The politicization of lived experience: reflections from philosophy and intersectionality

Abstract

This study is contextualized under the notion of the relegation of women to a place of alterity with respect to masculinity within modern Western mentality and patriarchal capitalist societies. Additionally, women are homogenized under a representation of “archetypal woman”, which is in turn linked with other representations such as the pairing woman/mother. We will show that, in order for these representations to be internalized, it is necessary to establish certain discourses stipulating norms and criteria of “normality” via their circulation in social technologies such as films. In the context of such normative discourse with sexist, racist, elitist and ableist baises, we argue that eccentric discursive positions, as stated by Teresa de Lauretis, are powerful forces for subverting the subjectification processes that establish the roles to be performed within social structure. In order to do that, we go back to critiques from the margin, as those by Adrienne Rich, and reflect on personal experience related to maternity, which is also considered as an institution. Additionally, we recover the contributions of Black feminist ideas and the importance of narrating experiences in first person. These efforts are oriented towards the purpose of questioning our own positions and experiences, as well as recognizing a multiple, contradictory, dissident, and “other subject”.