The use of intersectionality in this library guide is informed by Black Feminist Scholarship, specifically Kimberle Crenshaw’s lens of intersectionality whereby intersecting social marginalizations related to age, disability, geographical location, gender, language, migration status, race/ethnicity/religion, sexual orientation(s), and/or size are experienced in a unique way compared to just one social marginalization (e.g. race).
The goal of intersectionality is not to limit people to their marginalized/privileged identities. Rather, it is a tool to better understand the way power imbalances in our society work, in order to engage in transformative change precisely so that people are no longer limited, oppressed and reduced to social constructions of what is valued/devalued, and instead to breathe towards an equitable and just world.
In this New York Times* article, the application of intersectional reporting can be observed given that this analysis occurs at the intersections of race, geography and health/illness. More specifically, the author asserts that Black, Hispanic and Native American people in rural areas were recorded to experience the deadliest second year of the pandemic of any large racial or ethnic groups anywhere in the United States.
*Note: NYU students receive free access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
More information on Critical Race Theory and Black feminist scholarship can also be found in works authors, such as:
Visit the following NYU library guide on Women’s rights to view some relevant print and e-book selections.
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This video is a Ted Talk by author Chimamanda Adichie entitled, The Danger of a Single Story. As stated in the Ted description of this talk, "Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding."
Transcript available on Ted Talk's website.