Intersectionality On College Campuses
“Intersectionality considers the intersections of identities, such as the intersections of race and ethnicity and social classes, and places these identities in larger structures of inequality” (Schuh, Jones & Torres, p. 208, 2016). They are interconnected because the person, group, or social problem is affected by a number of discriminations and disadvantages. People of these social categories whether it be minorities, women, etc. they face some sort of oppression, although of different categories the issues they face are connected to each other. Intersectionality takes into account individuals overlapping identities and experiences in order to understand the complexity of the prejudices they face. It is a tool that reveals the interworking of power and oppression, it is a way of understanding how people experience the world.
Being aware of intersectionality can help staff and students to embrace diversity on campus to have an understanding of the different cultures, races, genders, and sexualities etc. To Embrace diversity on school campuses, it requires creating and supporting values that encourage students and staff of all backgrounds to interact with mutual respect and support and develop authentic relationships. “Intersectionality is a process of always interrogating and seeking to uncover the edges and underbelly of oppression and marginalization with the accompanying goal of devising strategies to dismantle power and privilege” (Intersectionality: A tool for realizes Human Right. 2015).
Check out this University’s Approach on educating its students on intersectionality: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/teachinglearninginitiatives/intersectionality-classroom
How can Colleges spread the concept of Intersectionality amongst the Campus?
References
Schuh, J. H., Jones, S. R., & Torres, V. (2016). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
(2015). Intersectionality: A Tool for Realizing Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.newtactics.org/blog/intersectionality-tool-realizing-human-rights