Intersectionality and Social Identities
When we think of our friends and family, we may often associate a single idea or characteristic with them: “Oh, she’s my friend from school,” or “Uncle Kenaan is the funny one, and Uncle Derek is the athletic one.” But the truth is that none of us is just “one thing.” We are more than the sum of our parts, multidimensional and complex people. This means that when attempting to understand others, we must remember that our collective experiences construct our social location and, thus, how we perceive the world. We cannot consider a single piece of someone without holding all the others. Much like a busy intersection, multiple elements always come together at once.
This idea begins to describe intersectionality or the inevitable interconnectedness of social identities. Examples of this include race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, etc. - any categorization included in one’s reality.
Intersectionality also acknowledges the discrimination and oppression at play within the foundations of various institutions that have developed over time. Humans are meaning-makers, seeking to give reason to our functioning based on our core belief systems and values while simultaneously reflecting the power dynamics of our connections. The truth is that layered levels of marginalization, oppression, and injustice deeply impact the rights and limit the opportunities of underprivileged populations. Within these hierarchical systems, some will unjustly benefit more than others, with greater access to rewards, options, and status. Simultaneously, others will be disadvantaged at various levels. The actuality of this may bring up uncomfortable feelings for some, as it challenges us to own and confront our biases while also exploring and checking our privilege.
As we interact in the world, we want to see people wholly and acknowledge the multifaceted intersectionality of their backgrounds. We can start this by purposefully listening to diverse ethnocultural experiences and advocating for inclusivity. It goes beyond recognizing groups and access levels that differ from yours to appreciating, learning from, and collaborating with them. It means doing your own work and making space for perspectives beyond your own.
Our experiences shape us into who we are, and we bring all of this into the therapy room every time we engage in a session. The clinician absolutely brings their own intersectionality into the collaborative relationship as well. The therapeutic process involves exploring how your social identities have impacted you. This also holds true for group therapy, as people from all walks of life enter a safe space together and explore the complexities of their experiences. There will be commonalities amongst the group, and there will be differences, and both are necessary to help teach us to move forward. Click here to learn more about yourself and group therapy today!