From difference to intersectionality: challenges and resources

Abstract

In this paper I take up the theme of enabling difference in terms of the challenges and resources posed by taking the intersectional character of differences seriously. Drawing in particular on feminist debates, current discourses that address questions of structural, especially racialized, inequalities through notions of difference are critically evaluated as limited in their analysis of power relations and practices around the transformation of power inequalities. Applying this to questions of service design and delivery, I introduce the concept of intersectionality -in particular the intersection of 'race' and gender -to illustrate four key problems that this framework allows to come into focus: discourses of cultural autonomy as reflecting those of liberal individualism; 'race anxiety' as a form of obsessional undoing of the effort to challenge racism; how attending to 'race' and culture typically works to privilege 'race' over gender; and how discourses of specialization (whether around diagnosis or cultural background) can paradoxically work to exclude women from, rather than to extend, service provision. It is suggested that, rather than difference, intersectionality could be a more promising starting point for critical thinking and practice.Beyond enabling difference 'Enabling difference' is an interesting theme -indicative of a current central challenge for counselling and psychotherapy, and an outcome of a longstanding discussion among its practitioners over the past decade (which is a discussion as old as psychoanalysis): how to acknowledge and work with structural axes of difference as creative and valuable resources? But, beyond this, how to work with such differences, rather than Eur.

Towards a Social Justice Framework of Mental Health Recovery

“…Although these approaches have not been widely adopted within the mental health system (rossiter & van Mens-Verhulst & radtke, 2008) there is some evidence to suggest that they could be applied to discussions of recovery (Burman, 2004;Poole, 2011;rossiter & Morrow, 2011;van Mens-Verhulst & radtke, 2008). Anti-oppressive practice bears much in common with intersectionality approaches but it emerges from social work and is focused primarily on how to engage with social and structural inequities in practice from the perspective of providers (Poole, 2011); it may or may not operationalize an intersectional framework.…”

“…These social and structural aspects are articulated and enacted through a number of dimensions of power such as biomedicalism, racialization, sanism 2 , sexism, ageism, heterosexism, etc., calling out for an intersectional social justice analysis of recovery. That is, an analysis that foregrounds an understanding of power as it is distributed in the mental health care system, and the accompanying interlocking forms of oppression through which it operates (Burman, 2004;Burman & Chantler, 2003;LeFrancois, 2011;rossiter & Morrow, 2011).…”

Intersectionaliteit en sociale inclusie: het Ei... van Troje. Deel 1: Het Ei van Columbus

“…Herhaaldelijk wijzen auteurs er op dat de onderdrukkende relaties waarin cliënten verwikkeld zijn geweest zich niet mogen herhalen in wat wel de micropolitieke situatie van de hulpverlening wordt genoemd (Burman, 2004;Harley et al, 2002). Om dat te vermijden is zelfreflectie nodig van counselors Soms bieden ervaringen die hulpverleners (m/v) zelf met minorisering hebben een kans om contact te leggen met geminoriseerde cliënten of in ieder geval de drempel te verlagen.…”

Planning for resilience: A case study of Kitimat, BC.

“…Intersectionality refers to the intersecting relationships between different groups whether they are based on categorical commonalities or interests (Valentine 2007). A town is inhabited by individuals who have multiple, intersecting social characteristics, and who may belong to multiple social groups (Kaufman 1959, Burman 2004. The intersectional and multiple character of social categories and commonalities allows for interaction between groups (West and Fenstermaker 1995).…”

“…'Intersectionality' allows for participation in multiple groups, and fosters interaction between groups (Burman 2004, Valentine 2007. Intersectionality refers to the intersecting relationships between different groups whether they are based on categorical commonalities or interests (Valentine 2007).…”