Knowing How to Feel: Racism, Resilience, and Affective Resistance

Knowing How to Feel: Racism, Resilience, and Affective Resistance

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Academic Unit

College of Arts and Sciences

Publication Date

11-2021

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article explores the affective dimension of resilient epistemological systems. Specifically, I argue that responsible epistemic practice requires affective engagement with nondominant experiences. To begin, I outline Kristie Dotson's account of epistemological resilience whereby an epistemological system remains stable despite counterevidence or attempts to alter it. Then, I develop an account of affective numbness. As I argue, affective numbness can promote epistemological resilience in at least two ways. First, it can reinforce harmful stereotypes even after these stereotypes have been rationally demystified. To illustrate, I examine the stereotype of Black criminality as it relates to false confessions (Lackey 2018). Second, it can encourage “epistemic appropriation” (Davis 2018), which I demonstrate by examining the appropriation of “intersectionality” and #MeToo by white culture. Finally, I conclude that resisting harmful resilience requires affective resistance, or efforts that target numbness via different kinds of affective engagement. I consider Kantian “disinterestedness” as a candidate.

Journal Title

Hypatia

Volume

36

Issue

4

Beginning Page Number

725

Last Page Number

747

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1017/hyp.2021.47

Knowing How to Feel: Racism, Resilience, and Affective Resistance

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