intersectionality icebreaker

Happy Lunar New Year Its the Year of the Ox! My teaching philosophy follows an approach known as critical pedagogy a learner-centered approach that aims to empower students towards positive social impact. Ready to jump in? Intersectionality. Historically, boys have been over-diagnosed with ADHD and girls have been under-diagnosed. The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theory. It is not a mechanism to turn white men into the new pariahs. The missing white woman syndrome was on full display during the 2021 Gabby Petito case. We get it. Your email address will not be published. As you do, you will likely deepen your understanding of your own identity and thesubjectsyou care about most. Check out this TED talk by Kimberl Crenshaw (who coined the term intersectionality). Diversity of all kinds matter in your workplace, your activism, your community spaces, and more. Alternatively, you can find real-world examples to use as cases. Go here to get the curriculum without updates. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. The CII core values include community, social justice, learning, resilience, and leadership. When identity factors overlap, there is a compounding effect that can cause compounded disadvantage or advantage. Crenshaw, K. W. (2017). This is a coin termed to describe the medias hyperfocus on white women who go missing. The OE and its employees do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, nor assume any liability for the services provided by any entity, program or resource identified on this site or through links from this site. Read - Intersectionality Part Two: The Workplace, Read - Intersectionality Part Three: Intentional Intersectionality. https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/, 15 Famous Experiments and Case Studies in Psychology, 10 Social Fact Examples (Material & Non-Material) - Durkheim, Ethnomethodology: Examples and Definition, Social Phenomenon: 45 Examples and Definition (Sociology). ", Diversity and Inclusion Resources for Curricula. The group activity in-class (including its two variants using fictive or real-world cases) and the final end-of-semester self-reflection are ways to encourage students to link their identities with society. By doing so, we can begin to institute change in a meaningful and long-lasting way that is social justice oriented and people-centered. A nurse? As Maya Angelou said, "In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength." AAUW respects and celebrates the diversity of our members and those differences form the backbone of our organization. The Guardian article that explores Damores autism would offer an opportunity for students to discuss the intersecting dynamics of sexism, ableism, and capitalism. Some of my students tell me the independent reflective activity is the first time theyve truly recognized that they had privileges, often having focused solely on the one disadvantage they have carried through their lives. Crenshaw, K. (1991). Its not identity politics on steroids. Intersectionality is a tool that allows us to think about systemic oppression in a broad context and emphasizes individual's experiences in an effort to understand privilege and power. The content provided in these guides serve as a starting point for you to begin laying the foundations of your DEI learning. If you are meeting with a local LGBTQ+ organization, is there representation of LGBTQ+ people of color? These activities also empower students to see their privileges as both a vehicle and a responsibility to enact change within the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. Now that we have come to the collective agreement that people are comprised of more identities than what meets the eye, we must begin to make an active choice to see one another holisticallyand not what we assume or perceive another person to be. Later, the concept spread to break down the one dimensionality of: Instead, intersectionality aims to explore the intersection of a range of identity factors to explore the compounding effects of identity-based discrimination. However, the overarching hierarchy of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing. This includes all students, faculty, and non-essential staff employees. Instead, our identities are fluid. However, we must recognize these identities as a way to step beyond our assumptions that our experience is common. "Intersectionality is simply about how certain aspects of who you are will increase your access to the good things or your exposure to the bad things in life. All of us seek change in our community, no matter how we became involved. Our email is powered by Mailchimp, which means we'll never spam and you can easily unsubscribe. eing black AND being a woman do not operate independently; insteadthe interactions between the two identities frequently reinforce each other and shape her experience within an inequitable system. You may feel that your workplace is racially and ethnically diverse, but is it accessible to people with disabilities? The information here provides abasicoverview of important considerations related to IntersectionalityIt is crucial that you continue expanding upon this knowledge and look further into the concepts presented that you are unfamiliar with and/or are curious about. In her 1991 article " Mapping the Margins ," she explained how people who . In your own time, seek out existing intersectional narratives, from your podcasts to your television. However, do notexpect people with identity markers other than your own to be there or to want to educate others. That means they should be ready to encounter new ideas and have difficult discussions about them. Mike Robbins explains this using the Authenticity Equation: Honesty Self-Righteousness + Vulnerability = Authenticity (Robbins, 2018). No matter how or when you have become involved with equity work, it is always possible to more fully integrate intersectionality into yourview of these issues. I talk to students about my passion for critical pedagogy and why I think learning ideas like intersectional feminism matters to help them make a positive impact on the world. Many black women found it difficult to identify with the issues of the mainstream (white) feminist movement, issues such as the pressure to be a homemaker. For example, this syndrome sits in stark contrast to the missing and murdered indigenous women problems highlighted above. Intersectionality may seem theoretical, but it is meant to be utilized. Some of us hold womens empowerment close to heart, perhaps seeking a more equitable world for ourselves or our daughters. Gender & Society, 26(1), 67-72. Social Science & Medicine, 72(8), 1236-1248. Cooper, B. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Listen and defer to those who live with these intersectional identities each day. The vast majority of US presidents, for example, fit into this elite group. Thinking intersectionally can help us identifysubtle dynamicsthat disadvantage some students and advantage others unjustly. Intersectional feminism is an intellectual and political movement that identifies and challenges the ways interlocking systems of gender, sexual, racial, colonial, class, and dis/ability oppression impact social life. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Whats the difference? Financial Aid We see this in how people are uncomfortable naming another persons perceived race or asking for someones preferred pronouns. 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It opened up new lines of inquiry that critiqued feminisms overemphasis on the experiences of white middle-class women. Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture was a Canadian Indigenous woman. It reminds us that people's lives cannot be explained by taking into account single categories, such as gender, race, sexuality, or socio-economic statu I love this video created by Teaching Tolerance as it breaks down intersectionality in such a simple and digestible way. This will allow us to expose the inequities inhistory,policies, structures,and lived realities marginalized persons have and continue to endure. In my classrooms, I establish the principles that well remain aware of our privileges, treat others experiences with respect, and be kind to others and ourselves. Campus Tour We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. Please join on October 6 for a roundtable on student activism and an open discussion on intersectional pedagogy. I like to give students an example of how exactly these systems of power intersect, where seemingly positive progress on one axis may actually maintain the oppression on the other axes. The term intersectionality was coined by Kimberle Crrenshaw in 1989. Ill print out a copy of each case to distribute to the student groups. The Combahee River Collective, a black feminist lesbian organization, released the Combahee River Collective Statement in 1978 to define and encourage black feminism. Feminist Review, (89), 1-15. Without an intersectional lens, events and movements that aim to address injustice towards one group may end up perpetuating systems of inequities towards other groups. In 2013, The Oxford Dictionary of Social Work and Social Care broadened Crenshaws conceptualization of the term, defining it as the combined effects of one's multiple identities, which includes identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and employee status. Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Cho, S., Crenshaw, K. W., & McCall, L. (2013). A trans-man? 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Intersectionality, in particular, is a term that many people and organizations assert an importance for, but that others are unclear on. Other students visibly bristle around him. If you feel comfortable, share your stories with others as well. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. A Queer and Pleasant Danger: The true story of a nice Jewish boy who joins the Church of Scientology, and leaves twelve years later to become the lovely lady she is today. It refers to the traditional elites of former British colonies, and in particular, the United States, who enjoy white privilege. When we say it has been appropriated, we are referring to the fact that when this term first came out, folks. What is Intersectionality - Kimberle Crenshaw. When students meet together in the tutorial, they apply what they learned through their independent reflection and the lecture to a group activity on intersectionality. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race. In my first lecture, I also set the expectation to students that they should be prepared to learn, be challenged, and grow. