I have written extensively about these interrelated and highly debated topics. In this post, I compile these essays (see links below), and share the description for a brand new lecture I have prepared on this subject (and which summarizes my perspective on these matters). If you are potentially interested in having me present this talk at your college, conference, or other event, please visit my booking page for more details.THE TALK
A Social Justice Activist's Perspective on Call-Out Culture, Identity Politics, and Political Correctness
Over the last century, social justice activism has played a crucial role in challenging prejudice and promoting equity for women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups. While most of us profess support for these past accomplishments, we may nevertheless resist newer expressions of social justice activism, or dismiss them as examples of “call-out culture,” “identity politics,” or “political correctness” run amok. In this talk, author and activist Julia Serano addresses this discrepancy. Julia has written (particularly in her books Excluded and Outspoken) about how social justice movements sometimes become too exclusive, inflexible, or counterproductive -- tendencies that likely contribute to resistance toward contemporary activism, and for which Julia has suggested potential remedies. Julia also demonstrates how the general public's lack of awareness about how prejudice and discrimination actually work, and how activists can effectively counter them, is a major factor driving this resistance. Generating more light than heat, and remaining accessible to activists and non-activists alike, Julia will discuss the purpose of social justice activism and its limitations.
THE ESSAYS
Here are essays that I have written pertaining to current debates about “call-outs,” “cancel culture,” “free speech,” “identity politics,” and/or “political correctness”:
- How to Write a “Political Correctness Run Amok” Article
- Prejudice, “Political Correctness,” and the Normalization of Donald Trump
- Free Speech and the Paradox of Tolerance
- Refusing to Tolerate Intolerance
- Leftist Critiques of Identity Politics
- Cancel Culture and Political Correctness Have Something in Common
My previous writings on how we might make more inclusive, flexible, and productive social justice activist movements:
- A 2015 interview with me about “call-out culture” and intolerance in progressive and activist settings
- Activism, Language, and Differences of Opinion - a compilation of 15 essays analyzing conflicts that sometimes arise within social justice activism, and how we may overcome them
- I discuss all these matters in greater depth throughout my book Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive, and in Part 5 of my book Outspoken: A Decade of Transgender Activism and Trans Feminism
On my website, you will find a comprehensive list of my writings, and information about my other talks/presentations. And if you appreciate this work (and the fact that I make many of these articles available for free), please consider supporting me on Patreon.
