Why is it that many more know the name ‘Eric Garner’ than ‘Michelle Cusseaux’? Both were killed in instances of police brutality – yet only one name really persists in public awareness. Though issues of race and gender are in the limelight like never before, black women are still much less visible.

Intersectionality was born from the need to address the invisibility of black women, but has grown to include other neglected groups whose race, class, gender, sexuality or disability makes them vulnerable to overlapping forms of discrimination. Despite the increasing popularity of the approach, there are still groups left unseen or unsupported by legal systems, social justice campaigns and in media discourse.

In this course, civil rights activist and Professor of Law Kimberlé Crenshaw takes on her critics and argues for the urgent need for an intersectional approach to social justice. She demonstrates how intersectionality can have an important, positive impact at both the personal and societal level.

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

• What intersectionality is
• How to think about intersectional frameworks
• How a lack of intersectional representation can have devastating legal and political results
• The role historical narratives have in shaping our views of social issues
• How intersectionality can benefit current social activism movements

As part of the course there are in-video quiz questions to consolidate your learning, discussion boards to have your say and an end-of-course assessment.

IAI Academy courses are designed to be challenging but accessible to the interested student. No specialist knowledge is required.