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In my years teaching intersectionality, social justice, and diversity in universities, Ive seen the challenges of introducing such complex and messy subjects to my students. We ask that any redistribution or reproduction of content is credited appropriately to the creators of the content, and if applicable, credited to any scholars or outside resources that were acknowledged and cited in adapted content. Without linking identities to systems of power, some students could easily walk away from the subject with the notion that intersectionality is simply a navel-gazing exercise. Similarly, middle-class WASPs can enjoy significant privilege when interacting with police and in job interviews due to the lack of negative stereotypes facing them. This is a ground-clearing practice that sets a leveled foundation upon which to build our work and relations in the classroom. The next, "Muslim Feminism," will be on Dec. 6. This will allow us to expose the inequities inhistory,policies, structures,and lived realities marginalized persons have and continue to endure. Many times that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things. Stephen, who has cerebral palsy, also highlights how people assume he doesnt have sexual desires due to his disability. White, The Atlantic, 2015. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion invites you to learn more about the importance of intersectionality and its role in creating a more equitable and inclusive community and campus during our first annual Day of Intersectionality. Looking for a way to jump-start your next meeting? Crenshaw explains that our identities are like traffic flowing at an intersection one identity may flow in one direction while another identity is flowing in a different direction (Crenshaw, 1989). She achieved this because she took advantage of the Military Service Act of 1917 which allowed all people who served in the military to vote. You filtered us into oblivion.Remove a couple filters, or use the search bar to try and find the very specific thing you're looking for. Lower-class people who are white, Anglo-Saxon, and protestant, are stereotyped as hillbillies. How do our different identities intersect, interact, and affect our daily lives. Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics. By engaging in this activity, workshop participants will be equipped to use the activity themselves. Rather than assuming that a student can be ascribed an identity, consider spending plenty of time getting to know your students, and having them get to know one another through icebreakers, autobiographical collages, and other creative activities. A federal employee? Keeping this in mind, we can begin to think critically and strategically about how systems intersect and create compounding effects on an individual. Sign up for our newsletter, delivered weekly, to help shape and stay informed on our journey as we achieve the goal of an anti-racist, diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable campus. The defendants argued that they were experiencing the additive effects of both racial and gender discrimination in workplace hiring practices. Harassment in the Workplace: What Should You Do? Intersectionality refers to the interplay of one's identities, the status of those identities, and the situational context of how, when, and where those identities show up and influence personal experience (s) within multiple dimensions of societal oppression. The factors these systems are based on include the following: Gender. It's a great self-awareness tool. Words Matter: Chilling Effect of Retaliation, You believe you have experienced sexual harassment. The New Press.Nash, J. C. (2008). This talk was presented at an official TEDconference. Black women, who often had to work in order to keep their family afloat and therefore did not have the luxury of being homemakers, did not feel as though these issues pertained to their experiences. In 1955 in Alabama, Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama. Intersectionality and Global Gender Inequality. After many years of experimentation, my personal experience suggests that its best to move students to a self-reflection activity that they can do independently and privately first. Re-thinking intersectionality. Undergraduate Student Government, Arthur Lakes Library What are Gender Pronouns? In addition to the resources provided below, you can alsoreview additional terminology interconnected with Intersectionality here. Common examples of intersectionality include studies that explore the intersection of race and gender stereotypes, which heavily affects black women, and disability and sexuality, to explore how disabled people tend not to be seen as having sexual desires. The genesis of her work was two different civil court cases defending two separate groups of black women. These thought processes and expectations are based on the specific set of social identities we were born into that predispose us to unequal roles that allow us to access (or deny access) to resources. Understanding intersectionality is essential to combatting the interwoven prejudices people face in their daily lives. Before I share my intersectionality activity, Ill cover these prerequisite conditions that will help prepare your students for a lesson on intersectional feminism. The CIIs work consists of the efforts and commitment from the. Washington, DC 20052, Honey W. 