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Intersectionality
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I thank Alexius Cruz O'Malley for excellent research assistance and the Kirkland & Ellis Fund and the Dorothy Ann and Clarence L. Ver Steeg Distinguished Research Fellowship for generous research support.
INTRODUCTION
Intersectional analysis does not apply only to the ways identity categories or systems of power intersect in individuals' lives. Nor must an intersectional approach focus solely on differences within or between identity-based groups. It can also be a powerful tool to build more effective alliances between movements to make them more effective at organizing for social change. Using intersectionality for cross movement mobilization reveals that, contrary to criticism for being divisive, attention to intersecting identities has the potential to create solidarity and cohesion. In this article, we elaborate this argument with a case study of the intersection of race, gender, and disability in genetic technologies as well as in organizing to promote a social justice approach to the use of these technologies. We show how organizing based on an intersectional analysis can help forge alliances between reproductive justice, racial justice, women's rights, and disability rights activists to develop strategies to address reproductive genetic technologies. We use the work of Generations Ahead to illuminate how intersectionality applied at the movement-building level can identify genuine common ground, create authentic alliances, and more effectively advocate for share policy priorities.
Founded in 2008, Generations Ahead is a social justice organization that brings diverse communities together to expand the public debate on genetic technologies and promote policies that protect human rights and affirm a shared humanity. Dorothy Roberts is one of the founding board members of Generations Ahead, and Sujatha Jesudason is the Executive Director.
Since its inception, Generations Ahead has utilized an intersectional analysis approach to its social justice organizing on reproductive genetics. Throughout 2008-2010, the organization conducted a series of meetings among reproductive justice, women's rights, and disability rights advocates to develop a shared analysis of genetic technologies across movements with the goals of creating common ground and advancing coordinated solutions and strategies. This cross-movement relationship- and analysis-building effort laid the foundation for successfully resisting historical divisions between reproductive rights, racial justice, and disability rights issues in several important campaigns. In examining the ways in which the theory...