Intersectionality is a theoretical framework developed within feminist theory and critical race theory that highlights the interconnected nature of social identities and systems of oppression. Coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s, intersectionality emphasizes that individuals’ experiences of privilege and oppression are shaped by multiple intersecting axes of identity, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, nationality, and religion.

Key aspects of intersectionality include:

1. Intersecting Identities: Intersectionality recognizes that individuals possess multiple social identities that intersect and interact with one another to shape their experiences and opportunities within society. These identities are not viewed in isolation but are understood as interconnected and mutually constitutive. For example, a Black woman may experience discrimination based on both her race and her gender, which interact in complex ways to produce unique forms of oppression.
2. Matrix of Domination: Intersectionality conceptualizes social inequality as a matrix of domination, in which systems of power and privilege are structured along multiple axes of identity. The intersectional matrix encompasses a range of social hierarchies and inequalities, including those based on race, gender, class, sexuality, and other dimensions of identity. Individuals’ positions within this matrix are shaped by the intersections of their various social identities and their location within broader social structures.
3. Multiple Forms of Oppression: Intersectionality highlights the ways in which individuals may experience multiple forms of oppression simultaneously, rather than experiencing oppression solely based on a single axis of identity. For example, individuals who belong to marginalized groups may face compounded or intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage due to the intersections of their various social identities.
4. Centering Marginalized Voices: Intersectionality emphasizes the importance of centering the voices and experiences of marginalized individuals and communities in discussions of social inequality and oppression. It calls attention to the ways in which mainstream narratives and analyses often overlook or erase the experiences of those at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities.
5. Social Justice and Activism: Intersectionality informs social justice movements and activism by highlighting the importance of addressing the interconnected nature of social inequalities and working toward inclusive and intersectional forms of resistance and liberation. It encourages solidarity across diverse social movements and emphasizes the need to challenge all forms of oppression and privilege.
6. Critique of Single-Issue Approaches: Intersectionality critiques single-issue approaches to social justice that focus exclusively on one axis of identity or form of oppression, such as gender or race. Instead, intersectionality calls for a more holistic and inclusive approach that recognizes the complex intersections of privilege and oppression and addresses the interconnected nature of social inequality.

Overall, intersectionality provides a powerful framework for understanding the complexities of social identity, inequality, and oppression. It informs research, activism, policy, and social movements aimed at promoting social justice, equity, and inclusivity for all individuals and communities.