Intersectionality

Definition

Intersectionality is a framework that examines how different aspects of a person's identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability, overlap and interact to shape their experiences of discrimination and privilege. This concept highlights the complexity of social identities and how these intersections can create unique forms of oppression or advantage in various contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intersectionality was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s to address the inadequacies in feminist and anti-racist discourse.
2. This concept is crucial in understanding how individuals experience multiple, simultaneous layers of discrimination that cannot be understood by looking at single identity categories in isolation.
3. In performance studies, intersectionality encourages artists and scholars to consider how their work reflects the diverse identities and experiences of performers and audiences.
4. The framework of intersectionality can also illuminate how systemic issues, like racism and sexism, work together rather than independently to affect people's lives.
5. Performance can serve as a powerful medium for exploring intersectional identities, allowing for a representation of the complexities of lived experiences.

Review Questions

• How does intersectionality challenge traditional views of identity within the context of performance studies?
  • Intersectionality challenges traditional views by emphasizing that identities cannot be understood in isolation but rather as interconnected. In performance studies, this means recognizing that factors like race, gender, and class influence not only how performers express themselves but also how audiences receive these performances. By considering these overlapping identities, performance becomes a richer field for exploring diverse experiences rather than reducing individuals to singular categories.
• Discuss the role of intersectionality in feminist and queer theories in performance and how it enhances our understanding of these movements.
  • Intersectionality plays a pivotal role in feminist and queer theories by highlighting how different identity factors interact to shape experiences of oppression and resistance. In performance contexts, this approach reveals the diversity within feminist and queer movements, demonstrating that not all women or LGBTQ+ individuals share the same struggles or privileges. This enriched understanding helps activists and artists create more inclusive spaces that acknowledge the varied backgrounds and needs of individuals within these communities.
• Evaluate the significance of intersectionality in driving social change through performance art and activism.
  • Intersectionality significantly drives social change by enabling artists and activists to articulate complex narratives that reflect diverse lived experiences. Performance art acts as a platform for marginalized voices, allowing them to share their unique stories while exposing systemic injustices. By illustrating the interconnected nature of various forms of oppression through performance, this approach fosters greater empathy among audiences and promotes collective action toward social justice initiatives that recognize the multifaceted realities of people's lives.

Related terms

Social Justice: A movement that seeks to address and rectify inequalities within society, focusing on issues like economic disparity, racial injustice, and gender inequality.

Privilege: A set of unearned benefits or advantages granted to individuals based on their identity characteristics, often without their conscious awareness.

Marginalization:

The process by which certain groups are pushed to the edges of society, leading to a lack of access to resources, opportunities, and power.