INTERSECTIONALITY AS A CRITICAL SOCIAL THEORY, BY PATRICIA HILLS COLLINS

Abstract

The book "Better Than Ideas: Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory" by Patricia Hill Collins highlights the importance of intersectionality as a tool for understanding and challenging power structures. Collins argues that intersectionality is not just an academic theory, but also political and investigative practice, challenging simplistic approaches to social inequalities. She emphasizes the need for an intersectional analysis that considers the complex intersections between various forms of oppression, going beyond the simple description of identities. Collins discusses how intersectionality can inform different fields, such as sociology and public policy, highlighting its importance in the fight for social justice. The book offers insights into epistemic resistance, communal experience, freedom, and relationality, emphasizing the ongoing need for an approach committed to equality and equity for all.