Social Inequalities - Intersectionality

Social Inequalities ANTH 2301 Intersectionality It helps to conceptualise race in addition to other traits when considering socioeconomic inequality. The concept of intersectionality recognises that a person's experiences can be defined and complicated by their class, race, sexual orientation, age, and ability. The origins of intersectionality may be found in pre-Civil War America, with Sojourner Truth's 1851 "Ain't I a Woman" speech at the Ohio Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. The speech addressed Black women's marginalisation in the struggle for women's rights. However, it was in the context of talking about Black feminism that critical race theorist and legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) formally established the word "intersectionality." According to Crenshaw, the experience of being a Black woman must be understood in the context of the interactions between the two identities, which frequently reinforce one another, rather than in terms of just being a woman or being Black. The idea that a single component of identity—race, for example—can adequately convey the complex nature of oppression experiences is refuted by intersectionality. Stated differently, intersectionality highlights the ways in which identities related to characteristics like gender, ethnicity, and class interact to influence people's lives. Intersectionality has been the subject of much research by anthropologist Faye Harrison, coeditor of African-American Pioneers in Anthropology (1999). "Race is always lived in classand gender-specific ways," the author contends (Harrison 1995, 63). A woman of color's lived experience, for example, will differ from a White woman's. Despite the fact that patriarchal structures oppress both of them, a woman of colour also faces the intersection of race, which is influenced by her gender identity. The original feminist movement, which at times generalised women's experiences as monolithic, was criticised for much of the work that has been done on intersectionality (Hill Collins 2000; A. Y. Davis 1981; McCall 2005; Sacks 1989). The White middle class perspective taken by earlier feminist writers was criticised by feminist and women's studies expert Chandra Mohanty (1984), who said that women of colour had quite different experiences and didn't require White women to save them. Feminist academics have demonstrated the dynamic nature of racial experiences by fusing race with gender and class. Anthropologist Leith Mullings (2002) developed the concept of the Sojourner syndrome in a collection of studies on race, class, and gender that took place at the turn of the twenty-first century. This concept captures the interconnected ways in which Black women's bodies and biology are shaped by race, class, gender, and resistance to oppression. The Sojourner syndrome highlights that while race, class, and gender may not always result in more oppression, they can alter how oppression is experienced by individuals. Mullings uses the Sojourner syndrome to argue that Black women are forced to work harder than either their White female or Black male counterparts due to intersecting structural inequalities, which raises their stress levels and has a negative impact on their health. The Harlem Birthright Project is funded by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study racial disparities in health. Misogynoir, a term used to describe how intersecting identities may exacerbate oppression, is another example. The socialised bias against women and feminine traits is known as misogyny. Moya Bailey, a lesbian Black feminist, created the term "misogynoir," which refers to the anti-Black, racial sexism that Black women notably encounter. The convergence of Black women's experiences with racism and sexism is known as misogynoir. Bailey has lately published articles about Black women's resistance against misogynoir on Facebook, YouTube, and other digital platforms (2021). Intersectionality not only challenges the present quo but also stimulates novel ideas for fresh viewpoints and new role models. Former senator Kamala Harris took office as the 49th vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021. Her racial and ethnic origin makes her the first Asian American and Black American to occupy this post, in addition to being the first female vice president and the highest ranked female official in US history. She was hailed as a role model by many when she broke through the "glass ceilings," which are obstacles to advancement that frequently impact women and members of minority groups. Along with other pro-Harris organisations motivated by her example, there is even an unofficial Twitter fan group called "The #Khive Movement" (e.g., Mamas for Momala). Her admirers often point to her past as a motivational success story that opens up new avenues for varied perspectives in our society. In general, "the most diverse cabinet in American history" is what the Biden administration has promised to assemble. President Joe Biden designated Sara Minkara as the United States' special advisor on international disability rights on October 28, 2021. Minkara, who went blind at the age of seven, will once more represent a variety of perspectives from historically marginalised groups in this foreign policy capacity as she works to advance and defend the rights of those with disabilities.