I thought I might do a couple of posts on some of the various feminist theories which perhaps get less of an airing, and without using too much academic lingo (which can be a bit off putting if you're not academically inclined). I'm starting with Intersectional Feminism because even amongst feminists there is often a bit of confusion about what it does (and does not) mean, especially with reference to the current trans debate.
In it's modern context, civil rights activist and race theory academic Kimberle Crenshaw originated the term to describe the experience of black and of colour women: how racism and sexism overlap in their oppressions of those women. So for example, a black woman in the work place will face stigma and difficulties because she is both black, and a woman.
It is not, however, a new theory. In 1851, anti-slavery campaigner Sojourner Truth delivered her impassioned 'ain't I a woman speech' at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio:
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
(You can find a full text of the speech here )
The writings and works of Audre Lord, Gloria Anzaldúa, Angela Davis and many others also form much of the grounding for Crenshaw's work. A link to Crenshaw's original essay is here (pdf)
The academic theory around the experience of black women has since been further developed by Trudy of Gradient Lair, a Womanist blog, and Moya Bailey, who developed the theories of misogynoir and transmisogynoir. (The experience of black/of colour women of misogyny - as distinct from sexism - in society).
Other groups of women have since used the term intersectional in relation to sexism and misogyny, and other oppressions, such as disability and sexuality.
There is a good list of books on black, queer and Native American intersectional feminism here if you would like to read around the subject further.