Intersectionality and Diversity - Same or Different?

Intersectionality and DiversitySame or Different?

Abstract

In Feminist and Gender Studies intersectionality has become a key concept. At the same time, diversity is mostly perceived negatively within these fields, due to its links to management, entrepreneurship and performance. This chapter will discuss similarities as well as differences between diversity and intersectionality as concepts. First the term diversity as such will be discussed: similar to intersectionality, it tends to be a buzzword, as it can be understood in many ways. . Second, the term diversity, similar to intersectionality, has become a travelling concept. There is a need to reflect upon changing meanings, depending on the geopolitical contexts. Third, the genealogies of diversity and intersectionality differ substantially. More recently, diversity is often referred to in combination with inclusion. “Diversity and inclusion” is a way to conceptualise the management of difference within an organisation by recognising individual qualities and needs. But how does “diversity and inclusion” relate to intersectionality, taking their theoretical trajectories into account? Finally, a salient difference between intersectionality and diversity consists in the ‘added value’, counting as the general aim of diversity management. This added value has provoked serious critique from gender studies and critical theory in general, as it might conceal discrimination. As a consequence, critical diversity studies emerged in the mid-1990s arguing that the theoretical shift to diversity would obscure unequal power relations in organisations, for example, gender, race/ethnicity, (dis)ability, hampering the ability to challenge them (Organization 17(1), 2010: 9). Recent contributions in critical diversity studies aim at including intersectionality as a theoretical concept. In my conclusion I discuss, how they try to bridge diversity and intersectionality and how they develop a critical perspective with regard to power dimensions and inequality.

In: Davis, K., & Lutz, H. (Eds.). (2023). The Routledge International Handbook of Intersectionality Studies (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003089520