The Paradox of Liberatory Activism: The Promise of Decisive Hyper-Activism

This article gives an account of the paradox that happens when liberatory reforms bring with them, simultaneously and in addition to the reforming values and practices, oppressive customs, beliefs, and authoritative knowledges. How can activists become aware of the paradox? How can they transform oppressive practices and systems of power and not bring with them other oppressive practices and systems of power? In responding to these questions, the article emphasizes: the importance of animating the paradoxes instead of attempting to eliminate them; making transverse and transforming movements instead of direct attacks on oppressive formations; finding all "solutions" questionable; and in the absence of stable foundations advancing an approach Tuana and Scott call "hyper-activism."