Intersectionality and Social Injustice:
Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" to describe overlapping social justice issues like racism and sexism.
Crenshaw explains that if you stand in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you're likely to be hit by both.
Intersectionality helps us understand how black women face compounded discrimination that is often overlooked.
Case Study: Emma DeGraffenreid:
Emma DeGraffenreid was an African-American woman who filed a lawsuit against a local car manufacturing plant for race and gender discrimination.
DeGraffenreid argued that she was not hired by the plant because she was a black woman.
The plant employed African-American men in industrial and maintenance roles and white women in secretarial and front-office positions.
DeGraffenreid's claim highlighted that neither group represented her intersectional identity as both black and female.
The judge dismissed her case on the grounds that the company did hire African-Americans (all men) and women (all white).
The court refused to recognize the compounded discrimination DeGraffenreid faced at the intersection of race and gender.
The legal system at the time did not acknowledge or provide a framework for understanding intersectionality.
This led to the dismissal of claims like DeGraffenreid's, where discrimination occurred due to the overlapping nature of race and gender biases.
DeGraffenreid's case exemplifies how black women were uniquely disadvantaged in the workplace.
The refusal to see the combined impact of race and gender discrimination underscored the limitations of existing antidiscrimination laws.
Importance of Framing:
Social justice issues need appropriate frames to be seen and addressed.
Without proper frames, issues affecting marginalized groups, like black women, are often ignored.
Advocates for a more inclusive approach that recognizes the unique challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination.
Violence Against Black Women:
Black women experience significant police violence, but their stories are less publicized.
Examples of black women killed by police span various circumstances, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue.
Call to Action:
Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law scholar and advocate at the forefront of the #SayHerName movement, calls on us to bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice.
The "Say Her Name" campaign by the African-American Policy Forum aims to raise awareness of black women victims of police violence.
Conclusion:
Recognizing and addressing intersectionality is crucial for social justice.
Mental health counselors should be aware of these dynamics and advocate for inclusive practices that consider the unique experiences of marginalized groups.
Kimberlé Crenshaw's article, "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics," is a foundational text that many are likely familiar with and essential for understanding these issues.