Embracing Intersectionality Beyond Race: My Journey Through India

As a Black woman, I recently traveled to India and was struck by the diversity of identities within the Indian population itself. While India is often viewed as a monolithic country, the reality is that it is home to a range of diverse communities, including Sikhs, light-skinned Indians, dark skinned Indians, Muslim Indians, affluent Indians, impoverished Indians and many others.

My experience in India gave me an epiphany: that intersectionality is not limited to diverse populations in the sense of race alone, but also in what we often perceive as monolithic communities. This realization made me reflect on how to expand these nuanced conversations globally and ensure that we are inclusive of all communities, regardless of their perceived homogeneity. It made me realize that I should always be looking for how diversity shows up in the room beyond race and ethnicity as the center point of intersectionality. 

I believe that it's essential to recognize and celebrate the diversity within communities, including those that may be seen as homogenous. By doing so, we can foster a greater sense of understanding, empathy, and connection across cultures and communities. This recognition of intersectionality can lead to a more comprehensive approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, both within our own communities and across the globe.

My time in India was a reminder that we must continually strive to challenge our own assumptions and biases and be open to the richness and complexity of the world around us. It was also a reminder that we tend to create a single story of groups in our mind and we must always be open to challenging and questioning them as we open up, listen and learn from others. Only then can we create a more just and equitable society, where all individuals are seen and valued for who they are.

My time in India was a reminder that we must continually strive to challenge our own assumptions and biases and be open to the richness and complexity of the world around us.