Intersectional Invisibility: Case Study of the Guerrilla Girls Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Although social movement groups in principle uphold an inclusive, non-hierarchical organizing strategy, they can unwittingly reproduce power hierarchies that they aim to subvert. This study examines intragroup conflicts of a grassroots feminist collective, Guerrilla Girls. As a racially heterogeneous feminist organization, it encountered disharmony among its different racial subgroups and ended in an acrimonious split. Drawing on oral history records (2007- 2008) and official archives (1979-2003) of the Guerrilla Girls, this research uncovers its lopsided power distribution which led to its split into several themes: assessment of their commitment to horizontal democracy, white predominance in racial composition, communication dynamics, and unchecked power of two leaders. From the archival data, I find a persistent dichotomy between two narratives and present a holistic view of the roots causing this discrepancy between what they preach and what they practice. This study’s insights advocate for the recognition of multiplicity within feminist movements and active reforms in organizational structures for equal representation and participation of women of color.

Table of Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................1 Literature Review................................................................................................................7 Exclusion in Feminist Movements....................................................................................16 Identity, Prototypicality, and Essentialism........................................................................20 Legitimacy and Status in Social Movements.....................................................................27 Data and Methods............................................................................................................32 Assessment of Horizontal Democracy..............................................................................35 Racial Composition...........................................................................................................38 Communication Dynamics................................................................................................43 Unchecked Power: the Ambitious Duo.............................................................................55 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................60 Works Cited......................................................................................................................64

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Sociology
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Sociology, General Women's Studies
Keyword	Feminism Art Activism Women of Color Feminist Art Essentialism Social Psychology Intersectionality Social Movement Research
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Timothy J. Dowd, Emory University
Committee Members	Cathryn Johnson, Emory University Linda Merrill, Emory University

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