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Intersectionality and Liberatory Consciousness

In order to transform systems of oppression, we must understand how our liberation is inherently connected to the liberation of others. In this learning guide, we will learn about liberation from an intersectional viewpoint rooted in transformative justice and radical compassion. Next, we will learn how to develop a liberatory consciousness and apply intersectionality as an analytical lens to nuance equity work. With this nuance, we will create an action plan to move our work forward in the cycle of liberation.

As you engage with these resources, keep the following questions in mind:

  • What are your main takeaways?
  • What concepts or messages are you grappling with? 
  • What questions do you still have? 
Before You Begin: Self-Assessment Questions 
  • In your own words, define intersectionality. 
  • How are our individual liberations tied to each others? 
  • How have you built in self-reflection while learning?

To get you grounded, please review the Theoretical Frameworks & Foundations that guide the division of Institutional Equity at Macalester. This short quiz will test your understanding: .

Learning Resources

  • Learning Objective

    In this section, we will re-visit intersectionality and our interconnected liberation, introduced in the Social Justice Concepts and Equity Principles learning guide. We will also learn how we can lead this work with radical compassion to change and transform our world.听

    *Note: Before you begin this section, this learning guide is built on the foundation of Core Concepts for Social Justice and Equity Principles. We encourage you to (re)visit the Core Concepts for Social Justice and Equity Principles before continuing.听

  • Listen to: There is No Hierarchy of Oppressions – by Audre Lorde (Read by Lauren Lyons)

    • Youtube Video | 3:33听
    Reflection Questions:听
    • After listening to 鈥淭here is No Hierarchy of Oppressions鈥, what is your understanding of Lorde鈥檚 argument? What reasons does Lorde provide to back up her stance?
    • As you consider your own liberation, what are some concrete examples of how your liberation is connected to the liberation of another person or people?听听听

  • Listen to: Intersectionality Matters! Podcast hosted by Kimberl茅 Crenshaw

    • Podcast | Duration 鈥 1 hour
    Reflection Questions:
    • Reflect on your experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.听
    • Referencing , how did your identities (privileged and marginalized) impact your experience of the pandemic?听
    • How did the intersection of multiple identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, affect an individual鈥檚 pandemic experience?

    **Please review the following materials if you are unfamiliar with intersectionality and positionality. Both learning resources are from the Social Justice Core Concepts and Equity Principles learning guide.听

      • Video | Length 鈥 18:49
    • by Darla Benton Kearney, from Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA).听

  • Read: Developing a Liberatory Consciousness by Barbara J. Love

    • In Working for Social Justice: Visions and Strategies for Change听
    Reflection Questions:听
    • How do you define liberation, and what does it look like in your life and community? What does it look like at 日韩精品?
    • How do the key components of developing a liberatory consciousness, such as critical self-reflection and collective action, relate to social change?
      • Think back to a specific instance where you encountered or witnessed inequity. How might a liberatory consciousness have influenced your response or the outcome of that situation?
    • What are the barriers you face when developing a liberatory consciousness? How can you address and grow through them?听
    Additional Resource:
    • Watch:
      • Video | Video Length 鈥 10:33听

  • Additional Resources

    Watch/Listen to:
    • Video | Length 鈥 15:42

Apply and Analyze

  • Learning Objective

    In this section of learning we will build our capacity to engage and be part of change by developing a liberatory consciousness. We will also learn how to apply intersectionality as a social critical theory to build our collective liberation.

  • Read: Cycle of Liberation by Bobbie Harro

    • In the 3rd Edition of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice
    • Chapter 131 | Pages 618鈥625
    • Review:
    Reflection Questions:听
    • How have your social identities shaped your experiences in society?听
      • What aspects of your life have been impacted by societal norms or power structures?听
      • How have your privileged identities shown up in your life and what systems uphold that privilege?听
      • Note: If you are unsure of which privileged identities you may have, please return to the Learning Activity: Wheel of Power and Privilege by Sylvia Duckworth in the Apply and Analyze section of听 the Social Justice Core Concepts and Equity Principles learning guide.听
    • What emotions come up when you think about your own experiences of oppression or injustice? How can you create space to hold, process, and honor these emotions?听
    • What are the key components of a long-term change plan?听
      • How can you build sustainability for long-term change?
      • What strategies can help you set short-term goals that are aligned with a long-term vision?
    • How can you leverage your privilege, skills, access to resources, or position to contribute to social change?听
    • How can you use insights from the Cycle of Liberation to encourage others to engage in their liberation journeys?

  • Read: Intersectionality by Patricia Hill Collins and Sirma Bilge

    • Book | Chapter 1听
    • Available in and local libraries ()
    Reflection Questions:听
    • What examples in this chapter demonstrate how intersectionality provides a more nuanced understanding of social issues compared to traditional, single-axis frameworks?
    • Why do Collins and Bilge emphasize the importance of focusing on both power and identity when thinking about intersectionality?听
    • How do the concepts of privilege and oppression interact in an intersectional framework?
    • How does the framework of intersectionality connect different social justice movements?听
    • How might the concept of intersectionality shift the way we think about allyship and responsibility?

  • Examples of Intersectional Activist

    Read/Listen to:
    • While reading through this list of activist, think about what makes their work intersectional.听

  • Examples of Intersectional Marginalization (Liberation)

    Read:
    Read:

    While reading these articles, consider how your liberation, empowerment, or well-being relates or intersects with trans rights and equity.听

     

  • Analysis 鈥 Case Studies

    Select a reading from below about efforts to move towards liberation, after reading these stories respond to the following questions.听

    Questions:听
    • What was the context of the work? How did the context inform the approach(s) and strategies used to work towards justice and liberation?听
    • How does the work discussed in the case study directly impact the most marginalized individuals or communities? Is the approach intersectional (i.e., considering race, class, gender, etc.)?
    • What challenges or barriers are encountered in this work and how are these addressed?
    • What structural, systemic, cultural, or institutional changes result from the program, if any?听
    • What is/was the progress? Do you believe this progress leads towards liberation? Why or why not?听
    • Given the current progress, what would you suggest as the next steps to continue from here?听
    • How did the process incorporate education, awareness-raising, or consciousness-raising as part of the liberation process?
    • What are the limitations to the program or the approach to development and implementation?听
    Reading Selections:听
    • Individual review: We recommended the following articles
        • Review website听
        • Review website
        • By: Mark McCareins听
    • Group review: We recommend the following articles to be read and reviewed in small groups.听
        • By: Heather Hackman and Laura Rauscher听
        • By: Chioma Nnaji, Justin C Smith Gary K Daffin, Stephaun E Wallace, Ernest Hopkins

Evaluate and Create

  • Learning Objective

    In this section of learning we will review a real-life example of how intersectionality and liberatory consciousness was used as a framework for change and community empowerment. After, you will create your own action plan on how to address an inequity within your work or community.听

     

  • Watch or Listen to: ALOK 鈥 The Urgent Need for Compassion | The Man Enough Podcast

    • Podcast | 1 Hour听
    Reflection Questions:
    • How does ALOK describe radical compassion? How does radical compassion relate to liberation?
    • What examples did ALOK use to describe radical compassion and how it shows up? Can you recall a time when you witnessed radical compassion?
    • How can radical compassion inform peoples鈥 understanding and response to systemic inequities and injustices?听

     

  • Read: Designing Social Policies through an Intersectional Lens by Simran Massey

    • Article
    Reflection Questions:
    • How does an intersectional lens challenge traditional approaches to designing social policies?听
    • How can an intersectional approach to policy building lead to more effective change?听

  • Read: Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne marie brown

    *Reflection questions will focus on the following chapters, however, reading the entire book is recommended for a comprehensive understanding.听

    • Book | Available in and local libraries ()听
    • Chapter 鈥 Interdependence and Decentralization听
    • Chapter 鈥 Assess Yourself: Your Emergent Strategy Journal听

    Return to Assess Yourself: Your Emergent Strategy Journal and respond to the activities and prompts.

  • Examples of how to create

    Listen to:
    • Reflection Questions:
      • What identities are being centered in this episode? Why is these intersection of identities important to discuss?
      • From the experiences and perspectives that have been shared, how can you contribute in creating a more accessible?
    Read: The Chicago Model in Unapologetic: by Charlene A. Carruthers听
    • Book | Available at and local libraries ()听
    • Chapter 6
    • Reflection Questions:
      • What are the key components of the Chicago model that Carruthers discusses? How do these components reflect the principles of intersectionality and community organizing?
      • Who are the marginalized communities in the Chicago Model?听
        • Why was it crucial to center these perspectives?听
        • How were their voices addressed?听
      • How does having an intersectional lens of identity influence your understanding of the structures we exist within? How does this impact your learning and actions?听听

  • Action Planning

    Reflect on your own power and/or positionality and create an action plan that allows you to apply more intersectional policies and approaches in your work or community.

     


We continuously welcome your feedback and suggestions for this learning guide: