Writing for Intersectionality
This is an after the fact blog but, it still pertains to intersectionality.
While listening to Kimberlé Crenshaw's TedTalk, I was struck by how hard it is for those individuals who are at a crossroads in their life. I never realized how intersectionality affects all aspects of one's life. Maybe it is because of my "white privilege" that I never really thought about intersectionality before. It's not the first time I have heard this word but it is one of the first times that I have really thought about my own privilege. The first time that I really thought about my privilege and intersectionality, was during FNED 346. I was in a school in Providence. I was the minority. Their playground was a black top with a couple of ragged basketball hoops. I thought back to my elementary school, and rather my schooling in general. I come from a 98% white community. We had two elementary schools. My elementary school had not one, but two play yards, each with a jungle gym, swing set, basketball court, and soccer field. The middle school and high school had expansive fields and even woods. I graduated with 180 students; three of whom were of color.
It wasn't until I started at RIC, that I noticed just how diverse schools can be. Intersectionality was important to the community of the school. I was forced to look at my own intersectionality and how it has privileged me or disadvantaged me. Almost always, I was in an advantageous situation. The only real disadvantage I had was that I was a woman. But then again, I was a white woman. I wondered how I would connect with my students and get my students to connect with me.
I had just watched an interview with P!NK, who was offering advice to her daughter Willow. One of the quotes that stuck with the most was her line, "It's more fun to be weird, and being normal is boring". I think that this can apply to teaching students that intersectionalities can be a positive thing. They make us unique. If every person was the same, then the world be plain like a piece of paper. Our intersectionalities make us individuals. Without them, there would be 1 way to do everything because everyone would think the same.
However, teaching them that intersectionality can be positive, does not mean neglecting to teach them that there are those that face injustices due to their intersectionalities. Providing students with a platform for them to discuss their intersectionalities in a safe space as well as a place where they can discuss how they can take steps to help change the inequalities and injustices that others face, is very important in helping create a safe space classroom environment.
While listening to Kimberlé Crenshaw's TedTalk, I was struck by how hard it is for those individuals who are at a crossroads in their life. I never realized how intersectionality affects all aspects of one's life. Maybe it is because of my "white privilege" that I never really thought about intersectionality before. It's not the first time I have heard this word but it is one of the first times that I have really thought about my own privilege. The first time that I really thought about my privilege and intersectionality, was during FNED 346. I was in a school in Providence. I was the minority. Their playground was a black top with a couple of ragged basketball hoops. I thought back to my elementary school, and rather my schooling in general. I come from a 98% white community. We had two elementary schools. My elementary school had not one, but two play yards, each with a jungle gym, swing set, basketball court, and soccer field. The middle school and high school had expansive fields and even woods. I graduated with 180 students; three of whom were of color.
It wasn't until I started at RIC, that I noticed just how diverse schools can be. Intersectionality was important to the community of the school. I was forced to look at my own intersectionality and how it has privileged me or disadvantaged me. Almost always, I was in an advantageous situation. The only real disadvantage I had was that I was a woman. But then again, I was a white woman. I wondered how I would connect with my students and get my students to connect with me.
I had just watched an interview with P!NK, who was offering advice to her daughter Willow. One of the quotes that stuck with the most was her line, "It's more fun to be weird, and being normal is boring". I think that this can apply to teaching students that intersectionalities can be a positive thing. They make us unique. If every person was the same, then the world be plain like a piece of paper. Our intersectionalities make us individuals. Without them, there would be 1 way to do everything because everyone would think the same.
However, teaching them that intersectionality can be positive, does not mean neglecting to teach them that there are those that face injustices due to their intersectionalities. Providing students with a platform for them to discuss their intersectionalities in a safe space as well as a place where they can discuss how they can take steps to help change the inequalities and injustices that others face, is very important in helping create a safe space classroom environment.
I had heard the word in intersectionality before, but had never truly understood its definition until I watched the TED talk. I enjoy the TED talk and it opened up my eyes. For example, when the speaker mentioned the names of the male victims killed by police I was able to recognize some of the names, but as far as for the females names; I had to admit that I didn't know any. I agree with your last sentence and I too hope to someday be able to help my students with inequalities and injustices.
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