Edelman Kritik

KNDI 2011 Edelman Kritik
K Lab Adam Pease

Edelman Kritik
Edelman Kritik............................................................................................................................................................1
Edelman Kritik ............................................................................................................................... 1
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1NC Shell /5 .................................................................................................................................. !
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***ESSENTIAL L!CKS***..................................................................................................................................."
###ESSEN$IAL %L&CKS### ..................................................................................................... '
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2NC Im#a$t %ramin& / '((t Ca)*e.............................................................................................................................+
2NC Im(a)t *ramin+ / ,--t Ca.se .............................................................................................. /
A/T, -erm)tati(n.......................................................................................................................................................12
A/$0 Perm.tati-n ......................................................................................................................... 12
A/T, %rame.(rk........................................................................................................................................................15
A/$0 *rame1-rk .......................................................................................................................... 15
A/T, Nihili*m............................................................................................................................................................16
A/$0 Nihilism ................................................................................................................................ 1!
A/T, E**entiali*m .....................................................................................................................................................17
A/$0 Essentialism ........................................................................................................................ 1"
***ALTE'NATI/E***...........................................................................................................................................1"
###AL$E,NA$I2E### .............................................................................................................. 1'
Alternati0e 1 Sinth(m(*e2)alit3..............................................................................................................................1+
Alternati3e 4 Sinth-m-se5.alit6 ................................................................................................ 1/
Alternati0e 1 4nintelli&i5ilit3...................................................................................................................................26
Alternati3e 4 7nintelli+ibilit6 ..................................................................................................... 20
Alt S(l0en$3..............................................................................................................................................................22
Alt S-l3en)6 .................................................................................................................................. 22
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K Lab Adam Pease
***LINKS***...........................................................................................................................................................25
###LINKS### ............................................................................................................................... 25
Link 7 8eneri$..........................................................................................................................................................26
Link 8 9eneri) .............................................................................................................................. 2!
Link 7 S#a$e E2#l(rati(n..........................................................................................................................................27
Link 8 S(a)e E5(l-rati-n ............................................................................................................ 2"
Link 7 Tem#(ralit3...................................................................................................................................................2"
Link 8 $em(-ralit6 ...................................................................................................................... 2'
Link 7 Identit3 Cate&(rie*.........................................................................................................................................2+
Link 8 Identit6 Cate+-ries ........................................................................................................... 2/
Link 7 9)eer Allian$e / In$(r#(rati(n......................................................................................................................36
Link 8 :.eer Allian)e / In)-r(-rati-n ....................................................................................... 30
Link 7 %illin& the la$k...............................................................................................................................................31
Link 8 *illin+ the la)k .................................................................................................................. 31
A::, -erm)tati(n.......................................................................................................................................................32
A;;0 Perm.tati-n .......................................................................................................................... 32
***A%% ANS;E'S***...........................................................................................................................................35
###A** ANS<E,S### ............................................................................................................... 35
A::, Alt S(l0en$3 <(r la$k there(:=...........................................................................................................................36
A;;0 Alt S-l3en)6 =-r la)k there-;> ............................................................................................. 3!
A::, -ed(#hilia T)rn.................................................................................................................................................3"
A;;0 Ped-(hilia $.rn ................................................................................................................... 3'
A::, Natalit3 T)rn.....................................................................................................................................................3+
A;;0 Natalit6 $.rn ........................................................................................................................ 3/
A::, Cede the -(liti$al ..............................................................................................................................................46
A;;0 Cede the P-liti)al ................................................................................................................. 0
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K Lab Adam Pease
1NC Shell 1/5
N-ti-ns -; (reser3in+ s-me s-rt -; ;.t.re ;-r -.r s(e)ies 3al-ri?e re(r-d.)ti3e@
heter-+enital se5@ 1hile s.b-rdinatin+ A.eer se5 t- n-thin+ m-re than Bmeanin+less
a)r-bati)s.C $his im(re+nates heter-se5.alit6 1ith the ;.t.re -; si+ni;i)ati-n@ ne)essitatin+
3i-len)e a+ainst A.eerness.
Edelman 200 <Lee Edelman> -r(:. En&li*h at T):t* 4ni0er*it3> ?N( %)t)re, 9)eer The(r3 and the @eath
@ri0e>A 2664> ##. 11B13=
Char+ed@ a:ter all> 1ith the task -; ass.rin+ Bthat 1e bein+ dead 6et li3e>A the Child> a* i: 53 nat)re
<m(re #re$i*el3> a* the #r(mi*e (: a nat)ral tran*$enden$e (: the limit* (: nat)re it*el:=> e5)l.des the 0er3
#ath(* :r(m .hi$h the narrat(r (: The Children (: Cen re$(il* .hen $(me* )#(n the 7n-nre(r-d.)ti3e
B(leas.res -; the mind and senses.A %(r the B(atheti)C A.alit6 he #r(De$ti0el3 l-)ates in n-n+enerati3e
se5.al enD-6ment 8 enD-6ment that he 0ie.* in the absen)e -; ;.t.rit6 as em(t6@ s.bstit.ti3e@
(ath-l-+i)al 8 e5(-ses the ;etishisti) ;i+.rati-ns -; the Child that the narrat(r #it* a&ain*t it a* le&i5le in
term* (: identi$al t( th(*e :(r .hi$h enD(3ment .ith()t ?h(#e (: #(*terit3A *( #erem#t(ril3 di*mi**edA
le&i5le> that i*> a* n(thin& m(re than ?#atheti$ and $r)m5lin& de:en$e* *h(red )# a&ain*t ()r r)in*.A E(.
5etter t( $hara$teriFe the narrati0e #r(De$t (: Children (: Cen it*el:> .hi$h end*> a* an3(ne n(t 5(rn
3e*terda3 *)rel3 e2#e$t* :(rm the *tart> .ith the rene.al (: ()r 5arren and d3in& ra$e thr()&h the mira$le (:
5irthG A:ter all> a* ;alter ;an&erin Hr.> re0ie.in& the 5((k :(r the Ne. I(rk Time*> a##r(0in&l3 n(ted in a
*enten$e deli$atel3 #(i*ed 5et.een de*$ri#ti(n and #er:(rman$e (: the n(0elJ* #r(B$reati0e ide(l(&3, ?I:
there i* a 5a53> there i* a :)t)re> there i* redem#ti(n.A I;@ h(.e0er> there is n- bab6 and in )-nseA.en)e@ n-
;.t.re@ then the blame m.st ;all -n the ;atal l.re -; *terile> nar$i**i*ti$ enD-6ments .nderst--d as
inherentl6 destr.)ti3e -; meanin+ and there;-re as res(-nsible ;-r the .nd-in+ -; s-)ial -r+ani?ati-n@
)-lle)ti3e realit6@ and@ ine3itabl6@ li;e itsel;.
9i3en that the a.th-r -; $he Children -; Een@ like the (arents -; mankindFs )hildren@ s.)).mbs s-
)-m(letel6 t- the nar)issism 7 all (er3asi3e@ sel;G)-n+rat.lat-r6@ and strate+i)all6 misre)-+ni?ed 8 that
animates (r-natalism@ 1h6 sh-.ld 1e be the least bit s.r(rised 1hen her narrat-r> :a$in& the :)t)rele**
:)t)re> laments> .ith .hat .e m)*t $all a* *trai&ht :a$e> that ?se5 t-tall6 di3-r)ed ;r-m (r-)reati-n has t-
be)-me alm-st meanin+lessl6 a)r-bati)AG <hi)h is> (: $()r*e@ t- sa6 n- m-re than that se5.al (ra)ti)e
1ill )-ntin.e t- alle+-ri?e the 3i)issit.des -; meanin+ s- l-n+ as the s(e)i;i)all6 heter-se5.al alibi -;
re(r-d.)ti3e ne)essit6 -bs).res the dri3e be6-nd meanin+ dri3in+ the ma)hiner6 -; se5.al
meanin+;.lness, *( l(n&> that i*> a* the 5i(l(&i$al :a$t (: heter(*e2)al #r($reati(n 5e*t(.* the im#rimat)r (:
meanin&B#r(d)$ti(n (n heter(&enital relati(n*. *-r the Child@ 1h-se mere (-ssibilit6 is en-.+h t- s(irit
a1a6 the naked tr.th -; heter-se5.al se5 8 im(re+natin+ heter-se5.alit6> a* it .ere> 1ith the ;.t.re -;
si+ni;i)ati-n b6 )-n;errin+ .(-n it the ).lt.ral b.rden -; si+ni;6in+ ;.t.rit6 7 ;i+.res -.r identi;i)ati-n
1ith an al1a6s ab-.tGt-GbeGreali?ed identit6. It th)* denie* the $(n*tant threat t( the *($ial (rder (:
meanin& inherent t( the *tr)$t)re (: S3m5(li$ de*ire that $(mmit* )* t( #)r*)in& :)l:illment 53 .a3 (: a
meanin& )na5le> a* meanin&> either t( :)l:ill )* (r> in t)rn> t( 5e :)l:illed 5e$a)*e )na5le t( $l(*e the &a# in
identit3> the di0i*i(n in$i*ed 53 the *i&ni:ier> that ?meanin&>A de*#ite it*el:> mean*
Heter-n-rmati3it6 instills a ;.ndamental ;ear -; im(.rit6 in s-)iet6I this am(li;ies s6stemi)
3i-len)e a+ainst A.eerness and (la)es -.r s(e)ies -n a traDe)t-r6 t-1ards -mni)ide.
Sed1i)k 1//0 <E0e Sed&.i$k> -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h C4NI> ?E#i*tem(l(&3 (: the Cl(*et>A 1++6> ##. 127B136.=

%r(m at lea*t the 5i5li$al *t(r3 (: S(d(m and 8(m(rra3> s)enari-s -; sameGse5 desire 1-.ld *eem t( ha3e
had a (ri3ile+ed> th()&h 53 n( mean* an e2$l)*i0e> relati-n in <estern ).lt.re t- s)enari-s -; b-th
+en-)ide and -mni)ide. That s-d-m6> the name 53 .hi$h h(m(*e2)al a$t* are kn(.n e0en t(da3 t( the la.
(: hal: (: the 4nited State* and t( the S)#reme C()rt (: all (: them> sh-.ld alread6 be ins)ribed 1ith the
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K Lab Adam Pease
name -; a site -; mass e5terminati-n is the a((r-(riate tra)e -; a d-.ble hist-r6. In the :ir*t #la$e there
is a hist-r6 -; the m-rtal s.((ressi-n@ le&al (r *)5D)di$ial> (: &a3 a$t* and &a3 #e(#le> thr-.+h b.rnin+@
h-.ndin+@ (h6si)al and )hemi)al )astrati-n@ )-n)entrati-n )am(s@ bashin+GBthe arra3 (: *an$ti(ned
:atalitie* that L()i* Cr(m#t(n re$(rd* )nder the name (: &a3 &en($ide> and .h(*e *)##(*ed e)&eni$ m(ti0e
5e$(me* (nl3 the m(re $(l(ra5le .ith the emer&en$e (: a di*tin$t> nat)raliFed min(rit3 identit3 in the
nineteenth $ent)r3. In the *e$(nd #la$e> th()&h> there i* the in0eterate t(#(* (: a**($iatin& &a3 a$t* (r
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#er*(n* .ith :atalitie* 0a*tl3 5r(ader than their (.n e2tent, i: it i* am5i&)()* .hether e0er3 deniFen (: the
(5literated S(d(m .a* a *(d(mite@ )learl6 n-t e3er6 ,-man -; the late Em(ire )an ha3e been s-@ des(ite
9ibb-nJs )-nne)tin+ the e)li(se -; the 1h-le (e-(le t- the habits -; a ;e1. *-ll-1in+ b-th 9ibb-n and
the %ible@ m-re-3er@ 1ith an im(et.s b-rr-1ed ;r-m Dar1in@ -ne -; the ;e1 areas -; a+reement am-n+
m-dern Ear5ist@ Na?i@ and liberal )a(italist ide-l-+ies is that there is a (e).liarl6 )l-se@ th-.+h ne3er
(re)isel6 de;ined@ a;;init6 bet1een sameGse5 desire and s-me hist-ri)al )-nditi-n -; m-rib.ndit6@
)alled Kde)aden)e@K t- 1hi)h n-t indi3id.als -r min-rities b.t 1h-le )i3ili?ati-ns are s.bDe)t.
%l--dlettin+ -n a s)ale m-re massi3e b6 -rders -; ma+nit.de than an6 +a6 min-rit6 (resen)e in the
).lt.re is the K).re@K i; ).re there be@ t- the m-rtal illness -; de)aden)e.
I; a ;antas6 traDe)t-r6@ .t-(ian in its -1n terms@ t-1ard +a6 +en-)ide has been endemi) in <estern
).lt.re ;r-m its -ri+ins@ then@ it ma6 als- ha3e been tr.e that the traDe)t-r6 t-1ard +a6 +en-)ide 1as
ne3er )learl6 distin+.ishable ;r-m a br-ader@ a(-)al6(ti) traDe)t-r6 t-1ard s-methin+ a((r-a)hin+
-mni)ide. The deadl($k (: the #a*t $ent)r3 5et.een min(ritiFin& and )ni0er*aliFin& )nder*tandin&* (:
h(m(/heter(*e2)al de:initi(n $an (nl3 ha0e dee#ened thi* :atal 5(nd in the heter(*e2i*t *ima&inaire*. In ()r
$)lt)re a* in *ill3 )d*> the (h-bi) narrati3e traDe)t-r6 t-1ard ima+inin+ a time #a;ter the
h-m-se5.al# is ;inall6 inse(arable ;r-m that t-1ard ima+inin+ a time #a;ter the h.man*K in the .ake
(: the h(m(*e2)al> the .ake in$e**antl3 #r(d)$ed *in$e :ir*t there *.ere* h(m(*e2)al*> e0er3 h)man
relati(n i* #)lled int( it* *hinin& re#re*entati(nal :)rr(..
%ra&ment* (: 0i*i(n* (: a time *a:ter the h(m(*e2)al* are> (: $()r*e> $)rrentl3 in diFF3in& $ir$)lati(n in ()r
$)lt)re L5((k #)5li*hed in 1++6 BAle$M. &ne -; the man6 dan+er-.s 1a6s that AIDS dis)-.rse seems t-
rati;6 and am(li;6 (reins)ribed h-m-(h-bi) m6th-l-+ies is in its (se.d-Ge3-l.ti-nar6 (resentati-n -;
male h-m-se5.alit6 as a sta+e d--med t- e5tin)ti-n <read> a #ha*e the *#e$ie* i* &(in& thr()&h= (n the
en(rm()* *$ale (: .h(le #(#)lati(n*.26 The lineament* (: (#enl3 &en($idal mali$e 5ehind thi* :anta*3
a##ear (nl3 ($$a*i(nall3 in the re*#e$ta5le media> th()&h the3 $an 5e &lim#*ed e0en there 5ehind the #(kerB
:a$e ma*k (: ()r nati(nal e2#eriment in lai**eFB:aire medi$ine. A 5etter> i: *till de(d(riFed> .hi:: (: that
mali$e $(me* :r(m the :am()* #r(n()n$ement (: -at '(5ert*(n, NAI@S i* 8(dO* .a3 (: .eedin& hi*
&arden.N The *a$$harine l)*tre thi* di$t)m &i0e* t( it* 0i*i(n (: de0a*tati(n> and the r)thle** #r)rien$e .ith
.hi$h it mi*attri5)te* it* (.n a&en$3> $(0er a m(re :)ndamental $(ntradi$ti(n, that> t( rati(naliFe
$(m#la$ent &lee at a *#e$ta$le (: .hat i* ima&ined a* &en($ide> a #r(t(B@ar.inian #r($e** (: nat)ral
*ele$ti(n i* 5ein& in0(kedBBin the $(nte2t (: a Chri*tian :)ndamentali*m that i* n(t (nl3 antie0(l)ti(ni*t 5)t
re$kle**l3 (riented t(.ard )ni0er*al a#($al3#*e. A *imilar (hen-men-n@ als- t-- terrible t- be n-ted as a
mere ir-n6@ is h-1 e3enl6 -.r ).lt.reJs (h-bia ab-.t HI2G(-siti3e bl--d is ke(t (a)e 1ith b6 its ra+e
;-r kee(in+ that dan+er-.s bl--d in br-ad@ )-ntin.-.s )ir).lati-n. Thi* i* e0iden$ed in #r(De$t* :(r
)ni0er*al te*tin&> and in the needleB*harin& im#li$it in ;illiam )$kle3O* n(. ineradi$a5le :anta*3 (:
tatt((in& EI/B#(*iti0e #er*(n*. )t m-st immediatel6 and (er3asi3el6 it is e3iden)ed in the literal
bl--dbaths that seem t- make the (-int -; the AIDSGrelated res.r+en)e in 3i-lent bashin+s -; +a6sGG
1hi)h@ .nlike the +.n 3i-len)e -ther1ise .biA.it-.s in this ).lt.re@ are )hara)teristi)all6 d-ne 1ith
t1-Gb6G;-.rs> 5a*e5all 5at*> and :i*t*> in the m(*t literalBminded $(n$ei0a5le :(rm (: 5(d3B:l)id $(nta$t.
It mi&ht 5e .(rth makin& e2#li$it that the )*e (: e0(l)ti(nar3 thinkin& in the $)rrent .a0e (:
)t(#ian/&en($idal :anta*3 i*> .hate0er el*e it ma3 5e> $raF3 L*i$M. 4nle** (ne 5elie0e*> :ir*t (: all> that *ameB
*e2 (5De$tB$h(i$e a$r(** hi*t(r3 and a$r(** $)lt)re* i* *(ne thin&* .ith *(ne $a)*e*> and> *e$(nd> that it* (ne
$a)*e i* dire$t tran*mi**i(n thr()&h a n(nre$e**i0e &eneti$ #athBB.hi$h .()ld 5e> t( #)t it &entl3> $()nterB
int)iti0eBBthere is n- 1arrant ;-r ima+inin+ that +a6 (-(.lati-ns@ e3en -; men@ in (-stGAIDS
+enerati-ns 1ill be in the sli+htest de+ree diminished. E5a)tl6 #t- the de+ree# that AIDS is a +a6
disease@ itJs a tra+ed6 )-n;ined t- -.r +enerati-nI the l-n+Gterm dem-+ra(hi) de(redati-ns -; the
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K Lab Adam Pease
disease 1ill ;all@ t- the )-ntrar6@ -n +r-.(s@ man6 themsel3es direl6 endan+ered@ that are re(r-d.)ed
b6 dire)t heter-se5.al transmissi-n.
7nlike +en-)ide dire)ted a&ain*t He.*> Nati0e Ameri$an*> A:ri$an*> (r -ther +r-.(s Lthe di*a5led BAle$M>
then> +a6 +en-)ide@ the -n)eGandG;-rGall eradi)ati-n -; +a6 (-(.lati-ns@ h-1e3er (-tent and s.stained
as a (r-De)t -r ;antas6 -; m-dern <estern ).lt.re@ is n-t (-ssible sh-rt -; the eradi)ati-n -; the 1h-le
1NC Shell 3/5
h.man s(e)ies. $he im(.lse -; the s(e)ies t-1ard its -1n eradi)ati-n m.st n-t either@ h-1e3er@ be
.nderestimated. Neither m.st the (r-;.ndit6 1ith 1hi)h that -mni)idal im(.lse in entan+led 1ith the
m-dern (r-blemati) -; the h-m-se5.al0 the d-.ble bind -; de;initi-n bet1een the h-m-se5.al@ sa6@ as
a distin)t #risk +r-.(#@ and the h-m-se5.al as a (-tential -; re(resentati-n 1ithin the .ni3ersal.2" As
+a6 )-mm.nit6 and the s-lidarit6 and 3isibilit6 -; +a6s as a min-rit6 (-(.lati-n are bein+ )-ns-lidated
and tem(ered in the ;-r+e -; this s(e).lari?ed terr-r and s.;;erin+@ h-1 )an it ;ail t- be all the m-re
ne)essar6 that the a3en.es -; re)-+niti-n@ desire@ and th-.+ht bet1een min-rit6 (-tentials and
.ni3ersali?in+ -nes b6 -(ened and -(ened and -(enedL
$he sa)rali?ati-n -; the Child as an id-l -; re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism de(ends -n the sa)ri;i)e
-; the A.eer. Pri3ile+in+ lar+e s)ale im(a)ts -3er the s6stemi) 3i-len)e -.tlined in -.r
)riti)ism is the kind -; bankr.(t rati-nale that le+itimi?es 3i-len)e in the ;irst (la)e.
@ri0e>A 2664> ##. 2"B31=
%ernard La1@ the :(rmer $ardinal (: (*t(n> mi*takin& <(r ma35e )nder*tandin& t(( .ell= the de&ree (:
a)th(rit3 5e*t(.ed (n him 53 the *i&ni:ier (: hi* #atr(n3mi$> den-.n)ed in 1//! (r-(-sed le+islati-n
+i3in+ health )are bene;its t- sameGse5 (artners -; m.ni)i(al em(l-6ees. He did s- b6 (r-)laimin+> in a
n(te.(rth3 in*tan$e (: #iet3 in the *k3@ that best-1in+ s.)h a))ess t- health )are 1-.ld (r-;-.ndl6
diminish the marital b-nd. BS-)iet6@C he -(ined@ Bhas a s(e)ial interest in the (r-te)ti-n@ )are and
.(brin+in+ -; )hildren. %e)a.se marria+e remains the (rin)i(al@ and the best@ ;rame1-rk ;-r the
n.rt.re@ ed.)ati-n and s-)iali?ati-n -; )hildren@ the state has a s(e)ial interest in marria+e.A ;ith thi*
:atal em5ra$e (: a :)t)ri*m *( 5lindl3 $(mmitted t( the :i&)re (: the Child that it .ill D)*ti:3 re:)*in& health
$are 5ene:it* t( the ad)lt* that *(me $hildren 5e$(me@ La1 lent his 3-i)e t- the m-rti;6in+ mantra -; a
)-mm.nal D-.issan)e that de(ends -n the ;etishi?ati-n -; the Child at the e5(ense -; 1hate3er s.)h
;etishi?ati-n m.st ines)a(abl6 A.eer. S(me *e0en 3ear* later> a:ter La. had re*i&ned :(r hi* :ail)re t(
#r(te$t Cath(li$ $hildren :r(m *e2)al a**a)lt 53 #ed(#hile #rie*t*> -(#e H(hn -a)l II ret)rned t( thi* theme>
$(ndemnin& *tateBre$(&niFed *ameB*e2 )ni(n* a* #ar(di$ 0er*i(n* (: a)thenti$ :amilie*> ?5a*ed (n indi0id)al
e&(i*mA rather than &en)ine l(0e. H)*ti:3in& that $(ndemnati(n> he -bser3ed@ BS.)h a M)ari)at.reF has n-
;.t.re and )ann-t +i3e ;.t.re t- an6 s-)iet6.C :.eers m.st res(-nd t- the 3i-lent ;-r)e -; s.)h
)-nstant (r-3-)ati-ns n(t (nl3 53 in*i*tin& (n ()r eP)al ri&ht t( the *($ial (rderJ* #rer(&ati0e*> n(t (nl3 53
in*i*tin& (n ()r eP)al ri&ht t( the *($ial (rderJ* $(heren$e and inte&rit3> 5)t al*( b6 sa6in+ e5(li)itl6 1hat
La. and the -(#e and the .h(le (: the S6mb-li) -rder ;-r 1hi)h the6 stand here an61a6 in ea)h and
e3er6 e5(ressi-n -r mani;estati-n -; A.eer se5.alit60 %)$k the *($ial (rder and the Child in .h(*e name
.eJre $(lle$ti0el3 terr(riFedK :)$k annieK :)$k the .ai: :r(m Les MisK :)$k the #((r> inn($ent kid (n the NetK
:)$k la.* 5(th .ith $a#ital l* and .ith *mallK :)$k the .h(le net.(rk (: *3m5(li$ relati(n* and the :)t)re
that *er0e* a* it* #r(#.
