Lecture Notes: Judith Butler at the University of Bologna
Introduction
- Judith Butler, a distinguished professor, discussed the theme "Fascist Passions".
- Acknowledgments to the University of Bologna, Christina de Maria, Professor Federo Condello, and Christina Gamber for organizing the event.
Current Global Context
- Fascist passions and their impact:
- Refers to the contemporary struggles for human rights and the violence against marginalized communities globally.
- Examples include:
- The ongoing genocide in Palestine, with significant loss of life.
- Violent suppression of protests in the USA and Europe.
- War and violence in Ukraine.
- Violence against people of color, particularly in the USA.
- Challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
Judith Butler's Contributions
- Butler's work critiques:
- Biological determinism and nationalism.
- Sovereignty and neoliberal modes of dispossession.
- Human rights violations and the exclusion of certain communities from the definition of humanity.
- Key questions raised:
- Who counts as human?
- Which lives are considered grievable?
- Butler’s ethical vision seeks justice and reimagines shared humanity.
The Role of the Intellectual
- Quoting Edward Said on the intellectual's role:
- Criticize authority and reflect on truth, even at a personal cost.
- Butler exemplifies this role through her activism and scholarship.
Fascist Passions in Contemporary Politics
- The rise of fascism:
- Addressing the normalization of violence and rights stripping.
- The connection between state violence and the justification of such actions in the name of national security.
- Fascist rhetoric against marginalized communities:
- Anti-trans sentiment as part of a broader fascist ideology.
- The framing of trans existence as a threat to societal norms.
Understanding Violence and Terrorism
- Discussion on state violence:
- Historical context of using legitimate force as a guise for violence.
- Need for moral clarity in naming actions as genocide.
- The ethical implications of genocide and rights stripping.
The Emotional Landscape of Fascism
- Excited sadism as a characteristic of contemporary fascist movements:
- The moral justification for harming others framed as restoring societal order.
- The celebration of rights stripping as a moral good, particularly among right-wing activists.
- Fascist movements often harness emotional appeal around public fears to justify their actions.
Gender and Rights Stripping
- Examination of gender politics:
- The intersection of anti-gender ideologies and fascist politics.
- The fear of losing societal norms leading to aggressive anti-gender movements.
- The impact of these movements on transgender rights and identities.
Feminism and Anti-Gender Movements
- Critical Feminism's Misunderstanding:
- The terms and concepts used in feminist discourses often get misrepresented in anti-gender narratives.
- Calls for an alliance between various marginalized groups to strengthen advocacy for rights.
Building a Collective Future
- Emphasis on interdependency and solidarity:
- Advocating for a radical democracy that transcends individual rights to include collective rights.
- The importance of recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities across different axes of identity.
- Call to action:
- Form alliances that reflect shared struggles against fascism, for gender freedoms, and broader rights.
- Address the systemic issues of capitalism and colonialism.
Conclusion
- Butler reinforces the need for a collective approach to freedom and rights, emphasizing:
- The interconnectedness of struggles for justice and equality.
- The importance of advocacy and activism in resisting fascist ideologies and practices.
The lecture highlights the importance of recognizing and opposing fascist trends in society, particularly in relation to gender politics, human rights, and the moral implications of state violence.
Judith Butler’s insights challenge us to consider how we can build a more just and equitable future for all.