Intersectionality Kimberlé_Williams_Crenshaw

kimberlé crenshaw introduced theory of intersectionality feminist theory in 1980s. although concept of intersectionality not new not formally recognized until crenshaw s theory. inspiration theory started while still in college , realized gender aspect of race extremely underdeveloped. realization came after noticed @ school attending there classes offered addressed both race , gender issues. courses available discussed women in literature , poetry classes while men discussed in serious politics , economics.

crenshaw s focus on intersectionality on how law responds issues include gender , race discrimination. particular challenge in law antidiscrimination laws @ gender , race separately , consequently african american women , other women of color experience overlapping forms of discrimination , law, unaware of how combine two, leaves these women no justice. antidiscrimination laws , justice system s attempt remedy discrimination limited , operates on singular axis; when 1 flows complete , understandable definition has not been written in law therefore when issue of intersectionality presented in court of law if 1 form of discrimination cannot proved without other there no law broken. law defines discrimination of singular cases can discriminated based 1 thing or other when enforcing law go solely definition , if discrimination cannot proved based on single definition of 1 discrimination or other there no crime committed.

crenshaw refers case degraffenreid v. general motors in writing, interviews, , lectures. in degraffenreid v. general motors, group of african american women argued receiving compound discrimination excluding them employment opportunity. contended although women eligible office , secretarial jobs, in practice such positions offered white women, barring african american women seeking employment in company. courts weighed allegations of race , gender discrimination separately, finding employment of african american male factory workers disproved racial discrimination, , employment of white female office workers disproved gender discrimination. court declined consider compound discrimination, , dismissed case.

crenshaw discusses intersectionality in connection experience part of 1991 legal team anita hill, woman accused then- supreme court nominee clarence thomas of sexual harassment. case drew 2 crowds expressing contrasting views: white feminists in support of hill , opposing members of african american community supported clarence thomas. 2 lines of argument focused on rights of women , hill s experience of being violated woman, on 1 hand, , on other appeal forgive thomas or turn blind eye conduct due opportunity become second african american serve on united states supreme court.

crenshaw argued these 2 groups rising against 1 during case, anita hill lost voice black woman. had been unintentionally chosen support women s side of things, silencing racial contribution issue. “it 1 of these moments literally feel have been kicked out of community, because trying introduce , talk way african american women have experienced sexual harassment , violence. defining moment.” “many women talk anita hill thing,” crenshaw adds, “they celebrate s happened women in general…. sexual harassment recognized; s not doing recognition of black women s unique experiences discrimination.”