;e mi&ht like t( 5elie0e that .ith #atien$e> .ith .(rk> .ith &ener()* $(ntri5)ti(n* t( l(553in& &r()#* (r
&ener()* #arti$i#ati(n in a$ti0i*t &r()# *( &ener()* d(*e* (: le&al *a003 and ele$t(ral *(#hi*ti$ati(n> the
:)t)re .ill h(ld a #la$e :(r )* 7 a #la$e at the #(liti$al ta5le that .(nJt ha0e t( $(me at the $(*t (: the #la$e*
.e *eek in the 5ed (r the 5ar (r the 5ath*. )t there are n- A.eers in that ;.t.re as there )an be n- ;.t.re
;-r A.eer@ )h-sen as the6 are t- bear the bad tidin+s that there )an be n- ;.t.re at all, that the :)t)re> a*
AnnieJ* h3mn t( the h(#e (: ?T(m(rr(.A )nder*tand*> i* always / A da3 / A.a3.A Like the l(0er *(n
KeatJ* 8re$ian )rn> :(re0er ?near the &(alA (: a )ni(n the3Jll ne0er in :a$t a$hie0e> 1eFre held in thrall b6 a
;.t.re )-ntin.all6 de;erred b6 time itsel;@ )-nstrained t- (.rs.e the dream -; a da6 1hen t-da6 are
-ne. That future is nothing but kid stuff, reborn each day to screen out the grave that gapes
from within the lifeless letter, luring us into, ensnaring us in, reality's gossamer web. $h-se
A.eered b6 the s-)ial -rder that (r-De)ts its death dri3e -nt- them are n- d-.bt (-siti-ned t- re)-+ni?e
5
K Lab Adam Pease
the str.)t.rin+ ;antas6 that s- de;ines them. )t the3Ore #(*iti(ned a* .ell t( re$(&niFe the irred)$i5ilit3
(: that :anta*3 and the $(*t (: $(n*tr)in& it a* $(ntin&ent t( the l(&i$ (: *($ial (r&aniFati(n a* s.)h.
A))edin+ t- this ;i+.ral identi;i)ati-n .ith the )nd(in& (: identit3> .hi$h is al*( t( *a3 .ith the
di*arti$)lati(n (: *($ial and S3m5(li$ :(rm> mi&ht .ell 5e de*$ri5ed> in H(hn renkmanO* .(rd*> a*
1NC Shell /5
N(-liti)all6 sel;Gdestr.)ti3e.N33 )t (-liti)s <a* the *($ial ela5(rati(n (: realit3= and the sel; <a* mere
#r(*the*i* maintainin& the :)t)re :(r the :i&)ral Child=> are 1hat A.eerness@ a+ain as ;i+.re@ ne)essaril6
destr-6s N ne)essaril6 ins-;ar as this K s e l ; K is the a+ent -; re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism and this
K(-liti)sK the means -; its (r-m.l+ati-n as the -rder -; s-)ial realit6. )t #erha#*> a* La$anO*
en&a&ement .ith Anti&(ne in Seminar 7 *)&&e*t*> (-liti)al sel;Gdestr.)ti-n inheres in the -nl6 a)t that
)-.nts as -ne0 the a)t -; resistin+ ensla3ement t- the ;.t.re in the name -; ha3in+ a li;e. I: the :ate (: the
P)eer i* t( :i&)re the :ate that $)t* the thread (: :)t)rit3> i; the D-.issan)e> the $(rr(*i0e enD(3ment@ intrinsi)
t- A.eer =n-n>identit6 annihilates the ;etishisti) D-.issan)e that 1-rks t- )-ns-lidate identit6 b6
all-1in+ realit6 t- )-a+.late ar-.nd its rit.al re(r-d.)ti-n@ then the -nl6 -((-siti-nal stat.s t- 1hi)h
-.r A.eerness )-.ld e3er lead 1-.ld de(end -n -.r takin+ seri-.sl6 the (la)e -; the death dri3e 1eJre
)alled -n t- ;i+.re and insistin+@ a+ainst the ).lt -; the Child and the (-liti)al -rder it en;-r)es@ that
1e@ as 9.6 H-)A.en+hem made )lear@ are Kn-t the si+ni;ier -; 1hat mi+ht be)-me a ne1 ;-rm -;
Js-)ial -r+anisati-n@J K that 1e d- n-t intend a ne. #(liti$*> a 5etter *($iet3> a bri+hter t-m-rr-1@ sin)e
all -; these ;antasies re(r-d.)e the (ast@ thr-.+h dis(la)ement@ in the ;-rm -; the ;.t.re. <e )h--se@
instead@ n-t t- )h--se the Child@ as dis)i(linar6 ima+e -; the Ima+inar6 (ast -r as site -; a (r-De)ti3e
identi;i)ati-n 1ith an al1a6s im(-ssible ;.t.re. The P)eerne** .e #r(#(*e> in E($P)en&hemO* .(rd*> Ni*
)na.are (: the #a**in& (: &enerati(n* a* *ta&e* (n the r(ad t( 5etter li0in&. It kn-1s n-thin+ ab-.t
Jsa)ri;i)e n-1 ;-r the sake -; ;.t.re +enerati-nsJ . . . LitM kn(.* that $i0ili*ati(n al(ne i* m(rtal.N34 E0en
m(re, it deli&ht* in that m(rtalit3 a* the ne&ati(n (: e0er3thin& that .()ld de:ine it*el:> m(rali*ti$all3> a* #r(B
li:e. It is 1e 1h- m.st b.r6 the s.bDe)t in the t-mbGlike h-ll-1 -; the si+ni;ier@ (r-n-.n)in+ at last the
1-rds ;-r 1hi)h 1eJre )-ndemned sh-.ld 1e s(eak them -r n-t0 that m are the ad3-)ates -; ab-rti-nI
that the Child as ;.t.rit6Js emblem m.st dieI that the ;.t.re is mere re(etiti-n and D.st as lethal as the
(ast. &.r A.eerness has n-thin+ t- -;;er a S6mb-li) that li3es b6 den6in+ that n-thin+ness e5)e(t an
insisten)e -n the ha.ntin+ e5)ess that this n-thin+ness entails@ an insisten)e -n the ne+ati3it6 that
(ier)es the ;antas6 s)reen -; ;.t.rit6@ shatterin+ narrati3e tem(-ralit6 1ith ir-n6Js al1a6s e5(l-si3e
;-r)e. And s- 1hat is A.eerest ab-.t .s@ A.eerest 1ithin .s@ and A.eerest des(ite .s is this 1illin+ness
t- insist intransiti3el6Nt- insist that the ;.t.re st-( here.
&.r alternati3e is A.eer a(-)al=->(ti)/ism0 this is the relentless (r-blemati?ati-n -; the
S6mb-li)@ and all ima+er6 and id-latr6 ass-)iated 1ith re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism.
A(-)al=->(ti)/ism be+ins at the le3el -; the sel; and bran)hes -.t t- )a(t.re the a(-)al6(ti)
m-ments -; destr.)ti-n 1herein the .nderl6in+ str.)t.res -; heter-n-rmati3e he+em-n6
are disr.(ted.
9i;;ne6 200' <N(reen 8i::ne3> -r(::e**(r at 4ni0er*it3 C(lle&e @)5lin Ireland> ?9)eer A#($al<(=#ti$/i*m, The
@eath @ri0e and the E)man>A -)5li*hed in ?9)eerin& the N(n/E)man> 266"> ## 57B5"=
;hat $hara$teri*e* P)eer a(-)al=->(ti)/ismG It is A.eerJs relentless A.esti-nin+ -; all )ate+-ri)al
im(erati3es@ in)l.din+ the -nt-l-+6 :.eer itsel;. $he .nremittin+ desire t- )nd(> disr.(t and make
tr()5le :(r n-rms. The re)-+niti-n that A.eer is transit-r6 and m-mentar6 and th.s mi+ht be
s.(erseded -r be)-me de;.n)t as an inter(retati3e t--l at s-me ;.t.re date@ as 1ell as the dedi)ati-n t-
e5aminin+ the n-ti-n -; .tilit6 itsel;. It is A.eerJs )-mmitment t- the here and n-1@ the (resent@ n-t
(.ttin+ ;aith in the al1a6s (-st(-ned ;.t.re b.t in makin+ an immediate inter3enti-n. It is the antiG
assimilati-nist bent in A.eer the-r6@ the a)ti3ist strain 1ith its re;.sal t- be de;ined b6 -r in terms set
d-1n b6 the d-minant ).lt.re in an6 +i3en sit.ati-n. It #(int* t( the ;a)t that A.eer is br-.+ht int-
bein+ thr-.+h a)ts -; resistan)e@ the re)-+niti-n -; the (-tential ;.tilit6 -; resistan)e be)a.se -; the
n-rmJs (r-(ensit6 ;-r )--(ti-n and rein3enti-n@ b.t the dri3e t-1ards resistan)e all the same. It i* the
tra)e -; A.eerJs in3estments in de)-nstr.)ti-n and (s6)h-anal6sis@ the re;.sal t- n-rmati3e )-heren)e
as ;antas6 and the makin+ 3isible -; the instabilit6 that )-nstit.tes an6 -ne thin+. It )hara)terises
A.eerJs dedi)ati-n t- end thin+s and tra.mati) e3ents@ its )-mmitment t- death Q .hether it i* the
m()rn:)l ra&e (: a$ti0i*t* in re*#(n*e t- A.eer deaths arisin+ ;r-m s.i)ide@ HI2/AIDS -r A.eer bashin+sI
6
K Lab Adam Pease
the the-ristJs in3enti3eness t- the (-int -; .nintelli+ibilit6 in an attem(t t- )ast -;; the (s6)hi)al death
1r-.+ht b6 the identitarian strai=+h>tDa)ket =Ha3er 1//">@ -r the anar)hi) (r-)lamati-ns -; death t-
the )-m(.lsi-ns -; heter-n-rmati3it6. It is the A.eer emb-diment -; Jthe deathGdri3e@ al1a6s (resent
in an6 3ital (r-)essO
1NC Shell 5/5
<%re)d 2663/1+33> +"=. 9)eer it*el: i* ha)nted 53 the death dri0e> dri0en 5(th t(.ard* it* (.n OdeathO and 53
the kn(.led&e that it .ill Q m)*t B endK t(.ard* a time .hen it .ill 5e either *)#er*eded (r n( l(n&er )*e:)l>
needed> reP)ired> (r de*ired <)tler 1++3> 22"=. :.eer a(-)al=->(ti)/ism als- en)a(s.lates the a(-)al6(ti)
m-ments at 1hi)h the death dri3e be)-mes the destr.)ti-n dri3e in the ser3i)e -; shatterin+ an
im(-sin+ ill.si-n (r-d.)ed as a shi;tin+ si+ni;ier -; heter-n-rmati3e he+em-n6. In thi*> A.eer
a(-)al=->(ti)/ism be+ins at the le3el -; the sel;. It re;ers t- an .nremittin+ sel;Ginterr-+ati-n@ the
)-nstant (r-d.)ti-n -; .nease at the le3el -; identi;i)ati-n G .nsettlin+ the 3er6 desire ;-r s-)ial
re)-+niti-n as an identi;iable s.bDe$t Q in the reali*ati(n that OP)eer m)*t in*i*t ... (n di*t)r5in& ... and (n
P)eerin& ()r*el0e* and ()r in0e*tment in L*($ialM (r&aniFati(n. *-r A.eerness )an ne3er de;ine an identit6I
it )an -nl6 e3er dist.rb -neO <Edelman 2664>17=.
7
K Lab Adam Pease
###ESSEN$IAL %L&CKS###
"
K Lab Adam Pease
2NC Im(a)t *ramin+ / ,--t Ca.se
Heter-n-rmati3it6 is the allGen)-m(assin+ standard -; n-rmali?ati-n .sed t- dis)i(line and
(.nish A.eer b-dies@ as s.)h@ it is the site -; -nG+-in+ s6stemi) 3i-len)e a+ainst A.eerness.
Elias et al. 2003 =Karen E. L-3aas PhD@ O-hn P. Elia PhD P 9.st A. Qe( PhD@ Pr-;ess-r at San *ran)is)-
7ni3ersit6@ O-.rnal -; H-m-se5.alit6@ 2-l. 5@ n-. 2/3/@ (.1'@ 2003>
In thi* #a**a&e> Simm(n* 0i0idl3 de*$ri5e* the de0a*tatin& #er0a*i0ene** (: hatred and 0i(len$e in her dail3
li:e 5a*ed (n 5ein& *een> #er$ei0ed> la5eled> and treated a* an ?!ther.A Thi* #r($e** (: othering $reate*
indi0id)al*> &r()#*> and $(mm)nitie* that are deemed t( 5e le** im#(rtant> le** .(rth.hile> le**
$(n*eP)ential> le** a)th(riFed> and le** h)man 5a*ed (n hi*t(ri$all3 *it)ated marker* (: *($ial :(rmati(n
*)$h a* ra$e> $la**> &ender> *e2)alit3> a5ilit3> and nati(nalit3. &therin+ and mar+inali?ati-n are res.lts -;
an Bin3isible )enterA <%er&)*(n> 1++6> #. 3=. $he a.th-rit6@ (-siti-n@ and (-1er -; s.)h a )enter are
attained thr-.+h n-rmali?ati-n in an -n+-in+ )ir).lar m-3ement. N-rmali?ati-n is the (r-)ess -;
)-nstr.)tin+@ e*ta5li*hin&> #r(d)$in&> and re#r(d)$in& a takenB:(rB&ranted and allGen)-m(assin+ standard
.sed t- meas.re +--dness> de*ira5ilit3> m(ralit3> rati-nalit6@ s.(eri-rit6@ and a h-st -; -ther d-minant
).lt.ral 3al.es. As s.)h@ n-rmali?ati-n be)-mes -ne -; the (rimar6 instr.ments -; (-1er in m-dern
s-)iet6 <%()$a)lt> 1+7"/1++6=. N-rmali?ati-n is a s6mb-li)all6@ dis).rsi3el6@ (s6)hi)all6@
(s6)h-l-+i)all6@ and materiall6 3i-lent ;-rm -; s-)ial re+.lati-n and )-ntr-l@ (r a* ;arner <1++3= m(re
*im#l3 #)t* it> n-rmali?ati-n is Bthe site -; 3i-len)eA <#. 220i=. -erha#* -ne -; the m-st (-1er;.l ;-rms -;
n-rmali?ati-n in ;e*tern *($ial *3*tem* is heter-n-rmati3it6. $hr-.+h heter-n-rmati3e dis)-.rses@
abDe)t and ab-minable b-dies@ s-.ls@ (ers-ns@ and li;e ;-rms are )reated@ e5amined@ and dis)i(lined
thr-.+h ).rrent re+imes -; kn-1led+e and (-1er <%()$a)lt> 1+7"/1++6=. Heter-n-rmati3it6@ as the
in3isible )enter and the (res.med bedr-)k -; s-)iet6@ is the A.intessential ;-r)e )reatin+@ s.stainin+@
and (er(et.atin+ the eras.re@ mar+inali?ati-n@ disem(-1erment@ and -((ressi-n -; se5.al -thers.
$he a;;irmati3eFs ;.t.risti) ;-).s ne)essaril6 is-lates )-n;li)ts and )rises as e3ents@
s(atiall6 b-.nded 1ith be+innin+s and endin+s. $his m6-(i) ;-).s mar+inali?es the
indi3id.als 1h- s.;;er s6stemi) 3i-len)e e3er6 da6.
C.-m- 1//! <Chri* H. C)(m( 1++6> ?;ar i* n(t D)*t an e0ent, 'e:le$ti(n* (n the *i&ni:i$an$e (: e0er3da3
0i(len$e>A 1++6> Hypatia, /(l)me 11> N(. 4> #& 1> #r(P)e*t.=
-hil(*(#hi$al attenti(n t( .ar ha* t3#i$all3 a##eared in the :(rm (: D)*ti:i$ati(n* :(r enterin& int( .ar> and
(0er a##r(#riate a$ti0itie* .ithin .ar. $he s(atial meta(h-rs .sed t- re;er t- 1ar as a se(arate@ b-.nded
s(here indi)ate ass.m(ti-ns that 1ar is a realm -; h.man a)ti3it6 3astl6 rem-3ed ;r-m n-rmal li;e@ -r
a s-rt -; ha((enin+ that is a((r-(riatel6 )-n)ei3ed a(art ;r-m e3er6da6 e3ents in (ea)e;.l times. N(t
*)r#ri*in&l3> m-st dis).ssi-ns -; the (-liti)al and ethi)al dimensi-ns -; 1ar dis).ss 1ar s-lel6 as an
e3entGGan -)).rren)e@ -r )-lle)ti-n -; -)).rren)es@ ha3in+ )lear be+innin+s and endin+s that are
t6(i)all6 marked b6 ;-rmal@ instit.ti-nal de)larati-ns. A* ha##enin&*> .ar* and militar3 a$ti0itie* $an 5e
*een a* m(ti0ated 53 identi:ia5le> i: $(m#le2> intenti(n*> and dire$tl3 ena$ted 53 indi0id)al and $(lle$ti0e
de$i*i(nBmaker* and a&ent* (: *tate*. %.t man6 -; the A.esti-ns ab-.t 1ar that are -; interest t(
:emini*t*BBBin)l.din+ h-1 lar+eGs)ale@ stateGs(-ns-red 3i-len)e a;;e)t* .(men and members -; -ther
-((ressed +r-.(sI h-1 militar6 3i-len)e sha(es +endered> ra$ed> and nati(nali*ti$ (-liti)al realities and
m-ral ima+inati-nsK 1hat s.)h 3i-len)e )-nsists -; and 1h6 it (ersistsI h-1 it is related t- -ther
-((ressi3e and 3i-lent instit.ti-ns and he+em-niesGG)ann-t be adeA.atel6 (.rs.ed b6 ;-).sin+ -n
e3ents. The*e i**)e* are n(t merel3 a matter (: &((d (r 5ad intenti(n* and identi:ia5le de$i*i(n*.In N8ender
and O-(*tm(dernO ;ar>N '(5in S$h(tt intr(d)$e* *(me (: the .a3* in .hi$h .ar i* $)rrentl3 5e*t *een n(t a*
an e0ent 5)t a* a #re*en$e <S$h(tt 1++5=. S$h(tt ar&)e* that #(*tm(dern )nder*tandin&* (: #er*(n*> *tate*>
and #(liti$*> a* .ell a* the hi&hBte$h nat)re (: m)$h $(ntem#(rar3 .ar:are and the #re#(nderan$e (: $i0il
and nati(nali*t .ar*> render an e0entB5a*ed $(n$e#ti(n (: .ar inadeP)ate> e*#e$iall3 in*(:ar a* &eer i* taken
int( a$$()nt. In thi* e**a3> I .ill e2#and )#(n her ar&)ment 53 *h(.in& that a$$()nt* (: .ar that (nl3 :($)*
(n e0ent* are im#(0eri*hed in a n)m5er (: .a3*> and there:(re ;eminist )-nsiderati-n -; the (-liti)al@
ethi)al@ and -nt-l-+i)al dimensi-ns -; 1ar and the (-ssibilities ;-r resistan)e demand a m.)h m-re
)-m(li)ated a((r-a)h. I take S$h(ttO* $hara$teriFati(n (: .ar a* #re*en$e a* a #(int (: de#art)re> th()&h I
am n(t $(mmitted t( the idea that the $(n*tan$3 (: militari*m> the :a$t (: it* (mni#re*en$e in h)man
+
K Lab Adam Pease
e2#erien$e> and the #a)$it3 (: an e0entB5a*ed a$$()nt (: .ar are e2$l)*i0e t( $(ntem#(rar3 #(*tm(dern (r
#(*t$(l(nial $ir$)m*tan$e*.1$he-r6 that d-es n-t in3esti+ate -r e3en n-ti)e the -mni(resen)e -;
militarism )ann-t re(resent -r address the de(th and s(e)i;i)it6 -; the e3er6da6 e;;e)ts -; militarism
-n .(men> (n (e-(le li0in& in ($$)#ied territ(rie*> (n mem5er* (: militar3 in*tit)ti(n*> and (n the
en0ir(nment. $hese e;;e)ts are rele3ant t( :emini*t* in a n)m5er (: 1a6s be)a.se militar6 (ra)ti)es and
instit.ti-ns hel( )-nstr.)t +endered and nati-nal identit6> and 5e$a)*e the3 D)*ti:3 the de*tr)$ti(n (:
nat)ral n(nh)man entitie* and $(mm)nitie* d)rin& #ea$etime. La)k -; attenti-n t- these as(e)ts -; the
b.siness -; makin+ -r (re3entin+ militar6 3i-len)e in an e5tremel6 te)hn-l-+i?ed 1-rld res.lts in
the-r6 that )ann-t a))-mm-date the )-nne)ti-ns am-n+ the )-nstant (resen)e -; militarism@ de)lared
1ars@ and -ther )l-sel6 related s-)ial (hen-mena> *)$h a* nati(nali*ti$ &l(ri:i$ati(n* (: m(therh((d>
media 0i(len$e> and $)rrent ide(l(&i$al &ra0itati(n* t( militar3 *(l)ti(n* :(r *($ial #r(5lem*.Ethi$al
a##r(a$he* that d( n(t attend t( the .a3* in .hi$h .ar:are and militar3 #ra$ti$e* are .(0en int( the 0er3
:a5ri$ (: li:e in t.ent3B:ir*t $ent)r3 te$hn(l(&i$al *tate* lead t( $ri*i*B5a*ed #(liti$* and anal3*e*. %(r an3
:emini*m that aim* t( re*i*t (##re**i(n and $reate alternati0e *($ial and #(liti$al (#ti(n*> $ri*i*B5a*ed ethi$*
and #(liti$* are #r(5lemati$ 5e$a)*e the3 di*tra$t attenti(n :r(m the need :(r *)*tained re*i*tan$e t( the
enme*hed> (mni#re*ent *3*tem* (: d(minati(n and (##re**i(n that *( (:ten :)n$ti(n a* &i0en* in m(*t
#e(#leO* li0e*. Ne+le)tin+ the -mni(resen)e -; militarism all-1s the ;alse belie; that the absen)e -;
de)lared armed )-n;li)ts is (ea)e@ the (-lar -((-site -; 1ar. It is (arti).larl6 eas6 ;-r th-se 1h-se li3es
are sha(ed b6 the sa;et6 -; (ri3ile+e@ and 1h- d- n-t re+.larl6 en)-.nter the realities -; militarism@ t-
maintain this ;alse belie;. The 5elie: that militari*m i* an ethi$al> #(liti$al $(n$ern (nl3 re&ardin& armed
$(n:li$t> $reate* :(rm* (: re*i*tan$e t( militari*m that are merel3 e2er$i*e* in $ri*i* $(ntr(l. Anti.ar
re*i*tan$e i* then m(5iliFed .hen the NrealN 0i(len$e :inall3 ($$)r*> (r .hen the *ta5ilit3 (: #ri0ile&e i*
dire$tl3 threatened> and at that #(int it i* di::i$)lt n(t t( re*#(nd in .a3* that make re*i*ter* dr(# all (ther
#(liti$al #ri(ritie*. CrisisGdri3en attenti-n t- de)larati-ns -; 1ar mi+ht a)t.all6 kee( resisters
)-m(la)ent ab-.t and )-m(li)it-.s in the +eneral (resen)e -; +l-bal militarism. Seein& .ar a*
ne$e**aril3 em5edded in $(n*tant militar3 #re*en$e dra.* attenti(n t( the :a$t that h(rri:i$> *tateB*#(n*(red
0i(len$e i* ha##enin& nearl3 all (0er> all (: the time> and that it i* #er#etrated 53 militar3 in*tit)ti(n* and
(ther militari*ti$ a&ent* (: the *tate. E-3in+ a1a6 ;r-m )risisGdri3en (-liti)s and -nt-l-+ies )-n)ernin+
1ar and militar6 3i-len)e als- enables )-nsiderati-n -; relati-nshi(s am-n+ seemin+l6 dis(arate
(hen-mena@ and there;-re )an sha(e m-re n.an)ed the-reti)al and (ra)ti)al ;-rms -; resistan)e. *-r
e5am(le@ in3esti+atin+ the 1a6s in 1hi)h 1ar is (art -; a (resen)e all-1s )-nsiderati-n -; the
relati-nshi(s am-n+ the e3ents -; 1ar and the ;-ll-1in+0 h-1 militarism is a ;-.ndati-nal tr-(e in the
s-)ial and (-liti)al ima+inati-nI h-1 the (er3asi3e (resen)e and s6mb-lism -;
s-ldiers/1arri-rs/(atri-ts sha(e meanin+s -; +enderI the 1a6s in 1hi)h threats -; stateGs(-ns-red
3i-len)e are a s-metimes in3isible/s-metimes b-ld a+ent -; ra)ism@ nati-nalism@ and )-r(-rate
interestsI the ;a)t that 3ast n.mbers -; )-mm.nities@ )ities@ and nati-ns are ).rrentl6 in the midst -;
e5)r.)iatin+l6 3i-lent )ir).mstan)es. It als- (r-3ides a lens ;-r )-nsiderin+ the relati-nshi(s am-n+
the 3ari-.s kinds -; 3i-len)e that +et labeled K1ar.K
2i-len)e a+ainst the A.eer is re(r-d.)ed based -n a ;.ndamental denial -; the death dri3e.
