Intersectionality: Understanding the Primary Identity in the Context of White Supremacy
Your silence will not protect you- Audre Lorde
Intersectionality: The Foundation of Our Liberation
Welcome back to our month-long celebration of Pride and Juneteenth! Today, we dive deeper into the concept of intersectionality, exploring how it extends beyond the experiences of marginalized groups to include the multifaceted identities of white individuals. Understanding this complexity is crucial for decolonization and fostering genuine solidarity in our fight for justice. By understanding the primary role of racial identity, we can better engage in the work of decolonization and foster true intersectional advocacy.
Intersectionality Beyond Marginalization
Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is often discussed in the context of marginalized identities. However, it's essential to recognize that intersectionality also applies to those who hold privilege in certain aspects of their identity while facing challenges in others. For Black queer individuals, these intersecting identities often mean navigating multiple layers of discrimination. However, white individuals also have intersecting identities, such as being LGBTQ+, having disabilities, or belonging to different socioeconomic classes. For white individuals, understanding the intersections of their own identities—such as gender, sexuality, class, and ability—is critical for acknowledging the full scope of their experiences and privileges.
For white individuals, intersectionality can reveal how different aspects of their identity confer both privilege and marginalization. For example, a white woman may face gender discrimination in the workplace, yet her racial identity can provide her with protections and advantages that her colleagues of color might not have. Similarly, a white LGBTQ+ person might experience homophobia or transphobia, but their racial privilege can shield them from the compounded discrimination that Black queer and other queer people of color often face.
Understanding these intersections is critical for acknowledging the full scope of one's experiences and privileges. It allows white individuals to see how their racial identity interacts with other facets of their lives to create a complex web of both advantages and challenges. This awareness is crucial for fostering empathy, solidarity, and effective advocacy.
The Primacy of Racial Identity in White Supremacy
In the framework of white supremacy, the racial identity of white individuals often grants them significant privileges and protections. This racial privilege can sometimes overshadow other intersecting identities, such as being LGBTQ+, disabled, or economically disadvantaged. White individuals may experience oppression in these areas, but their racial identity provides a buffer that can shield them from the compounded discrimination faced by people of color.
It's vital to understand that while white individuals can have intersecting marginalized identities, the protections afforded by whiteness are pervasive and profound. This recognition is crucial for decolonization work, as it highlights the importance of dismantling racial hierarchies that uphold systemic inequalities.
Leveraging Racial Identity for Protection
Whiteness, as a racial identity, often provides a baseline of societal protections and privileges that are denied to people of color. These include access to better education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities, as well as protection from racial profiling and violence. For white individuals, acknowledging this privilege is a necessary step toward solidarity and allyship.
Understanding the leverage that racial identity provides can help white individuals become more effective allies in the fight against systemic oppression. By recognizing their privilege, they can use their positions to advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and justice for all.
You may be asking yourself how is this possible because you feel the weight of your marginalization. When this happens it is imperative to recognize that multiple truths exist. Whilst you are marginalized for your various identities when they step out of the Cis/Christian/wealthy/hetero/able-bodied paradigm, you still show up as white, and race is the primary marginalization when speaking of supremacy culture. Let’s go deeper.
White supremacy operates by maintaining and reinforcing the dominance of whiteness, often at the expense of other marginalized groups. White individuals, regardless of their other identities, benefit from systemic privileges that protect and elevate their status in society. These privileges include:
Socioeconomic Advantages: White individuals generally have greater access to economic opportunities, higher wages, and better employment prospects. This advantage can help mitigate the impacts of other intersecting identities, such as being LGBTQ+ or disabled.
Healthcare Access: Racial privilege often translates to better access to healthcare and medical services. White individuals are more likely to receive quality care and face fewer disparities compared to people of color, even when other factors like income and education are considered.
Legal Protections: White individuals are less likely to face discrimination within the legal system. They are more likely to receive fair treatment by law enforcement and the judiciary, reducing the risk of unjust incarceration or legal penalties.
The Importance of This Understanding in Decolonization
Decolonization requires a thorough understanding of how intersecting identities function within systems of power and privilege. For white individuals, this means not only acknowledging their own intersections but also recognizing the ways in which their racial identity interacts with these other aspects. This awareness is vital for creating strategies that address the root causes of oppression and foster true liberation.
Intersectionality in decolonization work also means that white people and those coded as white, must actively work to dismantle the systems of white supremacy that benefit them. This involves listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, challenging racist policies and practices, and committing to ongoing education and self-reflection.
Understanding the primacy of racial identity within white supremacy is crucial for several reasons:
Awareness and Acknowledgment: White individuals with intersecting identities need to be aware of their racial privilege and how it interacts with other aspects of their identity. Acknowledging this privilege is the first step towards dismantling the structures that uphold white supremacy.
Activism and Advocacy: White individuals can leverage their racial status to advocate for marginalized communities. By using their position of relative power, they can amplify the voices of Black people and other people of color and support policies and initiatives that promote equity and justice.
Decolonization Efforts: Decolonization involves challenging and dismantling the dominance of Western and white-centric perspectives. White individuals can contribute to decolonization by critically examining their own privileges, supporting the leadership of people of color, and working towards systemic change.
