18. Genealogies of Feminism and Morocco's Bnat al Yassar -Dr Nadia Guessous

In this episode, Dr. Nadia Guessous invites us to think about feminism in non-teleological ways by drawing upon her genealogical and ethnographic research with a particular generation of Leftist feminists in Morocco, often known as bnat al yassar (daughters of the Left). She dissects what requires her interlocutors to reject a traditional way of life that, paradoxically, is also acknowledged by them as the source of inspiration for their leftist feminist politics. She then probes how this first conundrum is connected to the challenge faced by leftist feminists in welcoming a new generation of young hijabi women into their organizations, despite their professed dedication to creating an all-encompassing women's movement. She refers to the leftist feminist issues surrounding tradition and the hijab as conundrums to question the notion of their inherent "naturalness." Although paradoxes and conundrums are commonly assumed to be self-evident descriptions, Dr. Guessous proposes that we view them as contextually specific, arising from distinct historical circumstances, and influenced by individual perspectives and subjectivity. Thus, through an examination of the dilemmas and contradictions informing the landscape of Moroccan leftist feminist politics, her research aims to engage in a nuanced exploration of modernity and feminism, avoiding linear and deterministic perspectives. Furthermore, it seeks to make a valuable contribution to the field of anthropology by shedding light on the dynamics of power within modern society and the formation of progressive political subjectivity. We invite you to engage with us on social media, share your thoughts and experiences, and join the conversation. You can write to us on ⁠[email protected]⁠ Your support is invaluable, so please consider leaving a review or feedback for us. Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Website : ⁠www.ergostudios.net⁠ Insta : @ergo_studios Twitter: @ergo_studios Produced By Ergo Studios Hosted By Saniya Ahmad Production and edited By Abhay Episode originally published on Haqq 02/07/2023