Intersectionality as quantum
Short:
Think of intersectionality like a quantum system. Identity elements (race, gender, class, etc.) are like particles in an atom. They coexist and interact to shape the whole, much like quantum superposition where a system is in multiple states at once.
Like quantum entanglement, where the state of one particle affects another, identity elements are interconnected. For example, the experience of being a woman changes when intersecting with other identities, like being Black or rich.
Like the uncertainty principle in quantum theory, you can’t fully understand an individual by examining just one aspect of their identity. And like quantum tunnelling, individuals can overcome insurmountable barriers when considering each form of oppression separately.
In essence, both quantum systems and identities are multifaceted, interdependent, and unique.
Long : I think about intersectionality as a quantum system where the various elements of identity (like race, gender, class, etc.) can be seen as subatomic particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. Just as an atom’s behaviour and properties are determined by the combination and arrangement of these particles, a person’s experiences and identity are shaped by the combination and interaction of their different identity elements.
First, consider the principle of superposition in quantum mechanics, where a quantum system can be in multiple states at once until it is observed. Similarly, in intersectionality, an individual’s identity isn’t defined by a single characteristic at a time but rather by all characteristics simultaneously. For instance, a person isn’t solely a woman at one point, Black at another, and working-class at another. These identities coexist and influence the person’s experience at all times, similar to a state of superposition.
Then there’s the concept of entanglement in quantum theory, where particles become interconnected so that the state of one immediately influences the state of the other, no matter the distance. In intersectionality, different aspects of one’s identity are similarly entangled. The experience of being a woman is different when entangled with being Black, being Asian, being rich, or being poor. These facets of identity don’t exist independently; they’re intertwined and co-influencing, much like entangled particles.
The principle of uncertainty in quantum theory also has a parallel in intersectionality. Just as it’s impossible to simultaneously know a particle’s exact position and momentum, it’s also impossible to fully understand an individual’s experience by examining just one aspect of their identity. The more precisely one aspect is understood, the less precisely other aspects may be known.
Lastly, consider quantum tunnelling, where a particle can cross an energy barrier that it, classically, shouldn’t be able to. This can be seen in intersectionality, where an individual facing multiple forms of oppression finds ways to thrive and break barriers that might not seem possible when considering each form of oppression in isolation.
This metaphor oversimplifies quantum mechanics and intersectionality but can provide an interesting conceptual bridge between the two. Like a quantum system, each person’s identity is multifaceted, interdependent, and unique.
Resources
image from: #BlackInQuantum article
Interwoven: the fabric of things
Feminist researcher supports ‘combining intersectionality and quantum physics’
Hi Kim
Great post coming from someone whose brain gets fuzzy when science terms are introduced into conversations. I left science including most of its terms at secondary school.
Being a black women who is familiar with the term ‘intersectionality’, the post resonated with me. Intersectionality usually conjures up in people’s minds identities like mine. But actually, I think this is a superficial understanding. One of the best explanations that I have come across (which includes yours) is that individuals have multiple identities some of which may lie in the privileged section whilst others in the oppressed section – in fact, my poor explanation has prompted me to look up the diagram that accompanied the explanation, which can be searched for under the terms ‘intersecting axes of privilege, domination and oppression’.
Anyway, thank you for your explanation.