Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a concept that refers to a multidimensional analytical framework that acknowledges and examines the interconnected nature of various social categories, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability, and their impact on individuals' experiences within society. The concept was developed by American civil rights advocate and leading scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. As sport management scholars continue to explore and develop sports' role in society, considerations of intersectional lived experiences must accompany this work to further understand how diverse communities connect, or perhaps more importantly, do not connect to sport. Additionally, often research can homogenize communities rather than account for the complexities and divergences Crenshaw highlights as intersectional lived experiences. Intersectionality can thus challenge taken-for-granted normative assumptions of gender, sexuality, Whiteness and ableism and provide more authentic research that explores and depicts sport's role in society more accurately. We all have a role to action intersectionality by including and empowering diverse voices, but also by becoming stronger allies to ensure the labor of practising intersectionality does not only fall on the shoulders of those from marginalized communities.