Intersectionality and Diversity: Interplay of old and new

“There is no such thing as single-issue struggle because we do not live single issued lives” (Audre Lorde) 

Just as intersectionality as a concept places an individual under the umbrella of oppression defined along the lines of class, gender and race it is understood in a plethora of different ways. The distinct experiences of oppression as faced by black feminists like Lorde, broaden our understanding of the lives shaped by these external factors and the struggles that follow. In a grand scheme of things intersectionality combines such distinct experiences under its banner to offer a collective understanding of multiple facets of discrimination in the everyday lives of these women. However, at the heart of this discussion is the realization of diversity and inclusion of individuals coming from marginalized groups. When confronted with such a debate, it is paramount to question what is new about this approach? How does intersectionality work towards inclusion to incorporate diversity into its realm? 

  

Though perspectives may vary, feminist discourse places the women at the epicenter of a wide range of discriminations. However, just as this offers a broad understanding of gendered oppression it is widely acknowledged that this discrimination varies even along gendered lines. Resistive movements, like the Black and lesbian movements for example, critique the second wave feminism of 1970’s United States as one that solely focuses on gender to define oppression. With racism and class bias underlying its public appeal it was widely accepted that white feminist discourse remains devoid of categories such as religion, class and race in its account. It was this critique was instigated by a wider framework of thought that did not address the experiences of different subjects positioned in the struggle for emancipation. At the very beginning of this struggle was the combined anti-sexist struggles that drew these masses of women together. But as they dwelled into other complexities of the subjects and the stakes involved, other forms capitalistic oppression along with racial politics emerged from the sideline. 

Central to this critique was the assumption that there was no hierarchy of oppression and that women everywhere were equally victimized by global patriarchy. It did not consider the existence of other power relation such as class and racism that stem from the operation of patriarchal forces. These then becomes the very basis of second wave of feminism that also holds sexism as a universal phenomenon. Black feminist such as Lorde came forward to challenge these exclusive forms of universal patriarchy, advocating a wider understanding of the problem at hand and undermining the essentialization of gender. This alternate approach did not simply work along the lines of adding to the list of problems but highlighted the interdependency of these diverse forms of discriminations and social categories that were to be addressed simultaneously. Consequently, the mainstream feminist theory transformed itself into a multi –issued phenomenon to sufficiently capture the experiences of marginalized women as well. This theorization also considers the hierarchy of oppression which requires a historical approach to understand the inseparability of race and gender. It also then becomes paramount to question if race superceeds the notion of gender or does it work the other way round. Regardless, this showcases that despite their distinct positioning in the moment of time they are interwoven historically. This is where the quote from Kimberle Crenshaw, becomes even more important:  

“women of colour experience racism in ways not always the same as those experienced by men of colour and sexism in ways not always parallel to experiences of white women, anti-racism and feminism are limited, even on their own terms. “ 

In her analysis she points out the flaws in the American justice system has historically neglected the rights of black women. This is the same reality that Sojourner Truth while advocating for women’s right to vote points towards as black women were the only group deprived of this right. This historical analysis highlights that these issues have persisted since then beginning of time and their existence can no longer be denied. And so, when intersectionality as a concept is thought about it is seen to represent these old tyranny's in a new light. This new representation not only addresses the complexities of these diversified forms of oppression but also seeks to avoid the pitfalls of an additive approach to the feminist theory. With inclusion and diversity at the very heart of this concept it aims to not lose sight of the interdependence of these realties and the but also work along the lines of simultaneity. It therefore comes across as a concept to diversify our understanding of the feminist discourse and disregard the heterogeneity in its conceptualization. This is also where diversity politics assimilate into intersectionality that collectively promotes the call for assertive action. With the interplay of historical context and diversity politics it points out the existence of oppressive power dynamics that need to be dismantled in the process of liberation.