This topic examines the representation of intersecting identities in literature and media, and how these representations can serve to challenge or reinforce social inequities.
Intersectionality: A comprehensive understanding of the basic principles and tenants of intersectionality, a framework that acknowledges and examines the complex interplay between multiple social identities and the resulting systems of power and privilege.
Social identity: An exploration of the various social identities that intersect in literature and media, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, class, and ability.
Power and privilege: An analysis of the ways in which power and privilege operate within intersectionality, how they intersect with social identities, and how they shape literary and media representation.
Marginalization: An exploration of how certain social identities are marginalized by systems of oppression, and how this marginalization shapes literary and media representations.
Representation: A critical evaluation of how literary and media representations of intersectionality inform and shape cultural attitudes and beliefs about social identities.
Stereotyping: An analysis of how stereotypes of various social identities persist in literature and media, and how they perpetuate systems of oppression.
Resistance and agency: An exploration of how marginalized individuals and communities resist oppression and claim agency within literature and media.
Colonialism and postcoloniality: An examination of how colonialism and postcolonialism shape the representation of intersectionality, particularly in relation to race and ethnicity.
Global perspectives: An exploration of intersectionality in literature and media beyond Western and English-speaking cultures, including the role of transnational media and global social movements.
Interdisciplinary approaches: An engagement with interdisciplinary approaches to intersectionality in literature and media, drawing on fields such as sociology, psychology, political science, and communication studies.
Intersectionality is the understanding that people's experiences of oppression and privilege are shaped by their multiple identities and social locations, including but not limited to race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and religion: It recognizes that these identities and locations interact and intersect in complex ways, producing different forms of discrimination and inequality.
In Literature and Media, intersectionality is relevant because it helps us understand how different representations and narratives can reinforce or challenge stereotypes and dominant social norms, and how different groups are marginalized or empowered in different ways: Some examples of intersectionality in Literature and Media are:.
Black feminist literature: This is a form of literature that highlights the experiences of Black women and how their gender, race, and class intersect to produce unique forms of discrimination and oppression. Authors such as Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Audre Lorde are known for their contributions to this genre.
LGBTQ+ representation: This refers to the inclusion of characters and narratives that feature queer individuals and communities, and how their experiences are shaped by their sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as other social factors like race, class, and ability. Examples include novels like "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, and TV shows like "Pose" and "Queer Eye".
Disability studies: This is an interdisciplinary field that examines disability as a social and cultural phenomenon, and how it intersects with other identities and social locations to produce unique experiences of oppression and marginalization. Disability studies scholars like Rosemarie Garland-Thomson have explored how disability, gender, and sexuality intersect to shape the lives and experiences of disabled people.
Environmental justice: This is a movement that seeks to address the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation and pollution on marginalized communities, particularly communities of color and low-income communities. Environmental justice advocates recognize that social factors like race, class, and geography intersect to determine who is most affected by environmental hazards and who has access to clean and healthy environments.
Postcolonial literature: This refers to literature produced by authors from formerly colonized countries, and how their experiences of colonialism, imperialism, and globalization intersect with other social factors to shape their identities and worldviews. Postcolonial writers like Chinua Achebe and Salman Rushdie have explored how race, ethnicity, class, religion, and language interact to produce complex identities and experiences.