Psychology is the study the human mind, including behaviors and disorders. However for much of history, the “human” in this definition has actually meant male. From the birth of psychology as a field, most of the research has been conducted by, for, and about men. The perspectives of women are historically severely lacking. In fairly recent times, women have gained the right to become psychologists, go to college, and participate in the research progress. However, the gains made are largely superficial and only apply to a small group of privileged women. The theory of intersectionality seeks to change the way people think about identities and social groups, and how certain factors may influence others in developing a person 's unique identity. …show more content…
Elizabeth Cole offers a great definition, saying that “feminist and critical race theories offer the concept of intersectionality to describe analytic approaches that simultaneously consider the meaning and consequences of multiple categories of identity, difference, and disadvantage” (2009). While it creates a much more accurate picture of what is going on inside the individual, it is also very difficult to conceptualize. Take the example of a lesbian woman - how much of her oppression comes from being gay? How much from her gender? Are they happening at the same time? Maybe she is white, how does that identity change and interact with the other two? The theory of intersectionality tries to deal with this best it can by changing the way we think about people. No one is comprised of a single identity. In psychological research, findings that are said to be true in women are too broad because women have different experiences based on their other intersecting identities and situations. To truly understand something, it is necessary to understand how it operates in diverse groups that differ from the white female undergraduate. This is in direct opposition to what is known as white feminism. These are feminists that tend to focus on issues they can see and relate to. They tend to disregard other perspectives or activism that …show more content…
This causes problems since “male” traits were seen as the default, and anything other than those was a defect. In the time since then, psychology has flipped to being a female dominated field, at least at the undergraduate level. While this may seem like a huge accomplishment, and the progress shouldn’t be ignored, it is important to keep in mind that these gains have been made by white women. Women of color are still very underrepresented in psychology, both as researchers and as subjects. In this way, the theoretical approach of intersectionality could help people understand diverse backgrounds and experiences. Research could be done with different, more diverse populations, and care should be taken when generalizing results across groups. However, intersectionality may still leave some people out due to the way that people in the western world tend to think. Progress will be slow, and operationalizing will be a challenge. Ultimately, this approach should do a lot of good in increasing how inclusive psychology is, and will hopefully lead to an even better method in the
While the video never directly focuses on identity the conversation progressively is guided into a deeper discussion about the differences between women at a women’s college. In the end a student speaks up to talk about how she doesn’t want to be grouped by her race, sexuality, or gender and that’s the problem that everyone
The predominant ideas put forth in the piece from the Combahee River Collective were those that addressed the shortcomings of the feminist movement to include all women and to address the full range of issues that oppress individuals and groups of people in our patriarchal society. This greatly furthered my ongoing development and understanding of what intersectionality is, what its goals are, and how it can help everyone instead of the predominately white, cisgendered, heterosexual, upper middle class women that composed and continue to compose a large portion of the feminist movement. One of the biggest shortcomings that are addressed in this piece focused on the racism within the feminist movement and its limited or even minimal efforts
This question poses an interesting discourse based on the intersectionality
Write an essay that explains and illustrates the significance of taking an intersectional approach to queer studies. Intersectionality is a theory which states that people have multiple identities and therefore belong to more than one community and thus experience multiple oppressions at the same time. Those who face multiple oppressions because of their layered identities are mostly queer women of color. Taking an intersectional approach to queer studies means exposing the inequalities and disadvantages that occur when people have multiple identities in order for transformational political work to happen. People of color, especially lesbian women of color experience this layered oppression.
According to Nicki L. Cole’s article, “Definitions of Intersectionality,” the concept of intersectionality “refers to the simultaneous experience of categorical and hierarchical classifications,” including race, class, and gender. Consequently, the different forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, and sexism, depend on one another and intersect to form “a unified system of oppression” (Cole). Using the concept of intersectionality as an “analytical tool,” social scientists may research “how different forms of privilege and oppression exist simultaneously in shaping [one’s] experiences in [society]” (Cole). In the article, “The Case for Reparations,” the concept of intersectionality reveals that capitalists purposely pitted the various
Identity is how a person is perceived by both themselves and others. Combining different values, experiences, and distinguishing characteristics make up a person's identity. Intersectionality is how people are disadvantaged due to race, gender, and status, which shape their identity. This disadvantage is evident through the oppression and discrimination towards the individual and their identity. In Brent Staples' essay "Black Men in Public Spaces," we learn how appearance, a defining aspect of identity, can lead to unwarranted discrimination and trepidation.