@eath @ri0e and the E)man>A -)5li*hed in ?9)eerin& the N(n/E)man> 266"> ## 65=
%(r Edelman> re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism (resents Jan al1a6s im(-ssible ;.t.reJ <11=> Oa :anta*mati$ :)t)reO
<31= 1hi)h translates A.eerness@ I think@ int- heter-n-rmati3it6Js a++ress-r Q the :.eer G a re(-sit-r6
;-r dis(la)ed ;eelin+s -; an5iet6. $his an5iet6 arises be)a.se -; the e5isten)e -; the death dri3e 1ithin
<Klein 1++7/1+46>4= and the s.bDe)tJs res.ltant ;ear -; death <Klein 1++7/1+4"> 2"> 2+=K the ;ear that the
;.t.re 1ill ne3er arri3e (r that the *)5De$t .ill n(t 5e ali0e t( e2#erien$e in it. Th)* an5iet6 arisin+ ;r-m
the (resen)e (: an internal threat <that i*> the death dri3e> is de;le)ted -.t1ards t- be)-me the ;ear -; an
e2ternal threat <that i*> the :.eer=. $his internal -bDe)t -; ;ear is dis(la)ed -nt- the :.eer 1h- then
Jbe)-mes the e5ternal re(resentati3e -; the death instin)tJ <Klein 1++7/1+4"> 31=. $hr-.+h a denial b-th
-; the e5isten)e -; the death dri3e and the s-)ialJs nar)issisti) in3estment in the Child as the 1ish
;.l;ilment -; its desired imm-rtalit6@ heter-n-rmati3it6 (r-De)ts the death dri3e -nt- the ;i+.re -; the
:.eer 1h- )-mes t- stand in ;-r e3er6thin+ that is )-nsidered t- be dan+er-.s t- the Child and th.s
the ;.t.re. It i* m3 $(ntenti(n that re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism -(erates b6 ;irst den6in+ the (resen)e -; the
death dri3e thr-.+h the ina.+.rati-n -; a ;antas6 -; sel;G;.l;ilment at the same time that the an5iet6 -;
heter-n-rmati3it6Js -1n internal sh-rt)-min+s and dis)i(linin+ me)hanisms are dis(la)ed -nt- the
16
K Lab Adam Pease
:.eer <A. %re)d 2666/1+37> 6+B"2=. The in*tantiati(n (: thi* :anta*3 ari*e*> in the .(rd* (: Anna %re)d>
5e$a)*e Othe mere *tr)&&le (: $(n:li$tin& im#)l*e* *)::i$e* t( *et the de:en$e me$hani*m* in m(ti(nO <6+=.
11
K Lab Adam Pease
A/$0 Perm.tati-n
$he (erm.tati-n is a )-er)i3e .ni3ersali?ati-n that@ thr-.+h re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism@ (la)es
an ide-l-+i)al limit -n A.eerness. $heir intent t- set -.t a tele-+i)al traDe)t-r6 -; (r-+ress
1ill ).lminate n-t in the in)-r(-rati-n -; -.r ad3-)a)6@ b.t rather in the eradi)ati-n -; it.
,e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism im(-ses@ a$$(rdin& t( Edelman> Jan ide-l-+i)al limit -n (-liti)al dis)-.rse as
s.)h@ (reser3in+ in die (r-)ess the abs-l.te (ri3ile+e -; heter-n-rmati3it6 b6 renderin+ .nthinkable>
53 $a*tin& ()t*ide the #(liti$al d(main> the (-ssibilit6 -; a A.eer resistan)e t( thi* (r&aniFin& #rin$i#le (:
$(mm)nal relati(n*O <2=. ,e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism abs-rbs all )hallen+es and translates them int- m-re -;
the same. It (#erate* in a *imilar .a3 t( C(niP)e ;itti&O* $(n$e#t (: the *trai&ht mind in that O.hen th()&ht
(: 53 the *trai&ht mind> h(m(*e2)alit3 i* n(thin& 5)t heter(*e2)alit3O <1++2>2"=. 'e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism is a
m-re s(e)i;i) term than heter-n-rmati3it6 in that it des)ribes the (r-)ess thr-.+h 1hi)h
heter-se5.alit6 be)-mes heter-n-rmati3e. Heter-n-rmati3it6 is th.s a term t- des)ribe a
)-n+l-merate -; e;;e)ts 1hile re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism si+ni;ies the (r-)ess thr-.+h 1hi)h s.)h e;;e)ts
are 1r-.+ht. It i* allBen$(m#a**in&> (#eratin& at the le0el (: ide(l(&3 *( that it *et* limit* (n> n(t D)*t .hat
.e think (r d(> 5)t al*( (n .hat and h(. .e de*ire. @e*ire it*el: 5e$(me* re#r(d)$ti0e :)t)ri*m in it*
Otran*lati(n int( a narrati0eO> Jits tele-l-+i)al determinati-nJ thr-.+h (-liti)s 1hi)h J)-n;-rms t- the
tem(-ralit6 -; desireJ@ Jthe ine3itable hist-ri)it6 -; desireJ <Edelman 2664> +=.
,e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism is> .hat I $all> Jheter-)6)l-(ti)J> b-.nd .( 1ith the desirin+ +a?e and the
settin+G-.t -; a de3el-(mental traDe)t-r6 -; J(r-+ressJ m-3in+ endlessl6 t-1ards a JbetterJ ;.t.re@ in
the (r-)ess im(-sin+ a (an-(ti)-n Rlike *el:B*)r0eillan$e, JItJs a ma)hine in 1hi)h e3er6-ne is )a.+ht@
th-se 1h- e5er)ise (-1er D.st as m.)h as th-se -3er 1h-m it is e5er)isedO <%()$a)lt 1+"6> 156=. It is
a(-)al6(ti) in the sense that desire itsel; be)-mes a tra(@ a dis)i(linin+ de3i)e in 1hi)h the n-rm
be)-mes ine5tri)able ;r-m the nat.ral. $his te)hn-l-+6 -; (-1er N a J)-er)i3e .ni3ersali?ati-nJ
<Edelman 2664> 11= (#erate* at the le0el (: :anta*3 and thr()&h the :i&)re (: the Child, Jthe Child has )-me
t- emb-d6 ;-r .s the tel-s -; the s-)ial -rder and )-me t- be seen as the -ne ;-r 1h-m that -rder is
held in (er(et.al tr.stJ <11=. In thi*> the Child 5e$(me* ine2tri$a5l3 linked t( the :)t)re and in t)rn t(
#(liti$*> and i* th)* red)$ed t( a tr(#e delimitin& .hat .ill &et t( $()nt a* the :)t)re in ad0an$e.
,e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism I 5elie0e e5er)ises (-1er )-ntradi)t-ril6 thr-.+h a 1eb@ a net@ a +rid. It
en)-.ra+es> #erha#* $(ntradi$t(ril3> the (r-li;erati-n -; desires G a l--kin+G-.t as -((-sed t- a +a?in+G
1ithin G in the ser3i)e -; re(ressin+ an6 )-ns)i-.s sel;Ga1areness -; the death dri3e. ,e(r-d.)ti3e
;.t.rism is there;-re@ 1hat I term@ Jheter-G(r-(heti)J in that it tries t- set -.t (r-+rammati)all6 1hat
1ill trans(ire in the ;.t.reI a ;.t.re Jendlessl6 (-st(-nedJ <13=> th.s h-ldin+ the (resent t- rans-m. I;
it is in3ested in es)hat-l-+6@ it is -nl6 as a 3eneer t- dis)i(line th-se int- ensla3ement t- its ideals.
$he (erm.tati-n still links t- the )ritiA.e@ A.eer tem(-ralit6 is an ate-l-+i)al alternati3e
that is b6 de;initi-n h-stile t- the )hr-n-l-+i)al -r+ani?ati-n the a;;irmati3e h-(es t-
)-mbine it 1ith.
Li((ert B 4ni0er*it3 A**i*tant in En&li*h and Ameri$an St)die* S the 4ni0er*it3 (: /ienna 7 200'
<Le(#(ld> 4t(#ian C(ntem#(rarie*, 9)eer Tem#(ralit3 and Ameri$a> the*i*> N(0em5er. L-@% !nline SM
(the*.)ni0ie.a$.at/2"1"/1/266"B11B26T6363723.#d:= A$$e**ed A$$e**ed 67.62.11 D:*
In EdelmanJ* $ritiP)e (: $)lt)re> A.eerness -)).(ies a tem(-ralit6 that e5tends n- ;.t.re. !n the
$(ntrar3> A.eer times are ;irml6 st.)k in the )-ntem(-rar6@ a )hildless realm that harb-rs -nl6 Bsterile@
nar)issisti) enD-6ments .nderst--d as inherentl6 destr.)ti3e -; meanin+ and there;-re as res(-nsible
;-r the .nd-in+ -; s-)ial -r+ani?ati-n@ )-lle)ti3e realit6@ and@ ine3itabl6@ li;e itsel;A <Edelman> %)t)re>
13=. Detrimental t- the ;.t.rist re+ime and its a))-m(an6in+ (rin)i(le -; s-)ial str.)t.rin+@
heter-n-rmati3it3> the )-ntem(-rar6 be)-mes the A.intessential A.eer tem(-ralit6@ an -dd time a5is
that -((-ses )hr-n-l-+6 and tele-l-+6> and that seems t- ha3e> *a3* Edelman> n- s-)ial (.r(-se
1hats-e3er.
12
K Lab Adam Pease
:.eerness is the ;.ndamental di;;eren)e re(ressed b6 the S6mb-li)@ the (erm.tati-n
attem(ts t- tie this di;;eren)e t- its antithesis 8 tel-s. In -ther 1-rds@ the trans;-rmati3e
(-tential -; -.r kritik is l-st 1hen it sim(l6 be)-mes a means t- an end.
,.ni-ns 200' <Erin ')ni(n*> *#e$iali*t in Ee5re. 5i5le and &ender *t)die*> ?9)eerin& the ea*t, The
Anti$hri*tJ* 8a3 ;eddin&>A 266"> -)5li*he din ?9)eerin& the N(n/E)man> ## 163B164.=
$he a(-)al6(ti) l-+i) .sed t- b-lster ar+.ments ;-r ;amil6 3al.es and t( .rite la.* a&ain*t *ameB*e2
marria&e i* 0er3 m)$h like l(&i$ that all(.* :(r e2$e#ti(n t( the la. and t(rt)re. ;ithin the nati(n> la.*
(r-te)t the h.man@ )-m(rised -; th-se 1h- )-rre)tl6 desire inte+rati-n int- ;amil6@ nati-n and
Christian se).lar h.manit6. ,a1 se5 N (r .hat i* #er$ei0ed a* ra. *e2 B is banished b6 la1. E2$e#ti(n*
t( la. are made :(r th(*e .h( are ()t*ide (: thi* e*$hat(l(&i$al traDe$t(r3> and .h( there:(re m)*t 5e
a**($iated .ith the hated <3et de*ired= ra. *e2.
All (: thi* i* m(re than a little de#re**in&> &i0en the dee# entren$hment (: the*e 0ie.*. S(> 53 .a3 (:
$(n$l)*i(n> I .()ld like t( make a :inal t)rn> t( tr3 t( P)eer the ima&e (: the #(liti$al enem3 a*
h(m(*e2)ali*ed anti$hri*t. Like 5are li:e> and like ra. *e2> the anti$hri*t i* 5(th in$l)ded and e2$l)ded in the
#(liti$al <and reli&i()*= *3m5(li$ (rder. I ha0e *h(.n that thi* liminal #(*iti(n $an #(*e #h3*i$al dan&er t(
th(*e .h( are identi:ied a* anti$hri*t*K 5)t I .()ld al*( like t( e2#l(re the re*i*tant #(tential :(r the dan&er
that the anti$hri*t #(*e* t( the *3m5(li$ (rder.
A* I ha0e ar&)ed> .hat ha* 5een *( #(tentiall3 threatenin& a5()t the anti$hri*t :(r a#($al3#ti$ e2e&ete*
thr()&h the a&e* i* that he mi2e* the h)man and the inh)man> t( the de&ree that the3 $ann(t ne$e**aril3 5e
t(ld a#art. The anti$hri*t re#re*ent* 5(th a #er0erted *e2)alit3 and a de*ire :(r (neB.(rld (rder. In the
anti$hri*tO* kin&d(m> #re*)ma5l3> all h)man* are l)m#ed t(&ether .ith the inh)man <the dem(ni$=> .ith()t
attenti(n t( reli&i(n> nati(nal a::iliati(n> &ender> (r *e2)alit3. Anti$hri*ti$ de*ire i* n(t $(n:ined 53 5(rder*
<nati(nal (r (ther.i*e=> 53 $ate&(rie* (: di::eren$e <h)man/inh)man=. A *imilar #(int a5()t P)eer de*ire i*
made .ith *(me )r&en$3 53 Edelman in hi* *h(rt e**a3> O4n*tatin& @e*ireO> .hi$h ar&)e* a&ain*t )*in& the
lan&)a&e (: :amil3 (r #(liti$al *tate/a::iliati(n t( de*$ri5e the P)eer intelle$t)al enter#ri*e. Ee .rite*> O9)eer
the(r3 mi&ht 5etter remind )* that .e are inha5ited al.a3* 53 *tate* (: de*ire that e2$eed ()r $a#a$it3 t(
name them. E0er3 name (nl3 &i0e* th(*e de*ire* Q $(n:ii$t)al> $(ntradi$t(r3> in$(n*i*tent> )nde:ined Q a
:i$ti0e 5(rderO <1++4> 345=. Anti$hri*ti$ de*ire $(n:)*e* identit3> tran*&re**e* 5(rder* and $(n:()nd* tel(*. It
i* #(l3m(r#h()*l3 #er0er*e.
C(re(0er> the anti$hri*t i* de$e#ti0e. Thi* dan&er i* .hat make* the :i&)re (: the anti$hri*t *( #(.er:)l, he
$ann(t *im#l3 5e re$)#erated a* an(ther #(int (: identit3K hi* de$e#ti0ene** threaten* e0er3 identit3. There i*
n( tellin& .h( mi&ht 5e the anti$hri*t> and .hether (r n(t there mi&ht 5e m(re than (ne. The anti$hri*t $()ld
5e an3(ne <e0en *(me(ne married=. The d()5le and *e#arate identi:i$ati(n (: the anti$hri*t Q a* #(liti$al
enem3 and a* &a3 Q *)&&e*t* that the #(liti$al enem3 mi&ht n(t 5e ()t*ide the nati(n at all> mi&ht n(t e0en
.ield .ea#(n*> 5)t mi&ht *im#l3 de*ire .ild> n(nBheter(n(rmati0e> n(nBtele(l(&i$al *e2. Indeed the 0er3
$a#itali*t me$hani*m* <:(r e2am#le> marketin&= that the 4S *tri0e* t( #r(te$t al(n&*ide h)manit3 de#end (n
ra. *e2. I*nOt e0er3thin& *(ld thr()&h a##eal t( .ildl3 #r(mi*$)()* de*ire> e0en a* the *ellin& :(re$l(*e* (n
de*ire and atta$he* it t( tel(*G The )n$ertaint3 a* t( the l($)* (: anti$hri*ti$ de*ire* <d(me*ti$ (r :(rei&n=
.(rk* a&ain*t the $laim* (: em#ire. ;hile the ra$iali*ed> C)*lim <n(nBnati(nal=> h(m(*e2)ali*ed anti$hri*t i*
e**ential t( the #r(d)$ti(n (: the 4SO* mi**i(n t( *a0e marria&e and h)manit3> the inh)man anti$hri*t .ithin
the nati(n tr()5le* the *trai&ht:(r.ard a**e**ment (: the 4SO* relati(n t( 5ein&> ha0in& and *a0in& )ni0er*al
h)manit3 <*tran&el3 P)eer alread3=. The de$e#ti0e #re*en$e (: the anti$hri*t .ithin B 0ia ra. *e2 Q tr()5le*
the 4SO* *)ita5ilit3 t( #r(te$t heter(n(rmati0e *e2> and .ith it the :amil3> the nati(n> h)manit3 and the 0er3
$(n$e#t (: the h)man. !: $()r*e> thi* i* #re$i*el3 .h3 e::(rt* are *( *tr(n& t( 5an &a3 marria&e> a* an
attem#t t( rid the nati(n (: ra. *e2 and anti$hri*ti$ de*ire. The ri&ht t( #r(te$t the :)t)re (: h)manit3 Q that
i*> 4S he&em(n3 Q i* at *take. The de$e#ti0e #re*en$e (: the anti$hri*t #)t* the <heter(n(rmati0e= me**iani$
$laim* (: the 4S int( P)e*ti(n.
Eere EdelmanJs .se -; Oa)A.es La)an t- re)laim A.eerness as the death dri3e> in N( %)t)re@ is
instr.)ti3e. EdelmanO* #r(De$t i* t- .se the antis-)ial im(.lses -; desire t- de)-nstr.)t the -((ressi-ns
made in the name -; identit6. In hi* anal3*i*> identit3 i* 5()nd )# .ith tele(l(&3> .ith time and .ith the
:)t)reK it i* thr()&h h(#e* :(r the :)t)re that identit3 i* &i0en meanin&. *.t.rit6> a* he *( $)ttin&l3 ar&)e*> is
tied .( 1ith the Child Jas the (reeminent emblem -; the m-ti3atin+ endJ <2664> 13=> and there;-re 1ith
13
K Lab Adam Pease
heter-n-rmati3it6. :.eer desire disr.(ts the ;.t.reG-riented traDe)t-r6 -; identit6@ and 1ith it@ the
s-)ial. :.eer desire is -((-siti-nal@ it emb-dies ne+ati3it6@ it disr.(ts rather than )-nD-ins. Edelman
1ishes t- take A.eer di;;eren)e seri-.sl6@ t- re)laim the (r-li;erati-n -; A.eer desires@ as a ne+ati3it6
that )an disr.(t identit6 and the s-)ial. $he (-int is t- disr.(t Jn-rmati3it6Js sin+.lar tr.thO <2664> 26=.
In hi* .(rd*> JA.eerness attains its ethi)al 3al.e (re)isel6 ins-;ar as it ... a))e(t RsS its ;i+.ral stat.s as
resistan)e t- the 3iabilit6 -; the s-)ial 1hile insistin+ -n the ine5tri)abilit6 -; s.)h resistan)e ;r-m
e3er6 s-)ial str.)t.reJ <2664> 3>. *-r Edelman@ A.eerness is that di;;eren)e that has been re(ressed in
s.bDe)tsJ entr6 int- the heter-n-rmati3e s6mb-li) -rder ;-r the sake -; .nit6 and )-heren)e> 3et
.ith()t .hi$h di::eren$e the *)5De$t $()ld n(t :)n$ti(n. 9)eerne**> like ra. *e2> and 5are li:e> i* 5(th
in$l)ded and e2$l)ded :r(m the *($ial (rder and it* e2$l)*i(n m)*t 5e mined :(r it* #(tential t( di*r)#t the
5(rder* (: in$l)*i(n. 9)eerne** i* like the death dri0eK it is that ;-r)e emer+in+ ;r-m Jthe +a( -r 1-.nd -;
the ,eal that inhabits the S6mb-li)Js 3er6 )-reO <2664> 22=. It m(0e* 5a$k.ard a.a3 :r(m the :)t)re.
9)eerne**> like the death dri3e@ Jre;.ses identit6 -r the abs-l.te (ri3ile+e -; an6 +-alJ. It denies
tele-l-+6 and reDe)ts s(irit.ali?ati-n thr-.+h marria+e t- re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rismJ <2664> 27=. It di*r)#t*
the e*$hat(l(&i$al :)t)re that i* e*ta5li*hed 53 the Child. It i*> there:(re> .hat Lee 9)in53 mi&ht $all antiB
a#($al3#ti$.
$he ;i+.re -; (-liti)al enem6 a* P)eer anti$hri*t emb-dies the A.eer ;.n)ti-n -; the death dri3e. Like
A.eerness@ the anti$hri*t i* inimi$al t( the :)t)re and it* l(&i$ (: heter(n(rmati0it3. Like P)eerne**> the
;i+.re -; the (-liti)al enem6 as A.eer anti$hri*t is ne)essar6 t- the ;.n)ti-nin+ -; the s6stemK it i* that
.hi$h all(.* the ma$hine t( m(0e int( im#eriali*in& #la$e. The P)eer enem3 a* anti$hri*t m)*t 5e
re$(&ni*ed in it* r(le in m(ti0atin& and ena5lin& the #r(d)$ti(n (: 4S #(liti$(Bre#r(d)$ti0e e*$hat(l(&3 a*
tr)th. Qet it stands as a 1ren)h in the s6stem. It threatens t- disr.(t the ;.t.re -; the ;amil6 and 1ith it
the ;.t.re -; the nati-n. Its desire er.(ts e3er61here@ an61here. It threatens t- .nsettle )ertaint6
ab-.t the h.man@ and there;-re als- )ertaint6 -; the 7S missi-n in the 1-rld. $he im(-rtan)e -; this
r-le needs t- be a)kn-1led+ed and a;;irmed@ i; the Jtr.thJ -; 7S s-3erei+nt6 is t- be )-ntested.
$he r-le -; the (-liti)al enem6 as A.eer anti$hri*t -.+ht n-t t- be re(.diated. A))e(tan)e and
3al-risati-n -; this ;i+.reJs disr.(ti-n -; nati-nal es)hat-l-+6 mi+ht assist in 1hat Edelman )alls@ Jthe
im(-ssible (r-De)t -; ima+inin+ an -((-siti-nal (-liti)al stan)e e5em(t ;r-m the im(erati3e t-
re(r-d.)e the (-liti)s -; si+ni;i)ati-n =the (-liti)s aimed at )l-sin+ the +a( -(ened .( b6 the si+ni;ier
itsel;>@ 1hi)h )an -nl6 ret.rn t- .s@ b6 1a6 -; the Child@ t- the (-liti)s -; re(r-d.)ti-nJ =200@ 2">. The
anti$hri*t di*r)#t* meanin& thr()&h the #r(li:erati(n (: )n$(ntaina5le de*ire* <$alled #er0er*e=> and thr()&h
de$e#ti(n. The anti$hri*t dem(n*trate* .hat #(*tB*tr)$t)rali*m ha* 5een in*i*tin&, meanin& ma3 n(t 5e .hat
it *eem*. The P)eer anti$hri*t de:ie* $ertaint3.
