Intersectional Tech Identity
“If not us, then who and if not now, when?” - Mona H. Bailey
The concept of an intersectional tech identity came to me while working on an educational philosophy for Hack the Hood, but was in actuality, a naming of a theory representing me and so many others. For me, the idea of intersectional tech identity development is about affirming that those, who like me have been underestimated in tech, have the knowledge, perspective, and skills needed to develop technology as a vehicle for social justice while being our full selves, unapologetically.
Simply put, intersectional tech identity development is a framework to support and enable the full engagement of people’s identities and values, and center their identity and values to learn technology. Further, intersectional tech identity is an approach to develop technology solutions that meet the needs, expectations, and requirements of people with similar identities and values, typically those not represented in the technological solutions and products that mediate so many aspects of our lives.
Hack the Hood - Philosophy of Education Excerpt
It is crucial that Hack the Hood support our learners’ intersectional tech identities and build community capacity to address social justice problems. We accomplish this through meaningful problem-posing education leveraging “data as dialogue” to impact our communities. Our learners develop their technical skills by addressing the social and ethical problems of the tech industry that have a disparate impact on our communities. We partner with the community to remedy the issues we face, both as a means of learning and to architect a digital world that works for us…We aim to prepare learners for a wide range of future possibilities where they can determine their path and are equipped to thrive as intersectional technical leaders in the environments they find themselves in.”
My first workshop on intersectional tech identity development will take place at the 20201 AAC&U Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference. Visit the Site →