Intersectionality Toolkit Icon

Intersectionality Toolkit

Intersectionality Toolkit

Toolkit collated by Audrey Pantelis

What Is Intersectionality?

The Oxford Dictionary defines intersectionality as “the interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage”.

Intersectionality is how multiple identities interact to create unique patterns of oppression.

Originally coined by American scholar and lawyer Kimberle Crenshaw, who drew inspiration from Black feminist movements in the US, the term highlights how race, gender, class, and other factors “intersect” to create unique dynamics and effects.

All forms of inequality are mutually reinforcing and must therefore be analysed and addressed simultaneously to prevent one form of inequality from reinforcing another. For example, tackling the gender pay gap alone – without including other dimensions such as race, socio-economic status and immigration status – will likely reinforce inequalities among women.

Why Is it Important to Understand Intersectionality?

Intersectionality shows us that social identities work on multiple levels, resulting in unique experiences, opportunities, and barriers for each person. Therefore, oppression cannot be reduced to only one part of an identity – each oppression is dependent on and shapes the other.

Why Is it Important for Educators to Understand Intersectionality?

Intersectionality provides a lens through which we can examine the processes, practices, policies, and structures that increase the risk of students experiencing disadvantage or discrimination because of their intersecting identities.

What Can I Do to Be More Intersectional in How I Show Up?

Here are just a few ideas of how you can always work to be a more intersectional ally:
  • Check your privilege: consider the discriminations you do and do not experience.
  • Listen and learn: listen to, include and meaningfully collaborate with diverse groups of people. Hear and honour their words.
  • Make space: ask yourself if you are the right person to take up space or speak on certain issues. Centre stories and actions on those with the lived experiences.
  • Watch your language: recognise and correct your use of terms that marginalise others. Accept criticism and call others out.

The Diverse Educators’ Intersectionality Toolkit

We are collating a growing bank of resources to support you in reflecting on the following questions:
  • Who does intersectionality actually affect?
  • Why does intersectionality appear to mostly impact women?
  • What does it mean in practical terms?
  • How has intersectionality changed over time?
  • Why is it important to understand intersectionality and apply an intersectional approach?

Articles

Building Resilience in a Racist World - Louisa Adjoa Parker

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The Effect of Intersectionality in the Workplace

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Gender and Development Network – Marion Sharples

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Harvard Business Review - An Intersectional Approach to Inclusion at Work

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The Indispensable Work of Understanding Intersectionality

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Intersectionality Articles

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An Introduction to Literature on Intersectionality

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Vox - The Intersectionality Wars

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What Is Intersectionality and Why Is it Important? - Anne Sisson Runyan

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Blogs

Blask Association of Social Workers - Intersectionality Is a Valuable Tool

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The British Academy - What Is intersectionality?

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Catalyst - Why Intersectionality Matters Even More

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Deloitte - An Interview on Intersectionality

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Engendering - The Travel/ Trial of Intersectionality

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Everyday Sociology - Intersectionality for Beginners

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Books

Collins, Patricia Hill, Bilge, Sirma. Intersectionality

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Collins, Patricia Hill. Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory

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Crenshaw, Kimberlé. On Intersectionality: Essential Writings

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Davis, Angela Y. Women, Race & Class

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Hancock, Ange-Marie. Intersectionality: An Intellectual History

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hooks, bell. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism

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Moeller, Thomas. Intersectionality: Concepts, Perspectives and Challenges

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Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider

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Romero, Mary. Introducing Intersectionality

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Podcasts

Intersectionality and LGBTQ Social Movements with Lorri L Jean

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Intersectionality Matters!

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Intersectionality and Religion

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Kimberlé Crenshaw and Intersectionality

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The True History of Intersectionality

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What Is Intersectionality and Why Do We Need It?

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Resources

Institute for Humane Education

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Liverpool St John Moore’s

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National Center for Women and Information Technology

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Oregon University

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Racial Equity Tools

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University of Mary Washington

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TED Talks

Deborah Somorin

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Emma Milner-Gorvine

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Kimberlé Crenshaw

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Nafeesa Nizami

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Naomi Drego and Priya Walker

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Nicole Ong

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Videos

The ABCs of Intersectionality

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Intersectionality 101

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Intersectionality in Practice

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Kimberlé Crenshaw: What Is Intersectionality?

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The Lens of Intersectionality

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What Is intersectionality?

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What Is intersectionality?

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What Is Intersectionality and Why Is it Important?

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What Is Intersectionality | Queer 101 | The Advocate

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