👩Feminism in Television Unit 4 – Intersectionality in TV Representation

What's Intersectionality?

• Intersectionality examines how various social identities (race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, etc.) intersect and create unique experiences of privilege and oppression
• Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe the specific challenges faced by Black women
  • Crenshaw argued that single-axis frameworks (focusing on just race or just gender) failed to capture the complexity of their experiences
• Intersectionality recognizes that no single aspect of identity exists in isolation; they are interconnected and shape lived experiences
• Highlights the importance of considering multiple marginalized identities simultaneously rather than treating them as separate issues
• Intersectional analysis examines power structures, systemic inequalities, and how they impact individuals and communities
• Encourages a more nuanced understanding of diversity, representation, and inclusion in various contexts (media, politics, education, etc.)
• Challenges the idea of a universal experience within any given group, acknowledging intragroup differences

Key Figures in Intersectional Theory

• Kimberlé Crenshaw: Pioneering scholar who introduced the term "intersectionality" in her groundbreaking essay "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex" (1989)
  • Crenshaw's work focused on the experiences of Black women and how they were often marginalized in both feminist and anti-racist discourse
• Patricia Hill Collins: Sociologist and author of "Black Feminist Thought" (1990), which explored the intersections of race, gender, and class in the lives of African American women
  • Collins developed the concept of the "matrix of domination," highlighting how various systems of oppression intersect and reinforce one another
• bell hooks: Feminist author and activist known for her works on the intersections of race, gender, and class, including "Ain't I a Woman?: Black Women and Feminism" (1981)
• Audre Lorde: Poet, essayist, and activist who addressed the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class in her work, such as "Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches" (1984)
• Angela Davis: Political activist, philosopher, and author who has written extensively on the intersections of race, gender, and class, including "Women, Race, and Class" (1981)
• Combahee River Collective: A Black feminist organization active in the 1970s that issued a powerful statement highlighting the intersections of multiple oppressions faced by Black women

Intersectionality in TV: The Basics

• Intersectionality in television examines how characters' various identities (race, gender, class, sexuality, etc.) intersect and shape their experiences, storylines, and representation
• Evaluates whether shows depict the complexity and nuance of intersectional experiences or rely on stereotypes and one-dimensional portrayals
• Considers the representation of characters with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., queer people of color, working-class women with disabilities)
• Analyzes power dynamics, privilege, and oppression within the narrative and how they reflect or challenge real-world social hierarchies
• Examines the authenticity of representation, including whether characters' intersectional experiences are written and portrayed by people with similar lived experiences
• Looks at the diversity of characters and storylines, ensuring that various intersectional identities are represented across a show's ensemble
• Considers the impact of representation on viewers, particularly those from marginalized communities who may see their own experiences reflected or misrepresented on screen

Case Studies: Groundbreaking Shows

• "Orange Is the New Black" (2013-2019): Acclaimed for its diverse cast and nuanced exploration of intersectional identities within a women's prison
  • Featured complex characters with various intersecting identities, including queer women of color, transgender women, and working-class women
• "Pose" (2018-2021): Groundbreaking series that centered on the experiences of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ characters in the 1980s and 1990s New York ballroom scene
  • Explored the intersections of race, gender identity, sexuality, and class, while also addressing issues like HIV/AIDS, discrimination, and chosen family
• "Insecure" (2016-2021): Created by and starring Issa Rae, the show offered a nuanced portrayal of the experiences of Black women navigating relationships, careers, and friendships
  • Depicted the intersections of race, gender, and class in contemporary Los Angeles, challenging stereotypes and highlighting intragroup diversity
• "One Day at a Time" (2017-2020): Sitcom that followed a Cuban-American family, exploring the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and mental health
  • Tackled issues like immigration, homophobia, and veteran PTSD, while also celebrating Latinx culture and family dynamics
• "Sense8" (2015-2018): Science fiction series that featured a diverse ensemble cast from around the world, exploring the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and culture
  • Depicted complex, multidimensional characters with intersectional identities, fostering empathy and understanding across differences

