On the Advent of Intersectionality
On the Advent of Intersectionality, by J.A. Simmons, JD Candidate, Class of 2023 “Intersectionality” is a term coined by American civil rights advocate and UCLA School of Law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. She defines intersectionality as a framework for seeing how multiple social factors (such as race, class, gender, and sexuality) all connect; especially in the context of existing power dynamics and given disadvantages. See Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, On Intersectionality: Essential Writings (2014). Intersectionality demands an integrated perspective of how identities interweave, and the unique combinations that can occur within people. For example, while one might study race or gender studies, intersectionality seeks to understand the implications of overlapping race and gender identities. This sort of cross-over analysis is most prominently portrayed in film. For example, Marlon Riggs’ performative documentary “Tongues United” powerfully showcases the plight of gay African Americ