Susan Stryker, "When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader" (Duke UP, 2024)
Aug 3, 2024
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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.
Susan Stryker's compilation in 'When Monsters Speak' illustrates her influential journey in trans studies, highlighting the evolution of queer and trans discourse since the 1990s.
The podcast discusses the dual-edged nature of visibility within the trans community, emphasizing the need for a strategy of imperceptibility to navigate potential risks.
Deep dives
The Role of Susan Stryker in Trans Studies
Susan Stryker is a foundational figure in trans studies, with her work significantly influencing the field. The compiled essays in "When Monsters Speak" reveal her trajectory over three decades, highlighting the historical and geographical roots of her ideas in the San Francisco Bay Area. Stryker emphasizes that her writings are both products of early queer theory and essential contributions to the evolving discourse in transgender studies. Through this retrospective, Stryker illustrates her ongoing commitment to advancing academic legibility for trans studies while providing unique insights into the interplay of personal experience and academic scholarship.
The Importance of Curatorial Perspective
The editorial perspective provided by Mackenzie Warke is critical in understanding Stryker's work and its relevance. Warke's selection of essays emphasizes Stryker's autobiographical context, allowing the audience to grasp the complexities of her experiences in the 90s. Stryker appreciates how Warke curates pieces that reflect both her sexual identity and her scholarly pursuits, generating a coherent narrative of her career. This connection between personal narrative and academic inquiry serves to deepen readers' engagement with the material, bridging the past and present of trans scholarship.
Exploration of Genres and Methodologies
Stryker's writing traverses various genres and methodologies, allowing her to present trans experiences from an embodied perspective. This approach challenges traditional academic norms that often distance personal narrative from scholarly discourse. By incorporating auto theory and performative elements, Stryker seeks to create a more relatable entry point for understanding trans identities, emphasizing the validity of experiential knowledge. The exploration of different genres serves not only to convey information but also to evoke emotional responses, facilitating a deeper engagement with the complexities of gender and sexuality.
Navigating Visibility and Vulnerability
The discussion surrounding visibility in the trans community highlights the complexities of being openly trans in a politically charged environment. While visibility can empower individuals and foster community connections, it also exposes marginalized identities to increased risks and scrutiny. Stryker acknowledges the dual-edged nature of visibility, expressing concern over the attention drawn from hostile audiences. By crafting a strategy of imperceptibility, trans individuals can navigate these challenges more effectively, balancing the need for recognition with the necessity of protection from harmful political narratives.
Susan Stryker is a foundational figure in trans studies. When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader(Duke UP, 2024) showcases the development of Stryker’s writing from the 1990s to the present. It combines canonical pieces, such as “My Words to Victor Frankenstein,” with her hard to find earlier work published in zines and newsletters. Brought together, they ground Stryker’s thought in 1990s San Francisco and its innovative queer, trans, and S/M cultures. The volume includes an introduction by editor McKenzie Wark, who highlights Stryker’s connections to developments in queer theory, media studies, and autotheory while foregrounding Stryker’s innovative writing style and scholarly methods. When Monsters Speak is an authoritative and essential collection by one of the most important and influential intellectuals of our time.
Susan Stryker is Professor Emerita of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona. She is the author of Transgender History and coeditor of The Transgender Studies Reader.
McKenzie Wark is Professor of Culture and Media at The New School and the author of several books, including Raving and Philosophy for Spiders: On the Low Theory of Kathy Acker, both also published by Duke University Press.