Unhappy Silences: Activist Feelings, Feminist Thinking, Resisting Injustice

How can uncomfortable feelings that seem to prevent us from engaging in political discussion actually aid the cause of resistance to injustice and violence? Unhappy Silences offers a strikingly innovative answer: thoughtful consideration of reactions such as shame, confusion and loneliness can liberate our voices and deepen decision-making. Set in the context of feminist, antiracist, disability rights, LGBT and similar movements of the past sixty years, Berenice Malka Fisher weaves together her distinctive analysis, insights from a wide range of thinkers, and stories based on her own and other women’s activist experiences. The result is a study rich in theory and practice. The capacity to talk fully and effectively with each other is crucial to the defense of our imperiled democracies. Unhappy Silences urges us not only to make our progressive movements more inclusive of diverse people but also–by listening to our silences–to make our discussions more inclusive of different ideas and options for action.