#intersectional justice

[ramshacklefey]

Ok look. No, look here. At me. Alright. Are you listening?

Intersectional oppression does not refer to an additive property of systems. It is a tool for describing the quality of a person's experiences with systems of oppression. It has nothing to say about the quantity of oppression a person faces or "who has it worse."

The concept was originated by Kimberle Crenshaw. In her legal work, she encountered a case where a Black woman was facing discrimination at work. However, because the treatment this woman faced fit didn't fit the definitions for either racist or sexist discrimination on their own, she lost her court case.

This was because this woman experienced a unique set of barriers and behaviors because she was a Black woman. Not Black + woman, but Back woman. The barriers and behaviors she faced were created by wider systems of racist and sexist oppression, but they came together to create something new.

You with me so far?

This is what we mean when we talk about intersectional oppression and identities. Almost everyone is going to have something about their experience with systemic oppression that is unique, because everyone's circumstances are going to be slightly different. The point of recognizing the fact of intersectional identities and intersectional oppression should be to help us find solidarity with people who share our experiences and understand that people who share parts of our experiences aren't going to share all of our experiences. It should be to help us recognize our own and others' oppression even when it doesn't fit into tidy categories, because there are no tidy categories.

[queeryouthassemble]

[ID: A light pink square post, with white outlined stars in the bottom corners. In the center of the page towards the bottom, large all-caps text reads “join QYA’s racial justice department.” Below that, smaller black text reads “Sign up to help us fight for intersectional queer and racial equity!” Above the text are three illustrated people; the person on the left is white, has green hair and a purple sweater, and waves a trans flag. The person in the center has dark brown skin, curly dark hair, a green t-shirt, and is waving a progress flag. The person to the right has light tan skin, red curly hair, and is wearing a battle jacket vest over a green T-shirt. End ID.]

[ID: A light pink square post, with white outlined stars in the upper corners. Centered black text at the top of the page reads “The Racial Justice Department is a new branch of QYA intending to provide a comprehensive, safe space for queer people of color and allies to strategize, reflect, organize, and dream together to build a liberated future across the country.” Five illustrated people are shown at the bottom of the page, drawn from the waist-up. They are all smiling, and vary in appearance and characteristics. End ID.]

[ID: A light pink square post with small black text in the upper-center that reads “Check out the link in our bio to join the Racial Justice Department, and to get involved with Queer Youth Assemble! And if you have questions, email the Head of Racial Justice at [email protected]” In the bottom left of the page are five illustrated people, drawn standing or using a wheelchair, holding a white sign with the QYA logo. The people vary in race, clothing, and style. There is a QYA logo in the bottom right of the page. End ID.]

[toxicseminar]

“He sought to foreground the vast structures that can give rise to acts of personal violence and constitute forms of violence in and of themselves. Such structural violence may range from unequal morbidity that results from a commodified health care system, to racism itself. What I share with Galtung’s line of thought is concern with social justice, hidden agency, and certain forms of violence that are imperceptible (10) ...How do we both make slow violence visible yet also challenge the privileging of the visible?(14)”

Quote Source: Nixon, R. (2011). Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor. Harvard University Press.

Image source: https://www.guante.info/2019/05/a-few-thoughts-and-links-re-ongoing.html     (Art is from Repeal Hyde Art Project)

-JJ

[ideas-of-immortality]

Dear Disabled Folk: You Matter

A positive message to any disabled folx in this time of political unrest: you matter! If you can't make it to marches: you still matter! If you can't go in large crowds: you still matter! If posting about inequality on the internet is how you help spread awareness that's great, anything you do to help is wonderful and I appreciate every effort you make! To all able-bodied persons: support your disabled friends, make sure marches/protests are accessible! Hell form online matches for those who can't be there in person! Have ASL interpreters, make sure routes are wheelchair friendly, have people with water and snacks and breaks along the way for those who tire easily! Every little bit helps!