Interactive Lecture: Power, the Manosphere, and the Distance Between Us and the ‘Other’
by Naomi Kloosterboer
Guns, cars, and motorcycles are symbols of what the world currently seems to revolve around: status, the power of the strongest, authoritarian leaders, and a revived ideal of masculinity in which men are expected to be in complete control—of everything, including women and reproduction. They are not symbols of compassion, solidarity, equality, or human rights.
One of the questions raised by Julika Rudelius’ work is: to what extent do these symbols of power and status belong only to the ‘Other’, and to what extent do they belong to us as well? The ‘Other’ may be a stranger, but it may also be a family member, friend, or loved one who is involved in the manosphere, attracted to these symbols, committed to strict norms of masculinity, or who in other ways associates human worth with particular objects, strength, and perfection.
In this interactive lecture, we will explore the distance between ourselves and this ‘Other’, and what it takes to bridge that divide. Can we understand the other person? Do we understand ourselves well enough? And is seeking understanding even the right thing to do?
This event will be held in Dutch.