Broadening Horizons: What is Intersectionality?
"There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives." - Audre Lorde
Feminism encompasses a variety of perspectives and ideologies and the struggles faced by women are just as multifaceted. These struggles, which are rooted in sexism and misogyny, are only exacerbated by the differing identities of women. For example, a deaf transwoman will not only be forced to face misogny each day but transmisogny, sexism, and ableism as well. The same goes for a gay black woman or a poor Asian woman who, while both women, will face different struggles in addition to sexism.
That's where intersectional feminism, or intersectionality, comes in. Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberle Crenshaw, addresses the varying levels of oppression that a women will inevitably meet as a result of aspects of their identity. These aspects include one's class, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, and all of the other qualities that make up a woman's identity. Through intersectionality, the whole of a woman's daily struggle is addressed rather than just one aspect of it.
This is why intersectionality is so important. Simply because there is no one-size-fits-all brand of feminism and the notion that there could ever be is inherently problematic. Intersectional feminism eliminates this problem by providing a platform upon which all women, not just those within the majority population, can express their experiences.
Unlike mainstream feminism, which often times inadvertently usurps the voices of marginalized groups of women and focuses primarily on the plights of straight middle-class white women, intersectional feminism is far more broad and inclusive. By being more inclusive women of all backgrounds have a heightened ability to have their voices heard and thus amplified. Ultimately, intersectional feminism regards women as not only women but as people who have an array of characteristics other than their gender that affect their daily lives.
The feminist movement must create an inclusive, broad, and far-reaching in order to be successful. By attempting to solely address one aspect of a women's oppression, the feminist movement risks harming those who it ought to help the most. Intersectionality diminishes the prominence of this issue by allowing the voices of women from all backgrounds to be heard and considered in a welcoming debate.
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