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Intersectionality Importance

Ok so let’s begin, What is intersectionality? This is the concept in which other facets of you personhood affects the way in which you move throughout American society along with race.

Why is it important? It’s importance comes into play when you have to account for where exactly is your position in American society and how much of a voice and oppurtunity you actually have TO START WITH. American society forms on the basis of the Heteronormative Gaze(refer to “Heteronormativity and its problems” post). But along with that so does the other characteristics you have that aren’t necessarily so interchangeable.

This then pulls into play the White Gaze. This is the lens in which white people view life through which follows the sense the closer something is to whiteness the safer or more paletable it is. Does the term “Euro-centric” comes to mind? Hold onto that thought, we’ll address it later. Do you remember the gender binary and sexual orientation scales I used in my prior post? Well, keeping those in mind, we must now give the hierarchy of race scales used within White Gaze. Again the top of the list deems the most important and the bottom deems the least important.

Race: 1. White Man, 2. White Women, 3. Asian/Pacific Islander Man, 4. Asian/Pacific Islander Women, 5. Alaskan/American Indiginous Men, 6. Alasken/American Indigenous women, 7. Black Men, 8. Black women.

Now as mentioned in my prior post, the scales are open to interpretation. However, This is how the scale positions everyone through the lens of the White Gaze. You’ll also notice I mentioned the gender in the scaling as well. This is because men and women are not the same therefore their experience are different. Also due to the system of patriarchy, which is still in high effect in the American society, women are placed lower on the scale. Now indigenous and blacks position on the scale can be debated but that’s due to circumstance. In my opinion, I believe them to be somewhat interchangeable but it’s highly dependant on circumstances. One could also debate why women of their correlative race place after their male counterparts, why are they all not grouped together towards the bottom. Well this is because this scale is set on the mindset of say the neutral person following the White gaze. Their positioning is based in visibility, skin tone, and palatability to whiteness.

When I say palatability to whiteness I’m referring to the sense of excoticism that whites view the other races for their desirable physical features but dislike their deepness of skin tone. This causes them to move further down the scale the deeper in skin tone they get. This then pulls into the factor of euro-centricity, which is a term to describe how close to whiteness those who are not of euro descent are. The more euro-centric you appear the more white-passing you appear.

So how does this play into Intersectionality? Well since we have all 3 of the scales up now you can determine where exactly it is you lie on the societal scale, in terms of presence and oppurtunity. An example would be: say you’re a Asian gay transman(Person A) and you’re competing for position in a white owned publishing company against a Alasken Native heterosexual man(Person B). You both have the exact same credentials of qualifications. Thinking on the scales given. Person A starts off with 2 strikes against him as compared to the 1 strike Person B has against him. Now why does Person A have 2 strikes but Person B only has one if he’s lower on the scale. It’s because Person A is Asian which gains him 1 but, he’s gay which knocks him down 1 and also is a transman which knocks him down 1 more. Person B is a Alasken Native which knocks him down 1, but is a Cis-male which gains him 1 and is also heterosexual which gains him 1 more. Now if we compare the two using the mindset of the White gaze, Person A has only 1 good perk, where he has 2 strikes. Person B has 2 good perks but only 1 strike. Because of this, Person B is more palatable to the White clientele as compared to Person A and gives Person B more oppurtunity and higher chances of getting the position. Now this is as if they personhood was fully visible which is not the case all the time but it gives you the idea of how Intersectionality works. Just remember, that depending on what makes you up as a person in our society, it will determine your chances of oppurtunity in the system of white America

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Heteronormativity and it’s Problems

Ok so heteronormativity, first off what is it? Heteronormativity is the concept of 2 main ways of gender presentation(Male and Female) and one main sexual orientation(Heterosexuality) and how they are the only valid connotations in which a person can present. I.e The only means in which one can procreate. This concept also carried the idea that the Male is the top authority (The Patriarchy) and is to be given respect and served regardless of circumstance and reasoning and the female is to be subservient and is the carry out only nurturing duties of the family and holds little to no power in this dynamic. This is one of the building blocks of white supremacy’s foundation and how those who practice it will dictate their impression of you. This then becomes known as the Heteronormative Gaze.

