Module 2: Feminist Praxis

Learning Goals

This week, we will learn about “feminist praxis,” which is one of the foundations of Gender and Women’s Studies and the goal of your final project. We will:

• Define the concept of “feminist praxis” and related terms, including gender justice, theory, and activism
• Describe and interpret strategies of  feminist praxis, paying close attention to the meaning of “action” in these examples
• Reflect upon the role of language, action, and silence in feminist praxis
• Analyze one example of feminist praxis
  

  Watch and Read

• First, watch this video  (12 minutes) for an overview of the key concepts for this week, information about the readings, and guiding questions that will support you as you read. You can also go directly to the notes that I review in the video here.
• Next, read the following:
  • Launius and Hassel, “Feminist Praxis”
    • • Questions to consider (also in the slides linked above):
        • This reading has so many examples of praxis! What is compelling to you and why? 
        • How does “online activism” work– how is it effective for social change and what are its limits? Are there examples of online activism that you can analyze from your own life? 
        • What is “everyday activism?”  What are some examples from the text? Your own observations?
        • Note examples of backlash from the text + add your own– where do you see backlash against feminism in your own life?
        • Have you heard the term “reverse discrimination” before? What does it mean and why is it listed here as a “misconception”? 
  • Lorde, “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action”
    • Questions to consider (also in the slides linked above):
      • What does Lorde say about silence? What does she mean when she says “Your silence will not protect you.”? Do you agree or disagree?
      • Lorde asks us, “What are the words you do not yet have? What do you need to say?” How would you respond to her?
      • What does Lorde say about fear, and our relationship to fear? 

Praxis Model: The Audre Lorde Project 

• Every week, we will take a close look at an example of feminist praxis. This week, we will look at the Audre Lorde Project, named after one of the authors we are reading this week.  ALP was  founded in 1995 as  as a space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-spirit, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming people of color to come together to organize for change in our communities.   Learn  more  here.
  • Here you can learn about their programs.
  • Watch this video of footage from the Trans Day of Action (2008)
  • Watch this video from a vigil they organized in 2016 honor of Black trans women, Black cis women, and Black gender non-conforming people whose lives have been lost to state violence.
• As you look at the site, consider the following:
  • What issues are important to ALP?
  • What are the ideas (theory + analysis) that inform their work
  • What is the role of research — what are they learning?
  • What strategies do they use to make their intervention?  What are the goals of their practice?
  • What is compelling or interesting to you? What questions do you have?

 

Post and Comment on Discussion Board #2

Please respond to at least 2 of the 4 sets of questions below. You can write  separate posts or 1 long post– combined, the post should be 400-600 words (and can be longer). Your post should address all of the questions listed.

• What is feminist praxis, according to the text? What makes it “feminist?” What is your definition of feminism? How would you explain feminism to someone who had not heard this term before?
• Write about an example of feminist praxis– from the text, the Audre Lorde Project (above) or your own life– and discuss it. What is the role of theory, research, and action in this example? What do you find interesting or compelling about this example?
• What do the authors say about backlash? What are some examples of backlash against feminism that you have seen or experienced? What do you think drives the backlash in these examples and what are some ways to respond to it?
• Lorde writes about transforming silence into action. Select 1-2 quotes that you think capture her main ideas  reflect upon what she is communicating to the reader. What is your response to Lorde? She also asks us: “What are the words you do not yet have? What do you need to say?” How would you respond to her? Do you agree that language is needed for action? 

Work on Final Project

• Continue to think about your final project–re- read the assignment instructions and browse examples on the Praxis Model page.
• Due VERY soon: the  Three Idea proposal is due on Tuesday, 9/15.