Black feminist methods of activism are the tool for global social justice and peace

Nayak, S; Sheehy, C

Abstract

We use the method of conversation as a tool of living activist struggles to end social injustice. We draw on Black feminism to create an intersectionality of diverse activist voices across time and space. We insist on an intersectional acuity to analyse Global alienation, subjugation and exploitation. We use examples from activist contexts such as the Trade Union and Rape Crisis movements. Our conversation speaks of the tensions and risks of solidarity and organizing across difference. We use Gramsci’s idea of the ‘interregnum’ to look at the in-between space of protest and transformation. We argue that the ‘interregnum’ is an opportunity to build solidarity for Global justice. In the context of intersectional racism, we ask, can the racial grief of Black women speak? We
like Lorde’s idea that ‘Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is selfpreservation, and that is an act of political warfare’ (Lorde, 1988: 332). We argue that the relationship of Black feminism to oppression, constitutes its revolutionary potential, and this distinguishes Black feminist activist methodologies from other methodologies as the tool for Global social justice and peace.

Citation

Nayak, S., & Sheehy, C. (2020). Black feminist methods of activism are the tool for global social justice and peace. Critical Social Policy, 40(2), 234-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018319896231

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 11, 2020
• Publication Date: May 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 2, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 2, 2020
• Journal: Critical Social Policy
• Print ISSN: 0261-0183
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-703X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 234-257
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018319896231
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018319896231
• Related Public URLs: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/csp