In this insightful piece, Elena Silva, a Center for Nonviolence Prevention & Youth Services Facilitator, shares their thoughts on Intersectional Feminism.

At the Center for Nonviolence, our staff members are grounded in feminist, collectivist, and anti-racist practices since those are principles that have been central to the Center's values since its founding. If you're curious to learn more about Intersectional Feminism and its significance to social justice movements, then READ ON!

Intersectional feminism is an understanding of the overlapping systems of privilege, oppression, and discrimination that people face based on their identities. These identities can include age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, class, and more. People can be privileged in some ways and not privileged in others based on their identities.

For example, I am a Latinx, bisexual, college-educated, young-adult woman. Being college-educated is a privilege that not all Latinx women may have. My status as Latinx and a woman, cannot be ranked in which are most oppressive to me; They are both connected. My lived experiences are overlapping identities that cannot be separated from each other; they have shared experiences that overlap and create a blended experience of oppression.

Understanding intersectionality is important to the feminist movement because it recognizes that everyone has their own experiences of discrimination, oppression, and privilege. It allows for all voices to be seen and heard. Intersectionality allows feminists to view social justice through all identities, not just one.

Kimberlé Crenshaw once said, “We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigrant status. What’s often missing is how some people are subject to all of these, and the experience is not just the sum of its parts.”

Center Updates

URGENT REQUEST

 Help us make our FACES Nonviolent Leadership graduation parties possible for over 85 local students! We need to cover the costs of ~25 pizzas.

Can you help us ensure these students have a memorable and rewarding experience?

A gift of $250 will cover the expenses for all six parties, and you’ll receive a tax receipt for your contribution. Any donation towards this goal is greatly appreciated.

CfN at the Movies

We believe the work of community-building starts at home. To practice what we preach, The Center for Nonviolence will be hosting a Movie Day for our staff, volunteers, and CP Members on March 18.

We’ll be viewing and discussing the incredible Viola Davis film, The Woman King, and strengthening our own bonds of connection, solidarity, and comradery!