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Intersectionality in American History

What Is Intersectionality?

While both minorities as well as females experience prejudice, it is important to acknowledge that for some, intersectionality authorizes discrimination against individuals in more than one category. Prior to this course, I had heard the term used on few occasions simply because when we tend to classify individuals into one specific category rather than acknowledging all aspects of a person. Ijeoma Oluo, author of "So You Want To Talk About Race?" defines intersectionality as,  “the belief that our social justice movement must consider all of the intersections of identity, privilege, and oppression that people face in order to be just and effective.” (Oluo, 74). Instead of labeling an individual by strictly gender or solely race, it is crucial to recognize how the two have the potential to overlap, producing a much higher potential to be targeted.

Intersectionality In American History