'It definitely felt very white': race, gender, and the performative politics of assembly at the Women's March in Victoria, British Columbia. Issue 5 (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rose-Redwood, CindyAnn; Rose-Redwood, Reuben
• Is Part Of: Gender, place and culture. Volume 24:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 645
• Page End: 654
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Assembly -- performativity -- reciprocity -- solidarity -- whiteness -- Women's March; Human geography -- Periodicals; Feminism -- Periodicals; Géographie féministe -- Périodiques; 305.305
• DOI: 10.1080/0966369X.2017.1335290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-369X

Abstract

Abstract: This article reflects upon the challenges of building solidarity across the racial divide in the struggle for women's rights as displayed at the Women's March on Washington and the 'sister' marches in cities across the United States and beyond. In particular, we highlight the concerns that women of color raised regarding the 'whiteness' of the marches and the lack of reciprocity that they often experience when participating in interracial coalitions with white 'allies.' Drawing upon Judith Butler's recent work on the performative politics of assembly and Chantal Mouffe's conception of radical democracy, we argue that concerted bodily action and the enactment of collective political subjectivities are contested processes in which 'bodies-in-alliance' may march together but do not necessarily act in conformity. It is therefore crucial to cultivate agonistic spaces within solidarity movements in which adversarial conflicts among 'allies' can emerge if such movements are to remain committed to radical democratic politics. We explore these issues further by discussing our own conflicting experiences at the rally to support the Women's March in Victoria, British Columbia.