Intersectionality and Oppression

Key Concepts

• Intersectionality
  • Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw.
  • Describes how different oppressions (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.
• Oppressions
  • Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ageism, ableism, sizism.
  • These can overlap and intersect, creating compounded effects.

Case Study: Emma de Graafenried

• A black woman who, along with others, sued General Motors for hiring discrimination.
• Court failed to recognize intersectional discrimination (being black and female).

Understanding Intersectionality

• Not a synonym for diversity
  • A lens for analyzing how systems of power and oppression intersect.
  • Important for recognizing whose voices and experiences are represented.
• Sexual Harassment Example
  • Black women might experience harassment differently, influenced by racial stereotypes.

Intersectionality in Media

• Stories can help destabilize systemic whiteness and sexism.
• Need for more representation of diverse groups (women, people of color, disabled, trans, etc.).

Common Missteps

• Patricia Arquette's Oscar Speech
  • Failed intersectionality by addressing wage gap as if it only affects white women.
  • Highlighted need for recognizing interconnectedness of identities.

Online Harassment and Intersectionality

• Examples
  • Leslie Jones faced harassment combining racism and misogyny.
  • Black trans women face compounded oppression (anti-blackness, misogyny, transphobia).

Trans-Misogynoir

• Specific oppression faced by black trans women.
• Often leads to violence and marginalization.
• Issues largely ignored by media and lawmakers.

Conclusion

• Media can be a tool for change by centering marginalized voices.
• Influence of stories in destabilizing privileged positions of power.
• Acknowledgment to writer Ijeoma Oluo for contributions on intersectionality.

Next Steps

• Upcoming content will focus on misogyny and sexism.
• Encourage sharing knowledge on intersectionality and oppression.