[proper citation formatting for images and references pending]
A novel aspect of intersectionality, as Kimberle Crenshaw’s research on the racism and sexism effecting Black women’s lives reveals, is that it can provide a framework to better understand factors of discrimination that cannot be captured wholly by looking at intersecting identities in isolation (Crenshaw, 1991). If we consider the structural, political, and representational factors that shape experiences of intersectional identities, we would certainly be better equipped to address systemic discrimination. As Ade Adepitan says, “What makes people disabled is not their disability…it’s society. Society is what holds us back. It’s that systemic discrimination and oppression [that is the problem]” (Adepitan, 2021). So how do we remedy this problem? There is, of course, no quick and easy solution. Most people won’t be applying a Crenshawdian critical analyses of intersectionality to their everyday lives. But listening to various voices reflect on their experiences with intersectional aspects of disability made me feel like we can all find our unique ways of authentically engaging with these ideas. From a creative perspective, I was struck by the work of Christine Sun Kim and her incredibly poetic take on the notion of scale. As she says, “Scale equals visibility…[and] has the ability to shape social norms” (Sun Kim, 2023).
As an educator and creative practitioner, that is inspiring to consider. And while I know that not every intersectional issue can be resolved through art, the opportunities for collaboration and empathy building that can arise from intermingling of diverse abilities, is something to take seriously. It isn’t just an inspiring sentiment. This is real innovation and inclusivity. As someone with relatively good hearing who takes part in the ongoing discourse in the arts around improving co-design and collaboration, it is humbling to hear Christine Sun Kim talk about her experience with deafness providing her with enhanced, refined skills for collaboration through the constant interaction with translators (Sun Kim, 2023). Collaboration isn’t a design methodology for her so much as it is way of being and fixture of her identity.
It is significant to understand that engaging with intersectionality goes beyond empathising – it is a creative force in itself. There are so many complexities when it comes to intersectional identities. Chay Brown offers some fantastic insight about experiencing friction at the intersection of being trans, gay, white, neurodivergent while suffering from mental health challenges. Examples of one marginalised community overlooking another, such as sensory overstimulation for neurodivergent people attending loud and lively LGBTQ+ event, speak to some of these complex challenges (Brown, 2023). But embracing the complexity by listening and being willing to be told that you can do better is something that is an incredibly simple solution to such a significant complex problem (Brown, 2023). While this won’t immediately solve systemic issues, it positively contributes to the ever-evolving challenges.
“Intersectionality in Focus: Empowering Voices during UK Disability History Month 2023”
As an educator, I can be sure to continue improving accessibility of tools and resources used in my teaching. Brining in more examples of accessible works and including voices from disabled communities will be something I will continue to increase along with expanding my knowledge of and sensitivity to the variety of needs within the classroom on any given day. I should also be considering the exciting creative potential that designing at intersectional crossroads can open. A brief with an outcome that is accessible for communities with vision impairments could yield new, expansive ways of thinking about the way we communicate and design for everyone and not just be a one-way solution to a problem that exists primarily as a bi-product of a larger system that is optimised to meet the most obvious needs of majority norms. As mentioned in discussion with Chay Brown, “If things are accessible for disabled people, they will be accessible to everyone” (Brown, 2023).
References
“Christine Sun Kim in ‘Friends & Strangers’” (2023). PBS, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpRaEDlLsI
“Ade Adepitan gives amazing explanation of systemic racism”(2020). Nick Webborn, ParalympicsGB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAsxndpgagU
Crenshaw, Kimberle. Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, Jul., 1991, Vol. 43, No. 6 (Jul., 1991), pp. 1241-1299
“Intersectionality in Focus: Empowering Voices during UK Disability History Month 2023” (2023). Parapride interview with Chary Brown, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yID8_s5tjc
4 responses to “Blog Task 1: Disability & Intersectionality”
Jesse, this is an excellent blog. Your analysis and reflection of intersectionality and how it can’t be looked at in isolation when considering factors of discrimination shows real depth and understanding.
I really like how you’re inspired by Christine Sun Kim’s work and position that ‘scale equals visibility (and) has the ability to shape social norms) and see opportunities in collaboration by intermingling diverse abilities. It’s also great to read how Crenshaw, Adepitan, Sun and Brown have all inspired you to consider how engaging with intersectionality isn’t just about empathy, ‘it’s a creative force’ in itself.
Even within the constraints of a blog, there’s lots of great insight here, and a genuine a passion to make things better for all Students of all identities, which was in turn inspiring to me and a great read too!
Well written post!
I really appreciate how you are thinking about designing at intersectional crossroads, to take what you have seen and read forward through developing briefs for students allowing them to expand on their understanding of audience and levels of communication to diverse audiences.
Perhaps you’d be interested in what Fixperts does. This is a programme/framework for educators and students to use their creativity for social change. creativity as a tool for social change by working directly with people and addressing their needs: https://fixperts.org/
Jesse, this is an excellent blog. You’ve really got a great grasp of intersectionality, disability, and the deep-rooted impact of systematic discrimination. That Ade Adepitan quote about ‘disability not making people disabled, but society’ also really chimed with me too.
Finding our own ways of trying to implement the concepts and ideas we’re uncovering in the Unit, and pushing empathy and inclusivity, intermingling diverse abilities is key. At the heart of the blog for me is the realisation of the potential afforded to us from these concepts and theories on a practical level. As you say, engaging with intersectionality goes beyond empathy, it is a creative force. Even within the constraints of a word count, you’ve written an inspiring blog that
I really enjoyed reading, outlining the positive challenge facing us to make things accessible for everyone.
This is a good read, I think it’s great how you make a point that not all of the issues can be solved by looking into intersectionality of identities, and it’s also important to understand these issues on a higher level. I also like your stance on being proactive about these issues, whilst understanding that not everything can be solved. Good references too! I really enjoyed that!