In Conversation: Epistemology, Critical Race Theory and Critical Muslim Studies
New Books in Critical Theory
Deep Dive
What is the main focus of Stephen Sheehi's work?
Stephen Sheehi's work focuses on the epistemology of coloniality and modernity, exploring how Muslim and Arab subjects are conscripted into believing in the naturalness of coloniality, modernity, and liberalism. His research spans topics like Islamophobia, photography, visual studies, and Palestine, with a particular emphasis on how these intersect with racial capitalism and modernity.
How does critical race theory intersect with critical Muslim studies?
Critical race theory and critical Muslim studies intersect by examining how race, racial capitalism, gender, and colonialism converge in various scales and ratios. They provide frameworks to understand phenomena like Islamophobia not just as East vs. West issues but as tools for social reproduction and racialization within specific political contexts.
How does Islamophobia function differently in the United States compared to other countries?
In the United States, Islamophobia operates within a specific tradition of racialization, where Muslims are positioned on a racial spectrum between the abject Black body and ideal whiteness. This differs from contexts like the UK or Holland, where Islamophobia is shaped by distinct colonial histories and racial formations.
What role does decoloniality play in critical Muslim studies?
Decoloniality in critical Muslim studies involves understanding and unwinding the power structures and privileges tied to specific racial histories. It requires acknowledging one's positionality within these histories and working to dismantle the systems of racial capitalism and modernity that perpetuate inequality.
How does the current political moment reveal the contradictions of racial capitalism?
The current political moment, marked by events like the George Floyd protests, exposes the contradictions of racial capitalism by making visible the systemic violence and inequality that have always existed. It highlights how white supremacy and racial capitalism are deeply embedded in societal structures, forcing a reckoning with these issues on a global scale.
What is the significance of the pandemic in exposing systemic inequalities?
The pandemic has exposed systemic inequalities by revealing how neoliberal global economics and ethno-nationalist policies exacerbate racial and social disparities. It has clarified the failures of democratic states to protect marginalized communities, particularly through anti-Asian racism and the differential treatment of Black and Indigenous bodies.
How can mass mobilization sustain the momentum for systemic change?
Mass mobilization can sustain momentum for systemic change by building on the groundwork laid by activists and communities who have been organizing and analyzing systemic issues for years. Sustaining this momentum requires continuous engagement, listening to marginalized voices, and fostering solidarity across different struggles.
- Focus on the epistemology of modernity and coloniality
- Analysis of how Muslim and Arab subjects are impacted by these forces
- Examination of the role of capitalism, racial capitalism, and modernity
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