What is Intersectionality?
First coined in 1989 by lawyer, civil rights advocate, and critical race theory scholar Kimberle Crenshaw, intersectionality describes when a person identifies with two or more marginalized, oppressed, or underrepresented groups as well as the impact systems have on people who are at the intersection of those identities (University of British Columbia, 2023).
Though the term was coined more recently, one of the most famous speeches in history, “Ain’t I A Woman,” by Sojourner Truth, is one of the key historical illustrations of intersectionality. The speech addresses the inseparable nature of overlapping social identities such as sexism and racism.
The speech has been altered over time, but a rendition performed by Kerry Washington of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman” can be found here.
The intersection of racism and sexism are some of the most frequently discussed in scholarship, but there are many other areas where individuals and communities are impacted by discriminatory systems. Some other examples where intersectionality can be applied are:
- LGBTQIA+ individuals fearing homophobic or transphobic discrimination from health practitioners, therefore resulting in higher health issues within that community
- LGBTQIA+ immigrants who may face difficulties if they fear disclosure may have an impact on their visa
The “Wheel of Power/Privilege” provides an excellent visual showing how overlapping social identities impact privilege. As shown below, you can consult this wheel to see where you fall in terms of power or marginalization.
(UBC VPFO, 2021)
Opportunities at UBC:
To gain more in-depth knowledge about intersectionality, UBC offers a number of programs.
UBC offers a course on Understanding Intersectionality and Identity that explores the meaning of intersectionality and how systems of oppression affect individuals and communities at these intersections. The course provides tools for respectfully engaging with all members of our communities and examines the changes that must happen to shift our approach to systemic issues.
This course can be applied to UBC’s Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as well as the Micro-certificate in Anti-Racism
Opportunities within the community:
Mosaic, an organization that provides services to immigrants, refugees, and diverse backgrounds in Canada, offers Community Workshops for Equity that discuss anti-racism, intersectionality, decolonization, and cultural humility.
UBC Library Materials:
To learn more, check out these books available at the UBC Library:
Crenshaw, K., & Bloomsbury Collections: All Titles. (2024). Blackness at the intersection (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. [Available at UBC Library]
Davis, A. Y., ProQuest Digital Collections, & Editorial Committee Women in Nigeria. (1981). Women, race and class. Random House. [Available at UBC Library]
Hill Collins, P., Bilge, S., & Polity Press. (2020). intersectionality (Second ed.). Polity Press. [Available at UBC Library]
hooks, b. (1981). Ain’t I a woman: Black women and feminism. South End Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Oluo, I., & EBSCOhost. (2018). So you want to talk about race (First;1; ed.). Seal Press. [Available at UBC Library]
Web sources consulted:
Intersect. (n.d.). Intersectionality. LGBTIQ Intersect. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://www.lgbtiqintersect.org.au/learning-modules/intersectionality/
University of British Columbia. (2023, October 26). Intersectionality. Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. https://redi.med.ubc.ca/intersectionality/
UBC Vice-President Finance & Operations Portfolio (VPFO). (2021, March 8). Intersectionality: What is it and why it matters. Vice-President Finance & Operations Portfolio (VPFO). https://vpfo.ubc.ca/news/intersectionality-what-is-it-and-why-it-matters/