Intersectionality Map
- sexuality
- female
- korean
- homebody
- designer
- pessimistic
After weeks of further exploration of “intersectionality”, I see it as the cross of multiple subject positions that overlap into one another with not just a single definition or distinction of how they work together to make one’s identity. Crenshaw’s example of how black women with their two identities of race and gender being at two crossroads combine to best illustrate this. However, I can understand Lowry to a certain extent of how an individual can use one of their identities to better highlight a certain purpose in society. However, I do not agree with his statement that it is something that one can choose to play a part in.[1] For example, being Asian and a Female indicate the crossroad that I am at in society. Asian Females are fetishized by society by being stereotyped as submissive and exotic. It can be experienced everywhere from dating apps to the sidewalk. There are times of need where one identity must be highlighted such as my struggles and experiences as a women when supporting the feminist movement. My Asian identity just allows me to give different perspective into how Asian Females experience the world compared to let’s say a Black Woman or a White Woman.
“Styling, dressing, adorning, or fashioning” contributes to subject formation. It was true for me as dressing up and developing my style over time was the expression of forming my identity.[2] My two subject positions of race and sexuality often clash for my daily dressing. While dressing to explore my sexuality I find that it goes against Korean culture that frowns upon anything beyond a normal, modest way of dressing. Females are especially pressured in Korean society to fit in with the fashion trends. This leads me to sometimes an internal struggle if it is okay with me to wear garments that show skin or accentuate my body. This is certainly a different experience from a Korean Women living in Korea. As a Korean Women living in America, I fear the sexual harassment I will face from men in public spaces if I do explore sexuality with my dressing. Also as a designer, I feel as if I am more conscious of my appearance. I admit I used to dress depending on labels before getting a better understanding of my style and fashion. Very much like how identity is not a concrete concept so is dressing, fashion, and styling myself in this world.
- Stamper, Kory. “A Brief, Convoluted History of the Word ‘Intersectionality’.” The Cut. The Cut, March 9, 2018. https://www.thecut.com/2018/03/a-brief-convoluted-history-of-the-word-intersectionality.html.
2. Susan Kaiser, Fashion and Cultural Studies (New York: Berg, 2012),30-31.
