Ahmed-feminism

What is Sara Ahmed's central claim in 'Sexism – A Problem with a Name'?

Naming sexism is a powerful feminist act that exposes institutional power structures and invites resistance, but also provokes backlash.

Why does Ahmed argue that naming sexism matters?

Because it turns personal, scattered experiences into shared, visible issues, challenging the silence that supports systemic sexism.

How does the concept of the 'feminist killjoy' function in the essay?

As a symbol of feminist resistance, she disrupts comfort and complacency by calling out sexism, often being labeled negative or humorless.

What role do institutions play in reproducing sexism according to Ahmed?

Institutions normalize and reward sexist behavior, while discouraging complaints and protecting their reputations.

Why is the metaphor of a 'brick wall' significant in Ahmed's analysis?

It illustrates the institutional resistance to change and the barriers faced by those who challenge sexism.

How does Ahmed define a 'sexism archive'?

A collection of testimonies, feelings, and events that document sexism’s patterns, helping feminists resist and organize.

What does Ahmed say about the cost of complaining?

Complainants are often punished or discredited, becoming identified as the problem rather than those who perpetuate sexism.

How does Ahmed critique post-feminist attitudes?

She challenges the idea that feminism is outdated, showing that sexism persists and feminist critique is still vital.

What is 'critical sexism' as described by Ahmed?

Sexism perpetuated by those who consider themselves too critical or progressive to be sexist, often within academic spaces.

What is the function of personal testimony in Ahmed's argument?

It links lived experience with theory, making structural issues visible and validating feminist knowledge production.

How does Ahmed describe the relationship between individuals and institutions?

She argues that individuals act within and through institutions, so both personal and systemic actions matter.

What does the 'drip, drip' metaphor represent?

The release of suppressed experiences of sexism once a space is made to share them, symbolizing collective awakening.

What example does Sarah Franklin contribute to the sexism archive?

A marked-up feminist essay, showing how feminist critique is dismissed or attacked within academia.

What is the 'Strategic Misogyny' blog used for?

To gather student testimonies of sexism and harassment, highlighting institutional patterns of denial and silence.

How does Ulrika Dahl's autoethnography expand the concept of sexism?

By showing how femininity is devalued, even within feminist spaces, revealing the layered nature of sexist oppression.

How does McClearen’s analysis of Fallon Fox illustrate intersectionality?

It shows how sexism and cissexism intersect, policing trans women’s bodies and participation in sports.

What does Ahmed say about humor as a feminist strategy?

Humor can be a rebellious tool to critique sexism, resist despair, and build solidarity.

What does 'venture community management' mean in this context?

Nakamura’s term for collective online labor resisting racism and sexism through activism on social media.

Why does Ahmed emphasize naming as a political act?

Because it challenges dominant narratives, alters power relations, and makes space for feminist resistance.

What is the significance of the quote 'naming does something'?

It underscores how language shapes reality, especially in the fight against oppression.