectionality theory. This will allow us to expose the inequities inhistory,policies, structures,and lived realities marginalized persons have and continue to endure. The principled space was originally developed by artist and activist, Hanalei Ramos. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. Disclaimer terms regarding published materials: Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work represents a historical function and is a practicing science. These aspects of our lives make up our identities and shape how we perceive the world, and in return, how the world perceives us as individuals. How would you describe the different facets of your identity? For instance, a black man and a white woman make $0.74 and $0.78 to a white mans dollar, respectively. Go here to get the curriculum without updates. The vast majority of US presidents, for example, fit into this elite group. Thinking intersectionally can help us identifysubtle dynamicsthat disadvantage some students and advantage others unjustly. Im committed to rigorous research-led subject content that grounds learning in students lived experiences and everyday practice. Its designed for elementary school students, but both my undergraduate and postgraduate students appreciate its clarity. 18. Should the EEOC Extend Age Discrimination Protection to those Under 40? In 2013, The Oxford Dictionary of Social Work and Social Care broadened Crenshaws conceptualization of the term, defining it as the combined effects of one's multiple identities, which includes identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and employee status. Funded by the Institute for Intersectionality Research and Policy, By Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, Opinion, 2018, Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, By Alyssa Rosenberg; Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, By Britteny Cooper; Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, By Lauren Sudeall Lucas; Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, by Kimberl Crenshaw; Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, By Jamil Smith; Part of the Washington Post's "In Theory" series of Opinion pieces on intersectionality, 2015, By Gillian B. We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. On intersectionality: Essential writings. I talk to students about my passion for critical pedagogy and why I think learning ideas like intersectional feminism matters to help them make a positive impact on the world. All of us seek change in our community, no matter how we became involved. Mike Robbins explains this using the Authenticity Equation: Honesty - Self-Righteousness + Vulnerability = Authenticity (Robbins, 2018). What layered identities might a student have, and what identities might educational settings activate? However, the overarching hierarchy of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing. At the same time, many black women experienced sexism while participating in the Civil Rights movement and were often shut out of leadership positions. It reminds us that people's lives cannot be explained by taking into account single categories, such as gender, race, sexuality, or socio-economic statu

Judy Gold Elysa Halpern,