Living a Feminist Life; Sara Ahmed
As sara Ahmed states in her writing and page 8, the word theory implies a certain significance, importance and weight in and around academia. As she states in her article, some theory becomes theory due to the fact that it is citing another theory. Basing theories on theories runs the risk of becoming a citational chain, narrowing down content and context throughout the process.
A citational chain is created around theory: you become a theorist by citing other theorists that cite other theorists
Sara Ahmed
The distinction within theory between theory and politicks when doing research can be quite difficult. For one, both are inevitably intertwined and not easily separated. If separated, they might be drawn out of context and possibly lead to wrongful conclusions. A new theory is born without consideration of important context and citations that should have informed the overall conclusion.
Ahmed further states that whilst being recruited at the women’s studies, her theories were often framed as “feminist theory” unnecessarily labelling and categorising her work. She further states that critical theory can be learned similar to a language, as it is simply a space to move around in. However, acquiring the tools to allow to orient oneself in this space is more challenging than possibly anticipated.
Critical theory is like any language; you can learn it, and when you learn it, you begin to move around in it.
Sara Ahmed
However, what constitutes the bigger challenge is to challenge the phenomena of racism, sexism or any form of discrimination and its reproduction. Noticing and counteracting these cycles are not a simple as learning a new language. It takes effort to break out of familiarity and repetition in order to investigate and further explain. It is therefor quite likely that there will not be an adequate resolution that could be summarised and stated in theary, even though its existence and presence is undeniable. Addressing issues at hand can quickly lead to the assumption of identity politics, especially if (wrongfully) associated with any particular form of discrimination.
You are assumed to be doing identity politics as if you speak about racism because you are a person of color or as if you speak about sexism because you are a woman.
Nirmal Puwar (2004)
Ahmed points to the problematic of “space invaders” and their wrongful texts and interpretations by asking the wrong questions. She further expands on the problematic of spaces we at times reside in that are not intended for us.
In her writing, Ahmed eludes to the violence at stake not being recognisable as a certain kind of woman (Page 15 – 16). As the word human is still being associated with man, women are fighting for women. Yet, feminism ans an instrument has to be maintained in order to challenge the status quo.
Feminism goes wherever we go. If not, we are not.
Sara Ahmed
Yet, feminism is often interpreted and implied in context to how feminists relate to academia. As references are often following repetitive patterns that are historically gender biased, an extra effort is required when citing work in order to not repeat old patterns. Referencing also takes place during conversations and in dialogue, where subliminal but unwanted associations can be drawn, discriminating gender.
My citation policy has given me more room to attend to those feminists who came before me.
Sara Ahmed
Deviating from old paths academia required to follow seems the key to create new ones. New paths support and re-emphasise a space that otherwise will be lost and not be occupied any longer. Unbiased citations can lay a new foundation and contribute to new theories that free themselves of repetitive yet wrongful associations and refferencing.