ROCHESTER RACIAL JUSTICE TOOLKIT

What is Intersectionality? 

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INTERSECTIONALITY can sound like a mouthful. But at its most basic, intersectionality recognizes and describes the way that different parts of our identities "intersect" and "overlap" to create who we fully are and how we move through and experience the world. In the context of social justice, intersectionality focuses on our social identities like race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, citizenship, nationality, and age, etc.

For racial justice activism and social movements understanding this complex system of overlapping identities also allows us to recognize how oppression and/or privileges work together and are deeply linked. It's not a perfect science or formula and it is not meant to show others just "how oppressed" or "how privileged" an individual or group may be. Instead, it is meant to be deeply inclusive, making room for and recognizing the complexity of who we are so we can see how incredibly connected our liberation and struggles are no matter what our background. Intersectionality also allows us to work from a place of empowerment and solidarity instead of guilt, fear, or divisiveness.  

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Understanding and activating intersectionality requires critical thinking and it is hard work. It is not a label, a meme, or a qualifier as Latoya Peterson discusses in her insightful article. It is NOT a "politically correct" checklist of identities and systems of oppression to make sure we have all our bases covered. So read on, explore on, and lets challenge ourselves to make intersectionality a verb and a call to action. 

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• Read "Why Intersectionality Can't Wait" by Kimberle Crenshaw 

• Review The Black Lives Matter Guiding Principles, affirming the radically inclusive and intersectional nature of the movement for ALL black lives

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• Check out this great 'Intersectionality Fun Guide' by Miriam Dobson in the slideshow below: