Alienation 2: Racism/Sexism
The Return of Alienation! How can we understand and combat contemporary forms of estrangement based on race and sex?
Where: Palio, 1996 SE Ladd Ave., Portland, OR
When: Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 2016
What Time: 7:00-8:30 pm. (Come early to order treats!)
Description: The classic philosophers spoke little of alienation based on race and sex. They spoke primarily of alienation due to "civilized" society's rules and expectations, class exploitation, and religion. As a greater diversity of voices has been allowed into the conversation of philosophy, it has become clearer how the social standpoint of the philosopher can affect his/her experience, awareness, values . . . and philosophy. Today, there is a growing field of philosophers concerned with racism and sexism who are speaking about their direct experience with oppression, analyzing its structures, and looking for solutions. In this workshop we'll consider different forms of racism and sexism, their similarities and differences, and the different levels (including institutional, interpersonal, and unconscious levels) of oppression. We'll discuss the experience of living with alienation, the ways in which the analyses we read relate to our lives and to current events, and we will brainstorm remedies that we can put into action.
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. Philosophy Workshops are led by a philosophy professor committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
Tuesday, July 12
We will begin by reading and discussing Iris Marion Young's "Five Faces of Oppression," which outlines five manifestations of alienation: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence. This is a great starter essay for us, as it gives us a big picture view of the ways in which alienation (whether it is due to race, sex, sexuality, class, ethnicity, religion, etc. or an intersection of these) is produced through a combination of tell-tale problematic practices.
Tuesday, July 19
Next we will read a powerful selection called "The Fact of Blackness" from Frantz Fanon's Black Skin, White Masks. Here, Fanon describes the experience of discovering what his blackness means to a white world. We'll combine this with a recent article in the New York Times' "Stone" called "What's Wrong with 'All Lives Matter,'"
which will help relate Fanon's experience and analysis to the current Black Lives Matter movement.
Tuesday, July 26
Next we read an essay called "Psychological Oppression" by Sandra Bartky, which is inspired by Fanon's work, and relates the experience of racism to sexism. In this essay Bartky emphasizes a tool of oppression that is often forgotten -- getting the oppressed to buy into the inferior image projected onto them by the oppressor. In this case the oppressor gets the oppressed to do their work for them. As she says it: "The psychologically oppressed become their own oppressors." We will consider how this works in stereotyping, cultural domination, and objectification.
Tuesday, August 2
Finally we will shift fully to the issue of sexism and read an article appropriately entitled "Sexism," by Ann Cudd and Leslie Jones. Here the authors illuminate three levels of sexist oppression and alienation: institutional, interpersonal, and unconscious. They also go on to explain two major traditions in feminism that aim to overcome this oppression: what they call "equality" feminism and "difference" feminism. We will discuss these and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
Preparation: For each meeting there will be a selection of reading (10-15 pages), which we recommend you read before that meeting in order to get the most out of our conversations. The readings will be emailed to you after you register.
Cost: $100 (for four evening philosophy sessions, not including coffee and treats)
Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!
When: Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 2016
What Time: 7:00-8:30 pm. (Come early to order treats!)
Description: The classic philosophers spoke little of alienation based on race and sex. They spoke primarily of alienation due to "civilized" society's rules and expectations, class exploitation, and religion. As a greater diversity of voices has been allowed into the conversation of philosophy, it has become clearer how the social standpoint of the philosopher can affect his/her experience, awareness, values . . . and philosophy. Today, there is a growing field of philosophers concerned with racism and sexism who are speaking about their direct experience with oppression, analyzing its structures, and looking for solutions. In this workshop we'll consider different forms of racism and sexism, their similarities and differences, and the different levels (including institutional, interpersonal, and unconscious levels) of oppression. We'll discuss the experience of living with alienation, the ways in which the analyses we read relate to our lives and to current events, and we will brainstorm remedies that we can put into action.
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. Philosophy Workshops are led by a philosophy professor committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
Tuesday, July 12
We will begin by reading and discussing Iris Marion Young's "Five Faces of Oppression," which outlines five manifestations of alienation: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence. This is a great starter essay for us, as it gives us a big picture view of the ways in which alienation (whether it is due to race, sex, sexuality, class, ethnicity, religion, etc. or an intersection of these) is produced through a combination of tell-tale problematic practices.
Tuesday, July 19
Next we will read a powerful selection called "The Fact of Blackness" from Frantz Fanon's Black Skin, White Masks. Here, Fanon describes the experience of discovering what his blackness means to a white world. We'll combine this with a recent article in the New York Times' "Stone" called "What's Wrong with 'All Lives Matter,'"
which will help relate Fanon's experience and analysis to the current Black Lives Matter movement.
Tuesday, July 26
Next we read an essay called "Psychological Oppression" by Sandra Bartky, which is inspired by Fanon's work, and relates the experience of racism to sexism. In this essay Bartky emphasizes a tool of oppression that is often forgotten -- getting the oppressed to buy into the inferior image projected onto them by the oppressor. In this case the oppressor gets the oppressed to do their work for them. As she says it: "The psychologically oppressed become their own oppressors." We will consider how this works in stereotyping, cultural domination, and objectification.
Tuesday, August 2
Finally we will shift fully to the issue of sexism and read an article appropriately entitled "Sexism," by Ann Cudd and Leslie Jones. Here the authors illuminate three levels of sexist oppression and alienation: institutional, interpersonal, and unconscious. They also go on to explain two major traditions in feminism that aim to overcome this oppression: what they call "equality" feminism and "difference" feminism. We will discuss these and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
Preparation: For each meeting there will be a selection of reading (10-15 pages), which we recommend you read before that meeting in order to get the most out of our conversations. The readings will be emailed to you after you register.
Cost: $100 (for four evening philosophy sessions, not including coffee and treats)
- The workshop has limited space. Register today to save yourself a spot!
- In case of cancellation due to low enrollment, you will receive a full refund through PayPal.
Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!