Topic 3:
Crenshaw’s Intersectionality
Series 1: Start at the beginning
In our third topic in ‘Series 1,’ this month we’re looking at ‘intersectionality’ as defined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989. Last month we considered how the concept of ‘intersectionality’ has deep roots. This month we’re narrowing down and getting really specific about the term ‘intersectionality’ as defined by the woman who coined it. The term is widely used now, but had quite a specific meaning when Crenshaw introduced it as a framework within legal theory.
Here you can find this month’s theory article, this month’s podcast and some dictionary definitions that will be useful along the way. This month the work has been done by Katie and Graciela from the Grabbing Back team. Check it all out.
Read: theory article
Listen: podcast episode
Recommended watch
If you prefer watching to reading or listening, check out this TED Talk by Prof Kimberle Crenshaw herself, explaining what her framework of ‘intersectionality’ is and why it’s urgent right now. We can’t recommend anything more for quickly getting a grip on her theory!
Dictionary definitions
Reached the end and still have questions? There’s buckets of theory you can get stuck into, check out the podcast pages for our references and recommendations. We always love being asked questions too (though no promises we know the answers). Leave us a comment, drop us a DM, or send us an email.
‘Intersectionality’ is a word you hear around a lot in some feminist spaces — at Grabbing Back we call ourselves ‘intersectional feminists.’ So it’s about time we looked at what exactly that means. The concept has deep roots, but the term ‘intersectionality’ itself was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989. This month we dive into Crenshaw’s writing.