Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” to enforce the idea that we need to incorporate multiplicity and the idea of a matrix when thinking about identity, culture, and theory regarding systems of oppression. More specifically, individuals have aspects of their identity that compound to impact their lived experiences and how they are treated in society. Intersectionality is a useful conceptual tool for effecting change, because it shows how we have many intersecting identities that make up our own individual experiences. More specifically, intersectionality highlights that there are multiple dimensions of our lived experiences and that dichotomous, either/or thought is not sufficient for advocating for social change.

For example, an article details that a D.C. school has begun to implement policies that productively discipline students of color. Broadly, this seems to highlight an intersectional approach through acknowledging that children of color have different experiences than white children and, therefore, require different disciplinary techniques. Although this is a step towards intersectionality, the school policies that supported students of color were directed towards both boys and girls of color. Intersectionality exposes that boys and girls of the same race have one similar intersection of their identity, but the students who are girls of color have an additional identity that compounds and impacts their experiences differently than boys of color.

Although the boys and girls have the same racial identity, each gender has different compounded identities. Intersectionality exposes that boys and girls of color face different stereotypes and experiences, which, in turn, means that we need different ways of addressing misbehavior between genders and races in schools. In this case, the harsh disciplinary practices and zero-tolerance school policies did not take into account how the girls and boys of color have distinct identities. As a result, policy makers must consider personalized strategies that acknowledge and support numerous intersections of identity.