Intersectionality and Liberatory Consciousness

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. 

*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. 

There is No Hierarchy of Oppressions – by Audre Lorde (Read by Lauren Lyons)

• Youtube Video | 3:33 
• Transcript

Reflection Questions: 

• After listening to “There is No Hierarchy of Oppressions”, what is your understanding of Lorde’s 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?   

Intersectionality Matters! Podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (Ep. 9)

• Under the Blacklight: The Intersectional Vulnerabilities that COVID Lays Bare
• Podcast | Duration – 1 hour

Reflection Questions:

• Reflect on your experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Referencing The Wheel of Privilege, how did your identities (privileged and marginalized) impact your experience of the pandemic? 
• How did the intersection of multiple identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, affect an individual’s 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. 

• The Urgency of Intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw | TED 
  • Video | Length – 18:49
•  Positionality and Intersectionality by Darla Benton Kearney, from Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). 

Developing a Liberatory Consciousness by Barbara J. Love

• In Working for Social Justice: Visions and Strategies for Change 

Reflection Questions: 

• How do you define liberation, and what does it look like in your life and community? What does it look like at Macalester College?
• 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? 

Additional Resource:

• Watch: An Introduction to Liberatory Consciousness with Dr. Antoinette Y. Farmer 
• • Video | Video Length – 10:33 

Watch/Listen to: Heal Our Way Forward: The Path Toward Collective Liberation | Myisha T. Hill | TEDxDelthorneWomen 

• Video | Length – 15:42

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.

Cycle of Liberation by Bobbie Harro

• In the 3rd Edition of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice  
• Chapter 131 | Pages 618–625
• Review: The Cycle of Liberation

Reflection Questions: 

• How have your social identities shaped your experiences in society? 
  • What aspects of your life have been impacted by societal norms or power structures? 
  • How have your privileged identities shown up in your life and what systems uphold that privilege? 
  • 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  the Social Justice Core Concepts and Equity Principles learning guide. 

• 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? 
• What are the key components of a long-term change plan? 
  • 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? 
• How can you use insights from the Cycle of Liberation to encourage others to engage in their liberation journeys?

Intersectionality by Patricia Hill Collins and Sirma Bilge 

• Book | Chapter 1 
• Available in DeWitt Library and local libraries (WorldCat)

Reflection Questions: 

• 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? 
• How do the concepts of privilege and oppression interact in an intersectional framework?
• How does the framework of intersectionality connect different social justice movements? 
• How might the concept of intersectionality shift the way we think about allyship and responsibility?

Read/Listen to: 9 Activists Bringing Intersectionality to the Fight Against Oppression 

• While reading through this list of activist, think about what makes their work intersectional. 

Read: The Toll of America’s Anti-Trans War by The 19th News

Read: How Anti-Trans Legislation Hurts Disabled People 

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

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

Questions: 

• What was the context of the work? How did the context inform the approach(s) and strategies used to work towards justice and liberation? 
• 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? 
• What is/was the progress? Do you believe this progress leads towards liberation? Why or why not? 
• Given the current progress, what would you suggest as the next steps to continue from here? 
• 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? 

Reading Selections: 

• Individual review: We recommended the following articles
  • U of MN establishes nation-leading tuition assistance program for Native American students
  • The North Star Promise by MN State Colleges and Universities
    • Review website 
  • Minneapolis, MN: Community Response Model 
    • Review website
  • The Plan to Pay College Athletes
    • By: Mark McCareins 
• Group review: We recommend the following articles to be read and reviewed in small groups. 
  • A Pathway to Access for All: Exploring the Connections Between Universal Instructional Design and Social Justice Education
    • By: Heather Hackman and Laura Rauscher 
  • Engaging in Intersectional Liberation for Every(Black)Body Impacted by Anti-Blackness and HIV-Related Stigma 
    • By: Chioma Nnaji, Justin C Smith Gary K Daffin, Stephaun E Wallace, Ernest Hopkins

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. 

ALOK: The Urgent Need for Compassion | The Man Enough Podcast 

• Podcast | 1 Hour 

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’ understanding and response to systemic inequities and injustices? 

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? 
• How can an intersectional approach to policy building lead to more effective change? 

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. 

• Book | Available in DeWitt Library and local libraries (WorldCat) 
• Chapter – Interdependence and Decentralization 
• Chapter – Assess Yourself: Your Emergent Strategy Journal 

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

Listen to: Down to the Struts hosted by Qudsiya Naqui

• Episode 5: Women of Color (WOC) World
• 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 

• Book | Available at DeWitt Library and local libraries (WorldCat) 
• 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? 
    • Why was it crucial to center these perspectives? 
    • How were their voices addressed? 
  • 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?  

Action Plan Template

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.