One of the biggest desires I have for my child is that she feels free to navigate her own identity. But as a black mom to a biracial child, I can already see that getting her there is going to be an uphill battle.
It feels like the larger society tends to tokenize mixed-race kids to create the illusion of a diverse, inclusive world. So often, when we see a movie, sitcom, or commercial featuring a family of a diverse background, the children of the family are almost always mixed race to create this illusion.
In reality, the media is using these multiracial kids to absolve itself of the guilt of under-representation while reinforcing colorism. In other words, they give us the breadcrumb of representation but only representation that is palatable to white people.
At the same time, it feels like folks from marginalized identities will take issue with my mixed-race daughter defining her identity for herself, too. I can't tell you how many social comments I've read from Black people claiming that Vice President Harris isn't Black because she once described herself as "half Indian and half Jamaican." As if Black people only live in the United States.
The absurdity of these actions and comments is maddening. Yet, I don't know if I would be doing my job as a mother if I didn't prepare my daughter to face them or start to find ways to lessen this burden for her future.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality describes how different forms of inequality and identity combine and overlap. For example, as a Black woman, I navigate spaces where my gender and race often subject me to discrimination. Yet, my financial security and education afford me privileges that many others in my community don't have. For my daughter, her race as a half-Black, half-Pakistani girl will subject her to both prejudice and privilege, too. She will feel simultaneously included and excluded in so many ways that it scares me.
If you think about your identity, there are likely areas where you are experiencing inequality at the same time you are experiencing privilege. However, instead of viewing this as a burden, I'm hoping we can start to view it as a superpower that allows us to bring nuanced perspectives to the table, particularly when it comes to civic engagement as we enter election season.
Intersectionality and Civic Engagement
For my daughter's future and our collective futures, here's how we can start to use our intersectional identities to create a better world.
Challenging Oversimplification
We live in a world that often seeks simple answers to complex problems. Our intersectional experiences allow us to see beyond these oversimplifications. We understand that issues like racial justice, gender equality, and economic policy are deeply interconnected. We can push for more comprehensive, holistic solutions by bringing this understanding to civic engagement. We can also push back against this pervasive narrative that people are either liberal or conservative. We are not binary beings. Instead. most of us are a mash-up of complexities.
Representing the Underrepresented
Many of us inhabit identities that are underrepresented in positions of power. When we engage civically, we bring these perspectives to the forefront. We advocate for those who might otherwise be overlooked in policy decisions.
Pushing for Intersectional Solutions
Our lived experiences show us that one-size-fits-all solutions often fall short. We understand that effective policies must consider how different aspects of identity intersect and interact. This push for intersectional thinking leads to more equitable, effective outcomes for all.
Expanding the Narrative
By engaging civically, we challenge narrow stereotypes about what it means to be a woman of color. We show the diversity within our communities and push for a more nuanced understanding of identity in public discourse.
Moving Forward
Our intersectional identities may come with challenges, but they also give us the power to see the world in ways others can't. By embracing this power in our civic engagement, we don't just improve our own lives—we push society toward greater understanding, empathy, and true inclusivity. That's a legacy worth fighting for.
In power and solidarity,
Toya
P.S. Want to go deeper with this content? Then subscribe to the Woke Up Worthy Community. Each month, you’ll receive resources to go deeper with these blog posts in addition to monthly discussions, challenges, and pop-up coaching with me, Toya Gavin, an ICF-certified life and business coach who specializes in helping marginalized folks navigate oppression. This membership isn’t just for women of color. It’s for all marginalized identities, and I would love to see you there.
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