In)-r(-rati-n -; A.eerness int- (res)ribed e)-n-mies -; si+ni;i)ati-n is an a)t -;
d-mesti)ati-n that denies A.eerness its trans;-rmati3e (-tential.
H.;;er@ 2010. <L3nne> -r(: (: ;(menJ* St)die* at Em(r3. Cad :(r %()$a)lt, 'ethinkin& the %()ndati(n* (:
9)eer The(r3. -&.1=
)t *(meh(.> -3er the 6ears@ the A.eer has be)-me a ;i+.re 1h- has l-st her +enerati3e (r-mise. She
t.rned in -n hersel; and be)ame ;r- ?en int- a ne1@ 3er6 Ameri)an identit6. And i; the trans;-rmati-n
itsel; is t- be )elebrated@ the ;inal ;ree?in+ is n-t. 9ettin+ st.)k in identities that are -;ten (-liti)all6 -r
medi)all6 en+ineered@ the A.eer is drained -; her trans;-rmati3e@ )-ntestat-r6 (-1er. Thi* i* .here
History of Madness $an hel# )*> a* the *t(r3 (: a *#lit that #r(d)$ed the P)eer. N(t (nl3 a dia&n(*i* (: the
&reat di0i*i(n 5et.een rea*(n and )nrea*(n> Madness i* al*( a $(nte*tati(n (: that di0i*i(nO* de*#(ti$
N*tr)$t)re (: re:)*al... (n the 5a*i* (: .hi$h a di*$()r*e i* den()n$ed a* n(t 5ein& a lan&)a&e LandM a* ha0in&
n( ri&ht:)l #la$e in hi*t(r3. Thi* *tr)$t)re i* $(n*tit)ti0e (: .hat i* *en*e and n(n*en*eN <C 222ii=.
14
K Lab Adam Pease
A/$0 *rame1-rk
<e sh-.ld .se the a)ademi) settin+ t- ;a)ilitate )han+e@ rather than r-le(la6in+ as
(-li)6makers 1e sh-.ld take this )han)e t- )hallen+e the heter-n-rmati3e str.)t.res that
(er3ade the A)adem6.
Elias 2003 =O-hn Elias@ Pr-;ess-r at San *ran)is)- 7ni3ersit6@ O-.rnal -; H-m-se5.alit6@ 2-l. 5@ n-. 2/3/@
(. !@ 2003>
Akin t- -r+ani?ed reli+i-n and the 5i(medi$al :ield> the ed.)ati-nal s6stem has been a maD-r -;;ender.
<edded t- disseminatin+ the idea that heter-se5.alit6 is the .ltimate and best ;-rm -; se5.alit6>
?S)h--ls ha3e maintained@ b6 s-)ial ).st-m and .ith rein:(r$ement :r(m the la.> the (r-m-ti-n -; the
heter-se5.al :amil3 a* #red(minant> and there:(re the essen)e -; n-rmal. %r(m ha0in& 5een #re*)med t(
5e Un(rmal>J heter(*e2)al 5eha0i(r ha* &ained *tat)* a* the ri&ht> &((d> and ideal li:e*t3leA <Le$k> 1+++> #.
25+=. S$h((l $)lt)re in &eneral i* :ra)&ht .ith heter(n(rmati0it3. !)r *($iet3 ha* l(n& 0ie.ed P)eer
*e2)alitie* a* ?. . . de0iant> *in:)l> (r 5(th> and ()r *$h((l* are #(#)lated 53 ad(le*$ent #eer* and ad)lt
ed)$at(r* .h( *hare the*e heter(*e2)al 0al)e*A <8in*5er&> 1+++> #. 55=. Sim#l3 #)t> heter-n-rmati3it6 and
se5.al (reD.di)e (er3ade the ).rri).l.m at the elementar6@ se)-ndar6@ and (-stGse)-ndar6 le3els <:(r
e2am#le* (: thi* and .a3* (: inter0enin&> *ee, Adam*> ell> V 8ri::in> 1++7K Lett* V Sear*> 1+++K L(0aa*>
ar()di> V C(llin*> 2662K Ie#> 2662=. %esides the he+em-ni) h-ld s)h--ls ha3e had re+ardin+ a
heter-se5.al bias@ s)h--l ).lt.re )-ntin.es t- de3-te m.)h ener+6 t- maintainin+ B. . . the stat.s A.- -;
-.r d-minant s-)ial instit.ti-ns@ 1hi)h are hierar)hi)al@ a.th-ritarian@ and .neA.al> $(m#etiti0e> ra$i*t>
*e2i*t> and h(m(#h(5i$A <Arn*tine> 1++5> #. 1"3=. ;hile there ha* 5een m(de*t *)$$e** in addre**in& 0ari()*
:(rm* (: #reD)di$e in *$h((l* <K)ma*hir(> 2661=> .hat i* *(rel3 la$kin& i* *eri()* attenti(n t( h(. the
inter*e$ti(n* (: ra$e> $la**> *e2)alit3 and &ender are inter.(0en and diale$ti$all3 $reate #reD)di$e <e.&.>
ra$i*m> $la**i*m> and heter(L*e2i*mM=. S)h--ls 1-.ld be an ideal site t- interr-+ate@ and be+in t- er-de@
the kind -; he+em-n6 .(-n 1hi)h heter-se5ism rests and is s.((-rted. $- date@ n-t m.)h is bein+ d-ne
in a s6stemati) ;ashi-n t- disr.(t the 1a6s in 1hi)h 7.S. s)h--lin+ has (er(et.ated s.)h hierar)hies. It
*eem* t( me that se5.alit6 ed.)ati-n is ri(e ;-r the -((-rt.nit6 t- )hallen+e heter-se5ism in s)h--l
).lt.reK h(.e0er> #)5li$ *$h((lB5a*ed *e2)alit3 ed)$ati(n i* #re*entl3 in *eri()* $ri*i*> a* it ha* t)rned
m(*tl3 t( the 5)*ine** (: #)*hin& :(r a5*tinen$eB (nl3 *e2)alit3 ed)$ati(n. A$$(rdin& t( :ederal le&i*lati(n>
*tate* that a$$e#t :)ndin& :(r thi* :(rm (: *e2)alit3 ed)$ati(n reP)ire that 3()n& #e(#le are ta)&ht t( a5*tain
:r(m *e2)al a$ti0it3 )ntil the3 &et married. Thi* ha* n)mer()* im#li$ati(n* :(r relati(n*hi# $(n*tr)$ti(nK a
m(re inBde#th de*$ri#ti(n and anal3*i* (: thi* :(rm (: *e2)alit3 ed)$ati(n .ill :(ll(. later in thi* e**a3.
15
K Lab Adam Pease
A/$0 Nihilism
&.r ar+.ment is n-t nihilisti)@ it is a(-)al6(ti). &.r embra)e -; the death dri3e is a
s.b3ersi3e bl-1 a+ainst the s6stem that r.(t.res the ass.med )-heren)e -; re(r-d.)ti3e
;.t.rism.
Ean6 reader* ha0e ;-.nd EdelmanJs ar+.ment t- be (##re**i0el3 nihilisti)K h(.e0er> he d-es n-t s(eak
-; sel;Gdestr.)ti-n in the sense -; s.i)ide -r -r+ani) n-thin+ness@ b.t rather as a re;.sal t- s.bmit t-
the dis)i(linin+ -; ;antas6 in the ser3i)e -; re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism, J(-liti)al sel;Gdestr.)ti-n inheres in
the -nl6 a)t that )-.nts as -ne0 the a)t -; resistin+ ensla3ement t- the ;.t.re in the name -; ha3in+ a
li;eJ <36=.16 In re*#(n*e t( th(*e .h( in*i*t that N( %)t)re i* a *ta&nant and *ta&natin& :(r$e> I (::er H(nathan
@(llim(reO* remark that Jdeath is n-t sim(l6 the terminati-n -; li;e ... b.t li;eJs dri3in+ ;-r)e@ its
animatin+@ d6nami) (rin)i(leO <1++"> 1+2=. EdelmanJs reDe)ti-n -; Jthe ;.t.re RasS mere re(etiti-n and
D.st as lethal as the (astJ@ )-.(led 1ith his insisten)e that Jthe ;.t.re st-( hereJ <2664> 31=>
dem-nstrates :(r me his )-mmitment t- the JA.eer and n-1J in his ;-rm.lati-n -; A.eerness. Thi*
attendan$e t( the :leetin&ne** (: the P)eer m(ment .ith()t an in0e*tment in the :)t)re> this a))e(tan)e -;
the death dri3e is n-t a death 1ish> a de*ire :(r annihilati(n b.t rather a l--senin+ -; ;.t.rit6Js
stran+.latin+ +ri(@ an attem#t t( e2er$i*e a&en$3 in a .(rld that (::er* 5)t it* *#e$tre. In the .(rd* (:
Ha$P)e* @errida, J$- learn t- li3e means t- learn t- die@ t- take int- a))-.nt@ t- a))e(t )-m(lete
m-rtalit6 <.ith()t *al0ati(n> re*)rre$ti(n> (r redem#ti(n B neither :(r (ne*el: n(r :(r an3 (ther #er*(n=O
<2664=.
16
K Lab Adam Pease
A/T, E**entiali*m
&.r anal6sis is n-t a .ni3ersali?ati-n b.t rather a +eneal-+6 -; h-1 (-1er has .sed the
Child t- 3al-ri?e re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rit6. $his kind -; *-.)a.ldian anal6sis is the -nl6 1a6
id-ls -; n-rmali?ati-n )an be )hallen+ed.
In their intr(d)$ti(n t( C)ri()*er, !n the 9)eerne** (: Children> Ste0en r)hm and Nata*ha E)rle3 re*#(nd
t( .hat the3 *ee a* EdelmanO* *ettin&B)# (: the Child a* Othe antiBP)eerO .ith the 0ie. that OP)eerne** inhere*
in*tead in inn($en$e r)n am(kO <2664> 2i0=. EdelmanJs treatment -; the Child has been den-.n)ed b6
th-se 1h- see him as ;lattenin+ -.t the )ate+-r6 and .ni3ersalisin+ -ne s.)h .sa+e -; its ;i+.ral stat.s@
.ith()t takin& a$$()nt (: the :l)$t)atin& $(nt()r* (: that $ate&(r3 (0er time. EdelmanJs anal6sis is n-t a
hist-ri)al -ne@ b.t a +eneal-+i)al meditati-n -n h-1 the Child has )-me t- be si+ni;ied as nat.ral and
the marker -; the ;.t.re t- 1hi)h e3er6-ne m.st b-1@ Jthe (r-( -; the se).lar the-l-+6 -n 1hi)h -.r
s-)ial realit6 restsO <2664> 12=. Edelman ;-ll-1s the lead (: (ther* *)$h a* Ci$hel *-.)a.lt <1+7"/1+76=
and H)dith )tler <1++6= in interr-+atin+ h-1 the Child@ (-liti)s and the ;.t.re ha3e be)-me entan+led
t- s.)h an e5tent that J1e are n- m-re able t- )-n)ei3e -; a (-liti)s 1ith-.t a ;antas6 -; the ;.t.re than
1e are able t- )-n)ei3e -; a ;.t.re 1ith-.t the ;i+.re -; the ChildJ <Edelman 2664>11=. N( %)t)re .(rk*
t( denat)rali*e thi* m3th. In his 1-rk -n se5.alit6@ *-.)a.lt tra)es the 1a6s in 1hi)h (-1er 1-rks
thr-.+h te)hniA.e and n-rmalisati-n rather than re(ressi-n -r interdi)ti-n <1+7"/76> "+=. Edelman
sh-1s that a similar thin+ is in (la)e 1ith res(e)t t- the ;.t.re in 1hi)h Ja n-ti-nal ;reed-mJ stands in
;-r Jthe a)t.alit6 -; ;reed-mJ <2664> 11= in the heter($3$l(#ti$ &aFe )n5linkin&l3 dire$ted t(.ard* the
$himera (: the :)t)re. ,e(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism ;i5ates -n the ;.t.re as ;etish s- the Child be)-mes b.t a
means t- an endI a (r-stheti) )-nd.it thr-.+h 1hi)h a))ess t- the ;.t.re )an be a)hie3ed.
17
K Lab Adam Pease
###AL$E,NA$I2E###
1"
K Lab Adam Pease
Alternati3e 4 Sinth-m-se5.alit6
&.r alternati3e is sinth-m-se5.alit60 $his is a )-.(lin+ -; La)anFs n-ti-n -; the s6m(t-m@
the small sli)e -; abDe)t ;ail.re in the kn-t h-ldin+ the S6mb-li)@ the Ima+inar6@ and the
,eal t-+ether@ al-n+ 1ith the b-d6 -; the A.eer@ ;i+.red .nder heter-n-rmati3it6.
Sinth-m-se5.alit6 la6s bare re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism thr-.+h the )-ntin.al (r-De)ti-n and
as)ri(ti-n -; the ne+ati3it6 ass-)iated 1ith the A.eer as the death knell -; the ;.t.re.
$he sinth-m-se5.al re(resents@ a$$(rdin& t( Edelman> Jthe 1h-ll6 im(-ssible ethi)al a)tJ <2664>161= t(
1hi)h A.eerness is )alled ;-rth t- -)).(6@ Jthe (la)e -; meanin+lessness ... .nre+enerate@ and
.nre+eneratin+@ se5.alit6J <47=. A ;.si-n -; Ha$P)e* La)anJs idea (: the sinth-me> O.hi$h ... i* meant t(
take #la$e at the 0er3 *#(t .here> *a3> the tra$e (: the kn(t &(e* .r(n&O <La$anK P)(ted in Ettin&er 2666> 66=
and the ;i+.rati-n -; the H-m-se5.al 1ithin heter-n-rmati3it6@ sinth-m-se5.alit6 re(resents b-th the
;ail.re -; heter-n-rmati3it6 1hile als- ;a)ilitatin+ its )-ntin.ati-n B h(.e0er im#er:e$tl6 and
in)-m(lete. A* ra$ha L. Ettin&er .rite* in relati(n t( the *inthdmeB. it is Ja kind -; tra)e -; a ;ail.re in
the kn-t that h-lds the S6mb-li)@ the Ima+inar6@ and the ,eal t-+etherJ <5+=. ;hile heter(n(rmati0it3
$laim* that P)eerne** i* *ta&nant and )*ele**> I $(ntend it i* an3thin& 5)t, P)eerne** i* #r(:()ndl3 )*e:)l t(
heter(n(rmati0it3 5e$a)*e in (rder t( :)n$ti(n> heter(n(rmati0it3 need* it* 9)eer* t( #r(De$t ne&ati0it3 (nt(
.hile rel3in& (n it* re:(rmed *inth(m(*e2)al !ther> h(m(n(rmati0it3 t( :a$ilitate it* *m((th (#erati(n.
EdelmanJs a((eal t- ;-r+- meanin+@ t- s)-rn .tilit6 and -)).(6 a s(a)e -; .nassimilable D-.issan)en i*>
I maintain> in line 1ith the thinkin+ -; 8e(r&e* %ataille .h( reDe$t* the n(ti(n (: tran*&re**i(n 5e$a)*e it
(:ten *im#l3 rei:ie* the n(rm a&ain*t .hi$h it a$t*, J$here e5ists n- (r-hibiti-n that )ann-t be
trans+ressed. &;ten the trans+ressi-n is (ermitted@ -;ten it is e3en (res)ribedJ <1+"6/1+57> 63=. In*tead>
%ataille l-)ates his anal6sis at the le3el -; .tilit6 and th.s (r-d.)ti3it6@ .hat Shann(n ;inn)5*t $all*
Jthis ;.ndamental l-+i) -; .tilit6 at the heart -; se5.alit6J <2667> "5=. atailleJs 1-rk )-n)entrates -n
the 1a6 in 1hi)h er-ti)ism has been red.)ed thr-.+h n-rmalisati-n t- se5.alit3 in a similar 1a6 that
Edelman> I #r(#(*e@ )-mments -n the dis)i(linin+ -; se5.alit6 b6 t.rnin+ it int- re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism.
By figuring the death drive, queerness makes visible the uselessness of all sexualities, lays bare
reproductive futurism as fantasy and while embodying the negativity that the social has
conferred on it, refuses to facilitate its continuation. ;inn)5*t .rite* (: Othe h(rr(r (: )*ele**ne**O
.hi$h $(me* t( *i&ni:3 .hat it mean* t( 5e O#r(#erl0 h)manO <"5=> *ettin& ()t h(. P)eerin& *h()ld en&a&e in
Oa$ti0itie* that ate. &(in& n(.hereO> Oa$t* (r #lea*)re* that (::er n( $lear (r )*e:)l meanin&O <+6> +1>@ in an
e;;-rt t- re)-n;i+.re the s-)ietal -bsessi-n 1ith tele-l-+6. Edelman 1rites -; the Jinh.manit6J -; the
sinth-m-se5.al <2664> 16+= as a 1a6 -; )hallen+in+ the n-rmalisin+ stri)t.res -; the H.man.
Des)ribin+ the sinth-m-se5.al as OantiB -r(metheanO <16"= de3-id -; the desire ;-r sel;Ga)t.alisati-n
thr-.+h -bDe)t )h-i)e> Edelman (::er*> I 5elie0e> (ne .a3 in .hi$h thi* O.(rd .ith()t a :)t)re <33= P)eer*
the E)man. $his a(-)al6(ti) +est.re G read here as a )atharti) lettin+G+- -; the r.les +-3ernin+ sel;G
a)t.alisati-n G (.ts (ress.re -n the desire ;-r re)-+niti-n>12 -n the 3er6 tele-l-+6 -; desire itsel; in the
a))e(tan)e -; the ;a)t that re)-+niti-n de(ends -n the desire -; an-ther@ -ne 1h- in the )ase -;
re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism@ ma6 1ithh-ld at an6 time the JH.manisin+J +a?e ;r-m th-se marked -.t as
:.eer.
1+
K Lab Adam Pease
Alternati3e 4 7nintelli+ibilit6
&.r alternati3e is A.eer .nintelli+ibilit60 $his is an en;-r)ed in3isibilit6 that resists the
)ata)hresis -; the S6mb-li) that im(-ses identit6 -n la)k in a ne.r-ti) attem(t t- ma( -.t
the blind s(-ts in the s-)ial -rder.
@ri0e>A 2664> ##. 166B16+=
And *in$e n(thin& i* e0er le** Na5errant> L(rM )n#re$edentedN than the N:)t)re>N .hi$h :)n$ti(n* a* the literal
end t(.ard .hi$h Anti&(neO* Claim #r($eed*> .e *h()ld n(t 5e *)r#ri*ed that the #hra*e it*el: reiterate*>
rather than rearti$)late*> an earlier )*e (: the term. In the $()r*e (: re*#(ndin& t( La$anO* a$$()nt (:
Anti&(neO* NdeathBdri0en m(0ementN a$r(** the 5arrier (: the S3m5(li$> )tler identi:ie* e2a$tl3 .hat the
Nd)t3 im#(*ed 53 the *3m5(li$ i*>N and *he d(e* *( 53 P)(tin& La$an, N Ot( tran*mit the $hain (: di*$()r*e in
a5errant :(rm t( *(me(ne el*eON <52=. ;ith thi* Anti&(neO* Na5errant... :)t)reN #r(0e* (rth(d(2 a:ter all.
4nderminin& it* $laim t( 5e a5errant and )n#re$edented at (n$e> it tran*mit*> in the reP)i*ite a5errant :(rm>
a* :)t)rit3 al.a3* demand*Qin the :(rm> that i*> .h(*e a5errant P)alit3 i* there:(re an3thin& 5)t and .h(*e
:)t)re re#eat* it* #re$edent* #re$i*el3 53 0irt)e (: 5ein& N)n#re$edentedN Qthe S6mb-li) )hain -;
dis)-.rse@ in 1hi)h@ as e3er6-ne kn-1s =and this@ -; )-.rse@ is (re)isel6 1hat e3er6-ne kn-1s>@
intelli+ibilit6 m.st al1a6s take (la)e.
%.t 1hat i; it didnJtL <hat i; Anti&(ne> al(n& .ith all th-se d--med t- -nt-l-+i)al s.s(ensi-n -n
a))-.nt -; their .nre)-+ni?able and@ in )-nseA.en)e@ K.nli3ableK l-3es@ de)lined intelli+ibilit6@
de)lined t- brin+ her*el:> $ata$hre*ti$all3> int- the ambit -; ;.t.re meanin&Q-r de)lined@ m-re e5a)tl6@
t- )ast -;; the meanin+ that )lin+s t- th-se s-)ial identities that intelli+ibilit6 abDe)ts0 their meanin& a*
name* :(r the meanin&Ble**ne** the S3m5(li$ (rder reP)ire* a* a re*)lt (: the $ata$hre*i* that #(*it* meanin&
t( 5e&in .ith. Th(*e :i&)re*> sinth-m-se5.als@ )-.ld n-t brin+ the S6mb-li) -rder t- )risis sin)e the6
-nl6 emer+e@ in abDe)ti-n@ t- s.((-rt the emer+en)e -; S6mb-li) ;-rm@ t- meta(h-ri?e and ena)t the
tra.mati) 3i-len)e -; si+ni;i)ati-n 1h-se meanin+Ge;;a)in+ ener+ies > relea*ed 53 the $)t that arti).lates
meanin+> the S6mb-li) -rder )-nstantl6 m.st e5ert itsel; t- bind. 4nlike )tlerO* Anti &(ne> th()&h> *)$k
sinth-m-se5.als 1-.ld insist -n the .nintelli+ibleJs .nintelli+ibilit6@ -n the internal limit t-
si+ni;i)ati-n and the im(-ssibilit6 -; t.rnin+ ,eal l-ss t- meanin+;.l (r-;it in the S6mb-li) .ith()t it*
#er*i*tent remainder the ine*$a#a5le 'eal (: the dri0e. As emb-diments -; .nintelli+ibilit6@ -; )-.rse@ the6
m.st 3eil 1hat the6 e5(-se@ be)-min+@ as ;i+.res ;-r it@ the means -; its a((arent s.bDe)ti-n t-
meanin+. )t .here )tlerO* Anti&(ne $(nd)$e* t( :)t)ri*mO* l(&i$ (: intelli&i5ilit3 53 *eekin& n( m(re than
t( .iden the rea$h (: .hat it all(.* )* t( &ra*#> .here *he m(0e*> 53 .a3 (: the :)t)re> t(.ard the (n&(in&
le&itimati(n (: *($ial :(rm thr()&h the re$(&niti(n that i* *aid t( a::(rd N(nt(l(&i$al $ertaint3 and
d)ra5ilit3>N *inth(m(*e2)alit3> th()&h de*tined> (: $()r*e> t( 5e $laimed :(r intelli&i5ilit3> $(n*ent* t( the
l(&i$ that make* it a :i&)re :(r .hat meanin& $an ne0er &ra*#. Demeaned@ it embra)es deGmeanin+ as the
endless insisten)e -; the ,eal that the S6mb-li) )an ne3er master ;-r meanin+ n-1 -r in the K;.t.re.K
$hat Kne3er@N )tler .()ld ar&)e> #er:(rm* the la.O* in*tantiati(n> 1hi)h al1a6s attem(ts t- im(-se@ a*
*he #)t* it> Na limit t- the s-)ial@ the s.b3ersi3e@ the (-ssibilit6 -; a+en)6 and )han+e@ a limit that 1e
)lin+ t-@ s6m(t-mati)all6@ as the ;inal de;eat -; -.r -1n (-1erN <21=. C(mmitted a* *he i* t( intelli&i5ilit3
a* the e2#andin& h(riF(n (: *($ial D)*ti$e> %.tler 1-.ld a;;irm K-.r -1n (-1erK t- rearti).late@ b6
means -; )ata)hresis@ the la1s res(-nsible ;-r 1hat she a(tl6 )alls -.r Km-rali?ed se5.al h-rr-rK <71=.
