Intersectionality in Ethnic and Minority Studies: A Deep Dive into

Marginalization and Resistance

Intersectionality is a crucial analytical framework that enables a deeper understanding of the

multifaceted ways in which individuals and communities experience oppression and
discrimination. As a concept, intersectionality recognizes that identity is multi-dimensional and
that each person navigates a web of overlapping social categories—such as race, gender, class,
religion, ability, and age—that collectively shape their lived experiences. First introduced by
Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, intersectionality has become a fundamental tool in ethnic and
minority studies, allowing scholars and activists to better analyze the complex, interwoven forms
of oppression experienced by marginalized groups.

Intersectionality and Ethnic Studies

In ethnic and minority studies, intersectionality plays an essential role in unpacking the diverse
and complex experiences of discrimination faced by racial and ethnic minorities. People who
belong to marginalized ethnic groups, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), do
not experience oppression solely due to their racial or ethnic identity but also through the
intersecting categories of gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and more.

Take, for example, the experiences of a Black woman. Her oppression is distinct from that of a
White woman or a Black man, as she navigates the combined impacts of both racial and gendered
discrimination. However, her experience also varies according to her socio-economic status,
religion, and even her geographic location. For instance, a Black Muslim woman may face a
compounded form of marginalization not only due to her race and gender but also because of her
religious identity, particularly in the context of Islamophobic sentiments in many parts of the
world. This illustrates the power of intersectionality: by recognizing the interconnectedness of
multiple forms of oppression, we are able to better understand the unique challenges faced by
individuals and communities at the margins.

In this sense, ethnic and minority studies grounded in intersectionality emphasizes the necessity of
viewing oppression through a multidimensional lens rather than focusing solely on one axis. This
approach allows for more nuanced and holistic analyses of discrimination, offering more effective
pathways for social change.

Intersectionality and the Role of Age, Race, and Class

Age is an important factor in the intersectional experience of oppression, particularly within ethnic
and minority communities. Both children and elderly individuals from marginalized ethnic groups
face unique and heightened forms of discrimination. For instance, children from BIPOC
backgrounds may experience racism in schools, leading to barriers in education and opportunities.
These barriers are often exacerbated for disabled children or children from lower-income families,
who face compounded challenges that hinder their academic achievement. In many cases, ethnic
minority children are often stereotyped or tracked into lower-performing schools, further
perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Elderly individuals in ethnic minority communities often face the dual burdens of ageism and
racial discrimination. In societies where aging populations are marginalized, elderly people,
particularly from racial and ethnic minorities, may struggle to access critical resources such as
healthcare, housing, and social support. They may experience isolation or exclusion from public
life, and their concerns may be overlooked by policymakers, who fail to recognize the compounded
nature of their oppression. For example, an elderly Black person in the U.S. might face not only
barriers to healthcare due to their age but also systemic racism within the healthcare system, which
leads to poorer health outcomes and a higher likelihood of facing neglect.

Class and socio-economic status also intersect significantly with race and ethnicity. Ethnic
minorities, particularly those who belong to lower-income backgrounds, often face systemic
exclusion from economic opportunities, quality education, and healthcare. In many societies, class-
based inequality is exacerbated by racial and ethnic discrimination, perpetuating cycles of poverty
and disenfranchisement. A Black person from a low-income background may face an entirely
different set of barriers compared to a White person with the same economic status. They might
struggle more to access affordable housing, experience higher rates of unemployment, and face
discriminatory hiring practices, which can perpetuate social and economic inequalities.

Additionally, race-based exclusion can be especially pronounced when coupled with class. For
example, individuals from ethnic minorities in working-class or impoverished communities may
be subject to the criminalization of poverty—discriminated against by law enforcement and
judicial systems that disproportionately target marginalized racial groups. This combination of
economic disadvantage and racial profiling leads to disproportionate incarceration rates for people
of color, particularly Black and Latino communities, who experience systemic criminalization.

Intersectionality and Religion

Religion can further shape an individual's identity and the specific ways in which they experience
marginalization and discrimination. In intersectional terms, religious identity does not exist in
isolation but intersects with other factors, including race, gender, and ethnicity, to create distinct
experiences of oppression.

Muslim communities, for example, face Islamophobia—prejudice or discrimination against

Muslims—which is compounded by their racial or ethnic background. Muslim immigrants in
Western societies, especially those of Middle Eastern, African, or South Asian descent, often
experience a unique form of discrimination that targets both their religious and racial identities.
This may manifest in workplace discrimination, harassment in public spaces, and exclusion from
political or social participation. A Muslim woman who wears a hijab may be subjected to both
gendered Islamophobia and racial discrimination, resulting in a heightened sense of vulnerability
and exclusion. Her experience of oppression differs from a Muslim man, as the intersection of
gender and religion adds another layer of challenge.

