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biopolitics, short essay on Crip Nationalism: Pluralizing Embodiments – A Crip Take on Cultural Citizenship

Let’s join scholar Jasbir Puar on a voyage interrogating bodily norms intertwined with cultural ideals of consummate citizenship. Her conception of ‘Crip Nationalism’ challenges state ideologies and social systems cementing ableism by design. It subverts constructions of disability as inherent tragedy or defect, instead locating it in exclusionary infrastructures and policies. Crucially, Crip Nationalism goes beyond deconstructing disability as dis-ease. It reconstructs visions of inclusive citizenship unbounded by bodily conformity.

Take stock of neoliberal capitalist logics worshipping the figure of the unencumbered productive worker-citizen, freely laboring without ‘burdensome’ difference. Such ruling doctrines dismiss bodies that differ from standardized physical or mental norms as drains requiring heavy ‘care’. Historically scientists exploited disabled prisoners as innoculation test subjects because their ‘unfit’ bodies seemed conveniently expendable.

Let’s tune our ears to counter-hegemonic melodies. Behold Shireen, disabled activist, belting anti-carceral protest chants from her motorized wheelchair, embodying Staci Haines’ framework of ‘epic generativity’. Her glittering placard decrees Access for ALL! No Exceptions!” Revel in her joy dethroning tropes of helplessness while demanding rights not pity.

Don’t overlook Pancho, radical veteran dissenter, blasting boots-on-the-ground critiques of militarized ableism. He calibrates carefully between his own injury and collective responsibility for warfare’s unequal brutalization of marginalizedgroups. His poignant question haunts Whose bodies become cannon fodder and why?”

Such subversive soloists accompany orchestral visions for justice spanning technology access, disability arts and culture, solidarity across bodily difference. Their rousing refrain? Dare to dream up citizens’ assemblies where the so-called ‘abnormal’ help authorize policies prioritizing care and inter-dependence!

Heed Crip Nationalism’s urgent call to pluralize bodily ideals undergirding cultural citizenship and state belonging. Let’s collectively re-author more capacious horizons for enfranchisement beyond ableist bounds. Our stories will resound with manifold motifs, recognitions and freedoms for wobbly, wonky, differently-wired embodiments!

biopolitics, The Country of Eridia – a fictional discussion setting – eutopian variant

This activity allows exploration of complex geopolitical issues in a fictionalized setting, fostering open dialogue and critical thinking.

Background

Geography

A small but geopolitically significant country with diverse landscapes reflecting both urban and religious influences.

History

Historically, Eridia has been divided between the Yarans in the west and Zanis in the east, with both groups claiming deep historical and religious ties to the entire land.

Territorial Disputes

Yarans, controlling the government, faced resistance from the Zanis, leading to prolonged conflict.

Governance

A single, Yaran-dominated government with limited Zani representation.

Intermingled Communities

Despite conflicts, Yarans and Zanis have lived side by side in several areas, leading to shared yet contested cultural and religious spaces.

Religious Sites

Many sites within Eridia are sacred to both Yarans and Zanis.

Global Perspectives

Eridia’s strategic position drew significant international attention, with varying viewpoints on its internal conflict.

Diaspora Dynamics

Yaran and Zani diasporas influenced international policies and public opinion.

Disability Prevalence

Ongoing conflicts in the region result in a high prevalence of disabilities, affecting both Yarans and Zanis.

Controversional Politics

Yaran-led government policies towards disability have often been seen as biased, exacerbating existing tensions in the region.


Use this opportunity to consider real-world situations from multiple angles without promoting any one-sided views.

Progressive Eridia

Two-State Harmony

Eridia has successfully implemented a two-state solution. Both Yarans and Zanis are working towards economic and cultural cooperation, with a focus on inclusive and progressive disability policies.

Shared Capital

Mediana, as a shared city, has become a symbol of unity, showcasing successful joint initiatives in disability rights and integration.

Roles

  1. Yaran Disability Rights Minister: Advocates for inclusive policies and workforce integration of disabled individuals.
  2. Zani Health and Social Welfare Representative: Focuses on equitable healthcare and social support for disabled communities.
  3. Mediana Disability Activist: Promotes unified disability rights, bridging political and cultural divides.
  4. International Disability Rights Observer: Praises Eridia’s progressive approach and offers a global perspective.
  5. Disabled Entrepreneur: Shares success stories in the new inclusive economy.
  6. Cultural Scholar: Discusses how Eridia’s cultural diversity enriches its approach to disability rights.