What importance does it play in society? Well this is how white supremacist can maintain control on the general publics view of others as other or not normal. This causes those who follow this mindset to invalidate anyone who functions outside of this Gaze, thus erasing their voice and perspectives from conversation.

The Heteronormative Gaze is often used to limit ones view of individualism and form a more manageable mindset that can be used against anyone who challenges said norms. With that said however, it does help form a foundation in which one can branch off from and as we see in today’s current society it’s weaponized to shut down many important things that pertain to the lives of many others whom lie within the hidden portions of society. This can be easier explain after giving you the breakdown of scale system used inherently by the American society. The top of the list being most important/accepted and the bottom being the least important/accepted. The list goes as follows:

Gender Binary: 1. Male, 2. Female, 3. Transgender Male, 4. Transgender Female, 5. Gender Non-Conforming (intersex, bigendered, pangender, genderfluid/bend, agender, etc.)

Keep in mind that this list is set up based on representation and visibility and vocal presence. There are some minor technicalities to keep in mind of this list however. But we’ll address that later in this post. You’ll noticed I labeled transgender separately from the non-conformative genders, that is because transgender individuals are more so consistent on the opposite ends of the gender spectrum. Whereas, the non conforming genders are more consistent with the blend of both male and female attributes and lie more on an androgyny scale. However, with that said, this list is still open to interpretation but in the eyes of heteronormativity this is where they are positioned. Next, sexual orientation.

Sexual Orientation: 1. Heterosexuality, 2. Gay, 3. Lesbian, 4. Bisexuality, 5. Non-Conforming Sexualities (Pansexuality, Demisexuality, Asexuality)

The positioning of this list is also open to interpretation. However, keep in mind, this is how it’s set in the perspective of the Heteronormative Gaze. Pansexuality and Demisexuality are often not even considered since they are more response based orientations which pull from more than just a initial impression of a person. They are listed as non-conforming because they aren’t based on a dual spectrum but more of a open spectrum.

So why is the Heteronormative Gaze bad? As mentioned before it limits the beholder perspective and adaptation skills and it’s also very silencing anyone who isn’t male. The Heteronormative Gaze only recognizes male and female representation and heterosexuality for its procreative resource. Since the other aspects don’t focus on just those guidelines the Heteronormative Gaze doesn’t include them in any kind of conversation to prevent the mind from veering off the preset path so to speak.

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The primaries!

So I know I haven't posted much but my initial posts are basically going to be the building block posts. Once I have a good amount of them done which pertain to the more general topics I'll categorize them under the Moniker "The Primaries" so they'll be easier to access for reference when I begin to start posting my interpretations of current events.

Also keep in mind I will be talking about things other than pro-blackness on this blog. Pro-blackness is very important however it's not the only thing on my mind.

Also if you feel like you wish to have my analytical breakdown of a topic feel free to ask me whatever and I'll try to provide whatever information I can. It's important if you want to see something from me you will have to ask if I haven't already covered it. :3

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Understanding Systematic Racism

For the explanation of racism in detail, please refer to my post titled, “Racism vs. Prejudice”

Moving on now we’re going to look into a more deeper aspect of racism which pulls mostly on the systems that form the foundation of our civilizations. Please keep in mind this does NOT only refer to American civilization; Systematic Racism(SR) can be seen and demonstrated globally. Although, due to the differences in how each society functions, there are differences in how this is demonstrated in different areas.

This post focuses on what and how SR is perpetuated primarily within American society unless specified otherwise. This doesn’t mean you should disregard how SR is in other places. Take the information you learn here and apply it to you’re society. Remember always ask why.

Now, systemic racism concepts sprout from the foundations of a racist-based society. This includes the denial from and/or the inequalities of resources, policies, institutions, rights, and so on that Blacks/Black-perceived groups go through in the American society as compared to our white counterparts. Due to the broadness of this topic, surely there will be some topics that will probably not be mentioned. Attached are links to Race forward’s breakdown of SR in each facet of society and articles that give more of a sociological view of SR from ThoughtCo.

