Embracing Intersectionality: Broadening Perspectives on Diversity and Identity
Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality advocates for the recognition of and response to the intersecting forms of oppression experienced by marginalized groups. At its core, intersectionality recognises that individuals hold multiple identities simultaneously, and these identities are interconnected and cannot be examined in isolation. Our identities “layer up” to form our individual experiences and reality within the power-oppression systems we exist in.
As a social justice advocate, I face the uncomfortable challenge of questioning certain speeches and practices I have stood for in my personal life and professional practice. Traditional notions of disability and approaches for the rights and recognition of disabled people have on one side, provoked a notorious progress in society in that exclusive attitudes are no longer socially acceptable. However, as Ade Adepitan discusses in his interview, the way we have come to this point and still push for further change towards a truly inclusive world is questionable. Systemic discrimination is the hardest to battle, and some of these so-called inclusive practices might only cover for persistent power dynamics and socio-cultural structures that still perpetuate and normalise multiple and profound forms of exclusion. In relation to this, Adepitan raises a thought-provoking question: “as a society, do we really want to tackle inequality?”
Intersectionality helps recognise the limits of the standardised recognition of inequalities, since it draws on a person-centred approach which require us as a society, social system, university and classroom to respect, value and honour individuality beyond social categories. This implies that the social structures and dynamics in which we operate need to ensure the same opportunities to all individuals to do and be.
A person-centred view: Disability, Identity, Society.
“Friends and Strangers”, the artwork series by Christine Sun Kim is a great example of exploring disability from a person-centred perspective. Sun Kim is a deaf, female visual artist known for her exploration of sound, language, and communication. In this series, she includes various multimedia works that examine themes related to identity, belonging, and connection in both personal and public spheres. Through drawings, text, and other visual elements, she articulates the challenges, frustrations, and triumphs she encounters as she seeks recognition and representation within the art community.
“Friends and Strangers” reflects Kim’s ongoing exploration of the intersection of deafness, identity, and society. Her work challenges conventional notions of communication and invites viewers to consider alternative modes of understanding and connection across linguistic and cultural differences.
This person-centred approach leads me to study Crip theory, specifically its principle about ableism. Crip theory aims to deconstruct the binary understanding of ability and disability and to critique the ways in which society constructs disability as a negative and inferior identity. It emphasizes the social and cultural construction of disability, arguing that disability is not solely a medical condition but is also shaped by societal attitudes, institutions, and power structures.
Disability considerations in my own teaching context at UAL
It is essential that we draw on UAL data with an intersectional approach – this is, critically analysing how multiple identity components combine to shape the individual experience. Recognising and honouring intersecting identities within the disabled community is essential for fostering inclusivity and promoting social justice. Some initial considerations to support this intersectional approach:
- Representation and Visibility: Ensuring that diverse voices and experiences within the disabled community are represented and heard.
- Accessible and Inclusive Spaces: Creating physical and virtual spaces that are accessible and welcoming to individuals with diverse identities and abilities.
- Empowerment and Advocacy: Supporting individuals within the disabled community in advocating for their rights and needs, and fostering a culture of empowerment and solidarity, where individuals can work together to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity.
Conclusions
Intersectionality acknowledges that individuals’ identities are multifaceted and cannot be reduced to a single category. People experience privilege and oppression based on the intersection of various social identities, which makes necessary to understand the power dynamics and social structures shaping individuals’ lives.
It is important that we recognise that different forms of oppression are interconnected, and that addressing one form of oppression requires addressing others, so we can better build coalitions across identity lines to challenge systems of power and inequality.
References
Brown, A.D. (2021). Identities in and around organizations: Towards an identity work perspective. Human Relations, 75(7), p.001872672199391. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726721993910.
Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), pp.1241–1299. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039.
Oliver, M. (1990). The individual and social models of disability. In S. Barnartt & B. Altman (Eds.), Exploring theories and expanding methodologies: Where we are and where we need to go. Vol. 2, pp. 18-28.
Noel, L. A., & Paiva, M. (2021). Learning to recognize exclusion. Journal of Usability Studies, 16(2), 63–72.
You post is both thoughtful and insightful on embracing intersectionality in the context of disability. Your assessment of how multiple identities intersect and influence individual experiences within societal power structures is both fascinating and a important in today’s society.
