"My experiences with and access to multiple and sophisticated strategies for interpreting and interrupting sexism (in White middle-class contexts) do not provide me with a ready-made analysis of or language for understanding my own implications in racist structures. My understanding and experience of racism will always be constrained by my white skin and middle-class privilege."
--Elizabeth Ellsworth, "Why doesn't this feel empowering: Working through the repressive myths of critical pedagogy"
--Elizabeth Ellsworth, "Why doesn't this feel empowering: Working through the repressive myths of critical pedagogy"
Throughout the semester, both of us have struggled to theorize our roles in conversations regarding solidarity, intersectionality, and oppressive societal structures. The complexity of making space for the subaltern challenges us, and has played a role in our examinations of our personal assumptions. Both of us come from positions of relative privilege, but also from positions of investment in dismantling the structures that cause our privilege. Through our readings, and through conversations with our classmates, both within and outside of this classroom space, we have determined that our role is to listen, and stand in solidarity as systems of oppression are disrupted by the oppressed.
To that end, this website showcases some ways in which systems of oppression are disrupted and reified in different parts of the world. Our position is to highlight these works, but also to point out some ways in which other voices are silenced within them. While the subaltern may not be able to speak, as we are searching for alternatives to colonizing discourses in our work, we begin the process of making space for her by shining a spotlight on those who are already actively engaged in the work to do so.
To that end, this website showcases some ways in which systems of oppression are disrupted and reified in different parts of the world. Our position is to highlight these works, but also to point out some ways in which other voices are silenced within them. While the subaltern may not be able to speak, as we are searching for alternatives to colonizing discourses in our work, we begin the process of making space for her by shining a spotlight on those who are already actively engaged in the work to do so.