Everyone holds multiple identities with relative privilege or discrimination

Evidence

As previously stated, Mari Matsuda coined the term “multiple consciousness” to describe the intersectional identities of women of color. In earlier scholarship, I have chosen to use the word “multiplicative” to configure identity (Wing, 1990-91). As a simplistic example, I am black x female. If you multiply my identities together, you have one indivisible being. You cannot subtract out any part of my identity, and ask me to pretend I am only a woman today or only a black. … My initial premise is that everyone has multiple identities, not just women of color in the United States. Anglo-Saxon American males have multiple identities, and within a global context, most of their identities may privilege them. Women of color, on the other hand, may primarily possess a cluster of identities that lead them to face multiple forms of discrimination. But the analysis must become more complex. Even women of color, who are disproportionally impoverished, may have some identities that relatively privilege them. To assist women of color, we need to delineate their multiple identities, examine how those identities intersect to privilege or lead them to face discrimination, and then design multidimensional programs that would enhance their life situations. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1165

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ‘multiplicative’ identity as an alternative to Matsuda’s ‘multiple consciousness,’ configuring identities as multiplied (black x female) into one indivisible being.
• XREF: The multiplicative formulation contrasts with additive models and qualifies how intersectionality should be understood in the vault. — connects to: Everyone is composed of multiple social identities that position them differently; Women of color hold some identities that relatively privilege them; Subordinated individuals can still hold relatively privileging identities — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1166 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Women of color hold some identities that relatively privilege them #exemplifies (0.95)
• Subordinated individuals can still hold relatively privileging identities #exemplifies (0.95) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1166
• Everyone is composed of multiple social identities that position them differently #corroborates (0.90)
• People hold multiple self-categories whose relationship structures shape identification. #corroborates (0.80) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 659
• For the privileged, equality can feel like discrimination #complicates (0.80) — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 192
• The same person is classified as different races across national contexts #qualifies (0.75) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1171