What is intersectionality? Defining intersectionality
What is intersectionality? With the rise of this term in 2015 and wide exposure in 2017, the word intersectionality has become a part of mainstream discourse. But what does intersectionality actually mean?
In this article, Intersectionality Definition, I’ll be describing the traditional term, as well as discussing how intersectionality can be expanded upon within the lens of mental health & resilience.
The Traditional Definition of Intersectionality.
Intersectionality, coined by Kimberle Crenshaw, is typically thought of as the cross-section of various marginalized identities that leads to one’s unique experience of multi-layered, multi-faceted oppression. ‘These intersections’ are compilations of minority experiences (race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, generation/age status, class etc.). It speaks to the tailored (and isolating) experience of a marginalized person, and how institutionalized oppression works in tandem; is dynamic and complex, and also has a compounding effect.
Intersectionality Definition Expanded within the Lens of Mental Health: A Term of Resilience.
In addition to what’s described above, people who experience multi-faceted, systemic oppression often encounter traumatic experiences (to varying degrees) (I.e., immigration-based trauma, race-based trauma, gender-based trauma, etc.). This is especially true if one has a low locus of control (or if one subscribes to beliefs that their actions have little to no control over their life [popularly referred to as a victimization mindset]). Although people who encounter trauma do not always have difficulty healing (or stabilizing themselves in accordance with their Authentic Self), it is important to understand the course of trauma when healing is interrupted or not engaged.
Similar to anxiety (but in a different way), avoidance is a key diagnostic feature of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With trauma, avoidance is typically internal (in the mind, psyche, and emotions [i.e., memories]) and external (avoidance of locations, people, habits, etc.). Avoidance is used as a temporary, yet unbeknownst ineffective means to address painful (and unwanted) thoughts, memories, images, and emotions (understandably so). Saying that, it is common for people with unresolved trauma to have content in their subconscious (that they are not aware of), with limited memories in their awareness. (Which is one aspect that needs to be resolved when healing.) – This fact let’s us know that there is a disconnection (or absence of the whole self in identity). This is one predominant way the ‘shadow self’ develops. Accompanied by other common symptoms like mental haze and lowered concentration; one’s identity becomes difficult to apprehend, recall and/or engage.
As you’ve read in the blog, 7 Natural Remedies for Anxiety | Part 1, concrete means helps abate dissociation. Although uncanny, systemic oppression is a clear indicator of a specific identity. It is a constant concrete external reminder. It is a clear ubiquitous societal acknowledgment. This signaling (although the messages of society are incorrect), provides a map to the parts (or identities) of ourselves that may need to be reconciled (if they have not already been). Those places that need to be reclaimed, re-programed, and healed. This gives way to us placing aspects of ourselves in context of the whole (we are working towards our humanity in our inner work here)… When we heal these parts of us, and it is in context of who we really are, we see that these aspects (or identities) are ways we are just human.
In context of who we really are, we see that these identities are ways we are
just. human.
Facing Ourselves: Injustice. Privilege. Betrayal.
On the way to re-claiming parts of identity, we begin to see the interplay; we begin to become interested in the larger story of our identity. (The real history.) The reasons one group was degraded or preferred, or how certain associations were paired, and what messages were ingrained in the subconscious of communities at large, and how we generated and perpetuated those beliefs individually in our lives.
What we did in our limited awareness.
We see how, in a society largely operating in survival, what occurred. We begin to lay out the tapestry of the events, the context for what really happened; and moving beyond victimization, see what privilege was attributed to parts of us (by society), and how that shaped our views of ourselves, others, and the world. In this complexity, we see the injustices committed against us; we view the ways we betrayed ourselves (while seeking to understand why), and how we injured and/or damaged others.
In the context of love, we fully embrace & acknowledge the totality;
that leads to: (1) accountability, (2) responsibility, and (3) making it right;
so we may genuinely move towards forgiveness, and then compassion… To be able to hold (then keep) dignity and respect for first, for ourselves, then two, someone else.
Intersectionality Definition, Societal Scripts Extracted.
Societal scripts play a role in how intersectionality is perceived. The assumption and premise that societal roles/scripts wholly and accurately define people misconstrues the spirit of intersectionality altogether.
These narrow societal definitions typecast and restrict the full range of the human experience. Falsely equating one kind of experience with a singular identity. As a result, for an example, there ‘appears’ only one way to be, ‘a man’, to be ‘gay’, to be ‘Latinx’, to be ‘Black’, etc…
In this system, the definitions define the person, versus humanity defining the terms.
Even majority individuals (or people who have significant privilege), experience marginalization, or the narrowing of their identity based on a construct. And that is when only one aspect of identity is considered. — The pressure to conform. Be monolithic. The pressure to dissociate from the True Self. The pressure to internalize and perpetuate a system of exclusivity and degradation…
From this stance, we can begin to understand that there are various authentic expressions of an identity.
That each expression is divine.
Here, we can give ourselves permission to be ourselves first; then allow our True Self to radiate. In turn our Authentic Self animates, and more fully expresses, each identity that is uniquely us.
In self-acceptance, we embrace someone else’s difference, regardless of their awareness. We live in dignity and fight for real change.
We are free to be ourselves; and in that, we free others.
The Morganne Dictionary
In.ter.sec.tion.al.ity (n.):
Wonderful Complexity.
Just the ways we are each uniquely human.
Authentic expressions of humanity, that are various in true nature (when societal constructs are extracted).
The cross-section of various marginalized identities that leads to one’s unique experience of multi-layered, multi-faceted oppression. ‘These intersections’ are compilations of minority experiences. It speaks to the tailored (and isolating) experience of a marginalized person, and how institutionalized oppression works in tandem; is dynamic and complex, and also has a compounding effect. Coined by Krimbele Crenshaw.