Intersectionality: Why Does it Matter?

Photo Credit: Catherine Butler

Click here to see our first post about intersectionality. Today, we will unpack a few implications for an intersectional approach and talk about why such an approach might be important. 

1) An intersectional approach broadens the discussion. 

Some critics claim that intersectionality narrows the discussion by becoming fixated on identity politics. In reality, the more voices we can bring to the table, the broader our perspective will become. Seeking an intersectional approach welcomes us to look at issues through multiple lenses, not just our own.

Also, those who would criticize intersectionality for being too focused on identity politics miss the foundational concept here: we should not be critical of the voices who raise their perspectives, but should focus on listening, learning, and engaging in the critiques raised. Don't level criticism at the person raising the issue; level criticism at the one causing or contributing to the disparity.

2) An intersectional approach helps us to check our privilege, regardless of who we are.

"Privilege" is not an exercise in absolutes. It is not a matter of "That guy has privilege, that one does not." When it comes to examining privilege, there is a hierarchy involved. Intersectionality reminds us that, even if we are part of a people group that has historically experienced discrimination, we might still have privilege that others don't have.

For example, if LGBTQ advocacy is driven primarily by white, cis-gender, able-bodied gay men, it is possible for the movement to fall out of balance. Yes, the group is composed of people who face discrimination, but there is still some level of privilege in relation to, say, Asian LGBTQ people, or LGBTQ people of color.

An intersectional approach helps us remember to check any privilege we might have and use that privilege, no matter how negligible, to create a platform for those who are more susceptible to discrimination than we are.

3) An intersectional approach helps bring visibility to those who are invisible.

The fact of the matter is, people who are in the minority are often ignored, disregarded, or disproportionately represented. An intersectional approach is an exercise in seeking out those who are not being seen and heard.

It is the exercise of asking, "Who in our community are we leaving out? Are there nuances we are missing, insights to be gained? Are there others whose cause overlaps with our own who we might include?"

This raises the visibility of minority groups within our own circles, but it also draws attention from leaders and policymakers. If we make it our business to seek out the most widely ignored, most frequently disregarded people group in our midst, and if we make that people group a prominent partner in our advocacy, we do a service to them and to us.

4) An intersectional approach ensures that no one gets left behind.

It is possible to make great gains for one people group while leaving the experience of other groups unchanged. Worse, it is possible to make gains for one people group at the expense of or to the detriment of others.

For example, a society could see great gains for African American people in the area of voting rights while Hispanic people face greater scrutiny or more overt discrimination.

In the pursuit of civil rights, it is possible to inadvertently pit the cause of individual groups against one another. One might say, "I am only focused on broadening LGBTQ protections under the law, so I cannot contribute to anti-xenophobia efforts." Or, "I know this law will hurt trans people, but it will not hurt gay people."

There is something to be said about being focused and prioritizing individual contributions to local causes. Of course, as a single person we cannot be involved in every cause. But we must be careful not to send the signal that these efforts are in competition with one another. It is not a case of protecting LGBTQ people OR people of color; we must ultimately seek equality for all.

So, yes, it is acceptable and often necessary to focus our attentions on a specific cause or particular organization. But, we cannot allow ourselves to become insulated or isolated, and we must avoid the human tendency to view other groups as "competition." Instead of listing potential threats from other people groups, we must seek out potential points of commonality.

5) An intersectional approach postures us to be more effective through unity in the midst of diversity.Finally, one of the biggest benefits of an intersectional approach is that it opens up the door for collaboration, partnership, and resource sharing in exciting ways.

If a local LGBTQ advocacy group is composed only of white males, it is not only advocacy of others they lack. They lack the tremendous wealth of knowledge, talents, encouragement, and life to be had through partnership with people of color.

We cannot look at intersectionality as an endless process of self-criticism by which we keep kicking ourselves every time we discover we've left someone out. Instead, we must see this as an unending opportunity to expand our community. This is not an exclusive club where we grudgingly agree to let more people in over time; this is an ever-widening circle of supporters, growing in momentum and potential. We should not say, "Oh great, there is yet another group we must let in." We should say, "What new partners can we work with in unprecedented ways?"

Together is better, they say, and intersectionality as a mindset prepares us to unite meaningfully and effectively.