Dr. Gulzar Charania discusses her book 'Fighting Feelings: Lessons in Gendered Racism and Queer Life' exploring experiences of Black and racialized women in white-dominated spaces, smartness as property in education, challenges faced in schooling, and the importance of confronting racial violence.
'Fighting Feelings' explores how black and racialized women navigate white spaces and challenge racism through personal narratives.
'Fighting Feelings' critiques diversity initiatives, highlighting the need for structural change in combating racial oppression.
Deep dives
Exploring the Book 'Fighting Feelings'
The podcast episode features Dr. Ethel Tungohan in conversation with Dr. Ghulzar Sharanya about her book 'Fighting Feelings, Lessons in Gender Racism, and Queer Life.' The book centers on the experiences of black and racialized women and delves into the ways they navigate white spaces and the complexities of racial literacies. Through personal narratives shared by these women, the book sheds light on the impacts of white supremacy on their education, schooling experiences, and political formation. It also highlights the importance of relational and reflexive forms of racial literacy to understand and challenge oppressive systems. The book offers a critical perspective on racial violence and the need for collective action to create a more just and inclusive society.
The Power of Personal Narratives
Dr. Ghulzar Sharanya's book 'Fighting Feelings' is praised for centering the narratives of black and racialized women. These personal stories touch on themes such as navigating white spaces in homes, schools, and other institutions. The book illustrates the ways in which these women develop racial literacies and how they constantly engage in the struggle against racism. The book's emphasis on personal narratives allows readers to connect and relate to the experiences shared, highlighting the importance of amplifying marginalized voices.
Evaluating the Role of Schooling
One significant chapter in 'Fighting Feelings' explores the experiences of black and racialized women in schools and their interactions with teachers as gatekeepers. The book delves into the stories of individuals like Neelam, who faced false accusations of plagiarism by her teacher. By analyzing these incidents, the book exposes the systemic racism embedded within educational institutions. It also raises questions about how ideas of excellence are constructed and the consequences for racialized students, calling for a deeper understanding of racism's impact in the academic realm.
Challenging Neoliberal Approaches
The podcast episode addresses the limitations of diversity and inclusion initiatives (EDI and EDID) within universities. Dr. Sharanya emphasizes the importance of moving beyond individualized approaches to oppression. She argues that individual audits of privilege and oppression are insufficient and that institutional constraints can hinder meaningful progress. Instead, the book encourages a critical approach that addresses the structural violence perpetuated by institutions while fostering robust relational and reflexive forms of racial literacy. It calls for a transformative vision of the university as a subversive and critical space that challenges neoliberal and colonial imperatives.
We’re in conversation with Dr. Gulzar Charania about her incredible new book “Fighting Feelings: Lessons in Gendered Racism and Queer Life.” Fighting Feelings is about Black and racialized women, answering the question: “how and in what directions do we learn to think, act, and live in relation to racism”?
The book touches on so many things that we talk regularly about on Academic Aunties. How women of colour navigate intensely white spaces, how perceptions of our ‘excellence’ can only really be understood in relation to who doesn’t get to be excellent, and how, as Gulzar writes, we constantly ‘fight feelings, and other times use feelings to fight’.
It’s a book that I really think all of you will love and I am so happy that we had a chance to talk to Gulzar about her journey in writing it.
