Philosophy and the Ethics of Political Violence (S_PEV)
Essay
Final Reading Report - Philosophy and the Ethics of Political Violence (S_PEV) (Peace and Conflict studies minor)
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Course
Philosophy and the Ethics of Political Violence (S_PEV)
Institution
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
Final reading report for Philosophy and the Ethics of Political Violence (S_PEV) for the minor Peace and Conflict Studies, graded with an 8.9. The reading report reflects the article ‘Confronting Privileges in Feminist and Queer Movements’ by Elizabeth Evans and Éléonore Lépinard.
The article ‘Confronting Privileges in Feminist and Queer Movements’ by Elizabeth Evans and
Éléonore Lépinard explores the evolving landscape of intersectionality within social movements and
its critical role in addressing privilege and fostering inclusivity. It highlights the struggles faced by
social movements in adopting intersectional politics and recognizing differences and privileges.
Despite the varying interpretations and uses of intersectionality in different contexts, there is broad
theoretical consensus that it involves recognizing the mutually constitutive nature of analytical
categories like race, gender, class, and associated hegemonic practices. This reading report delves into
the three main dimensions of intersectionality in social movements: intersectionality as a collective
identity, coalitional intersectionality, and intersectionality as a repertoire for inclusivity. It also
explores how intersectionality confronts and challenges privilege.
One of the primary ways intersectionality is practiced within social movements is as a
collective identity. Multiply marginalized groups, particularly feminist and queer organizations, have
organized around an intersectional identity. This stems from the necessity to represent themselves
when mainstream movements prioritize single-axis claims, rendering their unique needs invisible.
Intersectional feminist and queer organizations strategically position themselves to engage with
interlocking oppressions rather than singular issues, allowing them to access representation and
advance a social justice agenda that caters to their specific needs. While this approach helps highlight
the activist roots of intersectionality, it may risk essentializing the identities of marginalized groups.
Another approach involves using intersectionality as a strategy to build and sustain coalitions.
Inclusive coalitions aim for descriptive and substantive representation of minority and multiply
marginalized groups, and they often succeed in achieving substantial political gain despite internal
dissent and differences. Acknowledging power differentials and addressing them directly is crucial for
the sustainability of such coalitions. Factors like asymmetrical access to resources and funding must
be considered when fostering intersectional coalition politics. In some cases, the involvement of all
participants in anti-racism consciousness-raising groups has been instrumental in bridging racial
divides within feminist coalitions. Conversely, failure to acknowledge power relations can hinder
coalitional politics, as seen when feminists of color refused to engage with white feminists due to
unaddressed racial inequalities. The third approach explores how intersectionality is used as a strategy
by organizations to address issues of inclusivity and challenge privilege. This perspective focuses on
organizations themselves rather than temporary coalitions. Intersectionality is employed as a practice
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