2.3 Intersectionality in lost narratives

Intersectionality examines how multiple social identities intersect, creating unique experiences of oppression or privilege. This framework helps uncover stories of those with overlapping marginalized identities, often erased from dominant narratives due to compounded discrimination.

Applying intersectionality to historical analysis reveals complex experiences of individuals facing multiple forms of oppression. It challenges simplistic portrayals and highlights how various systems of power have shaped individual and collective experiences throughout history, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the past.

Intersectionality and Historical Erasure

Defining Intersectionality

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• Intersectionality is a framework that examines the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
• Recognizes that individuals can experience multiple, compounded forms of oppression or privilege based on their various social identities, rather than just one aspect of their identity (being a Black woman, being a disabled LGBTQ+ person)
• Applying an intersectional lens to historical analysis can help uncover the stories of those whose experiences have been erased or overlooked due to their multiple marginalized identities
• The term "intersectionality" was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe the unique experiences of Black women facing both racism and sexism

Historical Erasure and Marginalized Identities

• Historical erasure often occurs along the lines of marginalized identities, with those experiencing intersecting forms of oppression being particularly vulnerable to having their stories and experiences excluded from dominant narratives
• Dominant historical narratives often prioritize the experiences of relatively privileged groups (white, male, cisgender, able-bodied), erasing the stories of those with multiple marginalized identities
• Intersectionality recognizes that historical erasure is not a neutral process, but one that is shaped by systems of power and oppression
• Examples of groups whose stories have been erased due to intersecting marginalized identities include Black women during the Civil Rights Movement, disabled LGBTQ+ individuals during the AIDS crisis, and Indigenous women in the history of colonialism

Intersecting Marginalized Identities

Unique Challenges and Forms of Discrimination

• Individuals with multiple marginalized identities, such as being a woman of color or a disabled LGBTQ+ person, often face unique challenges and forms of discrimination that cannot be fully understood by examining any single aspect of their identity in isolation
• The intersection of marginalized identities can create distinct experiences of oppression that are qualitatively different from the sum of their parts, requiring an intersectional approach to fully comprehend and address
• Examples include Black women facing both racism and sexism in the workplace, leading to lower wages and fewer opportunities for advancement compared to white women or Black men
• Disabled LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination and barriers to access in both LGBTQ+ spaces and disability rights spaces that do not fully account for their intersecting identities

Exclusion and Marginalization within Social Movements

• Intersecting marginalized identities can also lead to individuals being excluded from or marginalized within social movements and communities that focus on a single aspect of identity
• Feminist spaces have historically prioritized the experiences of white, cisgender, able-bodied women, marginalizing the voices and experiences of women of color, trans women, and disabled women
• LGBTQ+ spaces have often centered the experiences of white, cisgender, able-bodied individuals, leading to the exclusion and erasure of LGBTQ+ people of color, trans individuals, and disabled LGBTQ+ people
• The disability rights movement has sometimes failed to fully address the experiences of disabled people of color or disabled LGBTQ+ individuals
• Recognizing and addressing these exclusions requires an intersectional approach that acknowledges the ways in which multiple systems of oppression intersect and impact individuals and communities

Challenges of Intersectional Storytelling

Barriers to Having Stories Heard and Validated

• Those with intersecting marginalized identities often face multiple barriers to having their stories heard and validated
• Lack of access to platforms, resources, and networks that can amplify their voices, due to systemic inequalities and discrimination
• Dominant narratives and historical records often prioritize the experiences of those with relatively more privilege, making it difficult for those with intersecting marginalized identities to have their stories included or taken seriously
• Stereotypes and assumptions based on an individual's various marginalized identities can lead to their stories being dismissed, disbelieved, or misrepresented when they are told (Black women being stereotyped as "angry" or "aggressive", disabled individuals having their experiences dismissed as "inspiring" or "tragic")

Complexity and Nuance of Intersectional Experiences

• The complexity and nuance of experiences shaped by intersecting marginalized identities can be difficult to convey within the constraints of dominant narrative structures and formats
• Mainstream media and historical accounts often rely on simplistic, one-dimensional portrayals of marginalized groups that fail to capture the diversity and complexity of their experiences
• Intersectional stories may require more time, space, and context to fully explore and understand, challenging dominant assumptions about what makes a "good" or "compelling" narrative
• Innovative and creative approaches to storytelling, such as oral histories, participatory media, and community-based archives, can help create space for intersectional experiences to be shared and validated on their own terms

Intersectionality for Rescuing Lost Stories

Centering Intersectionality in Historical Research

• Centering intersectionality when rescuing lost stories can help ensure that the experiences of those facing multiple, compounded forms of oppression are not overlooked or erased
• An intersectional approach can provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of history by highlighting the ways in which various systems of oppression and privilege have intersected to shape individual and collective experiences
• Considering intersectionality can help challenge dominant narratives that prioritize the experiences of relatively privileged groups and create space for a wider range of voices and perspectives to be heard
• Researchers can actively seek out sources and perspectives that highlight intersectional experiences, such as oral histories, community archives, and marginalized media

Building Solidarity through Intersectional Storytelling

• Rescuing the lost stories of those with intersecting marginalized identities can provide valuable insights into the ways in which oppression operates and the strategies that individuals and communities have used to resist and survive in the face of multiple, compounded forms of discrimination
• An intersectional approach to rescuing lost stories can help build solidarity and connections across different marginalized communities by highlighting shared experiences of oppression and resistance
• Sharing intersectional stories can help challenge dominant assumptions and stereotypes about marginalized groups, fostering greater understanding and empathy
• Centering intersectionality in historical research and storytelling can support ongoing struggles for social justice by providing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the ways in which oppression and resistance have shaped our world