S.)h a rearti).lati-n> *he $laim*> .()ld #r($eed thr()&h Nthe re#eated *$andal 53 .hi$h the )n*#eaka5le
ne0erthele** make* it*el: heard thr()&h 5(rr(.in& and e2#l(itin& the 0er3 term* that are meant t( en:(r$e it*
*ilen$eN <7"=. Thi*> (: $()r*e> a**)me* that Nthe )n*#eaka5leN intend*> a5(0e all el*e> t( *#eak> .herea*
La$an maintain*> a* C(#De$ remind* )*> *(methin& radi$all3 di::erent, that *e2> a* Nthe *tr)$t)ral
in$(m#letene** (: lan&)a&eN i* Nthat .hi$h d(e* n(t $(mm)ni$ate it*el:> that .hi$h mark* the *)5De$t a*
)nkn(.a5le.N53 N( d()5t> a* )tler hel#* )* t( *ee> the n-rms -; the s-)ial -rder d-@ in ;a)t@ )han+e
thr-.+h )ata)hresis@ and th-se 1h- -n)e 1ere (erse).ted as ;i+.res -; Km-rali?ed se5.al h-rr-rK ma6
trade their )hill and silent t-mbs ;-r a (la)e -n the (.bli) sta+e. %.t that redistrib.ti-n -; s-)ial r-les
d-esnJt st-( the ).lt.ral (r-d.)ti-n -; ;i+.res@ sinth-m-se5.als all@ t- bear the b.rden -; emb-d6in+
s.)h a Km-rali?ed se5.al h-rr-r.K *-r that h-rr-r itsel; s.r3i3es the ;.n+ible ;i+.res that ;lesh it -.t
ins-;ar as it res(-nds t- s-methin+ in se5 thatJs inherentl6 .ns(eakable0 the ,eal -; se5.al di;;eren)e@
26
K Lab Adam Pease
the la)k that la.n)hes the li3in+ bein+ int- the em(t6 arms -; ;.t.rit6. Thi*> t( P)(te :r(m C(#De$ a&ain>
Ni* the meanin&> .hen all i* *aid and d(ne> (: La$anO* n(t(ri()* a**erti(n that Othere i* n( *e2)al relati(nO,
*e2> in (##(*in& it*el: t( *en*e> i* al*(> 53 de:initi(n> (##(*ed t( relati(n> t( $(mm)ni$ati(n.N54 *r-m that
limit -; intelli+ibilit6> :r(m that la$k in $(mm)ni$ati(n> there ;l-1s> like 5l((d :r(m an (#en .()nd> a
stead6 stream -; ;i+.res that mean t- emb-d6Nand th.s t- ;illNthat la)k@ that 1-.ld stan)h
intelli+ibilit6Js 1-.nd> like the $l(ttin& :a$t(r in 5l((d> 53 5indin& it t(> en$r)*tin& it in> Ima&inar3 :(rm.
Th()&h 5()nd there:(re t( 5e> (n the m(del (: ;hitman> the binder -; 1-.nds@ the sinth-m-se5.al> antiB
-r(methean> )n5()nd> )n5ind* )* all. !r rather> #er*i*t* a* the :i&)re :(r *)$h a &eneraliFed )n5indin& 53
.hi$h the death dri0e e2#re**e* at (n$e the im#(**i5le e2$e** and the a5*(l)te limit 5(th (: and .ithin the
S3m5(li$.
!n the :a$e (: C()nt ')*hm(re> a* he :a$e* the 0(id t( .hi$h he him*el: (::er* a :a$e> Le(nard &e*t)re*
t(.ard *)$h an )n5indin& 53 $(mmittin& him*el: t( the *inth(m(*e2)a-* im#(**i5le ethi$al a$t, 53 *tandin&
re*(l)tel3 at> and (n> and/(r that a5*(l)te limit. Alenka W)#an$i$> in Ethi$* (: the 'eal> n(te* that 1hat Kant
)alled the ethi)al a)t Kis den-.n)ed as Jradi)all6 e3ilJ in e3er6 ide-l-+6@N and then de*$ri5e* h(.
ide(l(&3 t3#i$all3 mana&e* t( de:end a&ain*t it, NThe &a# (#ened 53 an a$t <i.e.> the )n:amiliar> O()tB(:B#la$eO
e::e$t (: an a$t= i* immediatel3 linked in thi* ide(l(&i$al &e*t)re t( an ima&e. A* a r)le thi* i* an ima&e (:
*)::erin&> .hi$h i* then di*#la3ed t( the #)5li$ al(n&*ide thi* P)e*ti(n, I* thi* .hat 3() .antG And thi*
P)e*ti(n alread3 im#lie* the an*.er, It .()ld 5e im#(**i5le> inh)man> :(r 3() t( .ant thi*XN55 $he ima+e -;
s.;;erin+ add.)ed here is al1a6s the threatened s.;;erin+ -; an ima+e0 an ima+e -nt- 1hi)h the ;a)e -;
the h.man has )-er)i3el6 been (r-De)ted s.)h that 1e> b6 3irt.e -; l-sin+ it@ m.st als- l-se the ;a)e b6
1hi)h 1e <think .e= kn-1 -.rsel3es. *-r K1e are@ in e;;e)t>N a* La$an 0entril(P)iFe* the n-rmati3e
.nderstandin+ -; the sel;@ Kat -ne 1ith e3er6thin+ that de(ends -n the ima+e -; the -ther as -.r ;ell-1
man@ -n the similarit6 1e ha3e t- -.r e+- and t- e3er6thin+ that sit.ates .s in the ima+inar6
re+ister.N56 $- be an6thin+ elseQt( re:)*e the $(n*traint> the inertia> (: the e&( a* :(rmQ .()ld 5e> a*
W)#an$i$ ri&htl3 *a3*> Nim(-ssible> inh)man.N As impossible and inhuman as a shivering beggar who
asks that we kill him or fuck him a* im#(**i5le and inh)man a* Le(nard> .h( re*#(nd* t( Th(rnhill 53
$r)*hin& hi* handK as impossible and inhuman as the sinthomosexual, who shatters the lure of the
future and, for refusing the call to compassion, finally merits none himself. To embrace the
impossibility, the inhumanity of the sinthomosexual! that, " suggest, is the ethical task for
which queers are singled out. Le(nard a::(rd* )* n( le**(n in h(. t( :(ll(. in hi* :((t*te#*> 5)t $all* )*>
5e3(nd de*ire> t( a *inth(m(*e2)alit3 (: ()r (.nQ(ne .e a**)me at the #ri$e (: the 0er3 identit3 named 53
N()r (.n.N T( th(*e (n .h(m hi* ethi$al *tan$e> hi* a$t> e2ert* a $(m#)l*i(n> Le(nard 5eP)eath* the ir(n3 (:
tr3in& t( read him a* an alle&(r3> a* (ne :r(m .h(m .e $()ld learn h(. t( a$t and in .h(m .e $()ld :ind
the sinthomosexual's essential concreti#ation! the formali#ation of a resistance to the constant
conservation of forms, the substantiali#ation of a negativity that dismantles every substance.
Ee lea0e* )*> in *h(rt> the im#(**i5le ta*k (: tr3in& t( :ill hi* *h(e* Q *h(e* that .ere em#t3 (: an3thin&
h)man e0en .hile he .a* .earin& them> 5)t that lead )*> a&ain*t ()r (.n *el:Bintere*t and in *#ite (: ()r
(.n de*ire> t(.ard a D()i**an$e :r(m .hi$h e0er3thin& Nh)man>N t( ha0e (ne> m)*t t)rn it* :a$e.
21
K Lab Adam Pease
Alt S-l3en)6
A(-)al=->(ti)/ism (-sth.manG-.sl6 diss-l3es the 3i-len)e -; the (ast and (resent s- as t-
-bliterate the s-)ial -rderFs 3isi-n -; the ;.t.re.
Am(n& the man3 de:initi(n* :(r (-sth.manism is Neil admin&t(nO* de*$ri#ti(n (: it a* Ja )riti)al (ra)ti)e
that -)).rs inside h.manism@ )-nsistin+ n-t -; the 1ake b.t the 1-rkin+Gthr-.+h -; h.manist
dis)-.rseJ <2663> 22K *ee al*( admin&t(n 2666=. The :.eer th.s ser3es as an .n)ann6 reminder -; the
death dri3e nestlin+ 1ithin heter-n-rmati3it6@ the tra$e (: the im#(**i5ilit3 (: hermeti$all3 *ealin&
(nt(l(&i$al $ate&(rie* *)$h a* the E)man. In thi*> L9%$/: a)ti3ism has al1a6s been (-sth.manist in
)-ntin.-.sl6 )hallen+in+ and rede;inin+ 1hat the terms JH.manJ@ JH.manismJ and JH.manenessJ
mean@ b6 reDe)tin+ the heter-n-rmati3it6 that (er3ades th-se )ate+-ries and their dis).rsi3e e;;e)ts.
Edelman +-es ;.rther b6 reDe)tin+ )ata)hresis as a strate+6 -; resistan)e. His (r-De)t is de)idedl6 antiG
h.manist@ -ne mi+ht sa6 (-sth.manG-.sJ0 J&)).rrin+ -r )-ntin.in+ a;ter the death -; the h.manJ
<Smith> Kl($k and 8allard(BC. 2664=. The de*ire :(r the E)man there:(re *i&ni:ie* an Oar$hi0e de*ireO
<@errida 1++6/1++5> 1+=> a de*ire n(t :(r the ar$hi0i*ati(n (: the #a*t 5)t :(r the in*$ri#ti(n (: the :)t)re.
$eteronormativity thus works in the shadow of its own finitude, striving retroactively to
reproduce the present in the future, which is always the past futurally imagined.
OE)man 5ein&*O> The -(*th)man Cani:e*t( remind* )*> O(nl3 e2i*t a* .e 5elie0e them t( e2i*tO <2663> 177=.
:.eer a(-)al=->(ti)/ism in3-l3es s.s(endin+ this belie; in ;a3-.r -; tra)in+ the n-rmati3e te)hn-l-+ies
thr-.+h 1hi)h this )ate+-r6 -(erates 1ithin di;;erent hist-ri)al and ).lt.ral )-nte5ts. It is n-t ab-.t
the desire ;-r JH.man ,i+htsJQ.hi$h .()ld 5e a h)mani*in& (: the 9)eer Q b.t rather e5amines -.r
desire ;-r the E)man> :(r the s-)ial and (-liti)al re)-+niti-n that the ;i+.rati-n -; s.)h a term )-n3e6s.
H)dith )tler link* Oa li0ea5le li:eO and Oa &rie0a5le deathO t( the in*tantiati(n (: .hat i* )nder*t((d 53 the
On(rmati0el3 h)manO <2664> 20=. That i*> the a5ilit3 t( in0(ke :eelin&* (: $(m#a**i(n. In N( %)t)re> Lee
Edelman queers the $uman by cutting into its very heart, the figure of the %hild, that image
which is the personification of compassion's evocation. &ueering the $uman demands a
withholding of such mechanistic displays of compassion, the empty compulsions of
heteronormativity. 'uch an act re(ects, not the child, but those who make use of the child for
their own ends.
A))essi-n t- the ne+ati3it6 (r-De)ted -n the A.eer has the Darrin+ e;;e)t -; de(ri3in+
heter-n-rmati3it6 -; its s6mb-li) -((-siti-n@ this re3eals the in)-heren)e -; the s6stem and
(r-blemati?es it as a 1h-le.
<hile Edelman ta(s int- the same ;eelin+s -; indi+nati-n that (r-m(ted 8)tter @3ke C(lle$ti0e and
9)eer Nati-n b6 tar+etin+ the Child .here the3 atta$k Cen and Strai&ht*> N( %)t)re ad0($ate* neither
$(lle$ti0i*m n(r a$tin& ()t. Alth()&h EdelmanO* te2t al*( $(n*tit)te* a #(lemi$> .hi$h in$l)de* a 0ariet3 (:
*tatement* that ha0e 5een met 5(th 53 (::en$e and de:en*i0e h(*tilit3 :r(m reader*>13 he professes the
belief that speaking about queerness will not change how the dominant culture views it. "n
other words, proliferating discourses of queerness makes no difference as they will be
condensed into a limited repertoire of statements by heteronormativity. An (:tBP)(ted #a**a&e
:r(m N( %)t)re *h(.* the rea*(n .h3 the 5((k ha* &arnered *)$h a$er5i$ $(mmentar3 in *(me P)arter*,
O%)$k the *($ial (rder and the Child in .h(*e name .eOre $(lle$ti0el3 terr(riFedK :)$k AnnieK :)$k the .ai:
:r(m Le* Ci*B> :)$k the #((r> inn($ent kid (n the NetK :)$k La.* 5(th .ith $a#ital L* and .ith *mallK :)$k
the .h(le net.(rk (: S3m5(li$ relati(n* and the :)t)re that *er0e* a* it* #r(#O <2664> 2+=. The*e remark*
ha0e in:lamed re*#(ndent* t( a*k .here the :i&)re (: the Child end* and the real $hild 5e&in*. A *i&ni:i$ant
#re:at(r3 $(mment i* (:ten a5*ented :r(m re#r(d)$ti(n* (: the a5(0e P)(tati(n> that i*> EdelmanO*
(5*er0ati(n that n- matter 1hat indi3id.als -r +r-.(s marked -.t as :.eer sa6@ th-se dri3en b6
re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism 1ill al1a6s hear the ab-3e (r-)lamati-ns as ha3in+ been said an61a6.
22
K Lab Adam Pease
3 .a3 (: :)rther ill)*trati(n> Edelman 1rites el*e.here that JIt is 1e 1h- m.st b.r6 the s.bDe)t in the
t-mbGlike h-ll-1 -; the si+ni;ier> #r(n()n$in& at la*t the .(rd* :(r .hi$h .eOre $(ndemned *h()ld .e
*#eak them (r n(t, that .e are the ad0($ate* (: a5(rti(nK that the Child a* :)t)rit3O* em5lem m)*t dieO <31=.
$his (: $()r*e (-ints t- the 1a6 in 1hi)h (r-Gli;e m-3ements -;ten link an antiGab-rti-n stan)e 1ith an
antiGh-m-se5.al (-siti-n. <hile identit6 )ate+-ries G h-1e3er ;l.id and )-ntin+ent B are im#(rtant
*trate&ie* (: re*i*tan$e ;-r 8)tter @3ke C(lle$ti0e and :.eer Nati-n@ Edelman ar+.es that th-se ;i+.red
as :.eer@ harbin+ers -; the death dri3e@ sh-.ld@ instead -; 1astin+ their breath in es(-.sin+ indi+nant
reb.ttals@ a))ede t- that (-siti-n be)a.se the6 1ill )-ntin.e t- be ;l.n+ ba)k there b6 ri+htG1in+
(.ndits@ n-t t- menti-n the ;a)t that the (-siti-n e5er)ises an en-rm-.s (-1er t- Dam the )-+s in the
ma)hiner6 -; heter-n-rmati3it6 sh-.ld the -)).(ants re;.se t- (la6 the J+ameJ -; the d-minant
).lt.re. EdelmanO* .(rk i* a $(ntin)ati(n (: that $arried ()t 53 (ther *$h(larBa$ti0i*t*> *)$h a* Le( er*ani
<1++5=> Ci$hael ;arner <1+++=> Li*a @)&&an <2663= and Ale2andra Cha*in <2666=> all (: .h(m ha0e
anat(mi*ed a &r(.in& h(m(n(rmati0it3 in0e*ted in ne(li5erali*m> $(n*)meri*m and a**imilati(n thr()&h
5ein& *een a* On(rmalO 53 heter(n(rmati0it3. In thi*> .hile 9)eer Nati(n 5erate* le*5ian* and &a3* :(r n(t
:i&htin& 5a$k .hile P)eer 5a*hin&* &( (n ar()nd them <1++7/1++6> 77"=> Edelman )riti)ises lesbians and
+a6s@ Jthese )-mrades in re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rismJ 1h- seek t- make re;-rms t- the s6stem 1hile in the
(r-)ess be)-min+ assimilated and (.t t- 1-rk in it b6 bein+ t.rned int- sinth-mse5.als <2664>1+=.
&.r alternati3e es)a(es the -edi(al restraints -; the 1a) b6 dere+.latin+ desire@ A.eerness
be)-mes a )-ntin.al (r-)ess -; -(enin+ .( a s(a)e 1here se5.alit6 be)-mes the (rimar6
)-n)ern.
E-rt-n 1//5<@(nald C(rt(n> -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h S3ra$)*e 4ni0er*it3> ?irth (: the C35erP)eer>A Ca3 1++5
-CLA> /(l)me 116> N(. 3> ##. 36+B3"1> D*t(r=
9a6 liberati-n@ en3isi-nin+ a K+enderG;ree )-mm.nitarian 1-rld@N did n-t (r-m-te the se(arati-n (:
.hi$h r(.nin& *#eak*. The e2#lanati(n :(r the *hi:t :r(m &a3 and le*5ian *t)die*> 5a*ed (n the $ate&(r3
&ender> t( A.eer the-r6@ .hi$h ;etishi?es desire b6 renderin+ it a.t-n-m-.s@ is n-t sel;Ge3ident. It i*
$(mm(nl3 a**)med that <#(*t=m(dern P)eer *t)die* ha* made a de$i*i0e and radi$al ad0an$e (0er
m(derni*m <and it* #re$)r*(r*=> .hi$h a**i&ned P)e*ti(n* (: *e2)alit3 and de*ire t( *e$(ndar3 *($ial and
intelle$t)al *tat)*. E0en .hile &i0in& *e2)alit3 and de*ire $entral im#(rtan$e in hi* the(r3> %re)d> a* a
m(derni*t thinker *till $(mmitted t( Enli&htenment a**)m#ti(n*> *tre**ed that the rati(nal re&)lati(n (:
*e2)alit3 and de*ire .a* ne$e**ar3 t( $i0iliFed li:e> de*#ite the ine0ita5le Ndi*$(ntent*N that a$$(m#an3
$i0iliFati(n a* a re*)lt. A&ain*t *)$h *)##(*edl3 ()tm(ded m(derni*t a**)m#ti(n*> l.di) =(-st>m-dern
the-r6 (r-d.)es an atm-s(here -; se5.al dere+.lati-n. As aGi; n-t theGleadin+ element in this
de3el-(ment@ A.eer the-r6 is seen as -(enin+ .( a ne1 s(a)e ;-r the s.bDe)t -; desire> a s(a)e in 1hi)h
se5.alit6 be)-mes (rimar3. A* E0e Sed&.i$k #)t* it> NLASn .nderstandin+ -; 3irt.all6 an6 as(e)t -;
m-dern <estern ).lt.re m.st be@ n-t merel6 in)-m(lete@ b.t dama+ed in its )entral s.bstan)e t- the
de+ree that it d-es n-t in)-r(-rate a )riti)al anal6sis -; m-dern h-m-/heter-se5.al de;initi-nK
<E#i*tem(l(&3 1=. In thi* ne. *#a$e> desire is re+arded as a.t-n-m-.sG .nre+.lated and .nen).mbered.
$he shi;t is e3ident in the )-ntrast bet1een the m-del -; ne)essar6 se5.al re+.lati-n (r-m-ted b6
*re.d in Ci0iliFati(n and It* @i*$(ntent* and the n-ti-n -; se5.al dere+.lati-n (r-(-sed b6 8ille*
Dele.?e and %eli2 9.attari. Dele.?e and 9.attari re(resent the dere+.latin+ (r-)essGin 1hi)h desire
be)-mes a s(a)e -; K(.re intensitiesN <A Th()*and -latea)* 4>Gas a breakthr-.+h be6-nd the &edi(.s
)-m(le5 <that N&r(te*P)e trian&leN LAntiB !edi#)* 171M=> 1hi)h )-l-ni?es the s.bDe)t and restri)ts desire.
,eadin+ this ar+.ment in a debate intr-d.)es A.eered (er)e(ti-ns -; realit6 t- l-)al@
material instit.ti-ns 1here )han+e )an be reliabl6 ;a)ilitated -n a mi)r-(-liti)al le3el.
E-rt-n 1//5 <@(nald C(rt(n> -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h S3ra$)*e 4ni0er*it3> ?irth (: the C35erP)eer>A Ca3 1++5
-CLA> /(l)me 116> N(. 3> ##. 36+B3"1> D*t(r=
:.eer the-r6 de(arts ;r-m traditi-nal h.manist literar6 and aestheti) st.dies =and :r(m &a3 and le*5ian
*t)die*= b6 3irt.e -; its abs-r(ti-n -; l.di) =(-st>m-dern the-reti)al de3el-(ments al-n+ their t1- main
a5es. A*ide :r(m the (0ertl3 l)di$ @errideanB@ele)Fean a2i*> in .hi$h Nli5eratedN de*ire *)50ert* the (::i$ial
relati(n* (: *i&ni:ied* <$(n$e#t)alit3= and *i&ni:ier* <te2t)alit3=> there is the hist-ri)ist *-.)a.ldian strand@
1hi)h insists that -.tside the te5t are material instit.ti-ns@ ena5led 53 di*$()r*e* 5)t n(t te2t)ali*t in the
@erridean *en*e.5 $hese instit.ti-ns =as a+ainst hist-ri)al materialismJs +l-bal a))-.nt -; them> are
23
K Lab Adam Pease
dis)-nne)ted and a.t-n-m-.s@ and the6 )an be sites -; liberati-n 1here mar+inal +r-.(s sei?e (-1er
=1hi)h is 3-l.ntaril6 re3ersible=. %(r the*e hi*t(ri$i*t*> s-)ial ineA.alit6 is a meas.re -; the ineA.alit6 -;
(-1er am-n+ +r-.(s and i* n(t> a* $(n$ei0ed 53 Car2> #r(d)$ed 53 e2#l(itati(n d)rin& $a#itali*mO*
e2tra$ti(n (: *)r#l)* 0al)e. !n the #(liti$al #lane> %()$a)ltO* .(rk $(n0er&e* :inall3 .ith @erridaO* and
di0er&e* :r(m Car2O*. It i* )nd()5tedl3 *(me *eemin& a&reement* 5et.een Car2 and %()$a)lt <:(r in*tan$e>
in the 0ie. that de*ire i* n(t *( m)$h re#re**ed a* #r(d)$ed= that re*)lt* in the )*e (: *)$h mi*ledin&#
hra*e*a * N%()$a)ldian Car2i*mN <Kernan 267=> an e2#re**i(n that 5l)r* the di::eren$e* 5et.een the :(rm*
(: materiali*m in Car2 and %()$a)lt and $reate* the im#re**i(n that %()$a)ldian materiali*m i* a 5etter
<5e$a)*e m(re )#t(B date= Car2i*m. ;hile indeed reDe$tin& @erridaO* #ante2t)ali*m> %()$a)ltO* .(rk
ne0erthele** $(in$ide* in $r)$ial .a3* .ith l)di$ the(r3. The de*ire (r *e2)alit3 %()$a)lt .rite* a5()t in The
Ei*t(r3 (: Se2)alit3 i* di*$)r*i0e, *e2 i* N#r(d)$edN in th(*e intermina5le di*$()r*e* earl3 in $h)r$h
$(n:e**i(nal* and later (n the #*3$hiatri*tO* $()$h. !: $()r*e> *-.)a.lt e5tends the n-ti-n -; materialit6
=be6-nd te5t.alism> b6 t6in+ the +enerati-n -; dis)-.rses t- s(e)i;i) hist-ri)all6 de3el-(ed instit.ti-ns
s.)h as the )h.r)h@ the (ris-n@ and the as6l.m. )t at the *ame time> he the-ri?es these instit.ti-ns as
(.rel6 l-)al sites that emer+e islandlike -n the s.r;a)e -; a ).lt.re and> like L3(tardO* lan&)a&e &ame*>
ha0e n( $(mm(n mea*)re <NNietF*$heN 14"B52=. ;hile *-.)a.ltJs l-)ali?ati-n -; the material has
(r-3ided the-reti)al s.((-rt ;-r l-)alist (-liti)al a)ti-ns@ b6 +r-.(s like A)t 7( and :.eer Nati-n@ it
ha* al*( 5l($ked the #(**i5ilit3 (: the(riFin&> a* Car2 d(e*> *3*temati$ &l(5al e2#l(itati(n in relati(n t( the
m(de (: #r(d)$ti(n.
