The Colonization of Intersectionality
Recognizing how intersectionality is being taken away from its roots and is being re-appropriated by White feminism
Dr. Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality to underline the multiple dimensions of marginalized subjects’ experiences. The term is used to advocate and to explain how women’s overlapping identities such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation impact experiences of oppression and identity. However, it is important to understand that this was a lived reality long before it had a name.
The term intersectionality has become a term that is used everywhere and by everyone. Most commonly, women of Color and Queer people of Color use the word intersectionality to critique white feminism and its failure to understand that it too takes part in the violence against women of Color and Queer people of Color. However, many white feminists have used and continue to use the word vaguely. Similarly to the colonization of bodies and land belonging to people of color throughout history, intersectionality has been taken from its originator- a black woman- and has been re-appropriated in order to serve to the interests of white people. The change of the word’s meaning takes away its power and that in its self is an act of colonization.
Although the idea of the colonization of intersectionality isn’t new, it is sometimes difficult to recognize. There are different ways on which intersectionality is colonized. For example, teaching intersectionality as a theory of difference rather than as a theory of oppression and power, using the word without actually doing anything to dismantle white supremacy and patriarchy, using the word to emphasize one’s oppressions without being accountable and recognizing one’s privileges, failing to impede further colonization of intersectionality, and failing to recognize and include Black women and Queer folks of color when talking about intersectionality.
A recent event that in several ways failed to include intersectionality as the main goal was the Women’s March that brought together millions of people in different cities worldwide to protest on January 21 2017. The idea was suggested by Tricia Shook to protest against President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Soon after, the idea was taken by a group of middle-class white women who wanted to voice against racism. They reached out to Shook to combine forces and consequently the focus shifted. The original organizers worked very hard to make it an inclusive event that focused on intersectionality by including Black, Latina, and Muslim civil rights activists. However, the use of intersectionality was quickly colonized by White feminism. White feminism during the Women’s March was “exemplified by the White women who believe the word “women” in “Women’s March” should reflect their interests above others.” They believed that they had to be the leaders and the voice of the protest while failing to acknowledge their privileges and did nothing to dismantle white supremacy because white women create, benefit, participate, and maintain institutional racism.
Despite the Women’s March having some positive outcomes, the issue is that the focus of White Feminism during the marches reflects the colonization of intersectionality and the resistance and opposition against intersectionality in everyday life.
