Intersectionality is a big word. It seems to be a big concept as well. The idea of the term is founded on the principles that everyone has different parts (race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, etc.) about them that is entirely unique to themselves and plays into how they view the world around them. This definition of intersectionality makes some sense. Everyone does have different experiences in their own life that contribute to how they view the world. It is how we have been able to create so many incredible works of art, concepts, and theories. It can influence how we interact with others and our political stances.
However, the true definition of intersectionality defined by Webster Dictionary is "the complex, cumulative manner in which the effects of different forms of discrimination combine, overlap, or intersect." From this definition, it sounds to me as if it is wanting to be discriminated or wanting to find ways in which you are discriminated against in order to have a more complex worldview and then a more "valid" opinion than others who might not get to check as many boxes as you.
Ben Shapiro explains my view of Intersectionality perfectly here.
Intersectionality has allowed for people to try and "one-up" each other on the totem pole of victimhood. We as a society for many years tried to get rid of labels, but have suddenly fallen right back into it in order to keep our social status above others. Intersectionality limits people because it puts them in a box. It tells them they are these things and because of that must see it this way.
Let me break it down for you. I am a straight, Catholic, cisgendered, white female. I, therefore, am lower on the totem pole of intersectionality and validity of my opinions on certain issues regarding race issues and LGBTQ+. Therefore my opinion would not be as high as maybe a black lesbian. While, yes, maybe I need to hear some stories on the issue in order to form opinions because I am not black or a lesbian does not mean I cannot have an opinion on the issue nor work towards changing things for the better.
Intersectionality leads to sentences and phrases like "You couldn't possibly understand" just because we do not share similar skin color. And to try and make myself sound a little more sensitive, yes there will always be things certain people cannot relate to each other with, but that doesn't mean we cant try to understand and try to help.
Bringing together people and unity is what I feel a lot of people, despite political affiliation, want in America. Aligning ourselves so tightly to concepts like Intersectionality can now be dangerous to our society and the advancement of unity. hen we let ideas like Intersectionality define us, it not only limits how we view the world — but also limits what we allow ourselves to see ourselves accomplish in the coming years. Together we can do amazing things and reach compromises, but apart, divided, and labeled we will only create more conflict.