Personal Account- Palczewski

Media type: Personal account

Concept source: Palczewski

I didn’t know what intersectionality way before this class. Our intersectionality paper forced to to reflect on the building blocks of who I am. A semester later, that list has seemed to grow and shift. Palczewski defines intersectionality as a theory of identity and oppression. Taking an intersectional approach to an issue, for instance, “...should inform how people understand interpersonal communication, organizational cultures, pay inequity, and mass-mediated messages,” (Palczewski). I started understanding the term during one of our first readings which addressed the difference between a feminist, and a black gay feminist.

My most prominent self identifiers are a white, young, American, college educated woman. I know for many people their sexuality is usually on the list of their forefront identifiers, but for me it isn’t much of a big deal. I’m bi, but I don’t see it as something that needs to be advertised. But maybe that has to do with the oppression side of intersectionality theory. Maybe I don’t say that I am because I’m afraid of possible backlash from it. Being female is the most prominent area I feel oppression from. Especially while doing research on sexualizing ads, casual sexism, and gender inequality that I cover throughout my portfolio.

I hope this term becomes more popularized, because it makes a lot of sense. A person is built up of so many identifiers that we shouldn’t feel obligated to pin a person with just one. When a person is reduced down to one thing, we let stereotypes get in the way of societal progress. Intersectionality is a way to remold our perceptions of people.

Palczewski, Catherine Helen. "Part 1 Foundations." Gender in Communication, 3rd ed., Sage

   Publications, 2018, pp. 8-10.