The second chapter of Feminist Accountability by Ann Russo details the equating of silence with oppression. Russo describes her personal experience with this, and how it grew in college when she exercised her “fighting” oppression by constantly speaking up for every type of injustice she saw or hear, she was taking up the space and opportunity for others to speak. She then delves into the practice of listening and why it is important. It is incredibly important that feminists who are more privileged (straight, white, higher socioeconomic class, etc.) to take a seat and listen to those less privileged. I very much enjoyed reading this chapter because I feel like that is something I need to be reminded of every once and a while, as a white woman. Russo explains that our goal shouldn’t be that we don’t speak out, but rather, we speak as a learner, not an authority. I thought this was very powerful. I do believe white people find it necessary to deflect or evade these difficult conversations, as mentioned by Thandeka is this chapter. This discomfort comes from shame is evident when white feminists complain about feeling alienated or no longer welcome in feminist discussions. This made me think back to the hashtags we discussed last class, and it is very true that some white feminists feel this way. I would recommend they stop complaining and grab a copy of Feminist Accountability.
WMST 488X: Senior Seminar in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. University of Maryland College Park. Spring 2019. Dr Alexis Lothian.
I didn’t assign myself to read this part; however, how you summarized it and what Russo is saying is important and interesting to take note of when it comes to equating silence with oppression and the act of listening. It actually reminds of another Lorde’s reading,” The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action,” where she narrates the days in which she was once silent and argues that people should speak up for themselves from acts of oppression. The more you succumb into silence, the less it will protect you. Not only should the more privileged listen to the less privileged, but to actually understand them.