We think intersectionality–recognition that different forms of oppression and discrimination overlap and intersect–is crucial to any modern movement for women’s empowerment. In the decades since the word was coined, it’s only become more important. That’s why we were so happy to see Merriam-Webster may soon be adding the word to its dictionary.
blavity.com – The term [intersectionality] coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw was used to culminate and understand the effects of all forms of oppression (racism, sexism, classism) on an individual, specifically black women.
INTERSECTIONALITY—THE COMPLEX, CUMULATIVE MANNER IN WHICH THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION COMBINE, OVERLAP, OR INTERSECT
Nearly 30 years after Crenshaw’s essay that pushed the envelope on feminist theory, the term has become prevalent in daily discourse and of course the Twitter debates that we’ve all had ringside seats to on various occasions. And now that Merriam-Webster says the term is on its “words we’re watching list” soon all you’ll have to say is, “Check the dictionary, beloved.”
The term ‘intersectionality’ was coined in a 1989 essay by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw: https://t.co/2fu3nhJE0i pic.twitter.com/1wTJuDMjnc
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) February 23, 2016
Read more from Blavity here.
