Maxine L. Bryant
In 1989, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” to describe how race and gender overlap for Black females to create dual bias, discrimination and even volatile situations. The term intersectionality has become a type of catch all phrase that often creates fear in people of power – specifically many white men.
However, at its simplest form, intersectionality is merely a metaphor to paint a picture of how multiple forms of inequality are compounded, thus creating obstacles — particularly in terms of race and gender.
The incident that caught Crenshaw’s attention was the case of a Black woman who took her claim of race and gender employer discrimination to court. The woman claimed she was denied employment at a company because she was a Black woman. A judge dismissed her case because the accused company hired both Blacks and women. A closer look, however, revealed that the Black people who were hired were all men who worked in industrial/maintenance positions. The women who were hired were all white and worked in secretarial/clerical positions. The judge was unable to recognize the detrimental impact of being both Black and female.
While this situation involved an employer, Crenshaw has successfully demonstrated, through the years, that systemic racism and genderism has repeatedly and consistently created disadvantage and even danger for Black and other women of color.
Maxine L. Bryant:In order to create a safer Savannah, the impetus is on us to make the equitable change
Everything must change:It’s time to do away with ‘plantation’ names around Savannah
More columns from Dr. Bryant:We must continue the lead of others and teach Africa’s Story to those in Savannah and beyond
Breaking free of societal imposed stereotypes is difficult whenever people are boxed into a frame by the powers that be. This is particularly true for Black women. The compound effect of racism and genderism frequently impedes success for Black females….
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