What is Intersectionality? Why Do Diverse and Intersectional Books Matter?

Before we discuss why books are being banned across the U.S., we need to understand what it means for a person to have an intersectional identity, and how this relates to reading material in schools. Intersectionality is a term coined by feminist scholar and activist, Kimberlé Crenshaw, that explains the ways in which people's identities interact with one another to shape their lived experiences. Due to the intersections one has within their identity, they may experience privilege in some spaces, while have less privilege in others. It is important to understand how our identities impact one another, so that we can not only recognize our own privilege, recognize that because of that privilege, we need to allow those with less privilege to have the space to voice their personal experiences.

So, you might be asking yourself, "what does this have to do with books?"

One way for authors to express their voices is through writing. When people may not have the opportunity to express themselves in other ways, seeing their words on paper allow them to acknowledge their feelings and validate their experiences. However, writing is not just impactful for authors, but to readers. Reading a book from an author with marginalized identities can help other people from marginalized communities feel a sense of community and understanding of why they experience life the way they do. For youth who may feel isolated for their marginalized identities, such as Queer and BIPOC children, reading stories about people of color and queer folks can help them feel less alone. According to the Trevor Project's National Survey conducted in 2021, "LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide." Additionally, the survey also found that "LGBTQ youth of color reported higher rates of attempting suicide than their white peers in the past year." Based on these statistics, it is extremely impactful when marginalized folks have access to intersectional books. Having these books in classrooms can help marginalized students feel safe and secure at school, and allow them to feel comfortable in their bodies. 

Works Cited

“The Trevor Project National Survey.” The Trevor Project, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021/.