Post:

• Identify three biases and assumptions based on social class, gender, and sexual orientation.
• Explain the influence of intersecting identities on gender, specifically:
  • How might race/ethnicity, class, and/or sexual orientation impact the experience of gender? Provide a specific example.

Learning Resources

Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Pea, S. (2021).Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work(3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

• Chapter 3, "The Intersectionality of Race and Ethnicity With Other Factors" (pp. 46-56 only)Download Chapter 3, "The Intersectionality of Race and Ethnicity With Other Factors" (pp. 46-56 only)

Credit line: Diversity, Oppression, and Change: Culturally Grounded Social Work, 3rd Edition by Marsiglia, F.; Kulis, S.; Lechuga-Pea, S. Copyright 2021 by Oxford University Press. Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2023.

First Step Alliance. (2020, January 9). What is social justice? Definition, key principles and examplesLinks to an external site.. https://www.firststepalliance.org/post/what-is-social-justice

San Diego Foundation. (2022, September 24). What is social justice?Links to an external site. https://www.sdfoundation.org/news-events/sdf-news/what-is-social-justice/

Walden University, LLC. (2024). IntersectionalityLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com

• Transcript: Intersectionality (PDF)

Part 2

By Day 5

Respond to two colleagues who provided an example of intersectionality that is different from yours.

• Describe how the principles of social justice apply to your colleague's example.

Colleague 1

Example:

Consider the experience of a Black woman in the workplace. She may face gender discrimination, where her capabilities are underestimated simply because she is a woman. Additionally, racial biases may lead to assumptions about her competence and behavior based on stereotypes about Black individuals. If she is also from a lower social class, she might encounter further prejudice related to her perceived educational background and social status. These intersecting identities can create a unique and compounded form of discrimination that is more complex than any single factor alone.

For instance, a Black lesbian woman might experience not only sexism and racism but also homophobia. Her sexual orientation could lead to exclusion from social networks or professional opportunities that are more readily available to her heterosexual counterparts. This intersectionality means that her experience of gender cannot be fully understood without considering the combined impact of her race, class, and sexual orientation.

Colleague 2

Intersecting identities can significantly impact the experience of gender. For example, a Black woman may face both racial and gender discrimination, which can create unique challenges that are different from those experienced by a white woman or a black man. This intersectionality can lead to multiple disadvantages, such as limited access to job opportunities or healthcare and increased vulnerability to stereotypes and biases. Understanding these intersecting identities is crucial for addressing the full scope of discrimination and promoting true equality.