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Intersectionality is a concept often used in critical theories to describe the ways in which oppressive institutions (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, classism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another. Third Wave Feminism, especially, thrived on the concept of intersectionality in order to redefine Feminism as inclusive. The concept first came from legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989 and is largely used in critical theories, especially Feminist theory, when discussing systematic oppression.

Principles

In order to achieve anti-oppression aims, here are some things for geek groups to consider:

  • Aiming for diversity in general as well as gender-balance and women-friendliness in particular.
  • Just because you are female, or disabled, or a person of colour, does not mean that your experiences of sexism, ableism or racism are an exact match for experiences of other kinds of oppression (or even exactly like sexism, ableism or racism for someone else, of course).
  • If someone suggests that you're doing something racist, ableist, etc., you will tend to react defensively. That's OK and natural! Take a deep breath, check your privilege, step away from the keyboard if you need to, then apologise and figure out how not to do it again. If you continue to think the person misunderstood you or was wrong about your actions, don't get into an argument with them about it.
  • "Nothing about us without us": don't dictate to women, blind people, gay people or anyone else what they 'should' want from your geek community, software or roleplaying game, ask them and listen to the answers. Or better yet, trust them to lead the development of the product or the direction of the community and join initiatives they have already started...

Discussions of intersectionality in geek culture

References

See also