The struggle against patriarchy and racism must be substantively robust and inextricably intertwined.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
Intersectionality is an analytic sensibility, a way of thinking about identity and its relationship to power. Originally articulated on behalf of black women, the term brought to light the invisibility of many constituents within groups that claim them as members but often fail to represent them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intersectionality explores how various aspects of identity intersect and impact power dynamics.
This quote by Kimberle Williams Crenshaw highlights the concept of intersectionality, which is essential for understanding how different social identities—such as race, gender, and class—interact within systems of oppression and privilege. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique experiences of marginalized individuals, particularly black women, who are often overlooked in broader discussions of social justice and representation.
Themes
IntersectionalityIdentityPowerMarginalizationRepresentation
In practice
Example use cases
In a diversity training session, one could quote this to illustrate the importance of acknowledging different identities.
More from Kimberle Williams Crenshaw
All quotes →I have a wonderful, diverse, and young staff at the AAPF who pretty much work around the clock trying to figure out how we promote the idea that social justice requires us to be intersectional in our thinking and in our scope of vision.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
If you don't have a lens that's been trained to look at how various forms of discrimination come together, you're unlikely to develop a set of policies that will be as inclusive as they need to be.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
We have to move back to the idea that education isn't about teaching people to bow to rigid rules. That's not what democracy is about.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
Having a monolithic view of feminism is suffocating.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
We must begin to tell black women's stories because, without them, we cannot tell the story of black men, white men, white women, or anyone else in this country. The story of black women is critical because those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it.
Kimberle Williams CrenshawRead
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