du Toit, Louise, Coetzee, Azille. Gendering African Philosophy, or: African Feminism as Decolonizing Force
2017, in Afolayan, A. and Falola, T. (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of African Philosophy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan
-
Expand entry
-
Added by: Björn Freter & Marc GwodogAbstract:
Although feminist authors and publications abound in other disciplines on the continent, professional African philosophy is overwhelmingly male dominated, with a conspicuous absence of feminist and gender themes. To redress the situation, du Toit and Coetzee consider the choice between applying globally dominant feminist frameworks to issues and debates in the African context or outright immersion in the masculine field of African philosophy in order to open up spaces for feminist questions in dialogue with indigenous worldviews and philosophical positions. In this chapter the authors focus on the second option, in line with recent calls to more authentically contextualize philosophical practice on the continent. The chapter examines the themes of sexual agency and motherhood. Grounded in this way, African feminist philosophy emerges as a potentially powerful source of critique and partner in dialogue with the more established strands of feminist thought.Comment (from this Blueprint): The interest of this article lies in the way it addresses the question of decolonization. It offers an analysis of the mechanisms that have allowed the memory of colonized peoples to remain under the influence of the colonial narrative and shows how feminist studies can contribute to a real emancipation of African memories and identities.
Can’t find it?
Contribute the texts you think should be here and we’ll add them soon!