2.08 (V) Intersectional Oppressions
Welcome back to the second part of our discussion on intersectionality. Last lesson, we discussed intersectionality as a concept that helps us think about how social categories, or identities, and the privileges associated with them function in societies. » As an analytical tool, intersectionality is most useful for assessing and addressing the relationship between various kinds of oppression. Oppression refers to various systems of meaning and control that privilege some and disadvantage and hurt others. Some examples of such systems include heterosexism, cissexism, and ableism among others. Well, oppression is most commonly recognized in the expression of individual discrimination or prejudice, it is actually an institutional or systemic phenomenon. In other words, oppressions are built into a society's very structures. » To understand how intersectionality helps us to think differently about oppression, let's first look at the history of the concept. The term intersectionality was formally coined by legal theorist Kimberlé Crenshaw, in 1989. However, its origins are found in black feminist thought, dating back to the late 19th century. In the 1980s, scholars and activists such as Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, and bell hooks began to argue that the experiences of women of color could not be understood. Without examining the interconnections between different forms of oppression. » Usually we think about oppressions as separate. So, for example, racism and sexism are typically thought of as two different and distinct forms of oppression. We also usually think about oppression as additive or layered. This means we typically think about a black woman experiencing racism, and in addition to, or on top of that oppression, experiencing sexism. » By examining the experience of Emma DeGraffenreid, a black woman who's legal case against a manufacturing company for both racial and gender discrimination was dismissed. Crenshaw realized that the framework for thinking about oppression as separate and additive was flawed. She observed that this was not how oppression was experienced by those with multiple, marginalized, or what we can call intersectional identities. » The judge dismissed DeGraffenreid's case, finding that because the company hired black people and women, that a case alleging racism and sexism in its hiring practices was illegitimate. However, what the judge's assessment didn't take into account was that the company was hiring black men in manufacturing positions. And white women and secretarial positions. This functioned to exclude black women from being hired by the company in any position. In other words, DeGraffenreid experienced intersectional oppression. We might call racial, sexist discrimination that excluded her from employment. » As a result of her analysis of this case, Crenshaw came up with the concept of intersectionality. As a new framework for understanding how oppressions operate, not as separate and additive but as interconnected and indivisible. We'll be using this intersectional approach to look at oppression throughout this course. » Like all people, those who belong to gender and sexual minorities are socially categorized in multiple ways. Many of the most marginalized people in our societies, or those with intersectional identities, are gender and sexual minorities. In order to fully, deeply, and meaningfully learn about core identities, experiences, communities, and issues, we must use intersectionality as an analytical tool. Let's look at the experiences of three people, Ky Peterson, Johana Medina Leon, and Roxana Hernandez to understand the importance of intersectionality. » Both the sexual assault that Ky experienced, and his treatment afterwards by various authorities, was determined by intersectional oppression. This oppression was directly related to assumptions and biases about his gender identity, his gender presentation, his sexual identity. His race, his class, and his ability. For instance, sexist, heterosexist, and cissexist assumptions that only women can get raped. Combined, in this case, with assumptions that only women who look a certain way are raped. Resulting in Ky being treated as a criminal, rather than as a victim by the police. And by the hospital staff who've examined him and the lawyers involved in his case. These assumptions about gendered violence further combined with racist and classist assumptions about who was a criminal to aid in his criminalization and imprisonment. Further still, cissexist, heterosexist, and sexist assumptions that Ky couldn't be the victim of rape. Combined with classist, racist, and ableist assumptions around mental health, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence for Ky. » Like Ky, Johana Medina Leon and Roxanna Hernandez' experiences also illustrate the interconnected and indivisible nature of oppressions. Especially for those with multiple marginalized or intersectional identities. Both Johana and Roxana's experiences, and ultimately their tragic deaths, were informed by intersectional oppression. As HIV plus transgender asylum seekers fleeing transphobic violence in their home countries of El Salvador and Honduras. Johana and Roxana were subject to many of the same intertwine oppressions that affected Ky Peterson. Such as cissexism, racism, classism, and ableism, as well as in their cases, xenophobia. Transphobia refers to beliefs, assumptions, and biases the result in the marginalization and persecution of trans and/or gender binary non-conforming people. While xenophobia refers to the beliefs, assumptions, and biases that result in the marginalization and persecution of non-citizens. Or those perceived to be foreign or strange. » Xenophobic, classist, cissexist oppression determined that Johana and Roxana should be held in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. Despite being Asylum Seekers who had followed approved procedures. This also meant that they were held in facilities that didn't match their gender identity. These circumstances subjected them to both gendered violence and inadequate medical care that failed to address their HIV positive status. Johana and Roxana's deaths are tragic, but especially potent examples of how to think about identity and oppression through an intersectional lens. intersectionality will be an important concept to master for this course. You will see us apply the concept throughout the modules and we will ask you to do so as well. See you next time.
