The article I use in my research and would like to examine is the paper by Stéphanie Garneau titled “Intersectionality beyond feminism? Some methodological and epistemological considerations for research.” The author analyzes the existing approaches to the subject and aims to synthesize a new vision of intersectionality as a reflection of social reality specific to the scope of the examined population. The paper is a qualitative study that aims to describe the necessity of a new approach to intersectionality that includes the specifics of Black feminism.
In her article, Garneau describes the general themes of intersectionality across the specific feminist ideologies and expands them to depict how they can be linked. Garneau (2017) reinstates that “debates around intersectionality are certainly the result of differences in feminist traditions in the US and France” and reveals that there are also epistemological and methodological differences (p. 322). The author builds upon the existing concepts through descriptive research. By using a combination of secondary data, namely, various theoretical approaches, Garneau discusses the contextualization of the issue.
In conclusion, the author argues that the differences between the basis for Black feminism in the United States and the intersectional approach of French feminists require the recognition of a new direction. Garneau (2017) proposes a three-way theory based on “differentiated configurations of power relations” that includes gender-race-class intersectionality (p. 332). The paper has a solid foundation for the necessity of the study and has a clear explanation for the need to recognize the differences between social circumstances that affect Black and French feminists. This paper allows me to expand on the topic of the lack of mentorship of African American women as it highlights the fundamental differences in social relationships that lead to varied effects of discrimination.
Reference
Garneau, S. (2017). Intersectionality beyond feminism? Some methodological and epistemological considerations for research. International Review of Sociology, 28(2), 321-335. Web.