what is intersectionality and who coined the term
Kimerle Crenshaw
it is a framework showing how systems of power (racism, sexism, classism) intersect and shape experience together
why did crenshaw develop intersectionality
to explain how Black women were erased in single axis legal frameworks focusing only on race or gender
what are the 3 different types of intersectionality
- structural
- political
- representational
what does structural intersectionality look at
how various social structures and institutions create unique forms of discrimination for people with multiple identities
what does political intersectionality examine
how movements can marginalize people with multiple identity by forcing a single-axis approach that prioritizes one identity over the other (women OR being black NOT both)
what does representational intersectionality identify
how representations and stereotypes depict intersecting identities -> often use harmful stereotypes that reinforce marginalization
what is the main goal of intersectionality
to understand how various forms of inequality and discrimination intersect and overlap
which affects individuals experiences
what are the critiques of intersectionality
too descriptive
conceptual vagueness
identity centric framing
what kind of institutions create power - SMEEL
economy
state
law
media
education
what are the 4 domains of power - SCDI - and give examples
- structural = laws, polices
- cultural = stereotypes, norms
- disciplinary = surveillance
- interpersonal = everyday interactions
how do Collins and Blige extend Crenshaw’s goal of intersectionality
they want to EXPAND intersectionality into a general analytic tool for understanding power and complexity in society
they look at MANY categories like race, class, gender, sexuality, age
what is universal feminism
an approach to feminism that assumes women share the same experiences, or problems regardless of race, class, culture, religion
what does universal feminism emphasize
shared womanhood
gender as the main axis
centering white women’s experiences
whats a major critique of universal feminism
ignores race, class, colonialism and global differences
what scholar critiqued universal feminism
Chandra Mohanty
what is anti-racist feminism
a movement that seeks to address the intersection of gender and racial oppression
what did “the bridge called my back” book argue
that mainstream feminism marginalized women of colour
what is transnational feminism
a framework analyzing gender inequality across global systems like colonials, capitalism and imperialism
who is strongly associated with transnational feminist critique
Chandra Mohanty
What does Mohanty critique in Western feminism?
treating “Third World women” as one uniform group
erasing cultural and historical difference
whats the difference between anti racist feminsim and transnational feminism
anti-racist feminism = focuses on intersecting race and gender within societies
transnational feminism = examines how global systems like colonialism and capitalism shape gender inequality across borders.
what does transnational feminism emphasize instead of comparison
emphasizes LINKAGES
what does “linkages” mean in terms of transnational feminism
it means the CONNECTIONS and RELATIONSHIPS between countries, societies, and women’s experiences that are shaped by systems of power
rather than comparing them as separate
What does transnational feminism say about U.S. exceptionalism?
it rejects the idea that Western or US experiences are universal modes for feminism
