New Books in Critical Theory Susan Stryker, "When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader" (Duke UP, 2024)
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Aug 3, 2024 Susan Stryker, a foundational figure in trans studies and author of seminal works like Transgender History, discusses her new collection, When Monsters Speak. She reflects on her writings since the 90s, showcasing the vibrant LGBTQ+ culture of San Francisco. The conversation dives into the blend of personal narrative and academic theory, emphasizing the significance of embodied knowledge. Stryker also explores the connections between monstrosity and trans experiences, shedding light on identity, visibility, and the complexities of societal perceptions.
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Early Career And Coming Out
- Susan Stryker describes coming out as trans near the end of grad school and facing employment discrimination in the 1990s.
- She calls the 1990s her "seven years unpaid" internship in transgender studies, learning by doing and living the life.
Curatorial Slant Reveals Intellectual Roots
- McKenzie Wark curated the book to trace Stryker's trajectory from San Francisco subcultural writing into institutional trans studies.
- Stryker notes the selection highlights sexualized, embodied work and later academic translations of those experiences.
Writing From Embodied Knowledge
- Stryker explains she wrote from embodied knowledge, influenced by feminist ‘‘theory in the flesh’’ and lived experience in the Bay Area.
- She purposely used first-person and experimental forms to generate affect, not just neutral arguments.