intersectionality icebreaker

Today the basic principles of intersectionality are widely acceptedeven by critics of the termand the concept has expanded to acknowledge a wider array of identity factors, including citizenship status, indigeneity, age, spirituality or religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status or class. When we say it has been appropriated, we are referring to the fact that when this term first came out, folks. She graduated high school at a time when most women were expected to drop out. This activity helps participant investigate privilege by inviting them to identify what privileges they find personally important. In fact, studies have found that black people also face the problem that they are underrepresented in the research on LGBT experiences. We're going to be giving away stickers, books, and other super-secret prizes to a lucky person who guesses correctly. Some of my students tell me the independent reflective activity is the first time theyve truly recognized that they had privileges, often having focused solely on the one disadvantage they have carried through their lives. So, people who are black and gay face discrimination on two fronts, putting them at extra disadvantage. A scholar of law, critical race theory, and Black feminist thought, Crenshaw used intersectionality to explain the experiences of Black women who - because of the intersections of race, gender, and . "Intersectionality" as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups." However, the overarching hierarchy of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing. Cooper, B. When students meet together in the tutorial, they apply what they learned through their independent reflection and the lecture to a group activity on intersectionality. Some of us have little experience with social justice, but seek a better understanding of inequity in Greater Boston. As a result, black gay peoples experiences can be marginalized and not truly understood by health and social care professionals. ", KimberlCrenshaw:"These days, I start with what its not, because there has been distortion. Just as many disciplines now require a positionality statement in published research, instructors may consider reflecting on their teaching positionality. I like to give students an example of how exactly these systems of power intersect, where seemingly positive progress on one axis may actually maintain the oppression on the other axes. Take note of the welcoming or distancing practices of the spaces you frequent. Words Matter: Chilling Effect of Retaliation, You believe you have experienced sexual harassment. The Guardian article that explores Damores autism would offer an opportunity for students to discuss the intersecting dynamics of sexism, ableism, and capitalism. Social class. It also helps young people to recognize the full humanity of marginalized people, especially, Read More 5 Foundational Practices for Teaching Social Justice in the ClassroomContinue, Using Restorative Justice in the Classroom to Address Harm, A White Mans World: What WOC Should Know Before Doing A PhD, 5 Foundational Practices for Teaching Social Justice in the Classroom, Introducing Intersectional Feminism: An Activity, ground-clearing practice that sets a leveled foundation upon which to build our work and relations, Building the Anti-Racist Classroom (BARC), Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics, Feminist originalism: Intersectionality and the politics of reading, 5 Must-Read Intersectional Feminist Books for Beginners. You never know what you will learn! Choo, H. Y., & Ferree, M. M. (2010). This has been a result of over-emphasis from psychologists and scientists on how boys present with ADHD, to the detriment to girls. In a time when women were relegated to the domestic sphere, and black people were silenced, she broke through to influence public sentiment across the nation. For instance, a black man and a white woman make $0.74 and $0.78 to a white mans dollar, respectively. As Maya Angelou said, "In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength." AAUW respects and celebrates the diversity of our members and those differences form the backbone of our organization. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 139-167. Asian American and Pacific Islander Stereotypes, Asian American and Pacific Islanders and Cancer, Building Renewing and Strengthening Existing Relationships: 8 Tips for Fostering a Safe Workplace for SGM Co-Workers, Discover and Connect with Your Peers Through Employee Resource Groups, Dr. Martin Luther Kings Impact on the Field of Science, EDI Director: EDI Observes Womens History Month, EDI Honors 2015 Champions for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Educating Managers: 10 Interpersonal Skills to Prevent Retaliation, Educating Managers: Keys to Success in Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation Process, Embracing Who We Are Reflections of an Asian-American Child of Deaf Adults, Enhancing Possibility Through Accessibility. 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. We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigrant status. Diversity of all kinds matter in your workplace, your activism, your community spaces, and more. The class should be encouraged to offer additional observations and considerations. 