Character Profiles

Yaran Disability Rights Minister

  1. Profile 1: A progressive thinker who believes in using technology and innovation to improve the lives of disabled individuals. Advocates for smart city initiatives that enhance accessibility.
  2. Profile 2: A pragmatic minister focused on policy and legal reforms. Emphasizes the need for education and job training programs for disabled individuals.

Zani Health and Social Welfare Representative

  1. Profile 1: A passionate advocate for mental health and psychological support services, stressing their importance in the overall healthcare system.
  2. Profile 2: A representative with a strong background in public health, pushing for equal access to medical care and physical rehabilitation services.

Mediana Disability Activist

  1. Profile 1: An activist who champions cultural inclusivity and promotes art and cultural programs as a means of empowerment for disabled individuals.
  2. Profile 2: A grassroots organizer who focuses on community building and peer support networks, believing in the power of local initiatives.

International Disability Rights Observer

  1. Profile 1: An academic who praises Eridia’s approach but critically analyzes its sustainability and global impact, questioning long-term effects.
  2. Profile 2: A global NGO leader who is optimistic about Eridia’s policies, seeing them as a model for other nations, and offers support for their implementation.

Disabled Entrepreneur

  1. Profile 1: A tech entrepreneur who has successfully founded a startup focused on assistive technologies, advocating for entrepreneurial opportunities for disabled individuals.
  2. Profile 2: A small business owner who struggled initially but succeeded through resilience. Emphasizes the importance of accessible workplaces and adaptive technologies.

Cultural Scholar

  1. Profile 1: An academic who explores how Eridia’s diverse cultural heritage can be a driving force in creating inclusive societies, emphasizing shared histories.
  2. Profile 2: A cultural critic who challenges the notion of a monolithic Eridian culture, highlighting the need to recognize and celebrate diverse cultural expressions within the disability community.

Preperation

  • Setting: The summit is held in the shared capital city of Mediana, symbolizing the newfound cooperation and harmony between the Yaran and Zani states.
  • Purpose: To discuss and formulate unified disability policies that respect the rights and needs of disabled individuals in both states, focusing on inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
  • Key Issues:
    • Integration of disabled individuals into the workforce and society.
    • Harmonization of healthcare and social support systems across both states.
    • Promotion of cultural exchange and mutual understanding regarding disability.
  • Roles and Perspectives:
    • Yaran and Zani government representatives collaborate to create inclusive policies.
    • Activists and disabled individuals share their experiences and advocate for rights and recognition.
    • International observers provide a global perspective and ensure that the policies align with international standards.

Summit Coordinators?

Responsibilities include:

  • Introduce topics, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of disability rights, economic factors, and cultural perceptions.
  • Facilitate balanced dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and manage time effectively.
  • Prompt participants to consider how their discussions relate to the concepts in Puar’s work, especially regarding the construction and value of different disabilities.
  • Taking notes of the discussion and arguments.

Discuss your roles, develop your characters, and plan your approach to the scenario. Think about how you will represent your character’s viewpoint and interact with others.

Role Play

  • Setting: The summit is held in the shared capital city of Mediana, symbolizing the newfound cooperation and harmony between the Yaran and Zani states.
  • Purpose: To discuss and formulate unified disability policies that respect the rights and needs of disabled individuals in both states, focusing on inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
  • Key Issues:
    • Integration of disabled individuals into the workforce and society.
    • Harmonization of healthcare and social support systems across both states.
    • Promotion of cultural exchange and mutual understanding regarding disability.
  • Roles and Perspectives:
    • Yaran and Zani government representatives collaborate to create inclusive policies.
    • Activists and disabled individuals share their experiences and advocate for rights and recognition.
    • International observers provide a global perspective and ensure that the policies align with international standards.
    • Summit Coordinators.

biopolitics, The Country of Eridia – a fictional discussion setting – dystopian variant

This activity allows exploration of complex geopolitical issues in a fictionalized setting, fostering open dialogue and critical thinking.

Background

Geography

A small but geopolitically significant country with diverse landscapes reflecting both urban and religious influences.

History

Historically, Eridia has been divided between the Yarans in the west and Zanis in the east, with both groups claiming deep historical and religious ties to the entire land.

Territorial Disputes

Yarans, controlling the government, faced resistance from the Zanis, leading to prolonged conflict.

Governance

A single, Yaran-dominated government with limited Zani representation.

