American lawyer and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw
described intersectionality as “the way multiple oppressions are experienced.”
Identity is complex and includes many visible and invisible dimensions.
Acknowledging the complexities within the identities women embody includes
addressing the importance of intersectionality, and the role it plays in their
lives and experience.
Identity markers (e.g., race, gender
identity, ability status, sexual orientation, and religion) can interact in a
number of complex ways that create unique webs of prejudice, oppression, and
privilege. The saliency of each of these identity markers can also differ
drastically from person to person. Consequently, approaching interactions and
service in a way that is helpful and socially responsible involves important
consideration of these complexities. Particularly, because the approach taken
within any interaction has the propensity to either contribute to oppressive
forces by being dismissive domineering and arrogant or to create space for
individuals to flourish.
Cultural humility is a term coined
within the social work field that acknowledges the influence of both individual
and institutional structures that contribute to and reinforce inequality
(Borne, Cain, & Martin, 2014). This perspective is a departure from the longheld
idea of making assumptions about identity and emphasizes an approach grounded
in humility and curiosity. Within the social justice field, it is a common
misconception that you have to completely understand and identify with an
individual’s experience to be present, validating, and helpful. In many cases,
adopting this perspective can actually be harmful and is indicative of a brand
of activism rooted in discounting the perspective and agency of marginalized
individuals.
Accordingly, approaching interactions
with cultural humility acknowledges the complexity of intersectionality and the
existence of privilege. This approach also asserts the importance of
self-awareness, including an understanding and acknowledgment of how our own
identities, experiences, and beliefs influence the way we perceive and interact
with the world around us. Cultural humility in feminist spaces looks like
asking questions, validating experiences, and creating space for people to
define relevant aspects of their identity and experience. Within activist
spaces, this approach calls on allies to behave like collaborators as opposed
to experts or saviors. Incorporating cultural humility into everyday life
provides a framework for interactions and practices that are culturally
cognizant and just.
By Sandra Yankah
References
Fisher-Borne,
M., Cain, J. M., & Martin, S. L. (2015). From mastery to accountability:
Cultural humility as an alternative to cultural competence. Social Work
Education, 34(2), 165-181.
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