Researching Intersectional Identities and Belonging through a Geometric Approach

Researching the construction of skin colour declarations in Brazil, both skin colour and social class were apprehended during my data collection in 2006-2007. Several interviewees answered skin colour issues through social class, and several answered social class issues through skin colour too. My attempt to articulate both lead finally to offer a theoretical tool to approach intersectional identities in Brazil in terms of race/skin colour, socioeconomic position/social class, and sex/gender. Each dimension is described through a triangle; their articulation lead to a pyramid. Intersectional identities are analysed inside this geometric figure, through this “geometric” approach. First, this geometric approach is described. Second, I critically discuss this theoretical tool in order to identify to which extent it could be useful to research intersectional identities and belonging in general. To support this critical discussion, I use the example of the expression of identities and belonging in the specific context of sustainable housing.