Reflection on the material
Those who do not fit within the heteronormative boundaries are often excluded as citizens. Their identity removed for being ‘Other’.
This Other may be:
- Women- marginalised through the patriarchal society and without the same opportunities.
- Refugees seeking a safe place (citizenship removed geographically, politically, economically) their sense of belonging has been removed and they become displaced within society. Thus, creating an unfair and unequal society that is not democratic and does not value all citizens as equal. This removes the notion of Civic Republicanism, as the idea of the greater good no longer exists. The society can therefore not refer to itself as a collective citizenship, working towards the greater good, if not all members/ civilians are represented.
- Individuals who identify as ‘Trans’- in some countries completely excluded or not-recognised, made invisible.
- Homeless citizens
In the introduction to ‘Gendered Citizenship’ it is clearly stated that a lack of representation suppresses justice (Dutt et.al) Those who are already displaced within society are oppressed, lacking representation. The Sparks article highlights the idea that courage has traditionally been viewed as a ‘masculine’ trait; we do not have representations of courageous women who perform dissident acts.
Ignoring difference excludes the marginalised, those who are displaced and oppressed. Those require equal opportunities and treatment are denied justice through lack of representation.
How can we expect change in society when we erase those who need to be represented. We cannot strive for justice through ignorance.
How can we expect change in society when we erase those who need to be represented. We cannot strive for justice through ignorance.
If we begin to recognise difference, encouraging plurality of citizens, we can create a space in which people are more fairly represented and encourage a healthy discourse that is inclusive.
How can we create a better society if we do not give a voice to the oppressed?
How can we create a better society if we do not give a voice to the oppressed?
Examples to illustrate reflection
Homelessness (Cardboard Citizens)
HIV (Ron Athey)
https://vimeo.com/47239842
Questions/ provocations
What is the best model of citizenship for positive social change? Is there such thing as a ‘best’/ is the combination of models a better way forward?
What kinds of ‘everyday resistance’ are performed by the oppressed in 2016?
The question that you have raised, I find, is very intriguing. We mostly engage in critiquing and posing a counter opinion, which is indeed very important and I would say, a step towards thinking about a change. However, what we also tend to forget is that the change can only reach its potential, when along with a counter-point, a parallel counter solution is proposed. Most often, in our critical engagement in the academia, we keep the process incomplete by only initiating the first step. But your question is really pushing us to think ‘but then what’s next?’
ReplyDeleteComing directly to your first question, according to me, it is actually difficult to have “the best” model of citizenship for positive social change. The moment we get on to find one best model, we by default fall into the trap of idealizing and metonymizing one aspect over the other, in the process, putting a blanket upon many other dimensions. This further gets us into the never-ending debate of the universalism and particularism (highlighted by Ernesto Laclau). Combination of models can be a better way to proceed and also adding to it, ‘improvisations’ of the models and the structure if need be, to meet the requirement of the time. A constant re-figuration is necessary since something that is best today might not at all be beneficial tomorrow. Problems have arisen when the state and people have not accepted changes demanded by the changes in time or have tried to re-established the lost cultures and values. For example, the recent Canada immigration policy can be seen as one such improvisation suiting the present political and economic condition.