I remember first learning about intersectionality – such as intersectional feminism – and being very confused.
Folks threw this term around without explaining it.
I had an idea of what it meant, but I looked into it anyway. I was right about it… but I was still confused.
Intersectionality is the idea that, when you’re part of overlapping minority groups, you have unique requirements. Someone who’s gay and disabled has different struggles from someone who’s gay and someone else who’s disabled.
Which is obviously ridiculous.
Oh? It’s not so obvious? Then let me elaborate.
Knowing someone’s demographics tells you nothing about them.
Intersectional feminism says that black women face unique challenges, but I challenge any feminist to tell me what they are. Not what they could be – what they are. Oh, they face an –ism here and there? Who doesn’t? But in their case, what does that look like?
You can either (inaccurately) generalise the experience of a group – also known as prejudice or stereotyping – or you can consider each person as an individual. Do the former and you’re a hypocrite. Do the latter and there’s no need for intersectionality.
“Oh, you’re a woman in the workplace, so you need leadership training and flexible work hours to thrive.” Okay, sexist, whatever you say.
Show me an individual and I’ll ask what they need. Anything else is callous hubris.
But maybe intersectionality isn’t all bad.
Take a group of men and add some wholesome masculinity to their lives. How that helps them will vary. It’ll vary between individuals but it’ll also between the different groups.
It’ll strengthen them in different ways.
What’s this?
Using intersectionality to strengthen folks, not victimise them?
I must be doing something wrong…
Anyway, if you want to learn how some extra masculine vitality can help you – and uniquely you – then you’ll want to sign up to Mane Meditation: