By MILO SMEDLEY
Opinions Editor
As Black History Month comes to a close, I would like to shine a spotlight on a word: Intersectionality. Intersectionality to me means the relationship between differing parts of someone’s identity that combine to make someone’s life experience. This term is special to me not only as a sociology minor, but also as a black person with other identities that mix and intertwine to shape how I view the world. That being said, Black History Month recognizes many figures that have helped to shape and develop not only civil rights but also Black culture. An often missed part of Black culture can be the parts that do intersect, such as Black and LGBTQ+ history.
The term intersectionality was created originally by a black woman. Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw created the term in 1989 to understand the discrimination against women of color. The word has since been expanded to include multiple other factors of identity, but it still has its roots in race and gender. The original definition focuses more on discrimination, while the more recent definition has transformed to be more inclusive of others that may also be facing struggles due to their identities intersecting. I find myself being considered someone who is “black and” in multiple social settings. With each combination of identities, a new possibly differing perspective is created.
Black history has many individuals that helped shape it from all kinds of backgrounds. Many Black icons also have identified as LGBTQ+ as well (more than just RuPaul). For example, Josephine Baker, born in 1906, was many things including a performer, actress, and activist. Baker was loved in France, while America, despite being her birthplace, did not have as much love for the performer. Baker would refuse to come to perform in her home city of St. Louis due to the city’s segregation and lack of acceptance for the populations of color. Baker was also involved in the Civil Rights Movement, speaking at the March on Washington, and being recommended to become the leader of the Civil Rights Movement following Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. While Baker did have four husbands, she also had affairs with women including Frida Kahlo. Baker would continue to become an influential figure leading up to her death in 1975. Despite her passing, Baker continues to be an influential figure of the 20th century to this day.
Another influential LGBTQ Black person is Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was a prominent member of the gay rights movement in New York City during the 60s and 70s. She was born on Aug. 24, 1945. Johnson had a rough upbringing as one of seven children in her family. Johnson enjoyed dressing like a woman from a young age, which further put a strain on her upbringing and later influenced her move to NYC post graduation. Later on in her life, Johnson found herself at The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, where rioting would later take place. Johnson has been known to be present during the riots with many speculating on what she was doing there; what is known however is that she was among the front lines of the riot. Johnson would continue to do many things in her lifetime, fighting for her and others’ rights with every step. When asked about what the P. in her name stood for, she would say it stood for her personal motto: “Pay it no mind.” Johnson would later on in her life contract HIV, and was open with how she should not be discriminated against based on her diagnosis. Johnson would also go on to be the focus of the documentary, “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.” She passed away on July 6, 1992.
There are more stories of importance from the Black and LGBTQ+ community, and many more in the making. There are also more stories to celebrate during not only this month, but all year. However, I also feel that the stories that I’ve mentioned have fit perfectly with the theme of black resistance for this year’s Black History Month.
