Last week’s course module reading introduced the concept of Body Politics. This week’s readings add the concept of difference to body politics, and ask us to think about how women’s bodies can situate them within multiple identity categories.

FIRST, define “intersectionality” (or “intersectional feminism”) in your own words.

THEN, discuss how intersectional identity can affect women’s experiences and relationship to society. 

Refer to at least three learning resources assigned for this week in your response (these may include last week’s course module reading “Women and Body Politics“) and provide specific examples from the reading, the news, or your own life. Some questions to consider:

• What is the historic relationship between women of color and mainstream feminism? What remedies have been proposed to repair that relationship?
• How can differences in race, class, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, religion, gender identity, or other identity categories affect how a woman experiences the images and expectations of women found throughout our society and the media?
• How can different intersectional identities complicate the decisions about which goals feminist activists and politicians ought to pursue?
• Why are African American feminists particularly vocal about the problems of mainstream feminism for women of color? What is the history that they are trying to emphasize?
• Age is often a “forgotten” identity category, particularly when it comes to political activism. Why do you think that is? What can be done about it?
• Why and how does intersectional feminism help us to reconceive relationships among women of different identity groups? How can this reconception benefit our society in the long run?

Original Post: Provide your initial post which responds to the Discussion prompt by 11:59 pm on Friday. Initial question responses posted after Friday but before the end of the class week on Tuesday earn a maximum of 70/80 possible points for the original post. Your initial post should be at least 250-300 words in length, excluding the discussion prompt and the references. Posts should engage meaningfully with at least three assigned learning resources. 

Peer Responses: Respond to at least two classmates’ initial posts by 11:59 pm on Tuesday. Replies should be a minimum of 75-100 words in length and demonstrate critical thinking, engagement with course material, and a meaningful attempt to engage in discourse. Replies to others should build on an idea mentioned in the original post with an additional example and/or cite the learning resources in addition to any part where you agree with or praise the original post (which is always appreciated!).

References: Use APA parenthetical citations in your text and include a reference list at the end of your post. 

 Kang, M., Lessard, D., Heston, L., & Nordmarken, S. (2017). “Unit 5: Historical and Contemporary Social Movements.” Introduction to Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. http://openbooks.library.umass.edu/introwgss/part/chapter-v-historical-and-contemporary-feminist-social-movements/ 

 Podell, L. (n.d.). The Sojourner Truth Project [website]. https://www.thesojournertruthproject.com/. 

 ‘I Refuse to Listen to White Women Cry’LinkI’m Done

Activist Rachel Cargle has built a brand – and a business – by calling out racial injustices within feminism.

 This link includes photos, but if you are unable to view because you have exceeded the free views for the Washington Post, you may also access the text for this article at https://advance-lexis-com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/api/permalink/05814466-9a02-436a-a37f-cdc2ecd10420/?context=1516831 

 Gutierrez, J. (2020, August 24). Many fronts, one struggle: Native American women’s activism since the 19th Amendment. New York Historical Society Museum and Library: Women at the Center. http://womenatthecenter.nyhistory.org/many-fronts-one-struggle-native-american-womens-activism-since-the-19th-amendment/#respond 

The combahee river collective statement.  https://americanstudies.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Keyword%20Coalition_Readings.pdf