What Is One Specific Thing You Didn't Understand About This ✓ Solved

What is one specific thing you didn't understand about this

1. What is one specific thing you didn't understand about this week's reading? What is confusing about it?

2. Spend a little time googling additional information about that one thing (look up a definition, look for a summary etc) - what did you find and how did it affect your understanding?

Paper For Above Instructions

In examining this week's readings, particularly the article by Nikita Carney titled "All lives matter, But So Does Race: Black Lives Matter and the Evolving Role of Social Media," I found the concept of "intersectionality" to be particularly confusing. Intersectionality is a framework used to understand how various social identities (such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) intersect and contribute to unique experiences of discrimination and privilege. I struggled with how the application of intersectionality could vary across different social movements, especially in the context of media representation as discussed in Carney's article.

To gain clarity on this topic, I conducted some research on the definition and implications of intersectionality. The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in her 1989 paper, where she illustrated how African American women face discrimination in ways that are distinct from both white women and Black men (Crenshaw, 1989). My research deepened my understanding as I read through additional definitions and applications of intersectionality in various movements, enhancing my comprehension of how specific identities can influence experiences and outcomes within social justice frameworks.

Crucially, the intersectional approach helps analyze the complexities of social movements and the roles of social media within those movements. Carney highlights the Black Lives Matter movement as a case study where social media not only acts as a platform for advocacy but also showcases the varied experiences that individuals bring to the struggle against systemic racism (Carney, 2020). This illustrates to me that intersectionality is not merely an academic term, but a significant lens that shapes real-world movements.

Through my research, I learned that, in addition to racial dynamics, gender identity and socio-economic status significantly impact the experiences within movements such as Black Lives Matter. It became clear that when advocates fail to consider these intersecting identities, they risk alienating those whose voices are often marginalized within broader discourses. This perspective is echoed in Cabezas' article regarding Latin American and Caribbean sex workers, where she articulates the multifaceted oppressions these individuals face (Cabezas, 2020). The limitations of focusing solely on race or gender without acknowledging how these identities intertwine can dilute the effectiveness of advocacy efforts.

Understanding intersectionality provides a more nuanced understanding of social movements' dynamics. For instance, Carney discusses how the Black Lives Matter movement has utilized social media to address the different realities that various groups experience despite a shared goal of combating police violence. Here, online platforms allow for diverse messages and stories to circulate, affirming the significance of all contributors' narratives (Carney, 2020). This aspect of social media as an equalizer is particularly vital in the current digital age where multiple voices have the potential to amplify marginalized perspectives.

Furthermore, my additional readings revealed how the Latin American and Caribbean sex workers' movement exemplifies intersectionality in action. Cabezas points out that sex workers face stigmatization that intertwines with their socio-economic status and gender identity, highlighting the need for tailored advocacy that encompasses all of these factors (Cabezas, 2020). The challenges noted in these movements further indicate the mission requires additional layers of understanding beyond the immediate struggle, incorporating issues like public perception and legal frameworks.

As I analyzed these texts, it became clear that the interplay between social identities affects both the narrative and the impact of social movements. Social media serves as a powerful tool for elevating these discussions, allowing marginalized voices to be heard, which is at the core of Carney's argument. Engaging further with these concepts prompted me to reflect on how my perspectives align with or diverge from these narratives, and it has urged me to consider how intersectionality can be effectively included in advocacy work.

Overall, this week's reading and my subsequent research provided me with a deeper understanding of intersectionality within social movements, particularly regarding the role of social media in amplifying diverse voices. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of social identities will be crucial as I engage with advocacy and activism in the future.

References

• Carney, N. (2020). All lives matter, But So Does Race: Black Lives Matter and the Evolving Role of Social Media. Humanity & Society, 40.
• Cabezas, A. L. (2020). Latin American and Caribbean Sex Workers: Gains and challenges in the movement. Anti-Trafficking Review, 13, 37-56.
• Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139-167.
• Collins, P. H. (2000). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge.
• Wiley, K. (2016). Intersectionality: A Tool for Gender and Development. The Institute of Development Studies.
• Zuberi, T., & Bonilla-Silva, E. (2008). The Structural Racism Framework. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 5(2), 295-312.
• Walby's Theory of Intersectionality: An Overview, Web of Science.
• McCall, L. (2005). The Complexity of Intersectionality. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 30(3), 1771-1800.
• Connell, R. W. (2012). Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics. Polity.
• González, M. (2018). Challenging the Norm: Intersectionality in the Fight for Gender Equality in the Global Context. Journal of International Women's Studies, 19(5), 52-65.