The Diversity Within: An Intersectional Challenge/Opportunity

By Darrin Thornton¹
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¹ The Pennsylvania State University
Source: If Colors Could Be Heard , pp 220-227
Publication Date: November 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/9781835951675_27
Language: English
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Marginalization is something others do to you and often it requires some degree of acceptance on your part to uphold this artificial human made system of categorizing. Over time, the idea of intersectionality has resonated with me on several levels. There is much focus on diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging within the field of education and music education. As an educator, musician, scholar, administrator, I have witnessed and experienced the evolution of this DEIA phenomenon from a particular vantage point. My story represents a slice of the intersection that makes up people of color. The access pipeline of access leads to what currently exists. It addresses an aspect of the issue but does not address the inherent issues within the system. Imagine a profession that was by design inclusive, equitable and accessible in ways that nurture a sense of belonging for all people.

Keywords: Access ; Authenticity ; Belonging ; Diversity ; Equity ; Flourishing ; Inclusion ; Intersectionality ; Marginalization ; opportunity ; oppression ; racism ; transformation

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References

Aud, S., Fox, M., & Kewalramani, A. (2010). Status and trends in the education of racial and ethnic groups (NCES 2010-05). U.S. Government Printing Office.
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Delpit, L. (2006). Other people's children: Cultural conflict in the classroom. The New Press.
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Thornton, D. (2017). Why just me (or so few others) in Music Education. In B. Talbot (Ed.) Marginalized voices in music education (pp. 45–64). Routledge.
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Tierney, W. G. (2015). The Higher Education Act of 1965: A half-century's worth of contrasting public philosophies and controversies. In M. Feuer, A. Berman, & R. Atkinson (Eds.), Past as prologue: The National Academy of Education at 50. Members reflect (pp. 301–307). National Academy of Education.
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References

Aud, S., Fox, M., & Kewalramani, A. (2010). Status and trends in the education of racial and ethnic groups (NCES 2010-05). U.S. Government Printing Office.
[Google Scholar]
Crenshaw, K. (2017). On intersectionality: Essential writings. The New Press.
[Google Scholar]
Delpit, L. (2006). Other people's children: Cultural conflict in the classroom. The New Press.
[Google Scholar]
Thornton, D. (2017). Why just me (or so few others) in Music Education. In B. Talbot (Ed.) Marginalized voices in music education (pp. 45–64). Routledge.
[Google Scholar]
Tierney, W. G. (2015). The Higher Education Act of 1965: A half-century's worth of contrasting public philosophies and controversies. In M. Feuer, A. Berman, & R. Atkinson (Eds.), Past as prologue: The National Academy of Education at 50. Members reflect (pp. 301–307). National Academy of Education.
[Google Scholar]

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