Delayed Critique: On Being Feminist, Time and Time Again

Authors

  • Emma McKenna McMaster University

Keywords:

Transphobia, Fourth-wave feminism, Trans*, Temporality

Abstract

In this article, I argue for a systematic critique of transphobia in feminism, advocating for a reconciling of trans and feminist politics in community, pedagogy, and criticism. I claim that this critique is both delayed and productive. Using the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival as a cultural archive of gender essentialism, I consider how rereading and revising politics might be what is “essential” to feminism.

Résumé
Dans cet article, je défends l’idée d’une critique systématique de la transphobie dans le féminisme, en préconisant une réconciliation des politiques transgenres et féministes dans la collectivité, la pédagogie et la critique. Je soutiens que cette critique est à la fois tardive et productive. En utilisant le Festival Michigan Womyn Music comme archive culturelle de l’essentialisme de genre, j’envisage comment la relecture et la révision des politiques pourraient être ce qui est « essentiel » pour le féminisme.

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Author Biography

Emma McKenna, McMaster University

Emma McKenna is a Ph.D. candidate in English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University. She is the author of “‘Freedom to Choose”: Neoliberalism, Feminism, and Childcare in Canada.” 

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Published

2016-10-28

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 2 (2) (2016): Belaboured Introductions

Section

37.2 - Open

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