Intersectionality is the idea that various forms of privilege and circumstance interact with each other to make an individual. Certain influences are more impactful upon a particular person's circumstances, and thus influence privilege to a much greater extent. The non-linear nature that DinosaurThussy is talking about can better be shown with examples.

If you're homeless and white it's clear that you're in a worse off situation than a billionaire who is black. Class status has a far greater influence on this situation. It would be fair to say that the black billionaire has more privilege due to his class status but not his ethnic identity. That being said, it's unlikely that the white man was denied a job due to his race in a way a homeless black person may be. Being poor and white and poor and black have many commonalities, but intersectional analysis allows us to understand the different ways and avenues that particular characteristics influences the ways that a person may end up in a particular circumstance.

The idea continues on. A person who is a billionaire may be significantly shielded from a lot of racism, or face it in a less extreme way. For example, that proverbial black billionaire likely wouldn't have many run ins with racist cops in impoverished neighborhoods. However, he still might face the unifying characteristic of being called a slur by his peers in the way that a poor black person might. His privilege of wealth may not complete inoculate him facing racism at all, even if he faces it in a less extreme way.

In essence, this situation is viewing individuals dialectic-ly. It seeks to understand how all of a person's identity and circumstances relate to the struggles and oppression certain groups or people may face in society.

For example, just because a queer person is white does not mean they experience the same privilege as a cis het white person

Or how all women are oppressed, but the tribulations of white women are Not the same as those facing women of color or trans women, they face more and more varied forms of discrimination, but it doesn't mean that one is more important or valid than others, just materially different for example

That poor mine worker is still in a better position than an otherwise identical minority would be in the same position.

A poor mine worker is in a tough place but at least he wasn't refused that job because the company doesn't hire non white people.

I've had to defend a close friend from repeated advances and touching, she was an engineer, he was 40 years older than her. It's a problem. I've had good friends get taken advantage of by a PI. Gross. It's the power dynamic in academia too where one person controls the career outcome of the PhD student. It's really nuts out there. It's getting better but that takes time and awareness. I've seen what the bad eggs do and they disgust me. It's not just men, but there are a lot of cases of it.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00795-1