Living a Feminist Life

What does the phrase “feminism is homework” mean, and how does it relate to living a feminist life? What does that homework look like? What, in your view, might that feminist life look like, in terms of both theory and practice?

What is the path of happiness? How does it function as a form of force or pressure, and how does it relate to the theme of power dynamics? In your view, what would “feminist” happiness look like?

What is a feminist killjoy? What are the necessary qualities and goals of a feminist killjoy? Do you find the term necessary or useful? Why or why not?

Ahmed rejects the idea that gender identity is innate, instead arguing that it is largely a matter of performativity shaped by societal expectations and The Dynamics of Power. Do you agree with her views? Why or why not?

Ahmed discusses “the walls we come up against” (163). What kinds of walls might one encounter in a feminist context, and how do these walls function? How can they be overcome? Use evidence from the text, but also consider your personal experience in your analysis.

How does whiteness complicate feminist thought and action? How does Ahmed suggest addressing whiteness, and how does it relate to the ideal of intersectionality? What other methods and approaches could feminists use to achieve greater intersectionality in their thought and action?

Research one of the key feminist thinkers that Ahmed cites as an inspiration (you can refer to the Key Figures section for some ideas). How does this thinker’s thought compare to Ahmed’s? In what ways are these two feminists different or similar in their approach to feminism and feminist issues?

Consider the ten categories of items Ahmed suggests for a killjoy survival kit. What might you include in your survival kit, and why?