Intersectionality is not just a theoretical concept; it is a practical tool for decolonization. By understanding how different identities intersect and how racial identity plays a primary role in white supremacy, we can develop more effective strategies for creating equitable and inclusive societies.
Highlighting a Black Queer Advocate: Audre Lorde
As we delve into the importance of intersectionality in our fight for justice, it is essential to highlight the contributions of Black queer individuals who have championed this framework in their activism and teachings. One such remarkable figure is Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian feminist, poet, and civil rights activist whose work continues to inspire and guide intersectional advocacy today.
Audre Lorde: Champion of Intersectionality
Audre Lorde's life and work epitomize the essence of intersectionality. Through her powerful writing and tireless activism, she articulated the necessity of addressing the multiple, intersecting forms of oppression that people face. Her belief that no struggle exists in isolation is a cornerstone of intersectional theory.
Poet and Writer: Audre Lorde used her poetry and prose to give voice to the complex experiences of Black women, queer individuals, and other marginalized groups. Her writings, such as "Sister Outsider" and "The Cancer Journals," explore themes of identity, survival, and the interlocking nature of oppression.
Activist and Educator: Lorde was deeply involved in civil rights, feminist, and LGBTQ+ movements. She co-founded the Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, which was dedicated to publishing works by women of color. This initiative provided a platform for voices that were often marginalized within mainstream feminist and LGBTQ+ movements.
Intersectional Advocacy: Lorde's work emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. She argued that the liberation of one group is tied to the liberation of all, and that true progress could only be made by tackling all forms of oppression simultaneously.
Audre Lorde’s Teachings on Intersectionality
Audre Lorde's teachings on intersectionality continue to resonate and influence contemporary movements for justice and equality. Her insistence on the interconnectedness of struggles and the necessity of solidarity across different identities remains a guiding principle for activists today.
Embracing Difference: Lorde famously said, "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." She taught that embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity are crucial for building strong, united movements.
Challenging Systems of Oppression: Lorde believed that systemic change requires addressing all forms of oppression. She challenged both the feminist movement to be more inclusive of Black women and women of color and the LGBTQ+ movement to address issues of race and class.
Empowerment Through Authenticity: Lorde encouraged individuals to embrace and express their true selves. She believed that authenticity and self-acceptance were powerful tools for personal and collective liberation. Her famous declaration, "Your silence will not protect you," is a call to action for marginalized individuals to speak out and assert their identities.
The Legacy of Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde's legacy is a testament to the power of intersectional advocacy. Her work reminds us that the fight for justice is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive approach that addresses all forms of oppression. By highlighting the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities, Lorde's teachings provide a roadmap for creating more inclusive and effective movements for change.
As we continue our month-long celebration of Pride and Juneteenth, let us honor Audre Lorde's contributions and strive to embody her principles of intersectionality in our own activism. Her vision of a world where all forms of oppression are challenged and all identities are celebrated remains a powerful inspiration for our collective journey toward liberation.
Thank you for joining me today. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into these important themes throughout the month.
In solidarity and empowerment,
Desireé B Stephens
Reflection Questions
How do your intersecting identities influence your experiences of privilege and oppression?
Reflect on the various aspects of your identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability. Consider how these identities intersect and shape your daily life, opportunities, and challenges. How does recognizing these intersections help you better understand your own experiences and those of others?In what ways can you leverage your privileges to support marginalized communities?
Think about the areas in your life where you hold privilege, particularly in terms of race. How can you use this privilege to advocate for and amplify the voices of those who face greater systemic barriers? What specific actions can you take to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society?How does Audre Lorde’s concept of intersectionality inspire your approach to activism and advocacy?
Reflect on Audre Lorde's teachings about the interconnectedness of struggles and the importance of embracing differences. How can you apply her principles to your own activism and advocacy efforts? Consider ways in which you can support holistic, intersectional approaches to create lasting and meaningful change.
Invitation to Support Equity in Education
Thank you for joining me on the second day of our month-long celebration of Pride and Juneteenth! As we continue this journey, I invite you to reflect on the powerful impact of intersectionality and the resilience of Black queer advocates who have paved the way for our collective liberation.
Your engagement and support are vital in ensuring that these important conversations remain accessible to all. As part of my commitment to equity in education, I strive to make all my writings available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. To sustain this work and keep it accessible, I warmly invite you to consider becoming a paid subscriber to my Substack newsletter.
By becoming a paid subscriber, you will:
Support the production of high-quality, in-depth articles that explore crucial themes of intersectionality, justice, and healing.
Ensure that this valuable content remains free for those who may not have the means to contribute financially.
Help expand the reach of these insights, allowing more people to benefit from the knowledge and inspiration shared here.
Your contribution makes a meaningful difference in creating a more equitable platform for education and advocacy. If you find value in the content I provide and are able to support this mission, please consider subscribing.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and spread the word about this series. Let’s make this month a powerful testament to our shared journey toward liberation! 🌟
It’s been awhile since I read Audre Lorde’s poems. Thank you for reminding me it’s time to re-examine them through my decolonization & healing journey.