Let’s talk about intersectional feminism
Tits and tats about intersectional feminism
In 1976, Emma DeGraffenreid sued General Motors for not hiring her—or any other Black women. The judge outright rejected Emma’s claim. His reasoning? GM hired people who were Black, and GM hired people who were women. Case closed.
What GM did not do, however, was hire anyone who was both.
This was not the first time a woman’s gender intersected with another one of her identities to create a double-whammy of discrimination. It was, however, the time such an occurrence led to a name. Kimberlé Crenshaw, a Black woman studying law, came across this case and said, “That is injustice. In fact, that is injustice squared!” And then she coined the term intersectionality to describe why.
We spoke with Marissa Conway about quite a few topics—what feminist foreign policy is, why she hates the term “girl boss,” and more. It’s amazing. But one of the most captivating parts is how Marissa takes Kassia on a magic carpet ride through intersectionality and feminism (aka intersectional feminism).
Round Up
- The documentary that changed the way Marissa saw women in the world: Miss Representation
- Kimberlé Crenshaw’s moving TED talk explaining intersectionality and why it’s a lens we can–and should–apply when we look at the world
- An infographic that beautifully breaks down intersectionality, by Miriam Dobson
- We know many of you are still swooning over our last guest, Dr. Anna Malaika-Tubbs. Turns out she’s also written about intersectionality.
- In Hood Feminism Mikki Kendall looks at the experiences of women who feminism forgot, and the ways in which hunger, poverty, health, and education (among others) are all feminist fights.
- What happens when layers of oppression intersect? Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis peels back the layers to reveal a closer look at the women’s liberation movement.
- Ain’t I a Woman? includes a collection of Sojourner Truth’s most famous words including her speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.
- “Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color” by Kimberllé CrenshawT
- This Bridge Called My Back by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa is a collection of writings from radical women of color.
