Lecture on Intersectionality

Definition of Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a term used to describe the overlapping nature of social justice issues like racism and sexism, which create multiple levels of social injustice.

Coined from a real-life encounter with Emma DeGraffenreid, an African-American woman, working wife, and mother.
Emma faced racial and gender discrimination when applying for a job at a car manufacturing plant.

Emma's claim of race and gender discrimination was dismissed by a judge.
The judge argued the employer did hire African Americans and women:
- African Americans were mostly hired for industrial jobs (typically men).
- Women were mostly hired for secretarial or front office jobs (typically white women).
Emma's experience highlighted the double discrimination faced by African-American women, combining race and gender discrimination.
The court's refusal to allow Emma to combine claims of race and gender discrimination prevented her from telling her full story.
This case exemplified the inadequacy of anti-discrimination laws to protect African-American women.

The problem Emma faced was a framing issue; courts used an incomplete frame to view discrimination.
Intersectionality offers an alternative narrative to understand these overlapping discriminations.
- Compares discrimination to an intersection and the hiring policies to traffic.
- Emma, being black and female, was positioned where the roads of race and gender intersected.
The legal system was likened to an ambulance that doesn't treat those harmed at the intersection.

Intersectionality is not just limited to race and gender.
It applies to other marginalized groups facing various social dynamics:
- Heterosexism, transphobia, xenophobia, ableism, etc.
These intersections create unique challenges that need to be acknowledged and addressed.