'To Possess the Power to Speak'. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alcoff, Linda Martín
• Is Part Of: Royal Institute of Philosophy supplement. Volume 89(2021)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 100
• DOI: 10.1017/S1358246121000084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-2461

Abstract

Abstract: I argue here that first person speech on sexual violence remains an important dimension of the movement for social change in regard to sexual violence, and that the public speech of survivors faces at least three groups of obstacles: 1) the problem of epistemic injustice, that is, injustice in the sphere of knowledge 2) the problem of language and power, and 3) the problem of dominant discourses. I explain and develop these points and end with a final argument concerning the critical importance of speaking publicly on these areas of human experience.