ThoughtCo. article: https://www.thoughtco.com/systemic-racism-3026565 Race Forward Breakdown: https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism

Remember, systematic racism and individual racism experience are not the same. The two are not as easily interchangeable contextually speaking. Racism is racism is racism no matter what the circumstances. The contexts in which racism is being displayed determines what type of racism it is. What one can face on a individual scale varies more so Person to person. This is due to the ever changing variable of one’s surroundings and behavioral patterns in situations. Systematic racism affects the group as a whole. However, there are people who deny systematic racism on the basis that SR is on the scale by the group as a whole rather than a specific individuals’ experiences. Their justification for denying SR usually stems from their personal experiences. In this context, SR is not so easily applied but still is in effect wether you wish to believe it or not. Someone’s failure to see the tangible lasting effects of SR is simply because they DON’T want to acknowledge it (i.e Colorblind Theory or Respectability Politics). Racism in itself cannot be avoided in American society because, again, American society was built on a racist foundation. Refer to the American chattel slavery time period and the indoctrination that occurred during this time period, which setup the establishment and fruition of this country.

One thing to keep in mind of racism is contexts as well as who has POWER in the scenario and who doesn't. Only then you can further understand the breakdown of racism and it’s effects on black and brown communities within America.

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Racism vs. Prejudice: Spotting the Difference

Ok so here we are to dissect and breakdown, into comprehensive levels, the meanings of these two buzz words and when and why they are to be used.

As you’ve noticed in the past 3 years, since the injustice of Trayvon Martin and the development of the Social Justice Group/Movement, Black Lives Matter, the words Racism has been quite the trigger descriptive word for many of the injustice acts that blacks and POC have been shedding light onto what is sourcing these prolific injustices. So to help with the further reading of this blog I’m providing thing as a reference post so readers can pay attention and to remember the importance of context that these words are used.

First we must break down the meaning of both words:

Racism: according to oxford, “The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.”

What does it mean contextual wise? Racism in context is when one race of people set strict expectations, based on traits that are not monolithic (not the same; open variable), on another race of people. According to oxford that is. In almost all the contexts this word is used, it is used descriptively to describe a person’s or groups’ bias expectations of another group of people of same or similar location or cultural origin. But there's a more prominent sense of power with this meaning.

Prejudice: According to Oxford, “Dislike, hostility, or unjust behaviour deriving from preconceived and unfounded opinions.”

What does it mean contextual wise? Prejudice in context is bias opinions or solitary viewpoints of another person based on a subjective view of that person or group. In every context this word is used it’s judgements based on opinions.

So what’s the difference between them? Prejudice refers primarily to ones opinions of another based on trends or behavioral patterns they and/or their group exhibits. Whereas, Racism is referring to one’s expectations of another person or group based on where they originate from regardless of their various behavioral patterns, ethics, physical characteristics, and so on. Racism, as mentioned earlier, is pretty much predjudice in a more assumed sense but with the addition of a group holding power over another.

How is this Relevant today? This plays into today’s current events due to the circumstances that whites are placing onto other races, due to them holding the majority POWER. This is further explained as Institutional Racism, which is the same concept of racism, but brings focus onto societal systems that are being used to perpetuate racist actions and maintain a specific overall narrative. The systems used institutional Racism can refer to all systems developed within any civilization that are placed to maintain societal order. I.e Economical, Media, Financal, Etc.

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Welcome to My Garden of Thoughts

Hellos! Introductions are in order. I am Violette and this is my processing diary of sorts in things of Black politico and unapologetic Interpretations of the society I live in.

In this blog I focus most of my posts on my interpretations of being a Black Genderfluid individual in a society catered for the easily swayed and misguided. This means I will be talking about the ways I have to address and process how to move through the system of white supremacy in American society. In my own perspectives that is...

Be aware I do not coin myself as some sort of scholar or anything of that nature. I'm still learning, so majority of my posts are open to interpretation. I only ask that you take the information I provide and use it, respectfully, to help yourself and let it resonate with your spirit if you identify with it.

Always remember for anything that happens in life, Ask Why?