4 Intersectionality and The Identity Wheel in A Sociology Class (2025)

Each quarter, I have students fill out identity wheels. Our text introduces intersectionality in our chapter on race and ethnicity. I start with a brief refresher (we’ve discussed throughout the term, mainly in conjunction with conflict theory) on privilege and oppression, then a brief overview of intersectionality, followed by  Kimberle Creshaw’s TedTalk.. After we take some time to reflect on the Ted Talk, I hand out identity wheels (from our textbook. and pasted below) and ask students to take some time to fill them out (with the understanding they will not be required to share). Once everyone is done, I ask students to reflect and write down a few ways their different identities intersect. I then share my identity wheel. Being open about my own privilege seems to help students feel more comfortable acknowledging their own. I invite students to share responses if comfortable.  Next, I ask them to think about how their experiences would be different if certain aspects of their identities were different. Students are invited to share.