Haunted by State Violence: Becoming a Feminist Teacher

In this essay, I describe how I became a feminist teacher. I then chart the ways that I used an engaged feminist pedagogy to teach about state violence within the context of a graduate seminar called Trans/Gender Politics. I identify three practices that derive from the writings of bell hooks—a focus on well-being, how I show up with students, and leading with vulnerability. I also identify barriers, both institutional and personal, to activating an engaged feminist pedagogy.