Intersectional Activism In 'Where Do We Go From Here?'

Intersectional activism is composed of many different components and it often looks different depending on a number of factors including the location and identity of the people participating in the activism. When looking at the literature on intersectional activism, themes appear that are repeated across the literature. Intersectional activism is not a monolithic concept, as such, though two works might address the same theme or topic that does not mean that they approach the topic in the same way. Though not the same, the topics hold importance across the different forms of activism. These repeated topics include the importance and difficulties arising from coalition building, organizational structure and goals, the role of institutions, and

In Collins’s work “Where Do We Go From Here?,” she discusses how coalitions can truly be helpful for communities, such as “cross-class coalitions” that bridge class barriers (238). In “Toward a New Vision,” Collins discusses forming coalitions around a “common cause” or a “common enemy” (225). This is an approach most organizations took when looking to build a coalition. While finding a common cause is a good first step, the difficulties involved with coalition building and with partnering with other organizations are themes that can be found in many of the readings we read for class. The concept of coalition building is explored in Bernice Johnson Reagon’s piece as she addresses the fact that a reason many coalitions are “stumbling” is the fact that in order to move forward they have to join forces with people they may not completely agree with (368). Similarly, Cole looks at the difficulties in finding similarities between groups, because even within a group “subpopulations may have substantively different interests” (446). Cohen mentions coalition building in much of the same terms as others we have read, including Reagon, who she mentions Bernice Johnson Reagon by name. Cohen sees coalitions as something that are difficult and uncomfortable but necessary. A successful coalition must work with these differing opinions, interests, and

As DeTurk writes, The Esperanza Center uses an intersectional approach to its work and “is consistent in its confrontation of injustice as a system rather than as a disparate assortment of ‘isms’” (48). One question that is raised in many of the pieces we read is whether to work within the system or to work outside it. As evidenced by the response to this issue in our readings, this is not a black and white issue and there are many different ways to approach it. One way, as Paul Grzanka commented during our seminar, is to “use the master’s tools to break into the house and burn it down.” Whether working within the system or not, the activist tactics that are used are central to much of the activism we read about. The Esperanza Center is just one example of an organization that confronts the system as a whole, using tactics that are specific to their region and their