Lecture Notes: Intersectionality, Social Capital, and Respectability Politics

Introduction

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Main Topics

• Intersectionality
• Social Capital
• Respectability Politics

Intersectionality

• Concept of carrying multiple identities.
  • Example: A person can be a queer, white-passing woman with a PhD.
• Different identities bring different privileges and marginalizations.
• Originated by Kim Crenshaw, highlighting the complexities of overlapping identities, especially in marginalized communities.
• Importance in health equity and navigating healthcare systems.
• Example: A black queer woman’s experience differs from a white queer woman.

Social Capital

• Defined as non-monetary value: trust, safety, belonging, reciprocity, citizen power.
• Strongly influenced by socioeconomic factors.
• Affects ability to navigate systems like healthcare.

Intersectionality and Social Capital in Health

• Immigrants face declining health as they become more acculturated.
• School-to-prison pipeline: disproportionately affects low-income students of color.
• Insurance navigation challenges due to lack of social capital.

Respectability Politics

• Idea that to be worthy of respect, individuals must conform to certain standards (often white, male, upper class).
• Example: Black men perceived as more respectable in suits than casual attire.
• Everyone should be respected regardless of adherence to these standards.

Case Study: Flint Water Crisis

• Intersectionality, social capital, and respectability politics intersect in this crisis.
• Lack of clean water still an issue years later.
• Documentary "Undrinkable" explores the situation (ends in 2016 but issues persist).

Conclusion

• Topics show how societal structures impact marginalized communities.
• Encourages examination of how privilege and lack thereof affect health and wellbeing.