“Why do we have to talk about race AND gender? Can’t we just focus on one thing at a time?”
If you’ve ever heard this question in your classroom (or thought it yourself), you’re not alone. Teaching about identity, privilege, and justice can feel overwhelming—especially when students want simple answers to complex questions.
That’s where intersectionality comes in.
Intersectionality isn’t just another buzzword to add to your DEI toolkit. It’s a framework that helps students understand how different aspects of identity—race, gender, class, sexuality, ability—overlap and interact to shape people’s experiences with discrimination and privilege.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need a PhD in critical theory to teach it. You just need the right starting point.
WHAT IS INTERSECTIONALITY? (THE SIMPLE VERSION)
Intersectionality was coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe how Black women experience discrimination differently than Black men or white women. It’s not just about adding identities together (Black + woman = double discrimination). It’s about understanding that these identities interact in unique ways that create distinct experiences.
Think of it like a traffic intersection (which is where Crenshaw got the metaphor). If someone gets hit by a car at an intersection, you can’t just look at traffic coming from one direction—you have to look at all the roads meeting at that point.
For high school students, this concept clicks when they start seeing it in their own lives:
- The queer Latinx student whose experience is different from their straight Latina friends AND white queer classmates
- The working-class white boy who faces class-based discrimination but still benefits from racial privilege
- The disabled Asian American student navigating both ableism and racism
Once students understand intersectionality, they can’t unsee it. And that’s when the real learning begins.
WHY KIMBERLÉ CRENSHAW’S TED TALK IS PERFECT FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
I’ve tried teaching intersectionality through articles, infographics, and my own explanations. But nothing lands quite like hearing it directly from Kimberlé Crenshaw herself.
Her 2016 TED Talk, “The Urgency of Intersectionality,” is only 18 minutes long but packs a powerful punch. Here’s why it works so well in the classroom:
1. She uses real stories, not abstract theory Crenshaw opens with the story of Emma DeGraffenreid, a Black woman who sued General Motors for discrimination. The court dismissed her case because they said she wasn’t discriminated against “as a woman” (white women were hired) or “as a Black person” (Black men were hired). But Black women weren’t being hired at all.
Students immediately get it. This isn’t theoretical—it’s about real people whose experiences fall through the cracks.
2. She connects past to present Crenshaw doesn’t just talk about legal cases from the 1970s. She connects intersectionality to contemporary movements like #SayHerName, showing students why this framework matters RIGHT NOW for understanding police violence, media representation, and social justice activism.
3. She’s incredibly compelling Let’s be honest: not all academic speakers are engaging. But Crenshaw is; she’s passionate, clear, and speaks directly to why this work matters in a way that makes sense. She is someone you WANT to pay attention to.
4. It’s the perfect length At 18 minutes, the TED Talk fits perfectly into a 45-50 minute class period with time for discussion. Not too long, not too short—just right.
HOW TO USE THE TED TALK IN YOUR CLASSROOM
Here’s my tried-and-true lesson structure:
BEFORE WATCHING (5 minutes)
Set up the viewing with a quick intro:
- “Today we’re learning about intersectionality from the person who created the term.”
- “As you watch, think about: How does intersectionality help us understand discrimination differently?”
- Give students the viewing guide so they know what to listen for
DURING WATCHING (18 minutes)
Students watch and take notes using guided questions. I project the TED Talk and have students work through the worksheet individually or in pairs.
Pro tip: The first time I showed this, I didn’t give students any structure and they zoned out. The viewing guide keeps them engaged and ensures they catch the key concepts.
AFTER WATCHING (20-25 minutes)
This is where the magic happens. Use discussion questions to help students apply what they learned:
5 FREE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS YOU CAN USE:
- Emma DeGraffenreid’s Story: Why did the court dismiss Emma’s discrimination case? What does this reveal about how our legal system (and society) thinks about discrimination?
- The Intersection Metaphor: Crenshaw uses a traffic intersection as a metaphor for intersectionality. Draw your own “identity intersection” showing the different aspects of your identity that meet. How do these aspects of who you are interact with each other?
- #SayHerName: Why does Crenshaw argue that Black women’s experiences with police violence are often invisible? What does this invisibility tell us about whose stories get told?
- In Your Own Life: Can you think of a time when focusing on just one aspect of identity (race OR gender OR class) missed the full picture of someone’s experience?
- Taking Action: Crenshaw ends with a call to action. What’s one way we can practice intersectional thinking in our classroom, school, or community?
TIPS FOR FACILITATING THE DISCUSSION
Teaching about identity and discrimination requires creating a brave space where students feel safe to share and make mistakes. Here’s what works for me:
Establish norms first Before diving into the content, co-create discussion norms with students:
- We listen to understand, not to respond
- We speak from our own experience (“I think…” not “Everyone knows…”)
- We ask questions when we don’t understand
- It’s okay to be uncomfortable—that’s where learning happens
Validate multiple perspectives Students will have different reactions based on their own identities and experiences. A Black girl might feel seen and validated. A white boy might feel defensive. Both are valid starting points for learning.
Use “think-pair-share” If full-class discussion feels too vulnerable, have students discuss in pairs first, then share out. This gives everyone processing time.
Connect to student lives The more you can connect intersectionality to your students’ actual experiences—in your school, your community, current events they care about—the more it will stick.
Be ready for tough questions Students will ask hard questions: “But isn’t this just dividing people?” “What if I’m privileged in some ways but not others?” “Isn’t this the same as critical race theory?”
These questions are part of the learning process. Have responses ready, but also create space for students to grapple with complexity.
WHAT COMES NEXT? EXTENDING THE LESSON
Once students understand intersectionality, you can apply it across your curriculum:
- History units: Analyze historical events through an intersectional lens (How did the suffrage movement exclude women of color? How did the labor movement intersect with racial justice?)
- Current events: Use intersectionality to analyze contemporary issues (How does climate change affect different communities differently? How do immigration policies impact various groups?)
- Literature: Examine characters and narratives through intersectional analysis (Whose stories are centered? Whose are marginalized?)
- Student activism: Help students apply intersectionality to their own advocacy work
WHY THIS MATTERS
Here’s what I’ve noticed after teaching intersectionality for several years: Students become more compassionate, more critical thinkers, and more equipped to navigate our complex world.
They start noticing:
- When news stories erase certain perspectives
- When school policies affect students differently
- When their own privilege or marginalization shifts depending on context
- How to be better allies and advocates
This isn’t just about checking a box for your DEI requirements (though it does that too). It’s about giving students a tool they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
READY TO TEACH THIS LESSON?
I’ve created a complete Intersectionality TED Talk Viewing Guide with:
- Scaffolded comprehension questions aligned to Crenshaw’s key points
- Discussion prompts for small group and whole-class dialogue
- Complete answer key
- Both digital (Google Slides) and print versions
- Works for in-person, hybrid, or distance learning
Perfect for social studies, ethnic studies, sociology, civics, or advisory classes. Great for the first week of school, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, or any social justice unit.
[GET THE COMPLETE VIEWING GUIDE HERE →](link to your TpT product)
MORE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING SOCIAL JUSTICE:
- Intersectionality Wheel Activity
- Analysis of Oppression Framework
- [Building Blocks for a Feminist Classroom](link to blog post)
- [How to Teach Feminism to High School Students](link to blog post)