Daredevil, whose real name is Matt Murdock, is a fictional superhero from the Marvel Universe (the Daredevil: Born Again season finale is streaming now and it was/is really good). Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with input from Jack Kirby, Daredevil made his first appearance in 1964. Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer who fights crime in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen by night thanks to his enhanced, superhuman senses. Matt uses his acute abilities and martial arts prowess to protect the innocent. What makes Daredevil particularly compelling is not just his abilities or his double life as a lawyer and vigilante, but his deep moral code and complex personal struggles. Daredevil is a prime example of intersectionality.
What is Intersectionality?
Intersectionality is a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a legal scholar, that describes how social categorizations such as ethnicity, class, gender, and ability intersect and create overlapping systems of discrimination or advantage, depending on the interections. Intersectionality matters because it provides a framework for understanding how various aspects of a person’s identity combine to impact their experiences and challenges in society. It’s a crucial tool for addressing and acknowledging the complexities of social justice and equality.
Daredevil as an Example of Intersectionality
Ability and identity
Daredevil’s blindness is a core aspect of his character. Matt Murdock’s identity is deeply intertwined with his disability, which shapes his worldview and his approach to justice (which is allegedly also blind). His blindness does not define him, but it intersects with his role as a lawyer and superhero, often surprising citizens and villains alike with sensing, anticipation, and superawesome flying knees to the face.
Matt Murdock is a cisgender heterosexual white male who has privileges associated with his identity. While he is strongly identified by his blindness, Daredevil’s powers and status should be considered part of the character’s remarkable abilities.
Socioeconomics
Matt Murdock grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, a formerly-gritty-since-gentrified neighbourhood in New York City known for its high crime rates and poverty (at the time of the character’s creation…also the 1980s). Daredevil’s upbringing in a lower socioeconomic environment adds another layer to his character, influencing his sense of justice and his dedication to defending historically marginalized community members. This intersection of socioeconomic status with his professional identity as a defense attorney and his role as Daredevil, both of whom defend the most vulnerable members of society, albeit in super different ways.
Law, order, and vigilantism
As a lawyer, Matt Murdock operates within the legal system, advocating for justice through official channels. As Daredevil, he steps outside the constraints of the law to fight crime more directly. Like, with fists and so many injuries to his enemies that they break the healthcare system. This duality embodies the intersection of institutional justice and what my best friend Kurt would call “street justice” – such intersections reveal how systems of power can sometimes fail, necessitating individual action (especially when the criminals control the system).
Also, how would Jake Peralta and the Brooklyn 99 team interact with Daredevil? Probably assets and helpers, right?
Faith and morality
Matt Murdock is a devout Catholic, and his faith plays a significant role in his life and actions. His religious beliefs often intersect with his duties as Daredevil, informing his moral decisions and the way he approaches justice and redemption. His morality is probably why he’s friends with The Punisher (a last minute cut from The Canterbury Tales, no doubt). This intersection of faith and heroism adds depth to his character and highlights the complexities of balancing personal beliefs with societal roles.
Trauma and resilience
Throughout his life, Matt Murdock has experienced significant personal trauma, including the loss of his father, physical injuries, and emotional pain. His resilience in the face of these challenges exemplifies how personal history and trauma intersect with his present actions and motivations.
Daredevil embodies intersectionality through his diverse and intersecting identities. His story illustrates the importance of recognizing and addressing the various layers of social categorizations that shape individual experiences and perceptions in our work and life.
