This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
Published on July 10, 2019, Judith Butler's work has been instrumental in shaping the conversation around violence against women. In the United States, the #MeToo movement has brought attention to the pervasive nature of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. However, Butler argues that the 'me' in #MeToo is not the same as the collective 'we', and that a collective approach is necessary to address this issue.
Butler draws parallels between the #MeToo movement and the Ni Una Menos movement in Argentina, which seeks to address the high rates of violence against women in the country. She notes that the destruction and disappearance of thousands of students and activists during the dictatorship has led to a strong opposition to state censorship, repression, and violence.
Butler emphasizes that the reasons for these movements are linked to political and economic structures that marginalize and oppress women. She argues that machismo, or the toxic sense of male identity, is a key factor in perpetuating violence against women. Butler suggests that men who join the fight against violence against women must follow the leadership of women and confront other men who perpetuate this violence.
Butler's new book, 'The Force of Non-Violence', explores the concept of relationality and how our lives are interdependent. She argues that our ethical obligations to sustain each other's lives follow from this interdependency, and that the interdiction against violence is a way of asserting and honoring this bond.