Intersectionality, as you highlighted, provides a crucial framework for understanding the complexity of identities and the difficult nature of oppression. By recognising that individuals hold multiple, interconnected identities, hopefully we can move beyond a one-dimensional view of discrimination and better address the nuances of social justice.
Your reference to Ade Adepitan’s provocative question— “as a society, do we really want to tackle inequality?” is an important one. It challenges us to scrutinise our current practices and question whether our efforts in work or our private lives truly dismantles systemic barriers or just offers a superficial appearance of inclusivity. This reflection is essential for genuine progress in society.
The example of Christine Sun Kim’s artwork illustrates how personal narratives can challenge conventional understandings of disability. Her work invites us to engage with alternative modes of communication and understanding, creating a deeper appreciation of diverse experiences. This aligns well with Crip theory, which you rightly discuss. By deconstructing societal constructs of disability, Crip theory empowers us to critique and transform these embedded attitudes.
In your context at UAL, the call for an intersectional approach to data analysis is particularly important. Ensuring that representation, accessibility, and empowerment are central to our practices can significantly enhance inclusivity in education. This not only benefits the disabled community but develops the entire academic environment by encouraging a culture of diversity and respect.
I appreciate your practical suggestions for adopting an intersectional approach, such as enhancing representation, creating accessible spaces, and supporting advocacy. These steps are crucial in building an environment where all individuals can thrive. We as a university could go a step further and consider building partnerships with organisations that advocate for various marginalised communities. These alliances can help to build a stronger, unified front against systemic discrimination.
Your post underlines the importance of addressing the connection of various forms of oppression. By embracing intersectionality, we can more effectively challenge and dismantle the systems of power and inequality that shape our lives. Your insights inspire a deeper commitment to social justice and inclusivity in all our endeavours.
Thank you for shedding light on these critical issues and encouraging us to reflect on and improve our practices.
Thanks for your comments, James. By reading this and your own post I can see that we are quite aligned on the considerations and challenges we see to develop our teaching practice towards inclusivity following this intersectional approach and acknowledging systemic discrimiation.
I really like your suggestion on building new partnerships at organisation level to promote advocacy and community building with relevant groups.
Hello Sonia. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts in this blog – I enjoyed reading it, particularly the well-articulated reference to Crip Theory. You might like to listen to this excerpt from Feminist, Queer, Crip by Alison Kafer which I found on YouTube the other day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QEHGqW2DTI (I also have a copy of the full text if you prefer – just let me know!)
You mention intersectionality in relation to disability in quite general terms – are there any examples/manifestations of intersectional ableism you can think of? (e.g. how race or gender intersects with disability) If you’re not sure, let me know and I can make a couple of suggestions for possible further consideration.
Hi Carys,
Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing Kafer’s audiobook.
To your question, I am particularly interested in the implications of socio-economic background on disabled realities, and how much the intersection of the two predefines the learning experience for students beyond accessibility. If you can think of any other texts or specific cases you could recommend, I’d love to give them a read too.
Hi Sonia,
Your post on intersectionality in the context of disability is insightful. Your assessment of how multiple identities intersect to influence individual experiences is powerful.
I appreciate your reference to Ade Adepitan’s question about society’s commitment to tackling inequality, which challenges us to scrutinise current practices for genuine inclusivity.
It made me consider in our teaching at UAL, an intersectional approach to data analysis could be crucial. Enhancing representation and creating accessible spaces can significantly improve inclusivity and improve the academic environment.
To further enhance your discussion, you could maybe consider:
• Technology and Accessibility: Look into the technology we have available to enhance accessibility and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
• Visibility and Celebration: Celebrate and highlight achievements of individuals with intersecting identities to encourage engagement.
• Mental Health Support: Offer holistic support services addressing mental health and well-being more regularly in your sessions.
Your post underlines the importance of addressing interconnected forms of oppression. Your insights will hopefully inspire a deeper commitment to social justice and inclusivity.
James
Thank you for this enlightening and thought-provoking post on intersectionality and its implications for disability and identity, Sonia. Your discussion on systemic discrimination and the person-centred approach to disability is very interesting and informative. The integration of Kim’s work beautifully illustrates how art can challenge societal norms and foster a deeper understanding of diverse experiences – I was also very interested in how her practice approaches intersectionality.
However, I think it could be beneficial to discuss and include more concrete strategies for implementing these ideas within our teaching practices. For instance, how can we practically apply Crip theory in our curriculum and classroom interactions? Offering specific examples or case studies could further enhance the impact and applicability of your message.