June 17, 2019
“Intersectionality”
is just a fancy way to say
“sociology.”
in·ter·sec·tion·al·i·ty
/ˌin(t)ərsekSHəˈnalədē/
noun
the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
so·ci·ol·o·gy
/ˌsōsēˈäləjē/
noun
the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.
Intersectionality is as new as it is challenging;
as pretentious as it is obvious;
as overused as it is preachy.
It is a word hot on the lips of our American campuses.
It has made its home there.
It’s the hip-fun way to say,
“I realize that racism and sexism and classism and insert-ism compound, making individual experiences of discrimination as unique as each person.”
I should sure hope so.
If you didn’t, we might have a problem.
More and more it seems to be the opportune word for upper-middle class, college-educated, white guilt-mongers to pinpoint their superiority.
For they have figured it out.
They know. They know.
And it’s their job to inform the rest of us just
how terrible our lives are* and
how guilty we must feel.
*on a case by case basis
Yes. It is their selfless and humble task to compare and contrast the pain of minorities to gauge just how awful our social climate is.
It should also be their job to remind us
to brush our teeth
and to wipe our asses.
The most ironic aspect of intersectionality
is its inherit classism.
Notice: working-class Middle Americans seem to shy away from this word.
Also notice: the strong correlation of this word has with college-educated neoliberals.
Well maybe they’re just too stupid to realize what is best for them.
Capitalism is the true equalizer.
It is possible to be black and have a good quality of life (ex: Oprah Winfrey).
It is impossible to be poor and have a good quality of life.
It is quite possible to be black and poor.
Surely racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, the list goes on, factor into classism.
DUH
Classism has its own flavor, its own brand, from culture to culture.
The good ol’ American racism that makes up the fabric of our class inequalities isn’t quite the same as the Chinese or the Middle Eastern.
Classism supersedes all other forms of prejudice.
Classism IS all other forms of prejudice.
Capitalism is the true equalizer.
To label is to limit.
They define self in relation to others.
They, ideally, make you a part of a group.
Labels are a manifestation of tribalism.
Labels come in all shapes and sizes:
-
Sexual orientation
-
Gender
-
Race
-
Ethnicity
-
Religion
-
And so on
Labels are not inherently bad. In fact, they can be quite good.
That does not make them non-exploitative.
Exploitation is not inherently bad.
-
You can exploit the fact that someone is muscular. You ask them to help you lift something heavy.
-
You can exploit the ignorance of someone. You manipulate them in lifting heavy things so you don’t have to.
Exploitation makes use of something.
Good, bad, or neutral is an evaluation of that exploitation.
Labels can make you feel as though you belong.
You can identify the way you feel and relate to others who feel the same way.
Labels identify the sets of ideas you probably align with.
Labels allow others to know whom you are (approximately) without having to actually know you.
The very label that makes you feel fuzzy and warm is the same label that allows others to see through you.
In this way, labels can be very limiting.
They leave you prone to exploitation.
A recent obsession with labels has really struck it big for class warfare.
During LGBTQ Pride Month, you can buy most anything with a rainbow flag on it.
And not just a rainbow flag,
a flag that represents your specific sexual orientation.
That will be $19.99,
credit or debit?
The neoliberal who festers on the cishet boogieman is the same neoliberal that loves some good rainbow merch.
Labels, it seems, fatten the wallets of the upper class.*
*especially the label “minority”
Severe loyalty to labels as a mode of inclusion has made neoliberals all but aware of their own exploitation, their own perpetuation of classism.
I wonder when we will see pride flags printed on our EBT cards and the bowls at our soup kitchens.
And I wonder just how fulfilled we will be when we are included (despite the growl from our empty stomachs).
“FINALLY,” we’ll cry, “WE ARE RECOGNIZED!”
True intersectionality
starts from the bottom up.
True intersectionality
listens to the crowds it preaches to.
True intersectionality
recognizes the disconnect between the poor and the educated.
True intersectionality
realizes its exploitation of labels.
True intersectionality
starts with a critique of classism.
You are what you eat:
eat the rich.
ALL MATERIAL AND DEFINITIONS SOURCED FROM GOOGLE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS A CAPITALIST LIE
