Department of African American Studies Faculty Adviser: Prof. Marquis Bey, Ph.D.
What is Political Ontology by John Sweeney
Preface As I have progressed in this paper, I have asked myself, and been pushed to seriously think by my partner, about the ethicality of writing such a large work on matters of incredible violence to which I am not subject. I especially need to take into account how my discussions of race are entering predominantly Black discourses, since my presence in these spaces may contribute violence toward Black people.1 As my partner has reminded me, it is white fragility that orders me to remain silent on these questions, and so I take inspiration from her and Jennifer Nash, in her elaboration of bravery, to address this directly. As Barbara Christian, in her groundbreaking article “The Race for Theory,” asks white academics and herself, “For whom are we doing what we are doing when we do literary criticism?”2 I write for my partner, because the theory that I encounter that does not broadly engage with
Black theory excludes her and her experience. I cannot leave that be, so I must act, even if I may not have an impact. I also recognize that I have privilege as a white cisgender straight male in this racial cisheteropatriarchy, and when I speak, I am not giving space for those who are actually subjected to these systems to speak. Additionally, there is the great risk of liberal intentions that are in reality voyeurism, which will always lead to an unempathetic engagement, as the theory turns into another game. If I am guilty of this, I deserve to be called on it. I hope to move through this entire paper in an ethical manner — that is, with humility, respect, deep engagement, intention toward dialogue, and realizing that I am no one’s savior and that this is not an intellectual exercise. I write about violence because this violence continues, and I cannot turn away.
1 While this is not the purpose of this paper, extremely important work on the intramural dimensions
of race and ideology within the Black community and with other people of color has been created. See Michelle (2020). 2 See Christain (1988, pg 77).
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