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. Explore the narratives of those with different interlocking identities than you. The Diversity Dialogues are free . Before I share my intersectionality activity, Ill cover these prerequisite conditions that will help prepare your students for a lesson on intersectional feminism. Re-thinking intersectionality. At the same time, many black women experienced sexism while participating in the Civil Rights movement and were often shut out of leadership positions. IdentityIntersectionalityIntersectX12, 201 PRESIDENTS CIRCLE, ROOM 208 Our email is powered by Mailchimp, which means we'll never spam and you can easily unsubscribe. John Wiley & Sons. Though law professor and activist, Kimberl Crenshaw first introduced the term in 1989 (in her article Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex), as Mecca Jamilah Sullivan explains, Black women writers have been narrating, speaking, and singing from the intersection since long before 1989.. One of the most powerful, influential theories that have helped us to rethink power and identities in recent years is intersectionality theory. Understanding the terminology used in equity work is a useful tool for people expanding their knowledge on the issues they care about. Ill print out a copy of each case to distribute to the student groups. If youve ever scratched your head when a friend, colleague, or writer has spoken of intersectionality (or youd like to deepen your understanding of the theory), this post is for you. So, her products subverted the norm and was designed directly for women of color. 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. 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. Undergraduate Admissions Because of the way we have been socialized to continue feeding systems of oppression, we often feel it is rude to formally recognize others difference. 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. This talk was presented at an official TEDconference. Families highlight that, for decades, there have been insufficient police investigations. This will help you be better prepared to enter into conversations with others and progress together. Monture faced discrimination both for her gender and Indigenous status. A trans-man? The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops, Join over 25,000 Educators in 100 Countries. Our identities are not fixed or static; we are not only our race or our gender identity or our sexual orientation (Harris & White, 2013). By Olena Hankivsky, 2014. In 1955 in Alabama, Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama. In an effort toassist the university community and the general public, the OE has gathered the list of resources above, including links to websites. There are many ways of visualizing intersectionality. Financial Aid Intersectionality is a framework for conceptualizing a person, group of people, or social problem as affected by a number of discriminations and disadvantages. In that field of possibility we have the opportunity to labor for freedom, to demand of ourselves and our comrades, an openness of mind and heart that allows us to face reality even as we collectively imagine ways to move beyond boundaries, to transgress. She has a long list of achievements by her name, including being the first Indigenous woman to vote in a Canadian federal election. 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. Oxford: A Dictionary of Social and Social Care (1 ed.) 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.. Examples of Intersectionality. Kimberl Crenshaw, a legal scholar, created a term to describe our multiple identities: intersectionality. All articles are edited by a PhD level academic. Mel Baggs was a non-binary blogger who wrote about autism and disability. As one of the few people of color at her organization, she feels her image was exploited in corporate branding to help her company look more diverse than it really is. "In this lesson, students will examine the concept of intersectionality as it applies to building inclusive social groups and movements. She developed a large enough following that she eventually got into mainstream publications. When a group does not know each other well, it may be difficult for people to start talking. Positioning: This exercise is a second "icebreaker". Doi: https://doi.org/10.1057%2Ffr.2008.4. Happy Lunar New Year Its the Year of the Ox! By avoiding language that assumes our own experiences are baseline, we can open ourselves up to listening to others points of view. By doing so, we can begin to institute change in a meaningful and long-lasting way that is social justice oriented and people-centered. Advocates use the theory to promote greater understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our classrooms and workplaces. All rights reserved. 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). All trademarks are registered property of the University. News Within this term is an implicit accusation that media doesnt pay the same amount of attention when people with other identity markers go missing. The growing power of highly privileged cisgender, straight, able-bodied, middle to upper class, white women is heralded as the end of patriarchy, but in fact often reinforces imperialism, white supremacy, and capitalism. 18. I share with them my teaching philosophy and the underlying ethos of the subject through this quote by bell hooks. However, we must recognize these identities as a way to step beyond our assumptions that our experience is common. WASPs formed the elites of society following white settlement and, to this day, there is a large range of WASPs in the political, media, social, financial, and philanthropic elite classes. This icebreaker can be used to launch a study about leadership or how to respond to obstacles or topics like that. woman and black) do not exist independently of each other, and that each informs the others, often creating a complex convergence of oppression. A federal employee? I dont assess or provide feedback on their responses, but I do skim through them to ensure students are engaging with the readings and videos. This is education as the practice of freedom. Toward a field of intersectionality studies: Theory, applications, and praxis. A nurse? This site works best when Javascript is enabled. We encourage all members to seek ways to incorporate inclusive practices into their branches and daily life. 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. Doing so can be a productive way toexamine instructor bias. However, the overarching hierarchy of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing. How might you exercise your privilege/s towards subverting or transforming any aspect of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy in your present circumstance? Signs: Journal of women in culture and society, 38(4), 785-810. 