Intersectionality and Social Inclusion
How does intersectionality play into our everyday lives - and how can we make a change to our social inclusion?
by Thalia Hendricks
March 25, 2021
When you look in the mirror, who do you see? When someone asks who or what you are, what do you say? Intersectionality plays a major part in our everyday lives; however, it is a term that only a few of us are familiar with. People are so complex, and dissecting yourself could take a lifetime. Every aspect of what you have experienced makes up a valid category of who you are. Our intersectionality is something that we may not be able to easily hide, and since we carry it around with us every day, we should feel free to express every aspect of ourselves. With this being said, we cannot help but wonder, how does intersectionality play into social inclusion?
What is Intersectionality?
Intersectionality makes up every part of who we identify as beings in society. There are several different definitions of intersectionality which include, "The interconnected nature of social categorization such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage; a theoretical approach based on such a premise," (Oxford Dictionary) or as defined by Ben Shapiro, "a hierarchy of victimhood in which people are considered members of a victim class by virtue of membership in a particular group, and at the intersection of various groups lies the ascent on the hierarchy.”
Either way that you define it, it is clear that intersectionality defines the social categories that people are able to divide themselves into. Each category contains a community that may be affected by a number of similar discriminations and disadvantages. This theory is one that includes each and every aspect of someone's life which includes but is not limited to: gender, sex, race, ethnicity, education, social status, and religion.
Identifying Social Inclusion & Exclusion
Social inclusion is a topic that has been passed through generations. This particular category focuses on the interconnection of social structures and their roles within the community. These groups may involve someone's race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or any other means of identifying themselves. It has been proven repeatedly throughout history that minorities and those of the minority social group have been oppressed because of their social characteristics. By observing the differences and intersectionality of each individual, we are then able to observe the exclusions that occur in the community that may cause people with different characteristics to feel unsafe or unwanted in their communities.
According to the United Nations public records, "social exclusion describes a state in which individuals are unable to participate fully in economic, social, political and cultural life, as well as the process leading to and sustaining such a state." The exclusion of certain groups may cause them to not participate within their communities. For example, they may stay away from certain markets, services, or spaces for the sake of feeling safe. However, in turn, this negative ideology also leads members of the same community to create spaces where they feel safe. The LGBTQ+ community created Pride Parades to celebrate their existence as well as acknowledge their space in the community.
Pronouns & Their Importance.
One prevalent topic in society is the identification of people through their pronouns. Intersectionality allows these members of society to comfortably take note of their pronouns and how they wish to be referred to by the world. Pronouns that are commonly used are he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs. However, the list of pronouns is much more extensive and even includes some nonbinary options such as zem/zir/zirself or em/eir/emself. It may come as a culture shock at first, however, pronouns are a vital way of defining someone's place in the world.
It is important to never assume that you know someone's pronouns. If you are confused or uninformed, then ask! It never hurts to want to know more than you already do. According to Mypronouns.org, "Using someone's correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person's name can be a way to respect them." The website also went on to say, "Just as it can be offensive or even harassing to make up a nickname for someone and call them that nickname against their will, it can also be offensive or harassing to guess at someone's pronouns and refer to them using those pronouns if that is not how that person wants to be known." Being able to express yourself entirely is such a key element to be who you are. By creating an inclusive space and acknowledging someone's pronouns, we are able to bring awareness to intersectionality as well as the different forms of individualization.
Race and Ethnicity: Colorblindness isn't effective
A key factor in intersectionality is race and ethnicity. In order to accept the differences and categorizations of someone's identity, it is first needed for someone to acknowledge these differences. Colorblindness is an issue that is extremely prevalent in majority communities. This is a harmful theory that teaches one to refrain from speaking about race, racism, and racial inequality. The rhetoric that race and ethnicity don't exist also dismissed the idea of racial injustices in society which in turn harms those who are directly affected by it.
According to Megan R. Underhill in their article White parents teach their children to be colorblind. Here's why that's bad for everyone, "This awareness won't happen by avoiding racial discussions, or discounting empirical evidence highlighting racial disparities. It will only occur when whites expand the scope of their understanding about race and racism. White people aren't 'outside' of race --- they're at the top of the racial hierarchy." I believe this quote is true in explaining how people of different races can be blind to the injustices that are held within minority communities. In hand with this, this form of oppression can create an exclusive space that invalidates those who do not fit into that select community.
There are also different sections of color blindness which include: Educational, Interpersonal, Organizational, Legal, and Societal. In Racial Color Blindness: Emergence, Practice, and Implications by Evan Apfelbaum, Michael I. Norton, and Samuel R. Sommers, the authors speak on each section of color blindness. At the end of their piece, they offer a solution to this theorem of new age racism: "As an alternative to color blindness, researchers have examined multiculturalism: an approach to diversity in which group differences are openly discussed, considered, and even highlighted." Through this approach, one is able to discuss the nature and implication of someone's ethnic and cultural differences. However, even this approach comes with limitations. Either way, color blindness plays a major part in social exclusion.
Power In Our Hands!
The question now lies in, "What can I do about this?" Being that intersectionality is a relatively new term in our world, it is important for us to raise awareness! The only way to produce change is to first acknowledge that change needs to be made. It is unfair to play ignorant or ignore the issues that arise from not realizing the issues that affect everyone in their everyday lives. It is never impossible to invoke change and the best part is, it can start one step at a time! Whether that be raising awareness within your household or friend group, it is easy to start small. These actions might seem small but it only takes one person to change the world!
Sources:
According to the United Nations public records, "social exclusion describes a state in which individuals are unable to participate fully in economic, social, political and cultural life, as well as the process leading to and sustaining such a state." The exclusion of certain groups may cause them to not participate within their communities. For example, they may stay away from certain markets, services, or spaces for the sake of feeling safe. However, in turn, this negative ideology also leads members of the same community to create spaces where they feel safe. The LGBTQ+ community created Pride Parades to celebrate their existence as well as acknowledge their space in the community. 
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