Understanding Intersectionality

Please stop using the term INTERSECTIONALITY when what you really mean is INTERSECTING IDENTITIES. Intersecting identities and Intersectionality are NOT the same thing, and conflating them can be deeply problematic—particularly for Black women who are often excluded from these conversations. Let’s start with the basics: - Intersecting identities refer to the various social categories (e.g., race, gender, class, sexuality) that a person occupies. Everyone has intersecting identities, and they shape our experiences in unique ways. - Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, rooted in Black feminist thought. It refers to the specific ways in which systems of oppression—like racism, sexism, and classism—intersect to create unique and compounded forms of discrimination. It’s not just about holding multiple identities; it’s about how those identities are situated within power structures and the resulting experiences of marginalisation. This distinction is critical because when people use intersectionality as a catch-all term for multiple identities, it strips the concept of its original intent, which was to highlight how Black women, in particular, experience overlapping and intensified forms of oppression. Black women have historically been left out of both feminist and anti-racist movements—intersectionality gives us the framework to understand and address that exclusion. When we conflate the two concepts, we risk erasing the very voices intersectionality was developed to centre. It becomes a diluted buzzword, rather than a powerful tool for understanding how Black women and other marginalised groups experience systemic inequality. This is why it’s vital to honour the specificity of terms. Words like intersectionality were developed for a reason: to reflect the lived realities of those who have long been marginalised within both social justice movements and wider society. To respect that means ensuring that we don’t use these terms loosely or in ways that obscure the very people they were designed to uplift. So, the next time you engage in conversations around identity, power, and oppression, REMEMBER: intersecting identities describe who we are, but intersectionality is about how the world treats us based on who we are—especially if we are Black women. #Intersectionality #IntersectingIdentities #BlackFeminism #RespectTheTerm

You can’t tackle social inequalities without using an intersectional approach. ✍🏾 Intersectionality is the concept that an individual can experience multiple forms of marginalisation due to multiple social identities. For example, being Black and living with dyspraxia means that I navigate a world with structural barriers due to racism and ableism, which hinder my ability to truly thrive. This is not to say these barriers cannot be overcome on an individual basis, but to emphasise that they exist in the first place. Often, when we look at racial inequality and neurodivergent (ND) inequality, we examine these issues separately. This results in an inadequate picture of social issues. Without comprehensive evidence from an intersectional lens, stakeholders are unable to gather the evidence needed to create tangible solutions in society. Here are a few areas where ND inequality and racial inequality coexist: - Mental Health - Employment - Education - Criminal Justice Without an effective intersectional approach in evidence generation, data analysis, decision-making, and policy-making, people who live within the intersection, such as Black dyspraxics or other Black ND individuals, may feel their challenges are not adequately understood or addressed. The same principle applies to other marginalised groups. Intersectionality can no longer just be a word used in the DEI sector. It needs to be a framework we use to understand and effectively address societal barriers that exist in our world. #Intersectionality #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #MentalHealth #Inclusion #IntersectionalLens #BlackND #Dyspraxia #TheBlackDyspraxic ✨🌍🧠👩🏾🎓✊🏽

Language can keep people out or make it harder for them to understand, especially when we're trying to talk about problems that hurt others. Intersectionality is one of those buzzwords that not many understand. It took me personally some time to understand it as well. Let me try to explain this term and also share why it’s important to understand. Let’s look at myself. I am a lightskinned Black and neurodivergent person. Therefore I experience racism: i.e. if I get emotional I easily get perceived as aggressive and angry. People might feel threatened by me or dismiss the point I want to make because they judge my tone. As a neurodivergent person, I experience ableism: i.e. people might think that I use my neurodivergence as an excuse rather than an explanation. Or, there’s an idea of professionalism at work. To fit the norm one has to work in a quiet and calm manner. In order to do my job well I might need to move, listen to music or engage in „stimming“ behavior (repetitive performance of certain physical movements or vocalizations to self-stimulate). If I, as a Black neurodivergent individual ask for accommodations at work, like a quiet room away from the open office or noise-canceling headphones, I am more likely to be denied than white people. As a Black neurodivergent person, particularly as a Black woman, I was identified and diagnosed late in life - just last year! And, I know of many who experience higher misdiagnosis rates for nearly all conditions. In a nutshell: intersectionality describes how two or more forms of discrimination create new unique ways of exclusion. It’s not about 1 plus 1 equals two but it’s more that 1 plus 1 equals some uniquely complex and different. Or, in other words: if you blend blue and yellow, you don’t just get blue and yellow separately, you get green, a brand new color. In the same way, when racism and ableism happen to someone at the same time, those experiences create a new challenge that can’t be understood by looking at the two separately. To prevent and reduce harm we need to be aware of these possibilities. We don’t always need to fully understand the realities of others but we must put in some effort. To prevent harm does not even cost much. We can start listening to those who share their needs, believe them and take them seriously. How can we do that? How about slowing down. How about we listen to be present and not to give the next possible answer. If you want to listen and learn about the intersection of ableism towards neurodivergent people who experience racism, we invite you to our next virtual live workshop on December 11, from 1.30-3 pm EST and 7.30-9 pm CET. Tag those who need to learn about this or drop AWARENESS in the comments to get all info via DM. Please sharepost! Picture description: A portrait of Ellen, a light-skinned Black person wearing short afro hair, a black face mask, light brown glasses, and a white blouse. In the background is a view of Brooklyn Bridge.