Analyzing Characters Through an Intersectional Lens

• Examine how a character's various identities (race, gender, class, sexuality, etc.) intersect and shape their experiences, relationships, and storylines
• Consider whether a character's intersectional experiences are authentically portrayed or rely on stereotypes and tropes
  • Are their challenges and triumphs specific to their unique intersection of identities, or are they generalized?
• Analyze how a character's intersectional identities influence their power, privilege, or oppression within the narrative
  • Do they face specific barriers or discrimination based on the intersection of their identities?
  • Are they able to navigate systems and institutions differently due to their unique position?
• Evaluate the character's relationships and interactions with others, considering how their intersectional identities shape these dynamics
  • Are there power imbalances or instances of allyship and solidarity across differences?
• Examine the character's growth and development over the course of the series, considering how their intersectional experiences inform their choices and evolution
• Consider the impact of the character's representation on viewers, particularly those who share similar intersectional identities
  • Does the character provide positive, nuanced representation that challenges stereotypes and offers a sense of validation and empowerment?

Behind the Scenes: Diversity in Production

• Intersectional representation on screen is often influenced by diversity and inclusion behind the scenes, including writers, directors, producers, and executives
• Diverse writers' rooms can bring a range of intersectional perspectives and lived experiences to the storytelling process, leading to more authentic and nuanced representation
  • Shows like "Insecure" and "Pose" have been praised for their diverse writers' rooms, which have contributed to their strong intersectional representation
• Directors and producers from marginalized communities can bring their unique intersectional lens to the visual storytelling and overall tone of a series
  • For example, Ava DuVernay's work on "Queen Sugar" and "When They See Us" has been celebrated for its nuanced, intersectional approach
• Casting directors play a crucial role in ensuring that actors from various intersectional backgrounds are given opportunities to portray complex, multidimensional characters
  • Shows like "Orange Is the New Black" and "Sense8" have been noted for their diverse, inclusive casting across multiple intersectional identities
• Executives and decision-makers at networks and streaming platforms have the power to greenlight projects that prioritize intersectional representation and diversity behind the scenes
  • Initiatives like Netflix's "First Time I Saw Me" and HBO's "Project Greenlight" have aimed to amplify underrepresented voices and stories

Challenges and Controversies

• Tokenism: The inclusion of characters with intersectional identities in a superficial or stereotypical manner, without fully exploring their experiences or giving them substantial storylines
• Appropriation: When stories about marginalized intersectional experiences are written, directed, or produced by those who do not share those identities, leading to inauthentic or misrepresentative portrayals
• Colorism: The preferential treatment of characters with lighter skin tones, even within shows that feature diverse casts, perpetuating hierarchies and discrimination based on skin color
• LGBTQ+ stereotypes: The reliance on tropes and stereotypes when depicting LGBTQ+ characters, particularly those with intersecting marginalized identities (e.g., the "sassy gay best friend" or the "tragic queer character")
• Disability representation: The lack of authentic, intersectional representation of characters with disabilities, often portrayed by non-disabled actors or reduced to inspirational tropes
• Intersectional erasure: The failure to acknowledge or explore the specific experiences of characters with multiple marginalized identities, instead focusing on a single aspect of their identity
• Backlash and resistance: Some viewers and industry professionals may resist or criticize efforts to increase intersectional representation, claiming it is "forced diversity" or "political correctness"

Future of Intersectional Representation on TV

• Increasing diversity and inclusion behind the scenes, with more writers, directors, producers, and executives from marginalized communities shaping the stories being told
• Amplifying the voices and experiences of those with intersectional identities, both in front of and behind the camera
• Encouraging authentic storytelling that moves beyond stereotypes and tropes, depicting the complexity and nuance of intersectional experiences
• Fostering allyship and solidarity within the industry, with those in positions of privilege using their power to uplift and support underrepresented voices
• Investing in mentorship and pipeline programs to help aspiring professionals with intersectional identities break into the industry and advance their careers
• Continuing to educate viewers and industry professionals about the importance of intersectional representation and its impact on society
• Holding networks, streaming platforms, and production companies accountable for their commitments to diversity, inclusion, and intersectional representation
• Celebrating and supporting shows that get it right, while also constructively critiquing those that fall short in their intersectional representation