The less we see ourselves reflected, the more we see in a reflection (HB, p. 123)

 

“Considering the feminist killjoy as a philosopher is to make a point about knowledge – how we know, how much we know – from our experiences of killing joy” (HB, p. 120). Right off the bat, Ahmed distinguishes the feminist killjoy as knowing differently – they do not rely on textbooks, but rather their bodies (embodied knowledge) and the senses they get through their lived experiences (see, p. 144). While everyone is not allowed to write a textbook (think of the textbook authors in your classes!) everyone who becomes a feminist killjoy can produce knowledge and become a philosopher. This badge is your license to killjoy philosophize.

 

“Book it:” Read HB chapter 4. How does the killjoy philosopher create knowledge about the world? How do tables, doors, and walls show up in the generation of killjoy knowledge? What role does alienation, noticing, and phenomenology play? 

 

“Live it:” Become a feminist phenomenologist! Revisit the chapter, specifically p. 125-127 for ideas on how to “do” phenomenology. The things that help me as a phenomenologist are to trust my gut (if you feel weird, things are probably weird!), look for what’s missing, or, what is hidden in the background out of sight, or, the obvious things all around us that are so prevalent we don’t even notice. Try being a phenomenologist on campus – you can explore several physical places (your classes, your dorm/floor, Commons, GSU, performance spaces, etc…) Describe your results – what you saw/felt on the surface, what you uncovered by looking more closely and considering what was missing… (It might also be “fun” to consider administration vs. student spaces… visit the 3rd floor of the administration building and then visit GSU – as a phenomenologist, what are the differences between the spaces and what knowledge have you produced?)

 

“Make it:” On page 135, Ahmed includes the Killjoy Truth: To become conscious of possibility can involve mourning for its loss. Consider something you have “lost” because you followed the rules of patriarchy (ie: threw like a girl because you were a girl). Write, perform (musically, through dance), draw, paint, etc… a eulogy for the possibility you didn’t even know you could attain.