4. Our lens with which we look at GBVF
GBVF 101
Our lens with which we look at GBVF
Objective
Understand the various forms of oppression and how these intersect and influence the experience of discrimination and gender-based violence and femicide.
Intersectionality - a tool to view others
Intersectionality is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American academic, in the late 1980’s. It describes how race, class, gender and other personal characteristics ‘intersect’ with one another and overlap. She wanted to remind people that when thinking about equality, we need to think beyond unique attributes like skin colour and gender and recognise that humans often have more than one characteristic that is subject to discrimination or hostility. While a woman may experience sexism, a black lesbian will be at risk of experiencing sexism, racism and homophobia. For this reason, it’s important not to fall into the trap of thinking that you can fully understand the lived experience of someone else. However, what you can do is to listen to and respect people when they share their lives with you.
Reflection on power and privilege
Each one of us belongs to many identity groups, spanning from our race and gender to our socioeconomic status and physical ability. We are all impacted and influenced by intersectionality. By spending time reflecting on our own identities, and the way power and privilege benefits some identities over others, we can have greater understanding of ourselves and awareness of others’ experiences.
Review this wheel below and reflect on how identity overlaps with power in our society. This is a non-exhaustive set of identities, and that you may have others to add. Take a look around the wheel and reflect on where your identities bring you closer to societal power, and where they take you farther away.
Reflection Questions
Where do you find yourself, closer or further away from the center of the wheel?
In your organisation, how do people’s intersecting identities influence their proximity to power?
What is it about their identity that brings them closer?
If you are unfamiliar with some terms on the wheel or in the quizzes, read about the terminology in the second lesson, “What is meant by Gender-Based Violence and Femicide?” under More Info.
More information
Video on intersectionality and the wheel of privilege – “Beyond Optics: DEI Strategy in Action,” led by workplace equity thought leader and Hone coach Dominique Hollins.
Diversity toolkit -A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege from USC (University of South Carolina)