In a 2020 interview with *Time*, Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined “Intersec” rationality” over 30″ years ago, described it as “a lens,” prism, for seeing how various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other.” Crenshaw” ‘Crenshaw’sion highlights how intersectionality helps us understand the overlapping nature of different forms of oppression—like race, gender, class, sexuality, or immigrant status—and how they intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination. She emphasizes that these forms of inequality don’t exist in isolation but often combine to create a more complex form of social injustice.

While the term “intersecionality” has a foreign origin, the concept has existed as long as inequalities have existed. Throughout history, various forms of oppression have interacted and overlapped, shaping the lived experiences of individuals and communities. Adopting an intersectional mindset and acknowledging these overlapping forces is crucial to combat hate and inequity effectively.

Feminist author bell hooks echoed a similar sentiment, arguing for the importance of constantly critiquing “imperial” white supremacist patriarchal culture.” She did “not separate imperialism, white supremacy, and patriarchy into distinct categories but viewed them as components of a singular, dominant culture. This culture, she argued, is pervasive precisely because of its multifaceted nature. Addressing one form of oppression in isolation, such as white supremacy, without simultaneously challenging other interconnected systems like imperialism or patriarchy, would not effectively dismantle the underlying cultural roots of oppression.

Intersectionality becomes critical here. Understanding that oppressive systems are interconnected allows for a more comprehensive approach to social justice. It’s not It’sgh to challenge these systems individually; they must be critiqued collectively to address the broader culture that sustains them.

A historical example that illustrates the importance of recognizing intersecting forms of oppression is the Holocaust during World War II. While the systematic murder of six million European Jews is central to the definition of the Holocaust, it’s important also to acknowledge the genocide ‘genocide’ and other marginalized groups, such as the Romani people, Slavic people, disabled individuals, homosexuals, and others. This recognition of multiple, intersecting oppressions is crucial to understanding the full scope of Nazi persecution. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, for instance, acknowledges the suffering of these groups alongside Jewish victims, illustrating an intersectional approach to historical memory and education.

Intersectionality matters because oppression operates on multiple fronts and because individuals exist at the intersections of these oppressions. As hooks explains, the individual effects of “imperial” white supremacist patriarchal culture” are just” as significant as their broader societal impact. Advocating for intersectionality is about addressing both the systemic roots of oppression and the specific, lived experiences of individuals who suffer under these overlapping systems.

This article was motivated by a recent experience that reflected Crenshaw’s misconceptions surrounding intersectionality. She notes that intersectionality has often been misinterpreted or distorted, sometimes dismissed as “identity politics on steroids” or a to “l for turning white men into societal pariahs. These misunderstandings undermine the true purpose of intersectionality, which is to provide a framework for understanding and addressing the complex, interwoven nature of social inequalities.

Such distortions, which dismiss intersectionality without understanding its meaning, pose a significant barrier to social justice. Intersectionality offers a powerful tool for solidarity, allowing us to see how different struggles are connected and how we can support each other more effectively. Without this perspective, efforts to combat oppression become fragmented, but with it, we have a better chance of standing together against injustice. It is, therefore, not only logical but essential to choose the path of solidarity and intersectional advocacy.