The Centrality of Suffering in Feminist Activism: Disputes and Strategies

Naming the processes of subalternity has been an essential feminist tool for political action. I recognize the importance of this exercise, but question the effects that can emerge from activism limited to this. I discuss, especially, the centrality of suffering, which at times can make one believe that it is only activism when one suffers. The objective of this study is to analyze the conditions of possibility and effects of this focus, while examining horizons that allow looking beyond suffering. The theoretical inspirations include post-colonial, decolonial and non-white-cis-hetero-centered contributions.

Suffering; Feminist activism; Post-colonialism; Decolonialis