Intersectional Feminism (Racial Considerations) Lecture Notes PDF

Intersectional Feminism (Racial Considerations) WEEK 5 Intersectional/Cultural Feminism  Takes into account the different ways that women can experience discrimination.  Took shape during the third wave of feminism as a response to the first 2 waves.  Also a response to “Wh...

Intersectional Feminism (Racial Considerations) WEEK 5 Intersectional/Cultural Feminism  Takes into account the different ways that women can experience discrimination.  Took shape during the third wave of feminism as a response to the first 2 waves.  Also a response to “White Feminism”  Initially focused heavily on race and poverty but has expanded to include several aspects (such as gender, sexual orientation, class etc.). Intersectional Feminism Continued  Main focus is on the fact that several identities combined with gender can “intersect” and this overlap can produce advantages or disadvantages.  Example: A wealthy female ethnic minority might experience advantages.  A poor ethnic minority is more likely to experience disadvantages (at least in comparison to the wealthy ethnic minority).  Intersectional feminists believe these intersections must be considered for equity to happen. White Feminism  The phenomenon of the feminist movement focusing on White considerations while sidelining the needs of other women.  Typically overshadows the struggles women of color, LGBTQ women and women of other minority groups face  Main criticism is that it frames White women’s issues as representative of women’s issues as a whole.  Based on the fact that the most privileged groups set the agenda. White Privilege  The idea that there are societal advantages for White people over non-White people even when they experience the same circumstance.  Often seen as invisible advantages.  Based on the social hierarchy set by colonialism and slave trade. Consumer Racial Profiling (Example of White Privilege)  The experience of White people in a store may be different from the experience of non-White people in a store.  Ethnic minorities are more likely to be monitored closely or receive poor service in a store.  Eddie Bauer and Macy’s Lawsuits. Tensions Within Feminist Movement  Some feminist theorists believe that incorporating intersectional feminism into the general feminist movement is enough.  Intersectional feminists are adamant that the term “intersectional feminism” must remain as a separate rung of feminism.  The concern of intersectional feminists is that losing the label of “intersectionality” would cause intersectional considerations to once again be secondary to White considerations. Tensions Within Feminist Movement Continued  Example: Conflicting feminist views on the hijab/niqab.  Some feminists believe that the hijab is an oppressive symbol of conservatism among women which is not body positive (this has been labeled a White feminist perspective).  Intersectional feminists counter that viewing the hijab as oppressive shows a lack of appreciation for religious and ethnic intersections. Layers to Privilege  Privilege and advantages are relative.  Groups which seemingly experience disadvantages may still have advantages relative to other groups.  Example: A Heterosexual Black male (racism) may have advantages over heterosexual Black female (racism and sexism) who may have advantages over a homosexual Black female (racism, sexism and homophobia).  Yet each of these groups can be considered marginalized in their own way. Prison Rates, Racial Overrepresentation (2022)  52% of the adult population in Canadian correctional services is White (vs being 70% of the population).  8% of the adult population in Canadian correctional services is Black (vs being 4% of the population).  28% of the adult population in Canadian correctional services is Indigenous (vs being 5% of the population).  This is an example of the layers that exist within an issue. Prison Rates and Intersectionality (2020-2021)  The overrepresentation of Indigenous men in the prison system is 8.4 times higher than for non-Indigenous men.  The overrepresentation of Indigenous women in the prison system is 15.4 times higher than for non-Indigenous women.  Indigenous women represent more than 50% of incarcerated women in Canada.  Applying and intersectional lens provides depth to the analysis. Hostile Attribution Bias  The tendency to perceive an act as hostile or threatening when the behaviour might be neutral.  Example: Assuming that two people who are laughing while looking in your direction are making fun of you.  Happens frequently among racial minorities because frequent racial incidents have them more “on guard”. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs  An idea which describes the priorities which motivate human behaviour.  The theory is hierarchical meaning that to move to the next step of the ladder, the previous stage has to be achieved by the individual.  Outlined by 5 steps (newer versions vary): Physiological Needs, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging, Self- Esteem, Self- Actualization Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Physiological Needs  The bare minimum elements any human would need to survive.  Examples: Air, water, shelter, sleep.  It is the first step in the hierarchy because without these elements, the body cannot function.  It is seen as the most important of all the needs. Safety and Security  Relates to having control, agency and predictability in one’s life.  Examples: Physical security, financial security, employment security, medical security.  When these needs are met, it brings a sense of stability. Love and Belonging/Social Needs  Having networks which connect you to others such as family, friendships, trust and acceptance.  Relates to having an in-group.  Examples: Being in a relationship, being part of a club, joining a sports team, close relationship with siblings/parents.  It can be achieved through having emotionally significant relationships. Esteem Needs  Two stages: 1. Esteem for yourself (higher). 2. Esteem from others (lower).  Esteem for yourself involves having confidence, dignity, self- respect achievement etc. Relates to having self-belief.  Esteem from others involves status, prestige and general respect from others.  Esteem for yourself is considered as the “higher” form of esteem while esteem from others is seen as a “lower” form. Self-Actualization  Maximizing or realizing your full potential.  Being in a position to achieve everything you want to achieve.  Example: Ability to achieve the American Dream (money, family, house etc. Context  Given that there are layers to privilege people within the same general identity group can have different priorities.  A concept such as the hierarchy of needs furthers the intersectional feminist point that there cannot be one central feminism.  Different groups of women are at different stages. Criticisms of the Hierarchy of Needs  You may not necessarily need to realize one step before securing another.  Several steps may overlap.  Lack of empirical evidence. Criticisms of Intersectional Feminism  Large scope. It can include gender, sex, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, disability, height, age.  Nearly impossible to comprehensively cover.  Creates opposition within feminist studies.  Culture of victimhood.