On Commonality, Nationalism, and Violence: Hannah Arendt, Rosa Luxemburg, and Frantz Fanon

In this essay I briefly discuss the reasons why feminist theory, which twenty years ago had repudiated Hannah Arendt, now embraces her. I then present my own embrace of Arendt as an illustration. I examine how Arendt, in the company of Frantz Fanon and Rosa Luxemburg, illuminates nationalism as an especially explosive form of "identity politics." I argue that all three thinkers press feminists to consider the dangers of political solidarities based on "being," not "thinking and doing." In addition, Fanon and Arendt press feminists to reconsider the significance and value of violence in politics. (JC)