Final answer:
Intersectionality is the concept that identities such as race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect to influence a person's lived experiences, especially in the context of systemic oppression and privilege. The term is attributed to Kimberlé Crenshaw and underlines how multiple identities can compound experiences of discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intersectionality is best described as the observation and understanding that multiple aspects of identity (e.g., race, gender, class, sexuality) intersect to inform and greatly influence a person's lived experiences, especially in the context of oppression and privilege. Rather than viewing these aspects of identity in isolation, intersectionality recognizes that they often operate in tandem, shaping how individuals navigate through the world and the specific challenges they may face. This concept plays a crucial role in the realms of feminism, critical race theory, social justice, and more, acknowledging the complex, multifaceted nature of identity and how this complexity affects one's access to power, representation, and equity.
Consequently, b) 'A term to describe a person who is in a number of marginalized groups' most accurately defines intersectionality among the given options. The term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw and highlights the overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage that an individual may encounter. The use of intersectional frameworks in analysis broadens the lens through which we understand the lived reality of individuals who identify with multiple marginalized groups.