:.eerness is re(resentati3e -; the Bdeath dri3e@C the (.lsi3e ;-r)e blindl6 h.rtlin+ the
S6mb-li) thr-.+h an .nthinkable D-.issan)e that 1-.ld +.arantee its )-lla(se. &.r
meth-d-l-+6 is -ne that ;-r+-es traditi-nal n-ti-ns -; ;.t.rit6 and instead embra)es the
ne+ati3it6 as)ribed t- A.eerness as a means -; interr-+atin+ the 3er6 str.)t.res that
en;-r)e this ne+ati3it6.
*re))er- 200!<Carla %re$$er(> -r(::e**(r (: %emini*t St)die* 4CSC> ?%)$k the %)t)re>A 2666> A H()rnal (: 8a3
and Le*5ian St)die*> /(l)me 12> N)m5er 2> ## 332B334> D*t(r.=
Edelman .ant* t( ar&)e that in B-.rC s-)ial -rder Q and the P)e*ti(n (: .h(*e *($ial (rder and .hi$h
:i&)ral $hild ine0ita5l3 #(*e* it*el: Q h-m-se5.alit6 )-mes t- stand in ;-r the antis-)ial ;-r)e -; the
=death> dri3e that threatens the ;antas6 -; ;.t.rit6 and meanin+;.lness> :i&)rin&> a* he #)t* it> ?the
a3ailabilit6 -; an .nthinkable D-.issan)e that 1-.ld (.t an end t- ;antas6 N and@ 1ith it@ t- ;.t.rit6 Q
b6 red.)in+ the ass.ran)e -; meanin+ in ;antas6Fs (r-mise -; )-ntin.it6 t- the meanin+less
)ir).lati-ns and re(etiti-ns -; the dri3eA <3+=. Th)* *inth(m(*e2)alit3 i* the $)lt)ral :anta*3 that #)t* the
h(m(*e2)al in the #la$e (: the *inth(me. I did .(nder> readin& thi*> h(. *(methin& a* *in&)lar and *#e$i:i$
t( a &i0en *)5De$t a* the *inth(me $()ld take the :(rm (: a $(lle$ti0e $)lt)ral :anta*3. It .()ld th)* 5e
intere*tin& t( #)t EdelmanJ* ar&)ment in dial(&)e .ith Tere*a de La)reti*J* .(rk (n $)lt)ral re#re*entati(n*
(: the death dri0e (r> in an(ther 0ein> .ith @a0id Carri(ttJ* .(rk all($atin& *inth(mati$ *tat)* t( 5la$kne**
<n(t hi* term*= in the $)lt)ral :anta*ie* (: ra$iali*t *($ial (rder*. )t EdelmanJ* readin&*> .hi$h in$l)de :ilm
<Eit$h$($k=> #(liti$al *#ee$he*> ad0erti*ement*> ne.* *t(rie*> literar3 te2t* <@i$ken* and Eli(t=> and e0en
m)*i$al* <Annie> Le* CiF=> #r(d)$e $(n$rete and ima&inati0e e2am#le* (: the $)lt)ral :anta*3 (: :)t)rit3
l($ated in the :i&)re (: the $hild and the threat t( that :anta*3 :i&)red 53 a h(m(*e2)alit3 that i* ima&ined t(
re#re*ent death. The (5*er0ati(n that in a h-m-(h-bi) ).lt.re> h(m(*e2)alit3 Q (r A.eerness> a* Edelman
*a3* it *h()ld m(re a##r(#riatel3 5e named <3+= Q is made t- stand in ;-r the anti*($ial> :(r death> :(r a
re:)*al (: #r(d)$ti0e :)t)ri*m> i* n(t ne.. )t 1hat distin+.ishes EdelmanFs anal6sis :r(m (ther *imilar
dia&n(*ti$* i* his re)-mmendati-ns ;-r the 1a6s A.eers and A.eer (-liti)s -.+ht t- res(-nd@ that is@ n(t
(nl3 b6 )laimin+ ;-r -.rsel3es )-m(etin+ re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.risms@ h-ldin+ the 3er6 same )hild .( in
-.r t1-Gm-mm6@ t1-Gdadd6 arms as 1e (r-.dl6 de)laim its ri+ht;.l inheritan)e -; ;.t.re bene;its@ b.t
als- b6 takin+ -n and takin+ .( the a)).sati-n that 1e re(resent the end -; the ;.t.re as 1e <the6G=
kn-1 it> 53 re:)*in& li5eral #(liti$* and *a3in& e2#li$itl3 .hat La. and the -(#e and the .h(le (: the
S3m5(li$ (rder :(r .hi$h the3 *tand hear an3.a3 in ea$h and e0er3 e2#re**i(n (r mani:e*tati(n (: P)eer
*e2)alit3, %)$k the *($ial (rder and the Child in .h(*e name .eJre $(lle$ti0el3 terr(riFedK :)$k AnnieK :)$k
the .ai: :r(m Le* Ci*K :)$k the #((r> inn($ent kid (n the NetK :)$k La.* 5(th .ith $a#ital l* and .ith *mallK
:)$k the .h(le net.(rk (: S3m5(li$ relati(n* and the :)t)re that *er0e* a* it* #r(#. <2+=
24
K Lab Adam Pease
###LINKS###
25
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 9eneri)
$heir id-li?ati-n -; a ;.t.re ne)essaril6 de(endent -n heter-+enital re(r-d.)ti-n
re(r-d.)es ;as)ism thr-.+h the sa)rali?ati-n -; the Child.
$he Child is@ in EdelmanO* 0ie.> the .ltimate s6mb-l -; 1hat it means t- be H.man s- hi* e5tri)atin+ (:
himsel; ;r-m J-.r ).rrent )a(ti3it6 t- ;.t.rismJs l-+i)J =153> thr-.+h his insisten)e that Jthe ;.t.re st-(
hereJ <31= al*( entails a reDe)ti-n -; the Child. The :a$e> the identi;ier -; the (h6si)alit6 -; the H.man
=Ea)Neill 1//'>@ )-mes in ;-r )riti)ism ;r-m Edelman 1h- ar+.es that it is thr-.+h Jthe ;as)ism -; the
bab6Js ;a)eJ that (-liti)s N al1a6s the mani;estati-n -; re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism in his estimati-n B
*)5mit* )* t( heter-n-rmati3it6Js Js-3erei+n a.th-rit6J <2664> 151=. The maltreatment (: $hildren>
e*#e$iall3 53 )leri)al members -; h-m-(h-bi) -r+anisati-ns s.)h as the Cath-li) Ch.r)h@ ill.strates
the ;a)t that the ;i+.re -; the Child is m-re -;ten than n-t em#l(3ed as a )6ni)al strate+6 N a shi;tin+
h-m-(h-bi) si+ni;ier N t( &i0e the (rat(r a Jm-ralJ ad3anta+e in )-ndemnati-ns -; h-m-se5.alit6. Like
<itti+Js ;-rm.lati-n -; the strai+ht mind@ re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism )ann-t J)-n)ei3e -; a ).lt.re@ a
s-)iet6 1here heter-se5.alit6 1-.ld n-t -rder n-t -nl6 all h.man relati-nshi(s b.t als- its 3er6
(r-d.)ti-n -; )-n)e(ts and all the (r-)esses 1hi)h es)a(e )-ns)i-.sness ... K6-.G1illGbeGstrai+htG-rG
6-.G1illGn-tGbeKJ =<itti+ 1//2@ 2'>. EdelmanJs res(-nse is t- re;.se t- (la6 the +ame -; the d-minant
).lt.re b6 )ham(i-nin+ Jthe im(-ssible (r-De)t -; a A.eer -((-siti-nalit6J that J1-.ld -((-se itsel; t-
the l-+i) -; -((-siti-nJ itsel; <2664> 4=.
$he rhet-ri) -; Bs.r3i3alC -r B;i+htin+ a+ainst the ;.t.reC im(li)itl6 3al-ri?es the Child
and s.bseA.entl6 re(r-d.)ti3e se5. $his kind -; heter-n-rmati3e dis)-.rse )-nstr.)ts a
tem(-ral -(erati-n t- 1hi)h A.eerness is inherentl6 anta+-nisti).
Li((ert G 4ni0er*it3 A**i*tant in Ameri$an St)die* S the 4ni0er*it3 (: /ienna 8 200' <Le(#(ld> Utopian
Contemporaries: Queer Temporality and America> the*i*> N(0em5er. L-@% !nline SM
(the*.)ni0ie.a$.at/2"1"/1/266"B11B26T6363723.#d:= A$$e**ed 67.62.11 D:*
Edelman (#en* hi* 5((k .ith .hat he m(de*tl3 term* ?a *im#le #r(0($ati(nA <%)t)re> 3=> and .hat
en$a#*)late* the :)tilit3 (: an a::irmati0e and a**imilati(ni*t P)eer #(liti$*. Ee ar+.es Bthat A.eerness
names L...M the side -.tside the )-nsens.s b6 1hi)h all (-liti)s )-n;irms the abs-l.te 3al.e -;
re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rismA <%)t)re> 3=> and re3eals the im(li)itl6 h-m-(h-bi) dis)-.rse -; all the &bamas
and &FS.lli3ans 1h- are ;i+htin+ ;-r the ;.t.re -; -.r )hildren and -.r +rand)hildren. $he ;.t.rist
bias t-1ards heter-n-rmati3it6 has been ;.eled@ as O.dith %.tler (-ints -.t@ b6 B;ears ab-.t
re(r-d.)ti3e relati-nsC <?Kin*hi#A> 21=> b6 )n$ann3 an5ieties -3er the (r-s(e)t that A.eer )iti?enshi(
ma6 inter;ere 1ith a nati-n Bima+ined ;-r ;et.ses and )hildrenA <erlant> 9)een> 1=> and 53 the
:)ndamental antithe*i* that the P)eer and the $hild em5(d3. $he (rin)i(al )-n)ern -; ;.t.rist Ameri)a@
then@ is the ;ate -; its -;;s(rin+@ e5(ressed in a ;ear;.l inA.ir6, ?;hat ha##en* t( the $hild> the $hild> the
#((r $hild> the mart3red :i&)re (: an (*ten*i5l3 *el:i*h (r d(&&ed *($ial #r(&re**i0i*mGA <)tler> ?Kin*hi#A>
21=. Edelman re)-+ni?es that the m6thi)al )hild 8 as the e(it-me -; a heter-n-rmati3e ;.t.reG-riented
s-)ial 8 )an -nl6 be sa3ed b6 a Bmarria+e -; identit6 t- ;.t.rit6 in -rder t- reali?e the s-)ial s.bDe)tC
<%)t)re> 14=> .hi$h lead* him t( the en*)in& $laim that (nl3 the linear tem#(ral #r($e** (: ?e0er a:terin&A
<?A:terA> 476> em#ha*i* in the (ri&inal= $an kee# ?*($iet3 ali0eA <?A:terA> 476=. Heter-n-rmati3e Ameri)a@
a))-rdin+l6@ is )-nstit.ted thr-.+h its -1n (-sterit6@ thr-.+h a tem(-ral -(erati-n t- 1hi)h A.eerness
is inherentl6 anta+-nisti). In an ima+ined )-mm.nit6 that relies -n ;.t.rism as its li;eG+i3in+ en+ine@
then@ Bthe A.eer )-mes t- ;i+.re the bar t- e3er6 reali?ati-n -; ;.t.rit6@ the resistan)e@ internal t- the
s-)ial@ t- e3er6 s-)ial str.)t.re -r ;-rmA <Edelman> %)t)re> 4=.
26
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 S(a)e E5(l-rati-n
$he A;;irmati3e re(resents an -bsessi-n 1ith s(a)e e5(l-rati-n 1hi)h em(l-6s m6ths -;
Eani;est Destin6 and the *inal *r-ntier t- ;ashi-n Ameri)a in the m-ld -; re(r-d.)ti3e
;.t.rism.
Li((ert G 4ni0er*it3 A**i*tant in Ameri$an St)die* S the 4ni0er*it3 (: /ienna 8 200' <Le(#(ld> Utopian
Contemporaries: Queer Temporality and America> the*i*> N(0em5er. L-@% !nline SM
(the*.)ni0ie.a$.at/2"1"/1/266"B11B26T6363723.#d:= A$$e**ed 67.62.11 D:*
Per(et.atin+ the ;.t.rist re+ime@ Star $rek e5(li)itl6 dra1s -n the 3-)ab.lar6 -; Ameri)an m6ths.
?E6thA> Lin$(ln 9era+ht6 )laims in a readin& (: the le&endar3 P)alitie* (: Ameri$an *$ien$e :i$ti(n>
?ser3es as a m-de -; nati-nal identit6Gmakin+A <1+2=. In hi* ar&)ment> he a)kn-1led+es the he+em-ni)
)a(ital -; m6th and )-n)l.des that BR)S-.ntries thri3e -n m6ths t- )reate@ s.bstantiate@ and (reser3e
their nati-nal identit6A <1+2=. In the )ase -; Star $rek@ m-st s)h-lars a+ree that the Ameri)an m6ths
e3-ked m-st ;reA.entl6 and m-st n-tabl6 are the d-)trine -; Eani;est Destin6 and the idea -; the
;r-ntier.22 %-th ).lt.ral )-n)e(ts> .hi$h I alread3 di*$)**ed in &reater detail in the :ir*t $ha#ter (: thi*
the*i*> ;ashi-n Ameri)a as a nati-n -; ;.t.rit6@ and the6 install an ide-l-+i)al ;rame1-rk that makes
re(r-d.)ti3e e5(ansi-n its )entral -bDe)ti3e. Indeed> ea$h e#i*(de (: the (ri&inal *erie* 5e&in* .ith the
a**erti(n that *#a$e i* ?the :inal :r(ntierA <Ptd. In Ale2ander> 253=> and that the im#erati0e (: the *tar*hi#
Enter#ri*e and it* $re. i* ?t( *eek ()t ne. li:e and ne. $i0iliFati(n*A <Ptd. In Ale2ander> 253=. The :am()*
a*#irati(n ?t( 5(ldl3 &( .here n( man ha* &(ne 5e:(reA <Ptd. In Ale2ander> 253=> then> l($ate* the *erie* at
the heart (: the m3thi$al :)t)ri*t re&ime and ?end(.*A> a* 8era&ht3 #(int* ()t> ?Star Trek .ith n)mer()*
inherent $)lt)rall3 *an$ti(ned meanin&* and ide(l(&i$al inter#retati(n* linked t( .e*t.ard e2#an*i(nA <1+2=.

The Enter#ri*e it*el:> @aniel ernardi maintain*> ?i* dra.n :r(m and e2tend* the hi*t(r3 (: the Ameri$an
.a&(n trainA <77=. In the :)t)ri*t re$a#it)lati(n (: the e2#an*i(ni*t *ettler *#irit> the Enter#ri*e 5e$(me* the
#aram()nt 0e**el (: the re#r(d)$ti0e 0ent)re int( the )nkn(.n. 'ei:3in& the 5(ld $laim* (: Cani:e*t
@e*tin3> 5(th the .a&(n train and the Enter#ri*e ?ena5leA> a* ernardi ar&)e*> ?their ($$)#ant* t( d(minate
and d(me*ti$ate the :r(ntierA <77=. %-th ser3e as 3ehi)les that e5(and a (arti).larl6 BAmeri)anC 3isi-n
-; )-mm.nal relati-ns> (n the (ne hand> and (: *#e$i:i$ tem#(ral :(rmati(n*> (n the (ther> as b-th Bse).re@
in the ;-rm -; the ;.t.reC@ as Edelman 1-.ld (.t it@ Bthe -rder -; the sameC <%)t)re> 151=.
Star $rekFs (ri&inal -.tl--k is al*( hea3il6 indebted t- H(hn %. Kenned6Fs idea -; the Ne1 *r-ntier@ a
rhet-ri)al amal+amati-n that in)l.des ?a$ti0i*t :(rei&n #(li$3 aimed at $hallen&in& C(mm)ni*m in the
Third ;(rld> and L...M a massi3e e;;-rt t- ad3an)e nati-nal (resti+e thr-.+h the manned s(a)e (r-+ramA
<;(rland> 26=. A 3irt.al rein)arnati-n -; Ha$k Kenned6> Oim Kirk )a(itali?es -n the 1+66*J -bsessi-n
1ith the te)hn-l-+i)al e5(l-rati-n -; -.ter s(a)e 7 .hi$h at the *ame re#re*ented a 0i(lent $(m#)l*i(n t(
$(ntain the in:l)en$e (: the S(0iet 4ni(n 7 and (-siti-ns his )re1 at the )enter -; the Ameri)an ;.t.rist
(r-De)t. H)*t like H(hn %. Kenned3> Star Trek di*#la3ed &reat e2#erti*e in> a* 'i$k ;(rland ar&)e*> ?reB
$(n$e#t)aliFLin&M traditi(nal :r(ntier *3m5(li*m in .a3* meanin&:)l t( m(dern #e(#leA <22=. In Star $rek@
the Ne1 *r-ntier and the *inal *r-ntier )-in)ide0 the )-mm-n (r-De)t the6 en+a+e in is re(r-d.)ti3e
;.t.rism.
27
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 $em(-ralit6
N-ti-ns -; tem(-ralit6@ and the ;init.de -; e5isten)e@ like birth@ marria+e@ the ne)essit6 t-
re(r-d.)e and death all )lash 1ith A.eered .nderstandin+s -; the (assa+e -; time.
N-rmati3e tem(-ralities that (ri3ile+e ;.t.rism im(li)itl6 den6 the (-ssibilit6 ;-r A.eer
e5isten)e.
Li((ert G 4ni0er*it3 A**i*tant in En&li*h and Ameri$an St)die* S the 4ni0er*it3 (: /ienna 7 200' Le(#(ld>
4t(#ian C(ntem#(rarie*, 9)eer Tem#(ralit3 and Ameri$a> the*i*> N(0em5er. L-@% !nline SM
I .ill ret)rn t( the ne&ati0i*t and anta&(ni*ti$ $laim* that N( %)t)re make*> 5)t> ha0in& de*$ri5ed the
$(ntem#(rar3 7 an e#(n3m()* n(ti(n (: thi* the*i* 7 a* P)eer tem#(ralit3> I :ind it indi*#en*a5le t( *)r0e3
re$ent intelle$t)al de5ate* (n thi* i**)e. !0er the la*t :i0e 3ear*> P)eer tem#(ralit3 ha* &ained en(rm()*
a$ademi$ $)rren$3. @e*#ite heated ar&)ment* (0er it* e2a$t t3#(l(&3> A.eer tem(-ralit6 seems t- be set
a(art b6 its re(.diati-n -; strai+ht 8 linear@ seA.ential@ and re(r-d.)ti3e 8 time ;rames and its
resistan)e t- tele-l-+i)al ).lt.ral narrati3es. EliFa5eth %reeman> :(r in*tan$e> *)&&e*t* that the ?*en*ati(n
(: a*3n$hr(n3A <?Intr(d)$ti(nA> 15+= ma3 5e remini*$ent (: P)eer time> .hile Carla %re$$er( $reate* an
?alternati0e tem#(ral m(delA <4"+=> .hi$h *he ()tline* a* ?LPM)eer *#e$tralit3 7 &h(*tl3 ret)rn* *)::)*ed
.ith a::e$ti0e materialit3A <4"+=. %(r N&)3en Tan E(an&> ?a *en*e (: 5elatedne**A <@in*ha. et al.> 1"3= i* a
$r)$ial attri5)te (: P)eer tem#(ralit3> .hile Kate Th(ma* :ind* her *($i(tem#(ral *(l)ti(n in the
?#re#(*iti(nal P)alit3 (: P)eerA <61+> em#ha*i* in the (ri&inal=> .hi$h i*> a* *he remind* )*> ?relati(nal
rather than tele(l(&i$alA <61+=. T(m (ell*t(r::> in hi* anal3*i* (: the ?4nited State*> .here millenariani*m
ha* a #arti$)lar hi*t(ri$al and $(ntem#(rar3 re:eren$eA <22"=> #(*t)late* that A.eer tem(-ralit6 is
)-in)idental@ a Btime in 1hi)h time ;alls rather than (asses@ a A.eer meantime that embra)es
)-ntaminati-n and imbri)ati-n <22"=. H)dith Halberstam@ in a m-re (-liti)al ar+.ment that .ill 5e
#r(minent later in thi* the*i*> )laims that BA.eer s.b).lt.res (r-d.)e alternati3e tem(-ralities L...M that
lie -.tside -; th-se (aradi+mati) markers -; li;e e5(erien)e 8 namel6 birth@ marria+e@ re(r-d.)ti-n@
and deathA <2= and ;inds A.eer tem(-ralit6 in -((-siti-n t- these tem(-ral (aradi+ms@ in 1hat she
)alls a Bstret)hedG-.t ad-les)en)eC <153=. EliFa5eth *reeman , in 3et an(ther arti$le> strikes a similar
)h-rd. She als- anal6?es the n-rmati3e (-1ers -; e3er6da6 tem(-ral -r+ani?ati-n and ar+.es that
BLnMe-liberalism des)ribes the needs -; e3er6-ne else@ e3er6-ne it e5(l-its@ as sim(l6@ +eneri)all6@
de;erredA <?ind*A> 5"=. :.eer tem(-ralit6@ all these the-reti)ians assert@ resists a dramati) )-n)e(ti-n
-; time. Instead@ it is )-ntem(-rar60 )-in)idental@ as6n)hr-n-.s@ belated@ -r de;erred@ h-(elessl6
la++in+ behind an a++ressi3e ;.t.rism that denies an6 (-ssibilit6 ;-r A.eer e5isten)e.
2"
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 Identit6 Cate+-ries
N-ti-ns -; stati) identit6 d- n-t a)).ratel6 des)ribe A.eerness. Labels like B+a6C -r
BlesbianC are -nl6 .se;.l ins-;ar as the6 are determined t- be l.di) si+ns 1ith n-
dis)ernable te5t.al )-heren)e.
