AP African American Studies Flashcards: Interlocking Systems of Oppression
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does a work like Gwendolyn Brooks's *Maud Martha* illustrate interlocking systems of oppression?
It depicts how African Americans negotiate the multiple dimensions of their identity and social class as they navigate spaces within and beyond their communities.
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How does a work like Gwendolyn Brooks's *Maud Martha* illustrate interlocking systems of oppression?
It depicts how African Americans negotiate the multiple dimensions of their identity and social class as they navigate spaces within and beyond their communities.
According to the concept of interlocking systems, what is the relationship between social categories like race and gender?
The relationship is one of interconnection; these categories are not mutually exclusive and their interaction creates unique experiences and outcomes.
Name two writers mentioned in the text who represent interlocking systems of oppression in their work.
Gwendolyn Brooks and Audre Lorde are two writers who explore the lived experiences of interlocking systems of oppression.
Who first articulated the concept of “interlocking systems of oppression” in a sociological context?
The concept was first articulated by Patricia Hill Collins, building on a long tradition of Black feminist thought.
What are some examples of the social categories analyzed within interlocking systems of oppression?
Examples of interconnected social categories include race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability.
Define “interlocking systems of oppression.”
The concept describes how social categories like race, gender, and class are interconnected and interact with social systems to create unequal outcomes for individuals.
What does the concept of interlocking systems examine to understand how oppression and privilege are created?
The concept examines interrelated contexts, systems, and institutions that facilitate oppression or privilege in society.
What societal areas or institutions are impacted by interlocking systems of oppression?
These systems impact many areas, including education, health, housing, incarceration, and wealth gaps, facilitating oppression or privilege.
In their literary works, how do writers like Brooks and Lorde show the effects of interlocking systems on individuals?
They show how an individual's combined race, gender, and social class can affect how they are perceived, their social roles, and their economic opportunities.
What intellectual tradition is the concept of “interlocking systems of oppression” built upon?
It builds on a long tradition of Black feminist scholars, activists, and writers who critiqued treating identity categories as mutually exclusive.
What specific tendency did early Black feminist scholars critique, leading to the idea of interlocking systems?
They critiqued the tendency to treat race, gender, class, and sexuality as mutually exclusive categories rather than interconnected ones.