According others. The matrix of domination refers to

Accordingto The Free Dictionary (n.

d.), domination is “the exercise of control or power”over others. The matrix of domination refers to an interlocking model ofoppression; where race, class, gender, and any other form of socialclassification are interconnected; at any given point a single individual canbe the oppressor, the oppressed or both at the same time (Hill Collins, 1990).

Forexample, I identify as a white/Latino/lesbian woman, which means I’m part ofboth oppressor and oppressed groups. Within the LGBT community I am part of theoppressed group, however I am also an oppressor in relation to black LGBTcommunity members. Even though I do not consciously want to be an oppressor toany community, I participate and benefit from society’s system of oppressionjust by belonging to a certain group.

It is not as easy as being on one side oranother of an issue, the matrix of domination takes into consideration everyaspect that can influence a specific relationship or situation. TheLGBT rights movement was born in 1969 with the Stonewall riots in New York, asa result of the police harassment the community was experiencing. Whether blackor white, Hispanic or American, male or female, members of the LGBT communityhad one thing in common: they were being persecuted and exposed (The StonewallRiot, 2010). Everybody united against one single cause, to demand equal rightsfor members of the community, regardless of which other social classificationgroups they belonged to. This is a great example of how identity politics areborn from systems of oppression. Identitypolitics refer to the “political activity or movements based on the cultural,ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize agroup identity” (identity politics, n.

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d.). The problem with these types ofmovements is that they have a tendency to bring together people that areaffected by a specific issue, but leave out, even if not intentionally, theother side. This tendency ends up dividing communities and defeats the purposeof uniting people against a common goal.

Continuing with the LGBT movementexample, early gay liberation activists recognized that they were part of abigger movement advocating for human rights. They even reached out and gainedthe support of the Black Panthers (Smith, 1994).Itis that same approach that can lead to the social changes necessary to abolish the systems of oppression present inour society today. It is necessary that everyone within the matrix ofdomination unites forces and fights against one common goal. Sharon Smith(1994) explained it best in her article MistakenIdentity—or Can Identity Politics Liberate the Oppressed?:Anyfight against oppression, if it is to succeed, must be based upon building thestrongest possible movement. And that can only happen when a movement unitesdifferent groups of activists into a common struggle.

It is not, as is widelyassumed within these political milieux, necessary to face a particularoppression in order to fight against that oppression, any more than it isnecessary to be destitute in order to fight against poverty. Many people who donot experience a particular form of oppression can learn to identify with thosewho do, and can be enlisted as allies in a common struggle.In conclusion, we allhave a part in the matrix of domination; whether as part of an oppressed group,as an oppressor, or a combination of both. When we get organized to fightoppression, we need to unite forces and unite people instead of separate them.One does not need to be part of an oppressed group in order to join theircause, anybody can identify with feelings of discrimination andmarginalization. In the end, justice and equality should look the same foreverybody without regard to race, sex, religion or any other socialclassification group.