E-rt-n 1//5<@(nald C(rt(n> -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h S3ra$)*e 4ni0er*it3> ?irth (: the C35erP)eer>A Ca3 1++5
-CLA> /(l)me 116> N(. 3> ##. 36+B3"1> D*t(r=
$he A.eer s.bDe)t is de(ri3ed -; the (-ssibilit6 n(t (nl3 -; s(eakin+ ;-r <(ther* (r e0en it*el:= 5)t al*( (:
*#eakin& in the name -;0 it $ann(t *#eak in the name (: an6 (rin)i(le@ s.)h as s-)ial D.sti)e <an )#Bt(Bdate
#(*iti(n arti$)lated in Stanle3 %i*hO* de$larati(n NI d(nOt ha0e an3 #rin$i#le*N L2+"M=. As a s-)ial )-nstr.)t
that )an -nl6 a)t sel; re;le5i3el6@ b6 de)-nstr.)tin+ itsel;> the <#(*t=B m(dern *)5De$t $an (nl3 #er:(rm> n(t
#ra$ti$e. In the term* made :amiliar 53 H)dith )tler> .h(*e .(rk de$(n*tr)$t* the n-ti-n -; =+ender>
identit6@ the s.bDe)tJs a)ti-ns are Kn-t e5(ressi3e b.t (er;-rmati3eN <8ender Tr()5le 141=. In (ther
.(rd*> the6 d- n-t e5(ress the s.bDe)tJs inner essen)e <*()l> *#irit> #*3$he> et$.=> a* the m(derni*t traditi(n
#r(#(*e*> (r e0en *(me $(n*tr)$ted and e2i*tin& identit3> a* the <#(*t=m(derni*t #(*iti(n mi&ht im#l3. H)*t a*
a)drillard )nder*tand* the *im)la$r)m t( 5e a $(#3 that ha* n( (ri&inal and that render* all re#re*entati(n*
$(#3 e::e$t* <*ee Sim)lati(n*=> )tler )nder*tand* &ender a* a &ender e::e$t> a *im)lati(n (r mimi$r3 (:
n(thin& that i* #ri(r t( it> a n(nre:erential re#etiti(n.N $here is>N )tler ar&)e*> Nn- +ender identit6 behind
e5(ressi-ns -; +enderI that identit6 is (er;-rmati3el6 )-nstit.ted b6 the 3er6 Je5(ressi-nsJ that are said
t- be its res.ltsK <8ender Tr()5le 25=. The *)5De$t 5e$(me* .hat @ele)Fe and 8)attari $all an Na*i&ni:3in&
#arti$leN <A Th()*and -latea)* 4=. S.)h a (-siti-n leads %.tler t- de)lare that alth-.+h she 1ill .se Kthe
si+n -; lesbian@K she 1ill d- s- -nl6 -n )-nditi-n that it is K(ermanentl6 .n)lear 1hat (re)isel6 that
si+n si+ni;iesN< NImitati(nN1 4=. T( 5e &a3 i* t( ha0e a mere identit3K t- be A.eer is t- enter and )elebrate
the l.di) s(a)e -; te5t.al indetermina)6. A* 8re&(r3 red5e$k de$lare* in the P)eer m(de>
NE(m(*e2)alit3 i* te2t)alit3 in it* m(*t #(tent and #(*tm(dern :(rmN <255=.
2+
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 :.eer Allian)e / In)-r(-rati-n
N-ti-ns -; BA.eer allian)eC are n-thin+ m-re than attem(ts t- in)-r(-rate the A.eer int-
an e5istin+ s-)ial -rder that 1ill -nl6 d-mesti)ate di;;eren)e.
@ri0e>A 2664> ##. 4B5=
,ather than reDe)tin+> .ith li5eral di*$()r*e> thi* as)ri(ti-n -; ne+ati3it6 t- the A.eer@ 1e mi+ht> a* I
ar&)e> d- better t- )-nsider a$$e#tin& and e0en embra)in+ it. N(t in the h(#e (: :(r&in& there53 *(me
m(re #er:e$t *($ial 7 *)$h a h(#e> a:ter all> .()ld (nl3 re#r(d)$e the $(n*trainin& mandate (: :)t)ri*m> D)*t
a* an3 *)$h (rder .()ld eP)all3 ($$a*i(n the ne&ati0it3 (: the P)eer 7 5)t rather t- re;.se the insisten)e -;
h-(e itsel; as a;;irmati-n> 1hi)h is al1a6s a;;irmati-n -; an -rder 1h-se re;.sal 1ill re+ister as
.nthinkable@ irres(-nsible@ inh.mane. And the tr)m# $ard (: a::irmati(nG Al.a3* the P)e*ti(n, I: n(t thi*>
.hatG Al.a3* the demand t( tran*late the in*i*ten$e> the #)l*i0e :(r$e> (: ne&ati0it3 int( *(me determinate
*tan$e (r ?#(*iti(nA .h(*e determinati(n .()ld th)* ne&ate it, al.a3* the im#erati0e t( imm)re it in *(me
*ta5le and #(*iti0e :(rm. ;hen I ar&)e> then> that 1e mi+ht d- 1ell t- attem(t 1hat is s.rel6 im(-ssible 7
t- 1ithdra1 -.r alle+ian)e> h(.e0er $(m#)l*(r3> ;r-m a realit6 based -n the P-n?i s)heme -;
re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism 7 I d( n(t intend t( #r(#(*e *(me ?&((dA that .ill there53 5e a**)red. T( the
$(ntrar3> I mean t( in*i*t that n(thin& and $ertainl3 n(t .hat .e $all ?&((d>A $an e0er ha0e an3 a**)ran$e at
all in the (rder (: the S3m5(li$. AbD.rin+ ;idelit6 t- a ;.t.rism thatFs al1a6s (.r)hased at -.r e5(ense@
th-.+h b-.nd@ as S6mb-li) s.bDe)ts )-nsi+ned t- ;i+.re the S6mb-li)Fs .nd-in+@ t- the ne)essar6
)-ntradi)ti-n -; tr6in+ t- t.rn its intelli+ibilit6 a+ainst itsel;@ 1e mi+ht rather@ ;i+.rati3el6@ )ast -.r
3-te ;-r Bn-ne -; the ab-3e@C ;-r the (rima)6 -; a )-nstant n- in res(-nse t- the la1 -; the S6mb-li)>
.hi$h .()ld e$h( that la.J* :()ndati(nal a$t> it* *el:B$(n*tit)tin& ne&ati(n. The *tr)$t)rin& (#timi*m (:
#(liti$* t( .hi$h the (rder (: meanin& $(mmit* )*> i* in*tallin& a* it d(e* the #er#et)al h(#e (: rea$hin&
meanin& thr()&h a* it d(e* the #er#et)al h(#e (: rea$hin& meanin& thr()&h *i&ni:i$ati(n> i* al.a3*> I .()ld
ar&)e a ne&ati(n (: thi* #rimal> $(n*tit)ti0e> ne&ati0e a$t. And the 3ari-.s (-siti3ities (r-d.)ed in it* 1ake
53 the l(&i$ -; (-liti)al h-(e de(end -n the mathemati)al ill.si-n that ne+ated ne+ati-ns mi&ht
s-meh-1 es)a(e> and n(t red()5le> *)$h ne+ati3it6. C3 #(lemi$ th)* *take* it* :(rt)ne* (n a tr)l3 h(#ele**
.a&er, that takin+ the S6mb-li)Fs ne+ati3it6 t- the 3er6 letter -; the la1@ that attendin+ t- the
(ersisten)e -; s-methin+ internal t- reas-n that reas-n re;.ses@ that t.rnin+ the ;-r)e -; A.eerness
a+ainst all s.bDe)ts@ h-1e3er A.eer@ )an a;;-rd an a))ess t- the D-.issan)e that at -n)e de;ines and
ne+ates .s. !r 5etter, $an e2#(*e the $(n*tan$3> the ine*$a#a5ilit3> (: *)$h a$$e** t( D()i**an$e in the *($ial
(rder it*el:> e0en i: that (rder $an a$$e** it* $(n*tant a$$e** t( D()i**an$e (nl3 in the #r($e** (: a5De$tin& that
$(n*tan$3 (: a$$e** (nt( the P)eer.
36
K Lab Adam Pease
Link 8 *illin+ the la)k
:.eerness is La)k 8 the A.eer re(resents )ertain (arti).larities -; the ,eal that the limited
3-)ab.lar6 -; the S6mb-li) -rder is )a(able -; des)ribin+@ (r-3idin+ ne)essar6 reass.ran)e
t- the ;i5ed n-rmati3e identities e5istin+ 1ithin the S6mb-li). Attem(ts t- (a(er -3er this
inherent +a( -; si+ni;i)ati-n are +enerated b6 and +enerati3e -; str.)t.ral 3i-len)e a+ainst
A.eerness.
@ri0e>A 2664> ##. 25B27=
%-.nd .( 1ith the ;irst -; these death dri3es is the ;i+.re -; the Child@ ena)tin+ a l-+i) -; re(etiti-n
that ;i5es identit6 thr-.+h identi;i)ati-n 1ith the ;.t.re (: the *($ial (rder. %-.nd .( 1ith the se)-nd is
the ;i+.re -; the A.eer@ emb-d6in+ that -rderFs tra.mati) en)-.nter 1ith its -1n ines)a(able ;ail.re@
its en)-.nter 1ith the ill.si-n -; the ;.t.re as s.t.re t- bind the )-nstit.ti3e 1-.nd -; the s.bDe)tFs
s.bDe)ti-n t- the si+ni;ier@ 1hi)h di3ides it@ (arad-5i)all6@ b-th ;r-m and int- itsel;. In the #re:a$e t(
Homgraphesis I .r(te that the si+ni;ier B+a6@C .nderst--d Bas a ;i+.re ;-r the te5t.alit6> the rhet(ri$it3>
(: the *e2)alY desi+nates the +a( -r in)-heren)e that e3er6 dis)-.rse -; U*e2)alit3J (r Mse5.al identit6F
1-.ld master.A E2tendin& that $laim> I n(. *)&&e*t that A.eer se5.alities@ ine2tri$a5le :r(m the emer&en$e
(: the *)5De$t in the S3m5(li$> mark the (la)e -; the +a( in 1hi)h the S6mb-li) )-n;r-nts 1hat its
dis)-.rse is in)a(able -; kn-1in+> 1hi)h is als- the (la)e -; a D-.issan)e ;r-m 1hi)h it )an ne3er
es)a(e. A* a :i&)re :(r .hat It $an neither :)ll3 arti$)late n(r a$kn(.led&e> the P)eer ma3 #r(0ide the
S3m5(li$ .ith a *(rt (: ne$e**ar3 rea**)ran$e 53 *eemin& t( &i0e a name t( .hat> a* 'eal> remain*
)nnama5le. )t re#)diati(n* (: that :i&)ral identit3> re:le$tin& a li5eral :aith in the a5*tra$t )ni0er*alit3 (: the
*)5De$t> th()&h 5etter ena5lin& the e2ten*i(n (: ri&ht* t( th(*e .h( are *till denied them> m)*t similarly
rea**)re 53 atte*tin& t( the *eamle** $(heren$e (: the S3m5(li$ .h(*e d(minant narrati0e .()ld th)*
*)#er*ede the $(rr(*i0e :(r$e (: P)eer ir(n3. I: the P)eerJ* a5De$ti:ied di::eren$e> that i*> *e$)re*
n(rmati0it3J* identit3> the P)eerJ* di*a0(.al (: that di::eren$e a::irm* n(rmati0it3J* *in&)lar tr)th. *-r
e3er6 re;.sal -; the ;i+.ral stat.s t- 1hi)h A.eers are distin)ti3el6 )alled re(r-d.)es the tri.m(h -;
narrati3e as the alle+-ri?ati-n -; ir-n6 as the l-+i) -; a tem(-ralit6 that al1a6s ser3es t- Bstrai+htenC
it -.t@ and th.s (r-)laims the .ni3ersalit6 -; re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism. S.)h re;.sal (er;-rm@ des(ite
themsel3es@ s.bser3ien)e t- the la1 that e;;e)ti3el6 im(-ses (-liti)s as the -nl6 +ame in t-1n@ e5a)tin+
as the (ri)e -; admissi-n the s.bDe)tFs =heter->n-rmali?ati-n@ 1hi)h is a))-m(lished@ re+ardless -;
se5.al (ra)ti)e -r se5.al B-rientati-n@C thr-.+h )-m(.ls-r6 abD.rati-n -; the ;.t.reGne+atin+ A.eer.
31
K Lab Adam Pease
A;;0 Perm.tati-n
$he (erm.tati-n is a means -; re)-+ni?in+ the trans;-rmati3e (-tential -; the ;.t.re as an
.nt-.)hed +r-.nd ;-r s-)ial )han+e@ A.eerness needs t- dra1 stren+th ;r-m its -1n
a++ressi3e )-n;r-ntati-n 1ith heter-se5.alit6@ rather than a))e(t the ne+ati3it6 (r-De)ted
-nt- it b6 heter-se5.alit6.
%ateman 200! <' enDamin ateman> d($t(ral $andidate in En&li*h at the 4ni0er*it3 (: /ir&inia> S#rin& 2666>
The Cinne*(ta 'e0ie.> (nline,
htt#,//....theminne*(tare0ie..(r&/D()rnal/n*6566/5atemanTrT5enDaminTn*6566T*t:1.*html=
Certain reader* mi&ht $ha:e at EdelmanO* *)&&e*ti(n that )tlerO* #(liti$* i* in*)::i$ientl3 radi$al. A:ter all>
)tler ha* 5een $riti$iFed> like Edelman> :(r tra::i$kin& in re$(ndite the(rie* and #(*tm(dern ar&(t and :(r
:ailin& t( (::er a 0ia5le m(del (: #(liti$al a&en$3. T( 5e *)re> )tlerO* #(*tB*tr)$t)rali*t and %()$a)ltian
$(mmitment* $(n*train her a5ilit3 t( #(*it a *ta5le #(liti$al a&ent and t( $(n$ei0e a #(liti$* that .()ld
radi$all3 (##(*e> rather than merel3 rein:(r$e (r mar&inall3 rein:le$t> a d(minant $)lt)ral (rder. )t in her
re)ent 1-rk> #erha#* m(*t *trikin&l3 in 2664O* 4nd(in& 9ender@ %.tler has t.rned t- the KA.esti-n -;
s-)ial trans;-rmati-nN <the title (: 48O* tenth $ha#ter=> ar+.in+> P)ite #r(&rammati$all3> that s-)ial
trans;-rmati-n NYis a A.esti-n -; de3el-(in+@ .ithin la.> .ithin #*3$hiatr3> .ithin *($ial and literar3
the(r3> a ne1 le+itimatin+ le5i)-n ;-r the +ender )-m(le5it6 that 1e ha3e al1a6s been li3in+N <21+=.
Le*t *he 5e a$$)*ed (: n(minali*m> )tler *tre**e* the im#(rtan$e (: real 5(die* in :(r&in& *)$h a
0($a5)lar3, NYthe b-d6 is that 1hi)h )an -)).(6 the n-rm in m6riad 1a6s@ e5)eed the n-rm@ re1-rk
the n-rm@ and e5(-se realities t- 1hi)h 1e th-.+ht 1e 1ere )-n;ined as -(en t- trans;-rmati-nN <217=.
<hile Edelman reDe)ts the ;.t.re as a site -; s-)ial re(r-d.)ti-n@ %.tler (ri?es it as a s(a)e -;
.n)ertaint6@ an ambi+.-.s terrain .(-n 1hi)h )-m(etin+ and (erha(s .n;-reseeable )laims 1ill be
made and ne1 s-)ial -rders elab-rated.
%.tlerJs m-del -;;ers A.eer the-r6 a bri+hter ;.t.re than EdelmanJ*> n(t *im#l3 5e$a)*e it $(n:er*
a&en$3 )#(n *($ial a$t(r* and hi&hli&ht* the *($ialO* $a#a$it3 :(r tran*:(rmati(n> 5)t be)a.se it s.(ersedes
the liberal in)l.si3eness ;-r 1hi)h Edelman ;a.lts it. %.tlerJs A.eer 1-rld is n(t -ne in 1hi)h the
d(minant (rder remain* *ta5le a* it in$(r#(rate*> (r in&e*t*> #eri#heral *e2)alitie* int( it* :(ld. 'ather> it i*
(ne in .hi$h the (eri(her6 remakes the )enter@ rearti).latin+ 1hat it means t- be Kn-rmalK -r
KAmeri)anK -r KA.eer.K $h.s@ A.eers d- n-t sim(l6 enter s-)iet6 -n heter-se5.alit6Js termsI the6
re)ast s.)h terms@ sei?in+ .(-n instabilities in si+ni;i)ati-n t- elab-rate (re3i-.sl6 .narti).lated and
(erha(s .nanti)i(atable 1a6s -; li;e. EdelmanO* #(int that OP)eerO name* Nthe re*i*tan$e (: the *($ial t(
it*el:N <2662= $(m5at* the 0er3 antiB:)t)ri*m he end(r*e*K in thi* :(rm)lati(n> P)eerne** :)n$ti(n* a* the
:(r$e that #re0ent* a #arti$)lar *($ial (rder :r(m $(in$idin& .ith it*el:> :r(m $(n&ealin& int( a :)t)rele**
ni&htmare. 9)eer> then> mi&ht den(te the in*ta5ilit3 (: all n(rm* and *($ial (rder*> their intrin*i$ $a#a$it3 :(r
$han&e
<e sh-.ld embra)e the Child n-t as a s6mb-l -; -.r )-lle)ti3e ;.t.re b.t rather as a
A.eerable s6mb-l that )an be .sed t- ;.rther (r-blemati?e the s6stem. $he (erm.tati-n
s-l3es best.
9)eer the(ri*t* m(re #(liti$all3 #r(&rammati$ than Edelman :reP)entl3 ne&le$t thi* #(int. Ci$hael ;arner>
:(r e2am#le> a$$)*e* &a3* and le*5ian* .h( a*#ire t( marria&e (: $a0in&> in a**imilati(ni*t :a*hi(n> t(
heter(*e2)al n(rm* #er$ei0ed a* demand*. )t A.eers ne3er e5ist )-m(letel6 -.tside *)$h n-rmsQand
th.s )ann-t@ l-+i)all6@ s.)).mb t- themNand marria+e and )hildrearin+ mi+ht n-t l--k the same 1ith
+a6s -n b-ard. A:ter all> &a3* .h( ha0e 5een tra)matiFed 53 their #arent*O h(m(#h(5ia and le**(n* (:
$(m#)l*(r3 heter(*e2)alit3 are #r(5a5l3 le** likel3 than their heter(*e2)al $()nter#art* t( re#eat *)$h
32
K Lab Adam Pease
mi*take*. In*(:ar a* married &a3* retain $(nne$ti(n* t( le** traditi(nal element* (: P)eer $)lt)re> 1e )ann-t
ass.me that the6 1ill aband-n their ;i+hts ;-r se5.al ;reed-m@ )-n;-rm entirel6 t- all matrim-nial
traditi-ns@ -r t.rn their ba)ks .(-n their (r-mis).-.s (eers. S-me mi+ht@ b.t man6 1ill n-t.
EdelmanJs b--k 1-rks 1ell as an intensel6 a)ademi) (-lemi) b.t as a (-liti)al res-.r)e it (r-3es
ins.;;i)ient. I; A.eer the-r6 is t- ha3e a s-)ial im(a)t@ it m.st inter(ellate the +a6 and lesbian a.dien)e
t- 1h-m@ a;ter all@ it is (rimaril6 addressed. *e1 -; these (e-(le> .e $an *a:el3 a**)me> 1ant t- li3e in a
3-id (r die Anti&(neO* death. :.eer ).lt.re sh-.ld kee( insistin+ that 1e n-t sa)ri;i)e (resent@ (ressin+
needs t- heter-se5.al ;antasies@ b.t t- se).re its ;.t.re it m.st ima+ine a (-liti)al -rder in 1hi)h the
needs -; )hildren are n-t inimi)al t- the interests -; A.eers@ and it m.st )elebrateQa* E0e Sed&.i$k
d(e* *( #a**i(natel3 in NE(. t( 8r(. I()r Kid* 4# 8a3N 7 that 1hi)h is m-st A.eer@ and A.eerGable@ in
)hildren.
<hat is needed is n-t a disa3-1al -; the ;.t.re b.t rather a )-n;lati-n -; the ;.t.re and the
(resent@ the (erm.tati-n s-l3es best.
In an arti$le #)5li*hed in the a:(rementi(ned 0(l)me> The %)t)re* (: Ameri$an St)die*> H(*eZ C)n[(F ar&)e*
:(r ?the ena)tment -; .hat I $all> :(ll(.in& C. L. '. Hame*> a ;.t.re in the (resentA <?%)t)reA> +3=.
A)kn-1led+in+ the tele-l-+i)al ;.t.rism -; heter-n-rmati3e Ameri)a> C)n[(F a*k*> BR)San the ;.t.re
st-( bein+ a ;antas6 -; heter-se5.al re(r-d.)ti-nGA <?%)t)reA> +3=. Ee then #)r#(rt* t( anal3Fe
(er;-rman)es that )-ntain an Banti)i(at-r6 ill.minati-n -; a A.eer 1-rld@ a si+n -; an a)t.all6
e5istin+ A.eer realit6@ RandS a kernel -; (-liti)al (-ssibilit6A <?%)t)reA> +3=. %(r C)n[(F> the
)-ntem(-rar6 -; (er;-rman)e (-ints t-1ards an -ther ;.t.re@ a time that neither re(r-d.)es
heter-se5.alit6 n-r D.sti;ies itsel; s-lel6 -n the +r-.nds -; a m6thi)al )hild. $he )-ntem(-rar6@ a* a
tem#(ralit3 in .hi$h )t(#ian $(ntem#(rarie* $an thri0e> rather> re(resents a B)-termin-.s time 1here 1e
1itness ne1 ;-rmati-ns 1ithin the (resent and the ;.t.reC <C)n[(F> ?%)t)reA> 166=> and 1here 1e
D.bilantl6 1el)-me the dis).rsi3e m.lti(li)ati-n -; the s-)ial. $hr-.+h the )-n;lati-n -; the ;.t.re
and the (resent@ then@ I belie3e that 1e )an a((r-5imate the .t-(ian anti)i(at-r6 ill.minati-n that> a*
C)n[(F $laim*> ?1ill (r-3ide .s 1ith a))ess t- a 1-rld that sh-.ld be@ that )-.ld be@ that 1ill beA
<?%)t)reA> 16"=.
EdelmanFs ar+.ment )hara)teri?es la)k as the (-int at 1hi)h si+ni;i)ati-n ;ails t- des)ribe
the (arti).lar D-.issan)e -; the A.eer and th.s re(li)ates the 3i-len)e -; the S6mb-li). $his
inter(retati-n ;ails t- a))-.nt ;-r the ;a)t that la)k )an be the -(enin+ -; (-liti)al )-n;li)t
and )han+e@ n-t an endless re(li)ati-n -; the S6mb-li) -rder.
renkman 2662 <H(hn renkman> @i*tin&)i*hed -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h and C(m#arati0e
Literat)re at the C4NI 8rad)ate Center and ar)$h C(lle&e> 2662> Narrati0e> /(l. 16> N(. 2> #.
1+1B1+2=
I *tand 53 m3 $laim that Edelman b.ilds a (s6)h-anal6ti) the-r6 -; the (-liti)al realm> in the *en*e that
he +i3es a (s6)h-anal6ti) a))-.nt -; 1hat the (-liti)al realm is. P-liti)s in hi* a$$()nt ;.ses the
S6mb-li) -rder t- the s-)ial -rder and@ in res(-nse t- the S6mb-li)Fs inherent ;ail.re t- s6mb-li?e the
,eal -; the dri3es that .nhin+e e3er6 h.man bein+Fs inte+rati-n int- the s-)ialGs6mb-li) -rder@
+enerates a s.btendin+ ;.t.ristGn-stal+i) ;antas6 -; se5.alit6 as re(r-d.)ti-n. e$a)*e the :anta*3 t(( i*
e0er3.here e2$eeded 53 realit3> thi* me$hani*m in t)rn #r(d)$e* the h(m(#h(5i$ :i&)rati(n Edelman ha*
de*$ri5ed in ?The %)t)re i* Kid St)::A, ?the (rder (: *($ial realit3 demand* *(me :i&)ral re#(*it(r3 :(r .hat
the l(&i$ (: it* arti$)lati(n i* de*tined t( :(re$l(*e> :(r the :ra$t)re that #er*i*tentl3 ha)nt* it a* the death
.ithin it*el:A <?%)t)re i* Kid St)::A 2"=. I $ited Cla)de Le;-rt at *(me len&th 5e$a)*e he 3isits the same
(re)in)ts -; the (s6)h-anal6ti) the-r6 -; dis)-.rse in -rder t- ;-rm.late the dis).rsi3e d6nami) -;
dem-)ra)6. %.t rather than )-n)e(t.ali?in+ the entire s-)ialG(-liti)al -rder as a (s6)hi) a((arat.s as
Edelman d-es> Le;-rt dra1s -n La)anFs n-ti-n -; the inherent +a( bet1een s6mb-li?ati-n and the
BrealC t- ;-rm.late the m-dern stateFs re(resentati-n -; the BrealC -; the s-)ial. Sin$e the dem($rati$
33
K Lab Adam Pease
*tate limit* it* (.n #(.er* and th)* delimit* $i0il *($iet3 a* the n(n#(liti$al *#a$e it im#(**i5l3 m)*t
re#re*ent> the +a( bet1een s6mb-li) and real is the -(enin+ -; (-liti)al )-n;li)t and )han+e@ n-t an
endless re(li)ati-n -r rea;;irmati-n -; the s-)ial -rder. E3er6 ide-l-+i)al -r (-liti)al arti).lati-nN
1hether the (arti).lar dis)-.rses -; (-1er <la.> e$(n(mi$*> ae*theti$*> et$.= -r the instit.ti-n -; the
state itsel;Nh-lds a (-tentialit6 ;-r )han+e be)a.se -;@ n-t in s(ite -; the ;a)t that its re(resentati-n -;
the BrealC ;ails. Therein lie* the $r)2 (: the di::eren$e 5et.een EdelmanJ* #(*iti(n and m3 (.n.

