"We are chosen": bearing witness in Animal Parade. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polanco, Raquel
• Is Part Of: Text and performance quarterly. Volume 39:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Posthumanism -- the anthropocene -- witnessing; Oral communication -- Periodicals; Literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; 302.224205
• DOI: 10.1080/10462937.2019.1595124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-2937

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this response to Chris Collins's Animal Parade I grapple with my personal, as well as a larger disciplinary reticence to adopt posthumanist perspectives. I argue that Animal Parade puts our disciplinary values on display and points to the unique position of the performance studies scholar-artist for addressing extinction, environmental destruction, and our relationship with non-human others. Specifically, I draw upon Benjamin Haas's notion of hopeless activism to articulate the way Animal Parade calls upon its audience and the performance studies scholar to bear witness in the Anthropocene.