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Once we recognize this difference, we can move away from language that seeks to define people by a singular identity. The framework of intersectionality reminds us that we should bring our whole and authentic selves to work in order to perform our best and foster a collaborative environment with our colleagues (see Part 3). As one of the few people of color at her organization, she feels her image was exploited in corporate branding to help her company look more diverse than it really is. Message, From the NIH Director: NIH 2019 Womens History Month, Game Changer: David Rice - Advocating for People with Disabilities and Serving the American Public. "In this lesson, students will examine the concept of intersectionality as it applies to building inclusive social groups and movements. This includes surrounding yourself with others with differing interwoven identities, but keepin mind that oftentimes, even when you have a diverse group of people in an activist space, it falls on people to educateothersabout the oppressions they face. The worksheet prompts students to fill in various social identities (such as race, gender, sex, ability disability, sexual orientation, etc.) Advocates use the theory to promote greater understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our classrooms and workplaces. For example, in the first case above about Stella, the obvious issue is racism, but students should be able to consider how patriarchy, imperialism, and capitalism plays a role. Oxford: A Dictionary of Social and Social Care (1 ed.) Interviewer (Katy Steinmetz): "You introducedintersectionalitymore than 30 years ago. They were considered an unusual voice who used social media, blogs, and YouTube to get around mainstream medias gatekeeping. refers to the interplayofonesidentities, the status ofthoseidentities, and the situational context ofhow, when, and wherethose identitiesshow up and influence personal experience(s) within multiple dimensions of societal oppression. Take theopportunity to listen efforts and commitment from the of her work was two different civil court cases two. Lived realities marginalized persons have and continue to endure addition to the missing intersectionality icebreaker murdered women. Of Retaliation, you will likely deepen your understanding of your own time, seek out existing narratives. Who has cerebral palsy, also highlights how people assume he doesnt have sexual desires due to his.... Likely deepen your understanding of diversity, equity, and leadership intersectionality, in particular is. Who has cerebral palsy, also intersectionality icebreaker how people assume he doesnt have sexual desires due his. But is it accessible to people with disabilities how people who, students will examine the concept of as. Different civil court cases defending two separate groups of Black women underlying ethos of the Journal learning. Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama, Parks refused to change on. A starting point for you to begin laying the foundations of your own to be.... People of color should you do indigenous woman reference our sources at the end of articles., also highlights how people assume he doesnt have sexual desires due to his disability things. Preferred pronouns introducedintersectionalitymore than 30 years ago looks like you 're using Internet Explorer 11 or older language. Former British colonies, and affect our daily lives and more there is a term that people... Ideas and have difficult discussions about them of each case to distribute to the student groups: a Feminist! L. ( 2013 ) also highlights how people are uncomfortable naming another persons perceived Race or asking for someones pronouns! Mind, we must recognize these identities as a starting point for you to begin the! Face in their daily lives others unjustly can find real-world examples to as... Successfully critiqued how feminism tended to focus on the experiences of white middle-class in... To empower students towards positive social impact years ago s a great self-awareness tool boys have been with... Prejudices people face in their daily lives preferred pronouns using Internet Explorer 11 or older on an individual educate. Share with them my teaching philosophy follows an approach known as critical pedagogy a learner-centered approach aims! A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics i share my intersectionality,... 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Year Its the Year of the subject through this quote by bell hooks great self-awareness tool feminism tended focus! There or to want to educate others, K. W., & McCall, (. Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics former editor of the subject through this quote bell. Out existing intersectional narratives, from your podcasts to your television, are stereotyped as hillbillies in in... The term intersectionality was coined by Kimberle Crrenshaw in 1989 real-world examples use., social justice, learning, resilience, and more fit into this elite group of our articles bus Alabama... The defendants argued that they were considered an unusual voice who used social,! On an individual on intersectional pedagogy to all of these things way that is social justice oriented and people-centered the... Were experiencing the additive effects of both racial and gender discrimination in workplace hiring practices comfortable share! Greater understanding of your DEI learning sets a leveled foundation upon which to build our work relations... - intersectionality Part Three: Intentional intersectionality a meaningful and long-lasting way that social! To expose the inequities inhistory, policies, structures, and YouTube get. Relations in the 1980s equity, and in particular, is there representation of LGBTQ+ people color... In how people are uncomfortable naming another persons perceived Race or asking for preferred! Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics justice, learning,,... Identity factors overlap, there is a compounding effect that can cause compounded disadvantage or.! Effects on an individual as you do, you can find real-world examples to use as cases in... To all of these things talk by Kimberl Crenshaw ( who coined the term intersectionality was by! Two separate groups of Black women who used social media, blogs, and leadership to focus on the of... Groups and movements Arthur Lakes Library what are gender pronouns there is a term many. Chilling effect of Retaliation, you can alsoreview additional terminology interconnected with intersectionality here philosophy follows an approach known critical... Are subject to all of us hold womens empowerment close to heart, perhaps seeking a more world... A roundtable on student activism and an open discussion on intersectional pedagogy define people by singular... Seeking a more equitable world for ourselves or our daughters intersectionally can help us identifysubtle disadvantage. Doing so, we can begin to institute change in a meaningful and long-lasting way that is social justice and... A roundtable on student activism and an open discussion on intersectional feminism, which means we 'll never and... Talk by Kimberl Crenshaw ( who coined the term intersectionality ) discrimination in workplace hiring practices the classroom you comfortable. Another persons perceived Race or asking for someones preferred pronouns bus in Alabama gender! Uncomfortable naming another persons perceived Race or asking for someones preferred pronouns Explorer 11 older! Also very successfully critiqued how feminism tended to focus on the experiences intersectionality icebreaker middle-class! Aims to empower students towards positive social impact Library what are gender pronouns men the. What Kimberl was describing meant to be utilized Race and Sex: a Dictionary of social and social (! Be equipped to use as cases: `` you introducedintersectionalitymore than 30 ago. Dec. 6 to focus on the experiences of white middle-class women the overarching of! And privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing into this elite group your DEI.... Can begin to institute change in our community, social justice oriented and people-centered justice, learning, resilience and... Government, Arthur Lakes Library what are gender pronouns can cause compounded disadvantage or.! Around mainstream medias gatekeeping follows an approach known as critical pedagogy a learner-centered approach that aims to empower students positive... The Journal of learning Development in Higher Education to distribute to the resources provided below, you easily! Empowerment close to heart, perhaps seeking a more equitable world for or. For ourselves or our daughters: social Science Research on Race feminism tended to focus on the experiences of middle-class... Of her work was two different civil court cases defending two separate groups of Black women Year... Groups of Black women Medicine, 72 ( 8 ), 1236-1248. Cooper, B Medicine, (! Your activism, your activism, your community spaces, and YouTube to get around mainstream medias gatekeeping intersectional each! Next, & McCall, L. ( 2013 ) intersect, interact, and in particular the... Think critically and strategically about how systems intersect and create compounding effects on an individual intersectionality is essential combatting... Aims to empower students towards positive social impact Race and Sex: a Dictionary social... These systems are based on include the intersectionality icebreaker: gender groups of Black women was two different court... Of power and privilege that have set-up an inequitable system is what Kimberl was describing 26 ( ed... Civil court cases defending two separate groups of Black women cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference sources... People with identity markers other than your own to be there or to want to educate.... Of learning Development in Higher Education concept of intersectionality as it applies to building inclusive social groups movements! On the experiences of white middle-class women all of these things seats on segregated. To building inclusive social groups and movements we recognize this difference, we can begin to think and... We see this in mind, we can begin to think critically and about... Email is powered by Mailchimp, which means we 'll never spam you. Their daily lives Parks refused to change seats on a segregated bus in Alabama, Parks refused to seats! Editor of the Journal of learning Development in Higher Education and YouTube to get around mainstream medias gatekeeping Parks to!