New Books in Critical Theory

Enemy Feminisms: Terfs, Policewomen, and Girlbosses Against Liberation (Haymarket Books, 2025) is a provocative compendium of the feminisms we love to dismiss and making the case for the bold, liberatory feminist politics we'll need to stand against fascism, nationalism, femmephobia, and cisness. In recent years, "white feminism" and girlboss feminism have taken a justified beating. We know that leaning in won't make our jobs any more tolerable and that white women have proven to be, at best, unreliable allies. But in a time of rising fascism, ceaseless attacks on reproductive justice, and violent transphobia, we need to reckon with what Western feminism has wrought if we have any hope of building the feminist world we need. Sophie Lewis offers an unflinching tour of enemy feminisms, from 19th century imperial feminists and police officers to 20th century KKK feminists and pornophobes to today's anti-abortion and TERF feminists. Enemy feminisms exist. Feminism is not an inherent political good. Only when we acknowledge that can we finally reckon with the ways these feminisms have pushed us toward counterproductive and even violent ends. And only then can we finally engage in feminist strategizing that is truly antifascist. At once a left transfeminist battlecry against cisness, a decolonial takedown of nationalist womanhoods, and a sex-radical retort to femmephobia in all its guises, Enemy Feminisms is above all a fierce, brilliant love letter to feminism.About the AuthorSophie Lewis is a writer. Her books, Full Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against Family, and Abolish the Family: A Manifesto for Care and Liberation, have been translated into nine languages.Sophie grew up in France, half-British, half-German, but now lives in Philadelphia and teaches online courses on utopian theory at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research. She also has a visiting affiliation with the Center for Research on Feminist, Queer and Transgender Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.About the Host Stuti Roy has recently graduated with an MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies from the University of Oxford. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Gangnam is an exclusive zone of privilege and wealth that has lured South Korean pop culture industries since the 1980s and fueled the aspirations of Seoul’s middle class, producing in its wake the “dialectical images” of the modern city described by Walter Benjamin: sweet dreams and nightmares, visions of heaven and hell, scenes of spectacular rises and great falls. In Polarizing Dreams: Gangnam and Popular Culture in Globalizing Korea (University of Hawai‘i Press, 2024), Pil Ho Kim weaves together dissident poetry and protest songs from the 1980s, B-rated adult films, tour bus disco music, obscure early works by famous authors and filmmakers, interviews with sex workers and urban entrepreneurs, and other sources to show how Gangnam is at the heart of Korea’s global-polarization.Dr. Pil Ho Kim is Associate Professor of Korean in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at The Ohio State University. A sociologist by training, he has been studying and teaching a wide range of topics related to modern Korea, including popular music, cinema, literature, urban culture, and social polarization.Leslie Hickman is a translator and writer. She has an MA in Korean Studies from Yonsei University and lives in Seoul, South Korea. You can follow her activities at https://twitter.com/AJuseyo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Michael Rosino, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Milloy University and author, dives into the complexities of racial dynamics in grassroots political organizing. He discusses how well-meaning progressive groups often struggle with truly inclusive practices and share insights from ethnographic research on these organizations. Rosino highlights the resistance faced by individuals of color advocating for equity and the necessity of multiracial coalitions. His thought-provoking exploration urges a reevaluation of leadership structures within these movements to foster genuine change.

Talia Mae Bettcher, a Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Los Angeles, is a leading voice in trans philosophy, gender, and identity. In this discussion, she delves into the intersections of trans oppression with other forms of discrimination like sexism and racism. Bettcher presents her novel theory of interpersonal spatiality, revealing how boundaries can foster intimacy while critiquing traditional gender dynamics. She also addresses the limitations of conventional philosophical frameworks, advocating for a deeper and more inclusive understanding of identity and social relations.

Mary Bosworth, a criminology professor at Oxford University and co-director of Border Criminologies, discusses her new book on the UK’s immigration detention and deportation system. She reveals how this system, likened to a supply chain, dehumanizes individuals, reducing them to mere logistical items. Bosworth critiques the bureaucratic language that obscures the humanity of detainees and the financial motivations driving harsh border policies. Through her extensive research, she explores the complexities of border enforcement and envisions an inclusive approach to immigration.

Jina B. Kim is an Assistant Professor at Smith College, specializing in feminist disability studies and queer-of-color critique. In a thought-provoking discussion, she introduces her concept of crip-of-color critique, emphasizing the power of dependency and interdependence in literature by marginalized writers. Kim highlights how these narratives challenge stereotypes surrounding social assistance while fostering new support systems. She envisions a future where care is redefined as essential and pleasurable, advocating for radical connections within communities.

Anita Say Chan, an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, delves into her groundbreaking book, exploring the unsettling links between big tech, data privacy, and eugenics. She argues that today's data practices continue the historical marginalization of vulnerable groups. Chan contrasts 'predatory data' with 'pluralist data,' revealing how community-led initiatives can empower those often overlooked. The discussion highlights the significance of ethical technology use, particularly in governance and education, advocating for a more equitable future.

Neil Kraus, a Political Science professor at the University of Wisconsin, explores the urgent themes of his book, 'The Fantasy Economy.' He critiques the long-standing belief that education is the sole pathway to economic opportunity, arguing this notion perpetuates wage stagnation and inequality. Kraus emphasizes that the education system is misrepresented by corporate interests, revealing the chaotic interplay between neoliberal policies and educational reform. He advocates for understanding education as a social necessity, aiming for a paradigm shift away from the flawed narratives surrounding the current economic landscape.

Mingwei Huang, an assistant professor at Dartmouth specializing in race and migration, explores new forms of racial capitalism shaped by China's influence in South Africa. He discusses the dynamics between Chinese entrepreneurs and African migrant workers, revealing how these relationships reflect enduring white supremacy and colonial legacies. Huang also delves into the complexities of China-Africa relations, urging a reevaluation of historical narratives and emphasizing the need to understand contemporary racial identities in the context of global capitalism.

Susan Sturm, a leader in law and social responsibility at Columbia, shares her insights on anti-racist approaches in institutions. She discusses the backlash leaders face when introducing these changes and identifies three key paradoxes in anti-racism work. Sturm emphasizes multiracial collaboration and the need for inclusive discussions on systemic racism. She highlights 'microspaces of justice' as essential drivers of local change with global impact, and advocates for transformative education approaches to empower marginalized communities. Her pragmatic solutions aim to bridge divides and reimagine institutions.