International Journal of Contemporary Research In Multidisciplinary, 2026;5(2):640-643
Beyond Oppression: Intersectionality And Self-Definition in Two Autobiographies
Author Name: M. Jeevitha; Dr. M. Richard Robert Raa;
Abstract
This research paper explores the intersection of race, caste, gender and identity in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and " Karukku " by BaMa. Using an intersectional framework, it examines how overlapping social structures intensify marginalization while shaping lived experiences. Both texts highlight themes of silence, labour, labor, faith, trauma and empowerment, revealing parallels across African American and Dalit contexts. The research paper argues that education, resilience and self-expression serve as powerful tools of resistance. Ultimately, these autobiographies reclaim marginalized voices and challenge systemic inequalities, offering profound insights into identity formation and social justice.
Keywords
Intersectionality, Identity, Resistance, Marginalisation, Empowerment.