Why are we STILL avoiding the real conversation on Intersectionality? Last week, someone commented on my post, dismissing intersectionality as “nonsense.” Really? In 2024, we’re still pushing back on something that shines a light on real, lived experiences? Intersectionality isn’t just about having multiple identities. It’s a framework that reveals how specific groups face unique challenges when multiple identities overlap in a system that wasn’t designed for them. Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw developed this theory to spotlight how people with intersecting identities (race, gender, class, disability) often experience discrimination that can’t be fully understood by looking at each identity on its own. And maybe that’s why people are so resistant to it. To truly grasp intersectionality, we have to talk about race, power, and privilege. We have to look at how historical structures of racism, sexism, ableism, and other systems of oppression collide, creating additional barriers for some communities. For many, it’s easier to focus on “intersecting identities”, the simple idea that we all have unique backgrounds. But intersectionality asks us to go deeper. It calls us to confront how the same “overlapping” identities don’t lead to the same outcomes for everyone, because society isn’t a level playing field. Not yet anyway. If we really care about inclusion in our workplaces and communities, we can’t afford to avoid intersectionality anymore. Recognising it empowers us to: • Design policies that support everyone, rather than inadvertently leaving some behind. • Build solutions that address unique, compounding barriers. Not just “check a box” for diversity. • Cultivate a culture where those who have historically been marginalised feel truly seen, valued, and respected. It’s uncomfortable, yes. But it’s necessary. Avoiding the complexities of intersectionality means we’re missing the full picture of inclusion. True change only happens when we’re willing to confront those uncomfortable truths head-on. What do you think? Do you find it challenging or uncomfortable to talk about intersectionality? Why do you think we still hold back, often choosing the “safer” conversation around “intersecting identities”? #Intersectionality #DiversityAndInclusion #EquityAndInclusion #WorkplaceInclusion #InclusiveLeadership #Belonging #IntersectionalFeminism

We often treat gender as a standalone issue. Separate from age, disability, ethnicity, or economic status. But that’s not how inequality works. A teenage girl with a disability doesn’t just experience exclusion because she’s female. She faces compounded barriers because of how multiple identities overlap in ways that intensify marginalisation. This concept is called intersectionality. It’s a way of understanding how different aspects of a person’s identity (like race, age, gender, sexuality, or ability) interact to produce very different life experiences. These aren't just additive. They're relational and shaped by power. This Staff Training Manual doesn’t just check a box, it opens eyes. ✔️ It walks facilitators through power mapping exercises that make privilege visible. ✔️ It helps teams unpack why “inclusion” often stops short at token representation. ✔️ It introduces real-world scenarios that surface hidden bias, without shaming or blaming. And while the manual was developed by EngenderHealth, the insights apply across sectors (health, education, governance, livelihoods) wherever programmess touch people’s lives. #SocialInclusion 🔥 Follow me for similar content

ICE raided a workplace yesterday. Detained 3 people. One was trans. No one's talking about that part. Here's why it matters: When we talk about ICE enforcement, we talk about immigration status. When we talk about LGBTQIA+ rights, we talk about workplace protections. But we almost never talk about the people living at the intersection—who face compounded danger from both threats. That trans worker? They're navigating: Fear of deportation Fear of being placed in the wrong detention facility Fear of being deadnamed or misgendered during processing Fear of violence in custody Loss of access to gender-affirming care This isn't theoretical. This is Tuesday for thousands of people. Intersectionality isn't a buzzword. It's a survival framework. It asks us to see the whole person—not just the identity that's easiest or most comfortable for us to address. Right now, as companies dismantle equity programs and federal enforcement intensifies, the people at the margins are getting crushed from multiple directions. So what do we do? We stop treating equity work like separate buckets (race over here, LGBTQIA+ over there, immigration status in another meeting). We start asking: "Who in our organization is most vulnerable right now—and from how many angles?" We lead with that.