Intersectionality Intersectionality, was first introduced by Kimberle Crenshaw. The word had to do with the laws involvement on matters of judgement on sex, gender, and race. She mentions in her video “Kimberlé Crenshaw - On Intersectionality - keynote - WOW 2016”, how African American women along with other women of color, both have been victims of many forms of discrimination and the law does nothing about it. Below, you will read about how intersectionality is spread all throughout the book “The Beast of Times”. The book, “The Beast of Times” by Adelina Anthony talks about intersectionality in many ways.
As a Biracial woman who is also Bisexual, intersectionality and diversity are extremely important to me. As I matured, my ethnicity became increasingly important to me. Being biracial can be extremely isolating, and there can be a frequent feeling of not fitting in. I often feel stuck between two worlds, Black and White, Gay and Straight. As I grew up, I felt out of place around family, and unsure about my place in the world.
Being a specific race or having a type of gender identity that is still not fully accepted by society can not only oppress, alienate and marginalize, but also enhance power. Social workers should advocate within their profession, with other professionals, and within society to guarantee that gender diverse people receive the same values in all aspects of their lives. Also, historical examples like slavery, and segregation, a black person would experience unequal treatment based on their race identity and therefore, they will experience oppression and being treated negatively by society based on their color compared to a white person who can enhance their privileges and power. White privilege is when a white person gets the benefit of the doubt
1.The theory/concept of intersectionality is a theory centered around oppression, domination and discrimination through various mediums from the social and cultural elements of society. The theory can be applied in many ways toward women as well as their involvement in the criminal justice system. Some forms of discrimination that is more prevalent in perceiving the individual is using a woman's status, race, sexual orientation, ability and age, however there can be more added to this list. The wiki article said “The theory proposes that we should think of each element or trait of a person as inextricably linked with all of the other elements in order to fully understand one's identity.”
Intersectionality can be described as the effect of overlapping of systems of discrimination, based on social categories like race, gender, and class, on an individual or group. White feminists did not understand why it was necessary to combat the racial systems that effected Chicanas. Chicanas faced ideologies of racial inferiority and hyperfertility, which contributed to the reasons why they were victims of forced sterilization. To combat forced sterilizations, Chicanas urged feminists to include a 72-hour waiting period for sterilizations and informed consent (Davis, 131). However, because white feminists at the time were focused on obtaining immediate rights to their bodies, they saw informed consent and a waiting period for sterilizations as inconveniences (Davis, 131).
Intersectionality is defined by social categories, such as race and gender that have interconnected to apply to individuals and groups, causing an overlap, which has consequently created a system of discrimination and disadvantages Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term in her article ‘Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Anti-racist Politics’ (1889). Intersectionality can be recognised in many iconic Disney films such as, Cinderella, snow white. Aladdin and little mermaid. All these well-known movies provide societal intersections. This can be addressed through the protagonists and princesses ethnicity of being white, with Disney only recently introducing a black princess, in 2009.
The majority of research and theories have been centred on the experiences and outlooks of white individuals, resulting in a lack of diversity within the field. Consequently, the field has been unable to effectively address the experiences and concerns of people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Thankfully, organizations and journals have been increasingly taking steps to counteract this historically dominant "white psychology." Organizations such as the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues and the National Multicultural Conference and Summit have been essential in promoting diversity within the field of psychology. These organizations offer a platform for researchers and practitioners from various backgrounds to collaborate on research projects and share their experiences and viewpoints.
The forefront of the feminist sociology theory, Intersectionality, challenges the interdependent systems of discrimination that are deeply woven in American history. This concept acknowledges that a colorblind movement propels the majority forward and leaves the minorities in the dust. Even though, this movement admits to the imbalance of opportunities between people of color and their white counterparts, Intersectional Feminism is an unified movement that gives all woman the platform they need dismantle oppressive institutions. “Intersectionality was a lived reality before it became a term” (Crenshaw). The term, Intersectionality, was coined in 1989 by Kimberle Crenshaw, but years prior to being named, around the late 1960’s and early 1970’s,
She explains how the lack of awareness about intersectionality skews the data behind studies on controversial