Brazilian intersectional theories

precocious and unnamed

Abstract

The concept of intersectionality follows the social and intellectual struggle of the black feminist movement and has an important pedagogical function in society. In this paper, a brief theoretical and chronological study of the concept of intersectionality and of the intersectional feminism aiming to analyze the existing multiplicity in this concept and characterize it as an indispensable methodological-analytical tool for the understanding of the contemporary societies. This research adopts a qualitative approach, of basic nature and exploratory purpose, being systematized by bibliographical research procedure. It is remarked that “intersectionality” appears as an original conception in the Brazilian territory and that, however, its visibility occurs only after the writings of the Kimberlé Crenshaw. We note as a conclusion that: Brazilian intellectuals Lélia Gonzalez and Beatriz Nascimento use the intersectional view in their reflections but do not elaborate a term to denominate this theoretical view; that Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the term “intersectionality” in the USA in a context of denunciations aimed at intellectual and legal movements that ignored the multiple and articulated sufferings experienced by black women; that Carla Akotirene diffuses the intersectional reading in Brazil through an accessible bibliographic production; and that it is necessary to move from theoretical-reflexive criticism towards the applicability of the information offered through intersectional readings in the substantiation of public policies.