Toward intersectional history

Abstract

In this thesis, I introduce a theoretical approach called Intersectional History (IH). IH is theorized by bringing together a critical approach to intersectionality with a postmodern approach to the study of the past. The purpose of bringing these two domains together is to provide a theoretically-informed way to focus on revealing intersectional based privilege and marginalization in historical accounts of organizations. A primary focus of IH is to consider how categories of identity are constructed and reproduced within organizational materials from the past, over time. In particular, IH is concerned with the ways that those powerful constructions of categories of identity overlap and reinforce systems of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and colonialism, within organizational contexts. Another key purpose of IH is to reveal the stories of those at the intersection of overlapping, marginalized categories of identity and re-centre their experiences and contributions in organizations. I demonstrate the potential of IH through an analysis of the Australian Airline, Qantas, with a specific focus on how women and Aboriginal Australians are constructed within the organizational material, over time.