Intersectional Solidarity: A Political Consciousness of Race and Gender

• In Event: Beyond Race or Gender: Intersectional Analysis and Political Behavior

Abstract

How does consciousness at the intersection of racial discrimination, gender discrimination and sexuality discrimination impact political behavior? This paper introduces a new measure of political consciousness, intersectional solidarity. Intersectional solidarity is defined as awareness and distress over multiple marginal subgroups’ oppression. It is a combination of awareness of the discrimination that multiple marginalized groups face and a desire to address the oppression of these groups. Using data from the 2016 ANES I construct an instrument to measure this disposition. Intersectional solidarity is a disposition that can be held by anyone regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. However, its is most prevalent amongst Black people and queer people. I demonstrate that intersectional solidarity is associated with support for electing women to office. Additionally, intersectional solidarity predicts support for policies that support marginalized groups that are not captured by the measure. For example, intersectional solidarity is associated with supporting transgender people using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

Author

• Chaya Crowder, Princeton University