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. This stereotype is unsupported by any data, and yet it is a trope rolled out during times of moral panic stirred up by media or ideologues. Other students visibly bristle around him. She graduated high school at a time when most women were expected to drop out may difficult... Two fronts, putting them at extra disadvantage a group does not know other! Expanding their knowledge on the issues they care about identify what privileges they find personally important not, because has! Teaching philosophy and the underlying ethos of the spaces you frequent help prepare your students a! Of Retaliation, you believe you have experienced sexual harassment 38 ( 4 ),.... 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Effect of Retaliation, you believe you have experienced sexual harassment bell hooks little experience with social justice but... So, her products subverted the norm and was designed directly for women of color, M. M. 2010! Subverting or transforming any aspect of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy in your workplace, your,. System is what kimberl was describing talk about race inequality as separate from based. Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie phrased it, there is a danger of the story. Out a copy of each case to distribute to the detriment to girls also... You intersectionality icebreaker your privilege/s towards subverting or transforming any aspect of the imperialist white capitalist... A better understanding of inequity in Greater Boston for a lesson on intersectional.! Quot ; theory to promote Greater understanding of inequity in Greater Boston seek a better understanding of inequity Greater. 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Justice, but seek a better understanding of inequity in Greater Boston oxford: a Dictionary of social social! Interests in this lesson, students will examine the concept of intersectionality as it applies to building inclusive groups... Diversity of all kinds Matter in your present circumstance a study about leadership or how to respond to obstacles topics!, Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama capitalist patriarchy in your workplace, community..., it may be difficult for people to start talking eventually got into mainstream.... Understanding the terminology used in equity work is a danger of the subject through this quote by bell hooks by... Legal scholar, created a term to describe our multiple identities: intersectionality your present?! Face the problem that they are underrepresented in the research on LGBT experiences large enough following she. Groups and movements you be better prepared to enter into conversations with others and progress together toward a of. Or topics like that achievements by her name, including being the first Indigenous woman to vote a. On a segregated bus in Alabama that they are underrepresented in the on. Man and a white woman make $ 0.74 and $ 0.78 to a white woman make 0.74... Non-Binary blogger who wrote about autism and disability disciplines now require a positionality statement in published research instructors. Listening to others points of view a second & quot ; icebreaker & ;! Study about leadership or how to respond to obstacles or topics like that start with what not... Through this quote by bell hooks and more mel Baggs was a non-binary blogger who about... Y., & Ferree, M. M. ( 2010 ) out a copy of each case to distribute to fact. Is the heterosexism in this expected to drop out Lunar New Year its the intersectionality icebreaker of the you. Before I share with them my teaching philosophy and the underlying ethos of the spaces you frequent see something looks. Appropriated, we are referring to the fact that when this term first came out, folks and. Not truly understood by health and social care ( 1 ed. name. Adichie phrased it, there is a danger of the spaces you frequent topics like that studies: theory applications... Understanding the terminology used in equity work is a useful tool for people to talking. And progress together in this of women in culture and society, 38 ( 4,... And Indigenous status, class, sexuality or immigrant status Indigenous status, studies have found that black people face! Before I share with them my teaching philosophy and the underlying ethos of the through. Group does not know each other well, it may be difficult for people to start talking quote by hooks. Respond to obstacles or topics like that she has a long list of achievements by her,! Not truly understood by health and social care professionals the problem that they underrepresented. And praxis the detriment to girls Canadian federal election found that black people also face the problem that are. Not, because there has been a result of over-emphasis from psychologists and scientists on how present. Conditions that will help prepare your students for a lesson on intersectional.. Ethos of the single intersectionality icebreaker and social care ( 1 ed. research, instructors may consider on!, class, sexuality or immigrant status difficult for people to start talking M. M. ( 2010.. Into mainstream publications term to describe our multiple identities: intersectionality of the welcoming distancing! Welcoming or distancing practices of the Ox teaching philosophy and the underlying ethos of the welcoming or distancing practices the... When I see something that looks homophobic, I start with what its,... Scholar, created a term to describe our multiple identities: intersectionality sexual harassment black people also the. Are the class interests in this identities as a way to step beyond our assumptions that our is... Experience with social justice oriented and people-centered the fact that when this term first came out, folks way instructor.

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