Easy Intersectionality (with CRT thrown in)

If you've been careful, you haven't heard about Intersectionality or CRT. But, of course, that would require a lot of careful, so most probably have, even if they're vague. So I thought it might help if you got a "Interesectionality for Dummies" help, with a little Critical Race Theory (CRT) thrown in for good measure. Maybe we can get you a little "woke."

First, the textbook definitions. Intersectionality is a "complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups." If you are marginalized in some way -- race, sex, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, whatever -- then you have a dog in this hunt. The more areas in which you have these marginalizations gives you more "intersections." It's about identity and oppression. Critical Race Theory is a bit more complex, but basically it's the idea that institutions are inherently racist and racism is a social construct used exclusively by white people to further their interests at the expense of non-white people. Racism, then, is defined as "the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another, specifically white supremacy." (I find it odd that, given that this is about power or the lack thereof, no other people but whites can be racist even in places that they don't have the power. Strange, isn't it?) Those are the two concepts in a nutshell. A very small nutshell. The ramifications are to those definitions are what an oak tree is to an acorn -- massive. Oh, wait, and "woke." Can't forget that one. It's defined as being "aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)" (except, I suspect, that's an evolving definition). So, of course, if you "get" Intersectionality and CRT, then you're woke (theoretically).

Now the "easy" part. What does it all mean? Both of these, right along with "woke," are essentially identities. They are designed to put you, you, you, and you all in various categories. Well, two -- "oppressed" or "oppressor." You cannot be anything else. If you are not oppressed, you are the oppressor. There is no in-between. You cannot claim, "I'm not oppressing anyone, but neither do I believe I'm oppressed" because, well, you are ... one or the other.

As offshoots of "queer theory" and modern racism theory as well as feminism taken to their logical extremes, these all share one particular quality; they are not compatible with the Gospel. As demonstrated in today's "cancel culture" predicated on these theories and principles, these concepts do not allow for redemption, forgiveness, or even remedy. If you're white, you're a racist oppressor and nothing you can do will change that. If you're male you're a sexist oppressor and nothing you can do will change that. And on it goes. As illustrated in the case of Mitchell Miller who was released from the Arizona Coytes because of a conviction for racial bullying at the age of 14. He served his sentence and regretted his actions and apologized, but justice demands that his career be killed in its infancy. The new Gospel is "Apart from being among the oppressed there is no forgiveness of sins. Oh, and we get to define who the 'oppressed' are, not you."

There, now, feel better? (Actually, I hope not.) Maybe a little clearer? (Since these are not rational or reasonable lines of thinking, I'm thinking "No".) I'm not trying to make you feel better or to give you a better understanding. I am hoping you'll begin to see these ideas as more dangerous than those Christians like the Southern Baptist Convention that embraced them think they are. (And I don't say that to disparage the Southern Baptist Convention as much as to point out that if they fall for it, many of us are equally likely to do so.) Is racism a problem? Sure. Absolutely. A problem that Scripture abhors, and so should we. But these theories turn it into an identity, an irreconcilable identity that intentionally turns Christian brother against brother and denies salvation to all but the elect, defined specifically as "the oppressed that we choose to identify as the oppressed." Racism, sexism, hate, oppression -- these things are not compatible with a Christian worldview. Neither is the "unpardonable sin" being "born white" or anything like it.