Examples Of Intersectionality

Intersectionality happens when more than one form of oppression is affecting an individual. The oppressions overlap with each other. Intersectionality hides itself within our system which makes it harder to be noticed. Examples of oppressions that tend to intersect: sex, race, homophobia, and class. The overlap of oppressions creates an unfair and exclusive experience to those oppressed. Kimberle Crenshaw talks about three court cases where Black females faced the issues of intersectionality. These women were suing because they believed they were being discriminated for both their race and sex. Unfortunately, the courts treated race and gender as mutually exclusive categories. These women were not able to defend themselves because they either had to sue for sex discrimination or race, but not both. Putting these woman in an awkward stance. A white woman could sue for discrimination without being worried about her race. Black men could sue without being worried about their sex. The plaintiffs were faced with both issues because they were female and Black. Due to their oppressions intersecting, they didn’t have a case. The courts failure to acknowledge the …show more content…
Audre Lorde talks about the white feminist discrediting how the black feminists would express their ideas. A feminist magazine collective chose to only print prose saying that poetry was not a “serious” art form. Lorde, describes this as a form of classism. Lorde comments on how poetry was the poor people’s way of expressing their ideas. This way of expression was the economical way, while prose was more expensive. White feminist were separating themselves from Black feminist using their wealth as an excuse. Making it harder for Black females to be apart of the feminist movement. While both races of women were fighting for the same cause (sex oppression), the racial oppression of black women got in the