Post-colonial theory and feminism

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Spivak and Najmabadi

It is imperative to maintain, to use, the language of feminism in order to ensure adhesion to and clarity of the cause of feminism, Spivak says. It seems as though she may believe that it is easier to stay close to the cause if one remains close to its roots, even in terms of language. Or, as Spivak advocates, primordially in terms of language. In this way, it does seem easier to remain not just true to the cause but to ensure that neither the cause nor the follower is corrupted.

The need for violence in support of the cause, of feminism or of whatever other case needs fighting for? Spivak feels that those people who oppose protesters, meaning the status quo, may through their efforts in fact invite the very action they are trying to quell. In effect, people who seek to block all avenues of resistance instigated by agitators also block the one peaceful means that agitators have of making their case: passive resistance. Thus, agitation must lead to action, from where it is a short slide to violence. 

Critics of Spivak have leveled at her that she has issued, or at least is in support of a muted call to action. This, from an academic who may not want to be seen to incite violence but who would nonetheless understand an expressed need for it. And, if Spivak does not outright condone violence, critics say she nonetheless seems to employ a passive support for it, along with the feeling that agitators may be justified in by-passing all passivity.

Spivak and Najmabadi are interested in discerning and bringing forward the feminine presence in history, the female perspective, her voice. Spivak wonders if the feminine can speak; supposes it can and wonders if the time for passive action has … passed. 

Najmabadi looks for evidence that the feminine has spoken, did speak, and, if so, how? If it did speak, there must be evidence of it. How is it now that this evidence does not seem to be part of the historical record? Rather, it must somehow be deduced from the fact that, if the world is binary – at the very least, and if there is a male voice, of necessity, there must be its opposite.

Bibliography

Najmabadi, Afsaneh 2006.

Beyond the Americas: Are Gender and Sexuality Useful Categories of Analysis? In: Journal of Women's History, Vol. 18, Issue 1, Spring 2006.

Spivak, Gayatri. 

A Critique of Post-Colonial Reason.

In: The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Leitch, Vincent B. (et al) 2001. New York: W.W. Norton Company, Inc.