91: Feminism, Antagonism, and Solidarity feat. Sophie Lewis
Feb 22, 2025
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Sophie Lewis, author of "Enemy Feminisms" and a recovering academic, joins the conversation to discuss the complexities of various feminist ideologies. They explore historical figures who embodied contradictions within feminism, from slave-owning activists to modern transphobic demagogues. Lewis questions how we can engage with these problematic legacies while advocating solidarity. The dialogue delves into the tensions surrounding social reproduction, race, and the necessity of critical engagement rather than dismissal within feminist discourse.
The historical examination of various feminisms reveals complex legacies that challenge simplistic narratives of empowerment and complicity.
The ethical dilemmas surrounding normalization methods in scholarly discourse raise vital questions about combating extremist ideologies within feminist movements.
Understanding the tensions in feminist alliances encourages critical reflection on historical complicity with oppressive systems and the necessity for solidarity among diverse ideologies.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Feminism and Agency
The discussion emphasizes the significance of women's agency within historical narratives, showcasing how women like Mary Wollstonecraft exemplified both iconic courage and the complexity of their times. This complexity reveals the contradictions faced by feminists throughout history, particularly as they navigate paradigms of power and oppression. By understanding these figures not merely as symbols of their era but as active agents with personal stakes, the conversation invites a more nuanced appreciation of their legacies. It becomes evident that to grasp the full spectrum of feminism's evolution, one must reconcile admiration with critical analysis of problematic aspects.
Methodological Debates in Understanding Extremism
The conversation touches on the controversial methodologies employed by scholars engaging with extremist ideologies, such as the normalization of undercover journalism. The discussion critiques the ethical implications of attempting to understand or expose figures like neo-Nazis or certain feminist groups by making them more relatable or understandable. This approach raises concerns about how such normalization may inadvertently diminish the perceived urgency to combat these ideologies. The complexity of these interactions highlights the struggle against defining enemies within feminism and the societal implications of associating oneself with ideologies that promote exclusion and violence.
Embodiment of Feminism and Personal Complicity
The narrative examines the personal stories of women who navigate systems of power, such as policewomen like Rosa Brooks, who sought to understand policing from the inside out. The duality of their engagement presents a complex reflection on complicity, questioning how individuals enact feminism while operating within oppressive structures. This reflection extends to the ethical struggles these women face when their actions do not align with feminist principles, revealing a tension between personal agency and institutional roles. Such case studies illuminate the continuum of feminist experiences, urging a reconsideration of how feminist actions are contextualized within broader socio-political frameworks.
Feminism's Complicity with Oppressive Structures
A significant focus of the discussion revolves around the historical alliances formed by feminists that inadvertently aligned them with oppressive systems, from the respectability politics of the suffrage movement to pro-life ideologies. This alliance raises critical questions about the legitimacy of such movements claiming a feminist identity while promoting regressive agendas. By critiquing these connections, the discourse emphasizes the importance of recognizing historical feminism's often-unacknowledged ties to imperialism, racism, and classism. The conversation thus advocates for a more rigorous interrogation of what constitutes feminism and the various paths it has taken, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about its past.
Enmity and Solidarity Within Feminist Discourse
The concept of 'enemy feminisms' captures the tension within feminist movements where certain ideologies are deemed incompatible with liberatory politics. The discourse suggests a necessary confrontation with these factions while acknowledging the need for solidarity among those who share feminist goals but may have conflicting ideologies. By examining the complexities of identity, power, and feminism, the discussion encourages a reconciliation of differences and the importance of distinguishing between harmful ideologies and the broader feminist project. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for a more inclusive and critically aware feminist movement that recognizes its multifaceted nature and the necessity of drawing lines against its adversaries.
Abby and Patrick welcome author Sophie Lewis to discuss her latest book, Enemy Feminisms: TERFs, Policewomen, and Girlbosses Against Liberation. Together, they explore the history of a variety of feminisms, self-identified and otherwise, that can justifiably provoke anxiety and even rejection in those invested in feminism as an emancipatory concept and project. Their conversation ranges from nineteenth-century activists who saw the rights of women as entailing the right to own slaves to those whose visions of abolition were inextricable from logics of racist imperialism; from twentieth-century eugenicists to prohibitionists; and from today’s transphobic demagogues to the pinkwashing boosters of the carceral state. What are the lessons of these movements and figures, how do they reflect material and ideological struggles over social reproduction, and what challenges do they pose for the formulation of feminist projects? How, from a psychoanalytic perspective, can we interrogate our own libidinal investments in logics of exclusion, and balance our competing desires to identify and disidentify with others? Are there ways we can receive inspiration from, and claim to be in continuity with, problematic figures in the past, while also critically acknowledging their shortcomings? And above all, can we draw on those lessons to both meaningfully practice solidarity and face opposition in the present?
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