http://www.cbc.ca/health/
Aside from the fact that I have not seen the actual survey (although I would love to sneak a peek at it so please post if you come across it!) and therefore cannot comment on the inclusiveness, effectiveness or sensitivity of this survey, I think this initiative reflects a) a growing interest in the interconnectedness of social identities, and b) an increased recognition that developing effective programs and services require an understanding of the complexity and multidimensionality of people's lives. My own isolating experiences of "multiculturalism" and "girls vs. boys" sexual health education in public school lead me to applaud this seemingly progressive approach to public education. (I say, "seemingly progressive," because there is still potential for the survey and data analysis to contribute to the perpetual "othering" of distinct groups of people, and perhaps other unanticipated social harms).
The article describes a mixed response to the survey from students, however I am struck by one's students' response:
"I don't really see how that would help them with anything," said student J.T. Burke. "I don't see what program they can do to help that like depends on your gender, sexuality or race. So, I don't really think it's appropriate."
Apparently we, as intersectional scholars, still have work to do in promoting the virtues, and valid critiques, of an intersectional perspective. This article reminds me that not only do we have to engage in intersectionality debates in the academic literature, but how we are also challenged with "translating" intersectional discourse to the public sphere, especially to contribute to initiatives aimed at promoting equity and inclusivity, such as the Ottawa public school survey, we hope. We might be able to learn from intersectional scholars such as Rebecca Jordan-Young, author of Brain Storm: Flaws in the Science of Sex Differences, who engages scientists and neurobiologists (and the public) in the application of intersectional perspectives to "brain science," to help us speak and answer questions about intersectionality without resorting to our critical feminist discursive secret code.
Maybe instead of doing readings, our homework should be to "explain" intersectionality and its implications to someone immersed in dominant normative discourses.
Posted by Alycia