34
K Lab Adam Pease
###A** ANS<E,S###
35
K Lab Adam Pease
A;;0 Alt S-l3en)6 =-r la)k there-;>
Embra)in+ A.eerness as the death dri3e is n-t an e;;e)ti3e means -; )hallen+in+ ;.t.rit6I in
;a)t the dri3e de(ends -n the de;erral -; ;.t.rit6@ l-)kin+ their resistan)e int- a re(etiti3e
)6)le -; s6mb-li) -((-siti-n.
Snediker 200! <Ci$hael Snediker> /i*itin& A**i*tant -r(:e**(r (: Ameri$an Literat)re at C()nt E(l3(ke
C(lle&e> 2666> -(*tm(dern C)lt)re> /(l. 16> N(. 3=
$he thrill -; the death dri3e@ th.s instantiated@ is less in kn-1in+ -neJs relati-n t- a ;.nnel -; semen
than in n-t kn-1in+. $he death dri3e@ ;-r all its e5ternall6 im(-sed Tarantin(Be*P)e l.ridness> de#end*
(n the $(ntin&en$ie* (: kn(.in&> them*el0e* de#endent (n a h(riF(n in .hi$h $(ntin&en$ie* mi&ht
them*el0e* $(me t( :r)iti(n <(r t( re$all EdelmanO* readin& (: The ird*> $(me t( r((*t=. $he death dri3e@
then@ d-esnJt -((-se ;.t.rit6 s- m.)h as de(end -n the de;erral -; ;.t.rit6 s- as t- e5tend as l-n+ as
(-ssible the Hame*ian (r-De)t -; 1aitin+. $he death dri3e@ e3en in its )athe5is t- de;errin+@ is ;.t.rall6
-r+ani?ed. $he death dri3e ma6 be im(.lsi3e <the manner (: dri0e*=> b.t ma5imi?ati-n -; its
)-n)-mitant (leas.res reA.ires (atien)e@ in reA.irin+ and bein+ ra3ished b6 the ti)k -; min)te*> h()r*>
da6s@ in bet1een the ;e3erGdream -; (-ssibilit6 and its )-min+ -r n-t )-min+ =as it 1ere> t- (ass.
EdelmanFs ar+.ment ;ails t- (r-3ide a (ra+mati) s-l.ti-n ;-r h-1 the A.eer sh-.ld +-
ab-.t emb-d6in+ di;;eren)e@ this is a massi3e s-l3en)6 de;i)it ;-r the alternati3e.
)t his b--k ;alters as it )-mes in)reasin+l6 t- rel6 .(-n ar)ane a((eals t- La)anian (s6)h-anal6sis
=)-ns(i).-.sl6 absent ;r-m this b--k is a sin+le re;eren)e t- *-.)a.lt=. EdelmanO* ar&)ment r)n*
*(methin& like thi*, a *t)55(rn kernel (: n(nBmeanin& re*ide* at the $(re (: lan&)a&e> :(r$in& ea$h *i&ni:ier
t( :ind it* meanin& in the ne2t ad in:init)m> th)* #re0entin& *i&ni:i$ati(n :r(m e0er $(m#letin& it*el: (r
e*ta5li*hin& meanin& (n$e and :(r all. Thi* internal limit *)5tend* and make* #(**i5le all meanin&Bmakin&
.hile *im)ltane()*l3 di*r)#tin& it. An )n5rid&ea5le &a#> it mark* the #la$e (: a re$al$itrant> :)n$ti(nle**> and
*($iall3 $(rr(*i0e D()i**an$eQan e2$e**i0e enD(3ment (0er .hi$h lan&)a&e> *($iet3> and the :)t)re *t)m5le.
Eeter(*e2)al $)lt)re> an2i()* t( name and $(ntain thi* minat(r3 a53**> $a*t* h(m(*e2)al* a* it and int( it.
The3 are NYthe 0i(lent )nd(in& (: meanin&> the l(** (: identit3 and $(heren$e> the )nnat)ral a$$e** t(
D()i**an$eYN<132=.
&ne mi+ht ;a.lt Edelman> a* H(hn renkman ha*> ;-r trans(-sin+ a r.le -; lan+.a+e -nt- the -rder -;
bein+. %.t e3en i; -ne takes his eA.ati-n seri-.sl6@ -ne m.st ask 1hat is +ained b6 a)ti3el6 -)).(6in+ a
str.)t.rall6 ne)essar6 r-le. In (ther .(rd*@ i; the ,eal m.st e5ist ;-r the S6mb-li) t- ;.n)ti-n@ then the
ab6ss 1ill remain 1hether h-m-se5.als a+ree t- inhabit it -r n-t. Edelman a)kn-1led+es this realit3
b.t ar+.es that i: h-m-se5.als e2it the a53** a ne. *)5altern 1ill be )-m(elled t- enter it. etter> then> t(
remain inside and mirr-r ba)k t- heter-se5.alit6 1hat tr-.bles it m-stQmeanin+lessness@ death and
antis-)ial desire. 4n:(rt)natel3> Edelman (r-3ides ;e1 details as t- h-1 1e mi+ht a))-m(lish this task@
and his insisten)e else1here that the (-1ersGthatGbe 1ill )lam( d-1n 1ith .nmiti+ated ;-r)e t- re(ress
and disa3-1 the en)r-a)hin+ ,eal renders s.)h a strate+6 less than a((ealin+. At (ne #(int he
en$()ra&e* P)eer* t( #)r*)e a m(re traditi(nal #(liti$* al(n&*ide hi* radi$al re$(mmendati(n <2+=> 5)t he
:ail* t( a$kn(.led&e that i: the :(rmer *)$$eed*Qand the d(minant $)lt)re 5rin&* P)eer* and/(r their
#ra$ti$e* int( it* :(ldQthen the latterO* intended a)dien$e .ill n( l(n&er 5e li*tenin&.
Edelman e;;a)es the di;;eren)e bet1een dem-)ra)6 and t-talitarianism@ )astin+ dem-)ra)6
as a ;as)ist@ d-minant s6stem. $his mis)-n)e(ti-n an)h-rs the )all t- a)ti-n he ar+.es as
alternati3e and eliminates the )han)e ;-r embra)in+ the inn-3ati-n that dem-)ra)6
(r-3ides.
36
K Lab Adam Pease
1"+=
In m3 0ie.> Edelman e;;a)es this di;;eren)e bet1een dem-)ra)6 and t-talitarianism. He attrib.tes t-
dem-)ra)6 the 1-rkin+s -; t-talitarianism0 he makes n- distin)ti-n bet1een )i3il s-)iet6 and the state@
eA.ates Bthe s-)ial -rderC 1ith (-liti)s as s.)h@ and eA.ates b-th 1ith the s6mb-li) -rder. This
mis)-n)e(ti-n -; dem-)rati) (-liti)s is 1hat an)h-rs his )all ;-r Ba tr.e -((-siti-nal (-liti)sC .h(*e
meanin&Bdi**(l0in&> identit6Gdiss-l3in+ ir-nies 1-.ld )-me ;r-m Bthe s(a)e -.tside the ;rame 1ithin
1hi)h M(-liti)sF a((earsC =BP-stGPart.mC 1'1>. $he dem-)rati) state@ as -((-sed t- the t-talitarian@
d-es n-t r.le )i3il s-)iet6 b.t se).res its (-ssibilit6 and ;l-.rishin+I )-n3ersel6@ )i3il s-)iet6 is the
n-n(-liti)al realm ;r-m 1hi)h emer+e th-se initiati3es that trans;-rm@ m-deratel6 -r radi)all6@ the
(-liti)al realm -; la1s and ri+hts. %(r that 0er3 rea*(n> the (-liti)al ;rame -; la1s and ri+hts@ and -;
debate and de)isi-n@ is intrinsi)all6 inadeA.ate t- the (l.ralit6 -; (r-De)ts and the s-)ial di3isi-ns
1ithin s-)iet6Qthere i* al.a3* a &a# in it* #(liti$al re#re*entati(n (: the ?realA (: the *($ialQand ;-r that
3er6 reas-n the (-liti)al realm itsel; is -(en t- )han+e and inn-3ati-n. Inn-3ati-n is a )r.)ial )-n)e(t
;-r .nderstandin+ the +a6 and lesbian m-3ement> 1hi)h emer+ed ;r-m 1ithin $i0il s-)iet6 as )iti?ens
1h- 1ere sti+mati?ed and -;ten )riminali?ed ;-r their se5.al li3es )reated ne1 ;-rms -; ass-)iati-n>
tran*:(rmed their (.n li:e.(rld> and (r&aniFed a #(liti$al (::en*i0e (n 5ehal: (: #(liti$al and *($ial re:(rm*.
$here 1as an inn-3ati-n -; ri+hts and ;reed-ms@ and 1hat I ha3e )alled inn-3ati-ns in s-)ialit6.
:.eer tem(-ralities in3ite 3i-len)e@ and ne+ati3it6 int- s-)iet6@ (-is-nin+ an6 (-ssibilit6 -;
a ;.t.re. ,ather than bein+ ri+-r-.sl6 ne+ati3e 1e sh-.ld instead embra)e the
indetermina)6 -; A.eer tem(-ralities b.t as a means -; )reatin+ a better@ m-re .t-(ian
;.t.re.
Eal:.a3 thr()&h thi* $ha#ter> an intelle$t)al endea0(r t( the(riFe )t(#ian $(ntem#(rarie*> I ha3e
intr-d.)ed the )-ntem(-rar6 as a )riti)al tem(-ralit6 that resists re(r-d.)ti3e time lines and that>
re0ealin& it* am(r#h()* indetermina$3> a$ti0el3 P)eer* the dramati$ :)t)ri*m .hi$h $(n*tit)te* the
Ameri$an ima&ined $(mm)nit3. A$$(rdin& t( the anti*($ial the*i*> h(.e0er> the )-ntem(-rar6 is n-t at all
.t-(ian0 -n the )-ntrar6@ it is in3ested 1ith the d6st-(ian (-1ers t- .nd- identities@ t- destr-6 the
s-)ial@ and t- tirelessl6 (-is-n an6 ;.t.re 1ith ne+ati3it6. $his in&eni()* )-rrelati-n bet1een the
)-ntem(-rar6 and A.eer ne+ati3it6 leads me t- ;.rther interr-+ati-n@ in3-kin+ the ;-ll-1in+
A.esti-ns0 Ea6 n-t the )-ntem(-rar6@ des(ite the A.eer demand that the ;.t.re st-( here@ als-
;.n)ti-n as a )riti)al tem(-ral d-main t- -ri+inate ne1@ -ther ;.t.resG Is n-t the )-ntem(-rar6@
(re)isel6 be)a.se -; its A.eer indetermina)6@ an ideal testin+ +r-.nd ;-r alternati3e ;.t.rities> -r ;-r a
re)-n;i+.rati-n -; tem(-ralit6 -n the 1h-leL And mi+ht n-t a A.eer s-)ial that (re;ers the
)-ntem(-rar6 t- the ;.t.re )hild be a tr.l6 .t-(ian (r-s(e)tL In the remainder (: thi* $ha#ter> I .ant t(
in0e*ti&ate the*e i**)e* and tr3 t( an*.er the a5(0e P)e*ti(n* in the a::irmati0e. It i* m3 am5iti()* aim t(
ill)*trate that> :(ll(.in& @a0id '(maZn> ?the #(.er (: the $(ntem#(rar3 Llie*M #re$i*el3 in it* n(.ne**A
<Ameri$a> 15=> and that it* inde$i*i0e tem#(ral e2i*ten$e :)rther* the #r(:)*e (ri&inati(n (: (ther> and 5etter
:)t)re*. A* thi* *t)d3 .ill *h(.> the $(ntem#(rar3 i* n(t ne$e**aril3 *($iall3 ne&ati0e, it ma3 al*( e2tend
the 5)(3ant #(*iti0it3 (: )t(#ia.
37
K Lab Adam Pease
A;;0 Ped-(hilia $.rn
Edelman (ri-riti?es the aestheti) -3er the (-liti)al@ in d-in+ s- he bl.rs the lines bet1een
den-.n)ement -; the Child and destr.)ti-n -; the Child. $his stren+thens
heter-n-rmati3it6 b6 ass-)iatin+ A.eerness 1ith (ed-(hilia@ de(letin+ the ethi)al 3al.e -;
EdelmanFs ar+.ment.
Hardie 200! <Celi**a Eardie> -r(:e**(r (: En&li*h 4ni0er*it3 (: S3dne3> ?Lee EdelmanJ* N( %)t)re, 9)eer
The(r3 and the @eath @ri0e>A Se#tem5er 3
rd
2666>
htt#,//5l(&*.)*3d.ed).a)/the(r3$l)*ter/2666/6+/leeTedelman*Tn(T:)t)reTP)eerTt.html=
Can3 P)eer #e(#le .ant t( 5reed 7 and thi* i*nOt *im#l3 5e$a)*e (: their ind($trinati(n int( an e2i*tin&
#(liti$al (rder. In :a$t> I .()ld *a3 that A.eer men ha3e a (arti).lar (r-)li3it6 t- (arenth--d> D)*t
be)a.se the6 -;ten <th()&h 53 n( mean* al.a3*= (-ssess )ertain e;;eminate traits 1hi)h enable th-se
maternal A.alities 1hi)h@ in the heter-se5.al 1-rld are -;ten <th()&h 53 n( mean* al.a3*= str-n+er@ -r
at least m-re (rimal@ than (aternal -nes. Thi* e2#lain* .h3 an in(rdinate n)m5er (: P)eer men end )# in
#(*iti(n* *)$h a* tea$hin&> n)r*in& et$. E(.e0er> lea0in& a*ide the #er*(nal/#(liti$al #r(5lem> and
addre**in& EdelmanJs te2t (n a #)rel3 #(liti$al le0el <(r> alternati0el3> hi* )entral )-nne)ti-n bet1een
A.eer (e-(le and antiGre(r-d.)ti3it6 as a (.rel6 ;i+.rati3e ima+e=> #r(5lem* remain. $here is a ;ine line
bet1een ren-.n)in+ )hildren and destr-6in+ )hildren 8 and Edelman )h--ses te5ts 1hi)h bl.r this
line> m(*t n(ta5l3 Al:red Eit$h$($kO* The ird*. ,ead in the .r(n& .a3 7 (r e0en read in a manner
sli+htl6 di;;erent ;r-m that 1hi)h Edelman has intended <in a .(rd> read .ith the *ame #r(0i*i(nal
di*re&ard :(r e*ta5li*hed a)th(rial intenti(n that he *h(.* :(r the te2t* he $ritiP)e*= 7 Edelman ;i+.rati3el6
eA.ates A.eerness 1ith the destr.)ti-n -; )hildren. $his is e5tremel6 .n;-rt.nate@ +i3en the (-(.lar
eA.ati-n -; A.eerness and (aed-(hilia. It *eem* t( me that EdelmanJs .se -; his A.eerness t- arti).late
a s(a)e diametri)all6 -((-sed t- the ).rrent (-liti)al stat.s A.- is mirr-red@ ;i)ti-nall6@ in the n-3els
-; @enni* C--(er 7 and I .()ldnOt .ant C((#erO* n(0el* in0e*ted .ith the *ame #(liti$al m(ment)m 7 (r at
lea*t the *ame P)eerB(riented #(liti$al m(ment)m 7 a* EdelmanO* the(r3. $he )-m(aris-n is d-.bl6
instr.)ti3e be)a.se I :eel that> in b-th )ases@ (-liti)al s.b3ersi3eness <ir(ni$all3= d-esnJt s(rin+ ;r-m an6
)-n3in)in+l6 arti).lated (-liti)al statement@ b.t ;r-m an in-rdinate (ri-ritisati-n -; the aestheti)
ab-3e the (-liti)al <1hi)h I take as a )i(her ;-r the ethi)al> the #hil(*(#hi$al et$=. I am a.are that
C--(erJs dead teena+ers are -;ten )-nne)ted@ ;i+.rati3el6@ t- the marketed@ manneA.inised
(-stm-dern b-dies 1e are all tr6in+ t- es)a(e. E(.e0er> I :eel that tr6in+ t- ;ind a Km-ralN #er *e in
C--(er is D.st as err-ne-.s as tr6in+ t- ;ind a Km-ralK in de Sade 8 and (erha(s D.st as err-ne-.s as
tr6in+ t- ;ind an6 (ra)ti)al =-r )-n3in)in+> Km-ralK in Edelman.
3"
K Lab Adam Pease
A;;0 Natalit6 $.rn
EdelmanFs ;ail.re t- delineate bet1een the dem-)rati) and t-talitarian state is a
;.ndamental mis)-n)e(ti-n at the )r.5 -; his ar+.ment. In des)ribin+ the dem-)rati) state
as i; it 1ere t-talitarian their ar+.ment limits -.t natalit6 and t- an e5tent@ re(r-d.)ti3it6
as (-liti)all6 s.b3ersi3e instr.ments.
1+1B1+2=
$he (-liti)al realm is .n+r-.nded. It )an ne3er ;ind a (la)e t- stand in the Breal@A and 6et it has n-
-ther (la)e t- stand. Edelman inter(rets this .n+r-.ndedness as the death that e3er ha.nts the b-d6
(-liti) and that it m.st (er(et.all6 e5(el in the ;i+.re -; an anathema it then threatens 1ith 3i-len)eK
he arri3es at this inter(retati-n@ I ha0e s.++ested@ be)a.se he des)ribes the dem-)rati) state as th-.+h
it 1ere a t-talitarian state. It ;-ll-1s ;r-m that that all (-liti)al (arti)i(ati-n reiterates the
re(r-d.)ti3e anathemati?in+G sa)ri;i)ial l-+i) -; the 1h-le me)hanism. C3 *tr(n& (5De$ti(n t( thi*
)-n)l.si-n is the s-.r)e -; 1hat Edelman )alls m6 reas-nablenessI he is ri+ht@ e5)e(t 1/0 O-hn
%renkman that 1hat I ;ind .nreas-nable in his ;-rm.lati-n is its rati-nalit6@ the allGembra)in+ l-+i) t-
1hi)h it s.bDe)ts the .n)ertainties and (-ssibilities -; (-liti)s. $he .n+r-.ndedness -; the (-liti)al
realm (re-)).(ied Eannah Arendt in her man6 re;le)ti-ns -n the an)ient herita+e -; 9reek dem-)ra)6.
She had a str-n+ sense that dem-)ra)6 is ;ar m-re ;ra+ile and ;leetin+ than m-dern liberal th-.+ht
s.((-se*. At the same time she linked the ;ra+ilit6 -; the b-d6 (-liti) t- its 3er6 s-.r)es -;
ina.+.rati-n and inn-3ati-n. H.man m-rtalit6 is a )-nditi-n -; a)ti-n@ b.t sin)e a)ti-n is a )a(a)it6
;-r be+innin+s@ ina.+.rati-n@ ne1ness@ it als- e3in)es .hat *he $alled h.man Bnatalit6.A <e m-rtals
)-me int- the 1-rld Bne1)-mers and be+inners b6 3irt.e -; birth.C $his natalit6 makes (-liti)s a
realm -; inn-3ati-n and ;ra+ilit6@ (: the -ne be)a.se -; the -ther0
3+
K Lab Adam Pease
A;;0 Cede the P-liti)al
Di3-r)in+ the str.++le a+ainst re(r-d.)ti3e ;.t.rism ;r-m the (-liti)al s(here makes a
;atal mistake and in d-in+ s- n.lli;ies the ad3an)ements -; man6 A.eer a)ti3ists. EdelmanFs
ar+.ment ass.mes that the id-l -; the Child is the ;-.ndati-nal dis)-.rse ;r-m 1hi)h the
(-liti)al is ;-.nded .(-n.
1+6B1+1=
I ha0e n(t tried t( (::er a m(re (#timi*ti$ <(r :)t)ri*t= a**e**ment (: the &a3 *tr)&&le than Edelman> th()&h
he ha* $(n*tr)ed m3 remark* in that .a3K hi* e**a3 0er3 #(intedl3 $(n0e3ed a *en*e (: the (n&(in& (rdeal (:
&a3* in Ameri$an *($iet3 and a #e**imi*m re&ardin& ina$ti(n (n the AI@S $ri*i*> d(me*ti$ #artner ri&ht*> and
antiB&a3 0i(len$e and the #er*i*ten$e (: re#re**i0e re*tri$ti(n* (n *e2)al :reed(m. I ha0e al*( n(t $hallen&ed
hi* $riti$i*m (: the :i&)re (: the $hild a* :)t)rit3> 5e$a)*e I :ind it i* 0er3 #er*)a*i0e. S(> t((> Edelman
-;;ers a )-m(ellin+ inter(retati-n -; h-m-(h-bia in his delineati-n -; h-1 this dis)-.rse ;i+.res the
)hild as ;.t.re in -rder t- make the A.eer the ;i+.re -; the death and D-.issan)e@ -; the ne+ati3it6@ that
ha.nts all =n-rmali?in+> ;antasies -; the se5.al relati-n and se5.al identit6. <hat I ha0e )hallen+ed is
the )laim that this dis)-.rse de:ine*> (r e0en d-minates@ the (-liti)al realm a* *)$h. It is the dis)-.rse -;
)-nser3ati3e Cath(li$i*m and Chri*tian ;.ndamentalism> and e3en th-.+h it res-nates in strands -;
liberal dis)-.rse@ it re(resents an intense rea)ti-n@ ba)klash@ a+ainst )han+es that ha3e alread6 taken
(la)e in Ameri)an the +a6 and lesbian m-3ement. *($iet3@ man6 -; them as the dire)t res.lt -;
;eminism and the +a6 and lesbian m-3ement. It is indeed im(-rtant n-t t- .nderestimate the de(th
and dan+er -; this rea)ti-n@ 5)t it i* a rea$ti(nar3> n(t a :()ndati(nal> di*$()r*e. $he .n)-.(lin+ -;
se5.alit6 and re(r-d.)ti-n is .biA.it-.s in Ameri)an ).lt.re t-da6 as a res.lt -; m.lti(le
de3el-(ments be6-nd the e5(ansi-n -; +a6 ri+hts and the ri&ht t( a5(rti(n> in$l)din& 5irth $(ntr(l>
di0(r$e> and $han&in& #attern* (: :amil3 li:e> a* .ell a* $(n*)meri*m and ma** $)lt)reK it ma3 .ell 5e that
the *heer *$(#e> and irre0er*i5ilit3@ all -; these de3el-(ments al*( intensi;ies the tar+etin+ -; +a6s b6
)-nser3ati3e ide-l-+6 and Chri*tian :)ndamentali*t m(0ement*. )t that is all the m-re reas-n t-
re)-+ni?e that the de)-nstr.)ti-n -; the (h-bi) ;i+.rati-n -; the A.eer is a str.++le t- be (.rs.ed
inside as 1ell as -.tside (-liti)s.
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