Kimberlé Crenshaw is credited with introducing intersectionality to feminism in the 1980s. Crenshaw, uses intersectionality to describe overlapping issues, “social justice problems like racism and sexism are often overlapping, creating multiple levels of social injustice” (Crenshaw). In a 2016 TED talk, Crenshaw shared the story of her client, Emma DeGraffenreid. DeGraffenreid believed she had not been hired at an automobile manufacturing plant because she was a Black woman. The judge who heard her case dismissed her because the plant hired White women as secretaries, and Black men for industrial work. The judge could not realize that DeGraffenreid’s status as a double-minority had disadvantaged her in the hiring field - the plant would not
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Just as WOC are told bringing up race in the feminist movement is divisive, they are told bringing up gender-based issues deters from addressing the perceived larger issue of racism, “A lot of black men said we were airing dirty laundry by talking about rape. Someone called me an agent provocateur for talking about rape and said we must be allied with COINTELPRO—Black Nationalist men also adhered to the narrative that rape happened at the hands of white men” (Ross, as told by Nelson). WOC must address sexism in their communities because true liberation cannot be achieved until all parts of WOC are liberated. If women’s rights are achieved, WOC will still experience racism. If racism is resolved, WOC will still experience sexism. In Patricia Hill Collins’ “Assume the Position”, she provides the example of Anita Hill. Justice Clarence Thompson’s comments comparing the trial to a “high-tech lynching” outweighed the sexual harassment and injustice faced. “The combination of male dominance and the need to avoid any hint of racism made the choice simple. Believing Thomas challenged racism. Doubting Thomas supported it. Thomas won. Hill lost” (Collins). The case was impacted by gender and race, and Thompson’s privilege as a male in the social hierarchy outweighed Anita Hill’s testimony and resulted in her being shamed in public discourse. Women of color continue to advocate for recognition of their issues and fight against racism in the feminist movement. WOC must also continue to push against sexism that is prevalent in their communities. As indigenous activist Lilla Watson once said, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work
Just as WOC are told bringing up race in the feminist movement is divisive, they are told bringing up gender-based issues deters from addressing the perceived larger issue of racism, “A lot of black men said we were airing dirty laundry by talking about rape. Someone called me an agent provocateur for talking about rape and said we must be allied with COINTELPRO—Black Nationalist men also adhered to the narrative that rape happened at the hands of white men” (Ross, as told by Nelson). WOC must address sexism in their communities because true liberation cannot be achieved until all parts of WOC are liberated. If women’s rights are achieved, WOC will still experience racism. If racism is resolved, WOC will still experience sexism. In Patricia Hill Collins’ “Assume the Position”, she provides the example of Anita Hill. Justice Clarence Thompson’s comments comparing the trial to a “high-tech lynching” outweighed the sexual harassment and injustice faced. “The combination of male dominance and the need to avoid any hint of racism made the choice simple. Believing Thomas challenged racism. Doubting Thomas supported it. Thomas won. Hill lost” (Collins). The case was impacted by gender and race, and Thompson’s privilege as a male in the social hierarchy outweighed Anita Hill’s testimony and resulted in her being shamed in public discourse. Women of color continue to advocate for recognition of their issues and fight against racism in the feminist movement. WOC must also continue to push against sexism that is prevalent in their communities. As indigenous activist Lilla Watson once said, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work