Structural and Political Intersectionality in Passing (2021): Race and Gender Oppression Experienced by Irene Redfield

Black women in America have experienced racial discrimination and gender oppression simultaneously, with these systems interacting to shape marginalization that cannot be fully understood separately. This study examines intersectional oppression in Rebecca Hall’s 2021 film Passing through the experiences of its main character, Irene Redfield. It addresses research question: what types of intersectional oppression does Irene experience in the film? The study employed a qualitative descriptive method. Data were collected through viewing, transcription of dialogue, and selection of scenes depicting intersectional oppression. The analysis was guided by Kimberlé Crenshaw’s (1991) intersectionality theory, focusing on structural and political intersectionality. Nine scenes were identified and analyzed: five illustrating structural intersectionality and four illustrating political intersectionality. The findings indicate that structural intersectionality shapes Irene’s experiences in public spaces, motherhood, and the household. Racial discrimination intersects with patriarchal expectations to constrain her responses to racist remarks, her authority in decisions concerning her children, and her position within domestic life. Political intersectionality is evident in the limited recognition of her experiences by anti-racist and feminist perspectives. Anti-racist discourse does not adequately address the gendered dimensions of her experiences, while feminist frameworks fail to account for the racial risks faced by Black women. Consequently, Irene has limited opportunities to express her experiences or obtain meaningful support within either framework. The study concludes that her oppression is systemic and multilayered, produced through the simultaneous interaction of race and gender. The findings demonstrate the value of an intersectional perspective for understanding the distinct marginalization experienced by Black women.