Anti-oppression and Intersectional Feminism Using Kimberle Crenshaw’s “Intersectionality and Identity Politics”

What is Anti-oppression Feminism? attempts to explore and challenge all aspects, all dimensions of all women’s experience of oppression. comes from the experiences of multiply oppressed women who were ignored /treated with various isms/ kicked out of organizations. Class, race and sexual identity are often the issues focused on.

Some 3rd Wave Concerns No voice of indigenous women; no acknowledgment that we are living on colonized land. Tendency to focus only on one location or identity. Often women seen only through lens of privilege or oppression; they only build ally or resistance skills, not both. May limit potential for larger coalition building.

What is Intersectionality? Intersectionality is a framework or a lens we can use to look at issues, experiences.

Using an Intersectional Framework First, imagine you have some LEMONS You also have WATER And you have SUGAR When lemons, water and sugar intersect the result is:

When you study you could see it as just one thing OR you could see that it is made up of different elements that change when they come together

Crenshaw’s Example re. immgrant women abused by partners: Immigrant women deal with sexism anti-immigrant laws and thinking often racism often language barriers When these things intersect they create: violence resulting from sponsorship

Crenshaw’s example re Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas Some feminist organizations argue that Hill is being targeted by sexism Some anti-racism organizations argue that Thomas is being targeted by a racist “lynching” mentality Hill’s lesbianism is hidden and no one talks about it, though Thomas knew of it

What were the consequences for Hill? “Anita Hill was disempowered because she fell through the dominant interpretations of feminism and anti- racism….The raced and gendered dimensions of her position could not be told.” Crenshaw, p. 540

What does intersectionality do for us? Intersectionality creates space for us to speak of the experiences of people who experience complicated intersections of power and privilege. It demands that we look at ALL dimensions of a person’s social locations in trying to understand their reality.

How does is affect my work in the field? Example: When a homeless older woman client comes into a shelter where you are working and starts shouting / or homophobic/ or ableist / or racist or other oppressive comments… practice with intersectionality will help you think about how to work effectively with the situation.

A question for you… Can you go back to a painful situation in your life - one where you felt oppressed, or where you hurt someone you had power over in some way - can you go back and use an intersectional lens to analyze the situation? Does it give you any new insights?