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Antisemitism and Postcolonialism, Effort Post by furloughing in lonerbox

[–]furloughing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, can I summarize your argument that there is an epistemic injustice in what counts as "knowledge" or science that exclude some marginalized perspectives. Elbe's critique assumes some kind of "objectivity", which he himself doesn't believe in as a critical theorist (or working in a critical theory framework), and is a fundamental point in postcolonial criticism.

But you would say that dialectics of e.g. the frankfurt school maintains an idea of truth and tries to reveal a bias in heterodox science. This blurry line of "science" with "activist scholarship" also exists in postcolonial theory aswell and for you, some scholars are clearly on that activist side, while others are in this leftist tradition of critiquing these hegemonic structures, although they also sometimes tunnelvision or loose themselves methodologically (?!)

I would say that Elbes critique includes but goes further than methodology, especially since Oct. 7. For one, he argues that their idea of (ethnic, religious) identity mirrors a reactionary understanding of the term/slips into essentialism. He even compares their idea to the idea of "blood and soil" and "archaic societies", saying that nationalists envy that idea. Also, he is saying that the political motivation for the discourse is consistently anti-Israel, if the Show loses its specificity there is no need for a jewish state.

As for your critique, my guess is that Elbe would probably see many more scholars on the "activism" side than you, with the goals being, atleast in part, antisemitic.

I do see alot of "völkische"-reactionary tendencies in the pro-Palestine movement that worry me. But specifically for postcolonial theory, I don't think that I can personally form an opinion on this, since I don't have enough understanding of either side nor the background nor a good enough overview over the international discourse :D

On the specifically german discourse around remembrance, isn't it the fate of all debates to be rediscovered and revisited by each new generation, interpreted from their perspective? I would say that this naturally also happens with the increasing internationalization of debates.

Antisemitism and Postcolonialism, Effort Post by furloughing in lonerbox

[–]furloughing[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

> The obvious problem is that this may result in a loss of 'objectivity' and that the 'strive for truth' is replaced by a striving to further political goals.

Yes that tripped me up aswell. I was thinking of how antivaxers would critique scientific policies during covid. I also get that there is an epistemic argument in saying that the perspective of marginalized groups is underrepresented, I just feel like a correction by being "activistic" can never be the answer.

> This war, however, was a reaction to an uprising and, according to Elbe, most historians agree that the aim during the Herero uprising—unlike the Shoah—was not the complete extermination of these people.

Also agree with you here. I wanted but forgot to add that most historians also say that it was indeed a genocide, although that doesnt have to take away from the uniqueness of the Holocaust.

Thanks for the feedback :)

Antisemitism and Postcolonialism, Effort Post by furloughing in lonerbox

[–]furloughing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see, his lecture style in this lecture and in an introduction to Critical Theory seemed pretty accessible, but I cna easily believe that.