Understanding Intersectionality in Asian American Communities – A Guide — Anise Health

Understanding Intersectionality in Asian American Communities – A Guide

Happy Pride Month!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant efforts to debunk Asian American stereotypes such as raising awareness about the model minority myth and combating anti-Asian hate. Although education is increasing, many of these resources often focus on a narrow portrayal of Asian American identity, and neglect to highlight how other identities come into play.

As we welcome in Pride Month this June, we’re keen to explore the different identities that can intersect with being Asian American, and how they shape our experience of society, community, and ourselves. This is important not only for the 700k Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) adults living in the United States, but also for everyone as allies.

Why are we writing about this at Anise? Well, our mission is to empower everyone to live an authentic and flourishing life, by providing culturally competent mental health care that acknowledges your multifaceted nature. That means it’s always top of mind for us to consider not only your ethnicity, but also your sexuality, gender, ability, religion, socio-economic status, and more.

What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a valuable framework for evaluating how different parts of yourself intersect, culminating in a unique experience that may include different forms of discrimination and privilege, particularly in marginalized individuals.

The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in her paper " Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics.” The term pinpoints the way that many of us possess multiple, overlapping social identities that influence the ways we experience prejudice and/or oppression.

Why is Intersectionality Important?

Intersectionality is crucial in developing a comprehensive, holistic understanding of one another, by recognising that our identities cannot be compartmentalized. Rather, they intersect, interact, and shape the way we exist in society.

The concept helps us, for example, understand the experience of someone who is both Asian and LGBTQ. They may experience not only a degree of racism, and a degree of homophobia, but a dynamic interaction of the two.

By taking this into account, we can offer more effective support and care in mental health. We’ll show you how you can turn awareness into action by using intersectionality as a framework.

How intersectionality can help improve your mental health

Intersectionality is not only a useful framework for understanding others, but also for contextualizing your own experience, and in turn discovering new avenues for finding healing. Recognizing and embracing your intersectional identities can be empowering. It allows you to draw strength from your diverse experiences and perspectives. Reflecting on your experience of intersectionality can:

Three ways you can feel better through the lens of intersectionality

  1. Develop awareness of your stressors

Recognizing the different aspects of your identity and how they interact can make you more aware of the stressors that you face and how they impact your mental health. Reflect on the various spaces you occupy in society; identifying challenges and pressures that characterize each can help you find relief and seek tailored support.

  1. Become your most authentic self and flourish

Intersectionality encourages you to embrace your uniqueness and celebrate your multifaceted identity. This self-acceptance allows for the authentic expression of yourself across all areas of life, fostering meaningful connections and improving mental health.

  1. Alleviate Bicultural Stress

Understanding your intersectional identity can help you reconcile various cultural expectations, reducing conflicts and promoting a harmonious sense of self amid diverse cultural influences.

How does intersectionality show up in the Asian American community?

Our racial identity is just one aspect of who we are. Here are examples of other identity characteristics that interact with one’s Asian American identity.

Gender

AAPI communities often perpetuate strong gender norms that influence expectations regarding marriage, career, and appearance. For example, Asian American women may experience distinct forms of discrimination such as hypersexualization or being perceived as meek due to cultural conditioning.

Sexuality

Queer Asian Americans may find cultural expectations from family at odds with their self-expression. They might feel accepted in chosen families, contrasting the homophobia experienced at home.

Faith/Religion

Sexuality challenges can be compounded by faith-related expectations, creating additional layers of complexity for individuals navigating their intersectional identities.

Socio-Economic Class

Economic disparities can exacerbate experiences of marginalization, impacting educational and job opportunities for Asian Americans from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Education & Immigration Status

Immigration status can override other identity factors, impacting job opportunities and individuals' sense of belonging.

Mixed Asians

Mixed heritage individuals may struggle with identity acceptance, experiencing microaggressions such as questioning their legitimacy in both cultures.

How to Understand Your Intersectional Identities

Our clinicians have developed a worksheet to help map your intersectional identities. This tool promotes reflection on how various identities influence your life.

Our 3-step process for embracing your own intersectionality

  1. Mapping: Reflect on the identities you associate with.
  2. Proximity: Plot these identities based on relevance.
  3. Sources: Consider the forces shaping your experience—Self, Social, Institutional.

Find the full worksheet here.

By exploring intersectionality, we can better understand and support diverse experiences within the Asian American community. At Anise, we provide culturally competent care delivered by specialists trained to understand intersectionality and its impacts.