In non-Western contexts, religious minorities may also experience significant marginalization,

particularly when their faith is not part of the dominant culture or when religious belief intersects
with ethnic or racial identity. In Myanmar, for example, the Rohingya Muslim community faces
extreme forms of discrimination due to both their religion and ethnicity, resulting in violence,
forced displacement, and denial of citizenship. The persecution of the Rohingya is deeply
connected to both their Islamic faith and their ethnic identity as a distinct group, and the oppression
they face reflects the intersection of religion, ethnicity, and statelessness.

Intersectionality and Gender

Gender as an axis of identity intersects in profound ways with race, class, and religion. Women,
particularly women of color, face complex forms of marginalization that are distinct from those
experienced by men. The intersection of gender with other forms of oppression often leads to
violence, exclusion, and silencing of marginalized women, who find their voices diminished both
within their own ethnic communities and in broader society.

For example, Black women face a unique form of oppression that is shaped by both racism and
sexism. These women experience the world differently from both White women and Black men,
navigating the complex terrain of racialized gender discrimination. They are often subject to
harmful stereotypes about their strength, sexuality, and behavior, and these stereotypes influence
how they are treated in the workplace, in the media, and in their personal lives. A Black woman
may face higher rates of economic disenfranchisement, violence, and health disparities due to this
compounded racial and gendered oppression.

In particular, Rohingya women, as discussed earlier, provide a stark example of the

intersectionality of ethnicity, religion, and gender. They face multiple layers of exclusion: they are
marginalized by the government of Myanmar due to their ethnic identity as Rohingya Muslims,
but they also experience specific gendered violence, including sexual assault and forced
displacement, that is unique to their experiences as women. These women’s access to basic human
rights, including education, healthcare, and security, is severely limited by both their gender and
their ethnic/religious identity.

Intersectionality and Disability

Disability adds yet another layer of marginalization to ethnic and racial minority communities.
Disabled individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups experience ableism and racism
simultaneously, which can prevent them from accessing vital resources such as healthcare,
education, or social services. For example, a disabled Black person may face both discrimination
in the workplace and lack of accessibility in public spaces, resulting in their social exclusion and
economic marginalization. Disabled ethnic minorities may also struggle to receive adequate care
in medical institutions where both ableism and racial discrimination intersect, leading to poorer
health outcomes and neglect.

This compounded marginalization is particularly evident in education and employment. Disabled

people of color often find it difficult to navigate educational institutions where their needs are not
met due to a lack of accessibility, inadequate support systems, and racialized expectations. In the
workforce, these individuals may face discrimination not only for their disability but also for their
racial or ethnic background, often leading to underemployment or unemployment. The
intersectional nature of ableism, racism, and classism underscores the need for policies that address
both disability rights and racial justice.
Women as an Oppressed Minority
The compounded oppression of women of color is a critical focus of intersectionality. Women in
ethnic minorities face both gendered violence and racial discrimination that often intersect in ways
that uniquely disadvantage them. These women often experience higher rates of poverty, violence,
and healthcare disparities compared to their male counterparts. Moreover, gender norms within
their own communities can further restrict their autonomy, particularly for women from
conservative cultural or religious backgrounds.

For example, Indigenous women face systemic violence and exploitation that is often linked to
colonial histories, as well as specific cultural practices and expectations within their communities.
Indigenous women in North America are disproportionately affected by issues such as missing and
murdered women, sexual violence, and economic deprivation. Their struggle is shaped by both
their Indigenous heritage and their gender, and their experiences cannot be understood in isolation
from these two identities. The intersectionality of these issues calls for advocacy that addresses the
unique challenges faced by these women and amplifies their voices in social and political spheres.

Conclusion: The Power of Intersectionality in Pursuing Social Justice

Intersectionality offers a powerful framework for understanding the intricate layers of oppression
that individuals from ethnic and minority groups face. By considering the intersections of race,
class, gender, age, religion, disability, and other axes, we are able to recognize the complexity of
identity and oppression. In ethnic and minority studies, this framework challenges us to move
beyond simplistic, single-axis analyses and instead adopt an inclusive, multi-dimensional approach
to understanding and addressing the struggles faced by marginalized communities.

Ultimately, the goal of intersectionality is not just to highlight oppression but also to highlight
resistance, resilience, and agency. It helps us understand how people at the intersections of multiple
forms of marginalization actively resist and create new possibilities for social change. By
amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, we can build more inclusive
and equitable systems that account for the full complexity of human experience.

To achieve true social justice, we must ensure that our approaches to policy, activism, and
scholarship are rooted in the intersectionality of marginalized groups’ lived experiences. Only then
can we begin to dismantle the multifaceted systems of inequality that continue to shape our world.