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A review by sydthebeesknee
Queering Anarchism: Addressing and Undressing Power and Desire by J. Rogue, Deric Shannon, C.B. Daring, Abbey Volcano
5.0
My feelings towards this book are perhaps colored by how excited I was to read it and the fact that the person who checked this book out for me when I purchased it exclaimed that this book was "really good." Nonetheless, this is my favorite piece of theory and essay collection I've read this year so far.
I think this was a solid introduction-to-anarchism-text for me. To me, the essays were accessible without diluting ideas. Ideas presented in these essays, including divesting from the struggle for marriage equality and opposing hate crime legislation, are bold and incisive for those unaccustomed to more radical queer activism. Other ideas presented in some of these essays almost seemed liberal and comprising, at first glance. Many of the authors caution people against inverting hierarchies and positioning queerness/non-monogamy/non-normative practices are superior. I appreciated that perspective because it challenges me to be self-critical and make sure that my politics are rooted in ending oppression and exploitation and not reactionary, desiring to invert hierarchies to my benefit.
The way I felt compelled to be self-critical about how I arrive to my politics and values leads me to my final point of appreciation: many of these essays presented theory in a way that inspired me to think about how I could apply them to my own life. This essay collection also left me thinking about meditation/reflection as a liberator practice and how I can approach queerness as a way to transform how I relate with others.
I think this was a solid introduction-to-anarchism-text for me. To me, the essays were accessible without diluting ideas. Ideas presented in these essays, including divesting from the struggle for marriage equality and opposing hate crime legislation, are bold and incisive for those unaccustomed to more radical queer activism. Other ideas presented in some of these essays almost seemed liberal and comprising, at first glance. Many of the authors caution people against inverting hierarchies and positioning queerness/non-monogamy/non-normative practices are superior. I appreciated that perspective because it challenges me to be self-critical and make sure that my politics are rooted in ending oppression and exploitation and not reactionary, desiring to invert hierarchies to my benefit.
The way I felt compelled to be self-critical about how I arrive to my politics and values leads me to my final point of appreciation: many of these essays presented theory in a way that inspired me to think about how I could apply them to my own life. This essay collection also left me thinking about meditation/reflection as a liberator practice and how I can approach queerness as a way to transform how I relate with others.