The intersection of race and gender: Examining the politics of identity in women's studies

Although race and gender are often treated as discrete dimensions of social identity, their conceptualization as intersecting categories has become central in some feminist critiques of existing theory. This study examined women's awareness of the intersection of race and gender in relation to attitudes regarding two issues manifesting identity politics in women's studies: (a) the marginalization of women of colour and (b) proposals for separate women of colour studies programmes. Identity and attitude measures were completed by 110 students enrolled in a women's studies programme. The results of a structural equation model lend support to our hypotheses that attitudes toward a separate women of colour studies programme would be determined by an awareness of the race/gender intersection, and by a perception that women of colour are marginalized in existing programmes. Responses to issues regarding race and gender in women's studies are discussed.