The struggle against patriarchy and racism must be substantively robust and inextricably intertwined.
There are many, many different kinds of intersectional exclusions - not just black women but other women of color. Not just people of color, but people with disabilities. Immigrants. LGBTQ people. Indigenous people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the multifaceted nature of discrimination faced by various marginalized groups in society.
Kimberle Williams Crenshaw emphasizes the complexity of societal exclusions that affect not only black women but also a diverse array of marginalized groups including other women of color, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and Indigenous peoples. Her words encourage us to recognize and address these intersecting inequalities, understanding that social justice requires an inclusive approach to advocacy and support.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on diversity and inclusion practices at work, this quote can be used to underline the importance of recognizing various dimensions of exclusion.
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.
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.
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.
Having a monolithic view of feminism is suffocating.
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.
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Almost certainly, however, the first essential component of social justice is adequate food for all mankind.
The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but no money for actually uplifting the people of Ferguson, St. Louis, Missouri and around the nation.
Those in the community who defy authority and 'break the law' seem to enjoy the good life and have everything in the way of material possessions. On the other hand, people who work hard and struggle and suffer much are the victims of greed and indifference, losers. This insane reversal of values presses heavily on the Black community. The causes originate from outside and are imposed by a system that ruthlessly seeks its own rewards, no matter what the cost in wrecked human lives.
I'm driven by the gaps, the things that are missing, the areas where marginalized people exist - and where the least resources are available for them.
Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.
I don't want to flee, nor do I want to abandon the battle of these farmers who live without any protection in the forest. They have the sacrosanct right to aspire to a better life on land where they can live and work with dignity while respecting the environment.