Exploring BIPOC Identity and the Intersectionality of Who We Are

Who are you?

How do you identify?

These simple questions can often feel like some of the hardest to answer. For some, the answers may shift depending on the environment they’re in—whether that’s with family, at school, in the workplace, or out in the world. As a person of color or a member of multiple marginalized communities, parts of your identity may become more prevalent in different spaces. Maybe in one environment, your cultural background feels more central to how you move through the world, while in another, your gender or sexual identity takes center stage. These layers of identity, and how they interact with each other, make up the rich tapestry of who you are.

In this blog, I want to explore what it means to carry and express these intersecting identities, especially in today’s complex world. How do you navigate knowing who you are, especially when different environments call upon different parts of you? Are you able to hold pride in all parts of yourself, or do some areas feel more vulnerable, or even silenced?

What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a scholar who sought to describe how different parts of our identity—like race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability—don’t exist in isolation. Instead, they intersect, creating unique experiences of oppression, privilege, and power. For example, being a Black woman in America means experiencing both racism and sexism in ways that may differ from the experience of a white woman or a Black man. For someone who identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), these intersections can become even more complex, particularly when you hold multiple marginalized identities.

Understanding intersectionality isn’t just about acknowledging that we all have different identities, but recognizing how systems of power and inequality affect how we are seen, heard, and treated in society.

Navigating Identity in Different Spaces

Many of us navigate these layers of identity differently depending on where we are. With family, cultural values and traditions may feel most important, and you might embrace a certain version of yourself that connects you deeply to your roots. In the workplace or at school, however, certain aspects of your identity might feel less welcomed or even consciously suppressed. For example, you may find yourself code-switching, which is when people adjust their language, behavior, or mannerisms to fit into a dominant culture. This is something that many BIPOC individuals do as a way to adapt or protect themselves in environments where they may feel marginalized.

While code-switching can sometimes be a survival tool, it’s also important to recognize when it becomes an exhausting burden, making it harder to fully express who you are. It can feel like you're constantly managing how much of yourself is safe to share, and that dissonance can take a toll on your mental health and sense of self-worth.

So, how do you navigate knowing who you are when you’re constantly switching between different aspects of your identity?

Pride and Fear in a Challenging Political Climate

Holding pride in all parts of your identity can be empowering—but it’s not always easy. In today’s political climate, with increasing attacks on BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ rights, and other marginalized groups, it can feel dangerous to express certain parts of who you are. From the rise in hate crimes to oppressive legislation, many BIPOC individuals are navigating a world where their very existence feels under threat.

It’s natural to feel a mix of pride and fear as you move through the world. On one hand, you may feel deeply connected to your cultural heritage, proud of your community’s resilience, and grounded in who you are. On the other hand, you may experience fear of being judged, stereotyped, or even physically harmed based on these same identities.

There’s a delicate balance between showing up bravely and protecting yourself in environments where you don’t feel safe. You shouldn’t have to silence parts of yourself to survive, but in some situations, self-preservation may mean just that. It’s okay to acknowledge that tension—it’s okay to prioritize your safety while still holding space for who you are.

Moving Through the World with Intention and Safety

Here are some gentle suggestions to help you navigate this balance between bravery and safety as you explore and express your intersecting identities:

1. Check in with your safety: 

It’s important to assess where you feel safe and where you don’t. Whether it’s physical safety, emotional safety, or even psychological safety, make sure that you’re finding spaces where you can fully be yourself without fear of judgment or harm. Not every space will feel safe, and that’s okay. But if you notice you’re consistently in environments where you have to hide major parts of yourself, consider how you can create or find spaces that offer more room for authenticity.

2. Be intentional about where and how you show up: 

Showing up authentically doesn’t mean you have to be the same person in every space. But it’s worth reflecting on how you navigate different environments. Are there certain identities that you hold back in some spaces, and if so, why? Are there places where you feel you can bring your full self? Making intentional choices about where and how you show up can help you feel more grounded in who you are.

3. Celebrate all parts of you: 

Each layer of your identity is important, and finding ways to honor and celebrate those parts of yourself—whether it’s through cultural traditions, friendships, or community involvement—can help you stay connected to who you are. If certain aspects of your identity feel underrepresented or unsupported, it might be worth exploring communities or spaces that can offer that connection.

4. Advocate for yourself and others: 

If you have the energy and resources, advocating for yourself and for others in your community can be a powerful way to push back against systems that seek to diminish or erase marginalized identities. This doesn’t mean you always have to be on the front lines of activism—sometimes advocacy is as simple as sharing your story with others or supporting organizations that align with your values. Advocacy can look like small, intentional acts of resistance, whether that's educating others or simply living authentically in a world that may try to erase parts of who you are.

By creating and honoring spaces where you feel safe, by reflecting on your identity with intentionality, and by celebrating all the aspects that make you whole, you can move through the world with a greater sense of self and empowerment. Even in environments where the political climate feels hostile, you have the right to hold pride in every part of who you are, showing up bravely when it’s safe, and prioritizing safety when needed. Intersectionality isn’t just a concept, but a lived reality, and you have the power to navigate it in a way that feels true to you.