INTERSECTIONS OF RACE, CLASS, GENDER, AND NATION - SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR BLACK-FAMILY STUDIES

This article explores how recent theoretical developments in viewing r ace, social class, gender, and nation as dimensions of interlocking sy stems of oppression might suggest new directions for Black family stud ies. Traditional social science approaches typically treat race, class , gender, and nationality as descriptive variables attached to individ uals who are then reinserted into existing theoretical models on the f amily. In contrast, intersectional approaches view institutionalized r acism, social class relations, gender inequalities, and nationalism ex pressed on both sides of state power as analytical constructs that exp lain family organization in general, and Black family organization in particular. By exploring three such intersections, namely those of rac e and class, of race and gender, and of race and nation, this article examines how selected issues in Black family studies might benefit by approaching Black family studies via an intersectional lens.