Intersectionality for Hillbillies: Understanding the Overlapping Roads of Identity You ever been on a winding country road where one lane merges onto another, and before you know it, you’re juggling stop signs, yield signs, and who’s got the right of way? That’s a little like what we call “intersectionality.” It’s a fifty-cent word to describe how different parts of our identity—like our gender, race, class, disability, or sexuality—all meet in the same place. Think of it as a busy crossroads in downtown Pikeville or a country junction where multiple roads converge. If you’re just one driver, you’ve got your own lane and your own perspective, but the second you hit that intersection, you’re dealing with other lanes of traffic and all sorts of different rules. It can get messy real quick, but ignoring it won’t stop the traffic from coming. A lot of folks might say, “Now hold on, I’m just trying to live my life. Why do I need to worry about all these fancy labels?” Well, consider this: if you’re from a small rural town and you’re dirt-poor, you already know how people judge you the second they hear your accent or see the way you dress. Add on being a woman or gay or having a chronic illness, and you start seeing how each piece of who you are can bring extra challenges. Intersectionality is basically a map that shows us all the roads that feed into how people see us—and how we see ourselves. If you ever felt proud to be a “hillbilly” but also sensed folks in the city treat you like you’re ignorant, you’ve lived a slice of that experience. Multiply that by a few more layers—maybe you’re also a single mom or a person of diverse culture—and those roads crisscross in ways most folks never even think about. Sometimes, we only notice one road: maybe we say, “I’m poor, that’s my problem,” or “I’m gay, that’s my road.” But if you’re both—say a gay, working-class person from the sticks—then you’re not just dealing with prejudice about your sexuality or your accent. You’re dealing with both at the same time. Intersectionality doesn’t mean we need a pity party. It means we need to recognize each other’s roads so we can watch for blind spots and help guide each other through the traffic. Once we see how these paths overlap, we can start figuring out why certain folks get stuck at red lights longer than others—and how we can fix that. So next time someone tries to get all fancy about “intersectionality,” just imagine a country crossroads. Each direction is a piece of who you are. Maybe you’re from a small town, maybe you’re Black or trans or disabled, maybe you take care of your grandparents. All those roads meet at the same person—you. And if we really want to make a kinder world, we can’t just look at one lane and pretend the others don’t exist. We have to understand the whole dang intersection.

We all have the same 24 hours" is one of those sayings that sounds wise, but in reality, it's empty and, in many cases, discriminatory. As someone with multiple disabilities, I know firsthand that we don’t have the same 24 hours as everyone else. The disability time thief is real, and it steals moments, hours, and sometimes entire days from people with disabilities. Whether it’s waiting for accessible tools, managing health routines, or simply trying to navigate a world that isn’t designed for us, the time tax adds up. It’s not just a disability issue—it's an intersectional one, impacting those who are also BIPOC, womxn, or living in poverty-- all of which are more likely when you have a disability. Please note that I am not complaining about this. What I am doing is using my platform to identify our reality that we face every day. The idea that "what you do with your time is up to you" ignores the systemic barriers that steal time from those with disabilities and other intersecting identities. So, what are you going to do? Read my blog and challenge this ableist, racist, and sexist belief whenever you hear it. Let’s create a world where time isn’t a privilege, but something we all have access to—equally. 🌍 #DisabilityTax #Intersectionality #Accessibility #Inclusion #Allyship https://lnkd.in/gpsEaUqF

Why Zack Polanski’s Green Party success proves acknowledging different struggles creates stronger common ground: Just the other day, my notifications were flooded with people claiming that if we want unity and justice in the UK, we have to deprioritise anti-racism and intersectionality generally, to focus on class, and that if everyone concentrated on economic inequality first, we could achieve true solidarity (example of one such comment pictured below). Yet what’s happening right now with the Green Party under Zack Polanski suggests the opposite. Since Polanski became leader in September 2025, the Greens have seen an unprecedented surge, with membership numbers rapidly increasing and polling higher than ever before. And this is being fuelled by a political message that firmly connects economic justice with social justice broadly - one that refuses to separate wealth inequality from racism, the climate crisis, or trans rights. People in their thousands are being inspired by Polanski talking about how “a tiny few in this country hold our power, our wealth, and our assets,” but also how economic injustice “hits minority communities harder.” His message acknowledges that the systems which concentrate wealth and power also decide whose needs matter least - and that while our experiences aren’t the same, they are connected. There are of course, many factors influencing the rise in hope around the Greens Party, but I believe it does show that an intersectional approach can be effective and unite different communities around common goals through a shared understanding of how inequality operates. And this is a principle that applies far beyond party politics. Ignoring our differences and the structures of privilege that shape them narrows what’s possible. Acknowledging them expands the picture. People experience inequality in different ways, and those differences shape what they need. When we start from that understanding, unity becomes something practical rather than performative - and as we’re seeing now, it’s the kind of approach that has the ability to inspire and unite. - 💡 Found this insightful? Subscribe to my Substack for more concise, actionable insights on being better, doing better, and building a kinder world. No spam - just one email every Wednesday at 7am BST with links to all my articles from the past week. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eRvvW7rj #greenparty #inclusion #ukpolitics #politics