When Dividing Lines Overlap

When Dividing Lines Overlap

24 September 2025

For conference of 30th September tegister at: www.ser.cw

In societies, there are many dividing lines, including class, race, culture, religion, and generation. Each of these can separate people, creating distance, misunderstanding, or inequality. But the tension becomes particularly strong when dividing lines overlap.

Take the example of class and race. Being a worker already places you at a disadvantage compared to the middle or upper classes. If on top of that you also belong to an ethnic minority—say, being both a worker and Afro-descendant—the barriers multiply. You are not only limited by economic position but also by social and cultural exclusion.

This overlapping of dividers increases the risk of polarization. Groups may begin to see each other not just as different, but as fundamentally opposed. The worker who is Afro faces stereotypes, lack of access, and structural barriers in two dimensions at once. Meanwhile, the higher classes, often dominated by another ethnic group, consolidate their privileges.

We observe this dynamic in many parts of the world, including Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, African Americans in the United States, and immigrants in Europe. When class and race intersect, inequality deepens, and bridging the gap requires more than just economic opportunity—it also requires cultural recognition and inclusion.

In short, when dividing lines coincide, societal fractures become sharper. To build connection, we must acknowledge these overlaps and address them with empathy, policy, and genuine dialogue.

Miguel Goede