Sarah Ahmed

Overview

Changing the Subject is a thought-provoking book written by Sarah Ahmed, a renowned feminist scholar and cultural critic. In this book, Ahmed examines the power dynamics at play in academic institutions and explores how problematic subjects are silenced or marginalized. By drawing on personal experiences and extensive research, Ahmed highlights the ways in which universities and other knowledge-producing institutions are complicit in maintaining and perpetuating systems of inequality. Through her analysis, Ahmed aims to disrupt these power structures and open up spaces for genuine diversity and inclusion.

Key Points / Ideas

Ahmed's main argument revolves around the concept of "institutional gatekeeping" and the selective filtering of knowledge within academic institutions. She asserts that when certain subjects or perspectives challenge the dominant ideologies, they are often dismissed or excluded, thus perpetuating systemic forms of discrimination. Ahmed critiques the role of institutions in legitimizing certain knowledge and voices while disregarding or silencing others, creating a homogenized academic canon that lacks diversity.

The author draws attention to the complicity of universities in perpetuating inequality by examining various forms of discrimination, including racism, sexism, and homophobia. She argues that institutional structures and practices are inherently biased and prioritize the interests and perspectives of those in positions of power. Through personal anecdotes and scholarly evidence, Ahmed demonstrates how marginalized voices are often tokenized and subjected to the demands of the dominant group.

Ahmed emphasizes the importance of "speaking out" and challenging the existing structures of knowledge. She encourages individuals to question and interrogate the assumptions and biases that underpin academic institutions and to actively seek out alternative narratives and perspectives. By doing so, she suggests that marginalized voices can disrupt the status quo and pave the way for more inclusive and socially just knowledge production processes.

Significant Evidence and Examples

Throughout the book, Ahmed supports her arguments with powerful examples and evidence. She shares her personal experiences of being a vocal feminist within academia and the subsequent pushback she received. Ahmed also highlights instances where universities have failed to address incidents of harassment and discrimination, further perpetuating an environment that silences marginalized voices.

Additionally, Ahmed examines the way certain subjects are marginalized or excluded within academic disciplines. She shows how fields of study like "queer studies" or "critical race theory" are often seen as peripheral, rather than central to knowledge production, reinforcing the dominance of mainstream perspectives.

The author also discusses the impact of student evaluations on the biases and prejudices that are reproduced within institutions. Ahmed argues that these evaluations are often racialized and gendered, contributing to an environment where marginalized scholars face more scrutiny and criticism than their privileged counterparts.

Conclusion

Changing the Subject is a compelling and eye-opening book that confronts the power dynamics present within academic institutions. Sarah Ahmed challenges the selective filtering of knowledge, exposes the complicity of universities in perpetuating inequality, and urges readers to disrupt existing structures and seek out diverse perspectives. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding and dismantling systemic forms of discrimination within knowledge production. For further exploration, readers can delve into related works such as "The Will to Change" by bell hooks or "Whistling Vivaldi" by Claude M. Steele.