Lecture with Dr. Rebecca Tuvel on Feminism, Cultural Appropriation, and Transracialism

Introduction

• Host: Ricardo Lopes
• Guest: Dr. Rebecca Tuvel, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Rhodes College
• Focus Areas: Feminist philosophy, philosophy of race, ethics of identity
• Book project: "Changing Race: The Ethics and Metaphysics of Transracialism"

Feminism

Definition and Evolution

• Feminism addresses gender inequality and discrimination.
• Historical battles: Women's suffrage, property rights, divorce rights, legal rights against marital rape.
• Contemporary battles: Education rights, fighting forced genital cutting, sex trafficking, child marriage.
• Western focus: Gender norms, reproductive rights, combating toxic masculinity.

Challenges to Feminism

• Stereotypes: Feminists seen as angry, anti-men.
• Perception of feminism as obsolete with perceived gender equality.
• Feminism's lack of inclusivity historically, needing more inclusivity for women of color and gender-diverse individuals.

Modern Feminism

• Intersectionality: Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, focuses on overlapping discrimination forms.
• Inclusive feminism: Should also address toxic masculinity and issues affecting men.
• Ongoing internal debates: Gender critical feminists vs. trans-inclusive feminists.

Cultural Appropriation

Definition

• Cultural appropriation as neutral: Exchange from one cultural group to another, can be positive or negative.
• Cultural misappropriation: When appropriation is disrespectful or harmful.

Evaluating Appropriation

• Toleration-based: Based on acceptance by the culture being appropriated from.
• Power-based: Focuses on exacerbation of power dynamics.
• Agent-based approach: Focus on the respectfulness of the appropriator.

Transracialism

Concept and Possibility

• Transracialism: Identifying with a race different from one's assigned race.
• Possible on social racial realism and anti-realist views; not on strict biological realist views.

Ethical Considerations

• Transracial identity should alleviate discomfort and be held ethically.
• Social recognition needed for legitimate transracial identity.
• Transracial individuals should not automatically receive all benefits intended for cis racial groups.

Animal Ethics

Use of Animal Experiment Data

• Ethical challenges in using data obtained from animal experiments.
• Arguments against animal experimentation: Rights violation, suffering, and dubious relevance of results.
• Alternative methods: Technological advancements, human tissue testing, and more humane research methods advocated.

Conclusion

• Dr. Tuvel's work explores significant ethical issues in identity and cultural exchange.
• Contact: RebeccaTuvel.com or email at Rhodes College.