Intersectionality is a term used to describe how various social identities interact with each other, including but not limited to race, gender, class, ability, and sexual orientation. This article will explore how these intersections impact narratives about gender identity in media. In particular, it will focus on how black and Latina women are portrayed in films and television shows.
The term "intersectionality" was coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s. It refers to the idea that individuals may experience oppression from multiple sources at once, such as both racism and sexism simultaneously. When analyzing intersectional experiences, it is important to consider how different forms of discrimination intersect and reinforce one another.
If someone is both Black and female, they may experience more intense sexism than someone who is only Black or only white because of their double marginalization.
This concept has been widely applied to discussions about feminist theory and activism. Critics argue that traditional feminism often ignores the unique challenges faced by women of color, such as police brutality and racial profiling. They also point out that mainstream feminism tends to focus on cisgendered, heterosexual women while excluding those who identify as LGBTQ+ or transgender. By examining intersectionality, we can better understand the nuances of gender identity within different cultural contexts.
In popular culture, there is a long history of stereotypical representations of black and Latinx women. These portrayals often center around hypersexuality, maternalism, and violence.
In the 2016 film 'Hidden Figures', Katherine Johnson is depicted as a mathematician but she must overcome societal expectations for her race and gender. Her character is constantly dismissed by male colleagues until her work proves itself valuable, proving that even intelligent black women are not taken seriously unless they prove themselves through physical strength or sexual prowess. Similarly, in the Netflix show 'Orange Is The New Black', Poussey Washington struggles with her own gender identity while living in prison, which further exacerbates her oppression due to being Latina.
Recent trends have seen an increase in representation of complex characters who challenge these stereotypes. In HBO's hit series 'Insecure', Issa Rae plays a woman of color struggling with dating, career choices, and friendships while navigating life in Los Angeles. She deals with issues related to both race and gender, demonstrating how intersections impact every aspect of her life.
Shows like 'Pose' and 'GLOW' feature prominent storylines about drag queens and wrestlers from diverse backgrounds, highlighting how LGBTQ+ individuals must also contend with racialized identities when expressing their gender identity.
Intersectionality is essential in understanding how gender identity intersects with other social identities such as race, class, ability, and more. By recognizing these intersections, we can create nuanced representations of people from all walks of life that reflect our true diversity. As media continues to evolve and become more inclusive, it will be interesting to see how these themes continue to develop on screen.
How does intersection with race shape narratives of gender identity in media?
Intersectionality is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw that describes how multiple identities such as race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, etc. interact with each other to create unique experiences and realities for individuals. In the context of media, there are several studies that explore the relationship between narratives of gender identity and racial identity.