An example of intersectionality is the distinction between the single experience of being a minority and the single experience of being female. Intersectionality is the sum of these two (and more). Because a black woman does not experience being black and a woman separately. Our identity is made of many interconnected positions which cannot be considered individually, they must be considered as a whole which sums to our overall unwilling placement in society and our experience.
I am female, and because of my gender I choose to dress in a certain way. (however it must be said that any gender or sex can assume any identity they please) I wear corsets and makeup and put pins in my hair. I am also a 19 year old woman, which allows me the freedom to wear almost anything I want. I am not limited by dress code or my parents or my peers, or what is deemed “acceptable for my age” by society. Because I live in New York and will be seen by many people from the moment I leave my home, I feel pressure to dress a certain way. I like to dress professionally because I feel that as a woman, I will not be taken seriously unless I cover up or look nice every day. Especially with what I am studying, I can’t dress in sweatpants or a raggedy T-shirt. I need everyone to know I have good taste or else they won’t take my work seriously. I also have “one of the worst cases of body dysmorphia” my friends have ever seen. I am constantly studying my body and scrutinizing every inch. When I feel badly about myself, I wear many layers and baggy clothes to hide my figure. I dream of finally getting a breast reduction, I often wear sports bras and breast binders to flatten my chest. I also dress based on who I will see that day and my destination. If I will spend all day sewing next to my best friend without seeing anyone else, I will wear a “bad outfit”. Especially if my body dysmorphia is particularly bad that day,
