intersekcja

Intersekcja is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts depending on the context, most notably in mathematics and social sciences. In mathematics, intersekcja refers to the set of elements that are common to two or more sets. This is often denoted by the symbol $\cap$. For example, if set A contains {1, 2, 3} and set B contains {3, 4, 5}, their intersekcja is the set {3}. This concept is fundamental in set theory and has applications in various fields of mathematics.

In the social sciences, particularly in feminist theory and critical race theory, intersekcja, or intersectionality, describes the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation, as they apply to a given individual or group. These categories are often viewed as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to explain how Black women experienced discrimination in ways that were distinct from both white women and Black men. Understanding intersekcja in this context highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of social inequality and identity. While the mathematical definition focuses on shared elements, the social science definition focuses on the compounding effects of multiple social identities and their impact on lived experiences.