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The Work of Judith Butler and the Study of Race

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Judith Butler, Race and Education

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Abstract

In this chapter I select what I consider to be some of the most important of Butler’s main ideas for the study of race: subjectivation, the strength of hegemonic norms, performativity, intelligibility and desubjectivation. I argue that Butler’s work offers a framework in which race can be seen as a hegemonic norm and performative, which both subjectivates and desubjectivates, and shapes notions of intelligibility. In the latter half of the chapter, I consider the political implications of employing a Butlerian framework for studying race and racial oppression, addressing some of the most frequent criticisms and controversial aspects of her work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Education, Bath Spa University, Newton Saint Loe, Bath, UK

    Charlotte Chadderton

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  1. Charlotte Chadderton
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Chadderton, C. (2018). The Work of Judith Butler and the Study of Race. In: Judith Butler, Race and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73365-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73365-4_3

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73364-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73365-4

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