Intermingled Communities

Despite conflicts, Yarans and Zanis have lived side by side in several areas, leading to shared yet contested cultural and religious spaces.

Religious Sites

Many sites within Eridia are sacred to both Yarans and Zanis.

Global Perspectives

Eridia’s strategic position drew significant international attention, with varying viewpoints on its internal conflict.

Diaspora Dynamics

Yaran and Zani diasporas influenced international policies and public opinion.

Disability Prevalence

Ongoing conflicts in the region result in a high prevalence of disabilities, affecting both Yarans and Zanis.

Controversional Politics

Yaran-led government policies towards disability have often been seen as biased, exacerbating existing tensions in the region.


Use this opportunity to consider real-world situations from multiple angles without promoting any one-sided views.

Divided Eridia

Two-State Tension

The two-state solution in Eridia has led to increased division and isolation, with both states developing divergent and often conflicting disability policies.

Economic and Cultural Divide

The disparity in resources and cultural attitudes towards disability has widened, leading to inequality and social unrest.

Roles

  1. Yaran Government Official: Defends stringent policies focused on ‘ability’ and economic contribution, often neglecting broader disability rights.
  2. Zani Resistance Leader: Highlights the struggles and marginalization of disabled Zanis, especially in resource-starved areas.
  3. Disillusioned Mediana Activist: Criticizes both states for failing to address the needs of all disabled individuals.
  4. Critical Theorist: Challenges the prevailing narratives of disability vs. ableness, and highlights issues like the different treatment of veterans vs. non-veterans and neurodiverse individuals.
  5. International Humanitarian Worker: Expresses concern over the worsening conditions for disabled people in Eridia.
  6. Disabled War Veteran: Shares personal experiences of conflict, neglect, and the struggle for recognition.

Character Profiles

Yaran Government Official

  1. Profile 1: A hardliner focused on economic productivity, viewing disability through the lens of workforce contribution and economic benefit.
  2. Profile 2: A bureaucrat who believes in strict policies for resource allocation, prioritizing ‘able’ disabled individuals and often overlooking those with severe disabilities.

Zani Resistance Leader

  1. Profile 1: A fiery speaker who emphasizes the injustices faced by disabled Zanis and calls for radical changes in policy and societal attitudes.
  2. Profile 2: A strategic thinker who proposes concrete solutions and advocates for international intervention to ensure equitable treatment of disabled Zanis.

Disillusioned Mediana Activist

  1. Profile 1: An activist who has become cynical due to the lack of progress, questioning the motives of both governments and advocating for a third, independent path for Mediana.
  2. Profile 2: A former government worker turned activist, disillusioned by the bureaucracy and red tape, now advocating for grassroots movements to drive change.

Critical Theorist

  1. Profile 1: A scholar who critiques the binary view of disability, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the spectrum of abilities and challenging societal norms.
  2. Profile 2: An academic who focuses on the intersectionality of disability, highlighting how race, gender, and class intersect with disability, often leading to compounded marginalization.

International Humanitarian Worker

  1. Profile 1: A seasoned aid worker who has witnessed the deteriorating conditions firsthand, advocating for immediate international aid and intervention.
  2. Profile 2: A policy advisor for an international organization who critiques the short-term nature of aid, advocating for systemic changes and sustainable solutions.

Disabled War Veteran

  1. Profile 1: A veteran who speaks about the lack of support and recognition for those injured in service, advocating for better care and respect.
  2. Profile 2: A critically injured veteran who feels abandoned by the system, sharing a personal narrative of struggle and neglect, questioning the values of the society that once hailed them as heroes.

Preperation

  • Setting: The summit takes place in a neutral location, with high security due to the tensions between the Yaran and Zani states.
  • Purpose: To address the escalating crisis regarding the treatment and rights of disabled individuals in both states, amidst growing international concern and internal strife.
  • Key Issues:
    • Disparities in access to healthcare and support for disabled individuals.
    • Allegations of discrimination and neglect in disability policies.
    • The impact of ongoing conflict and economic disparity on disabled communities.
  • Roles and Perspectives:
    • Government officials from both states defend their policies amidst criticism.
    • Activists and disabled individuals express frustration and demand change.
    • Critical theorists and international representatives challenge the existing policies and advocate for a more equitable approach.

Summit Coordinators?

Responsibilities include:

  • Introduce topics, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of disability rights, economic factors, and cultural perceptions.
  • Facilitate balanced dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and manage time effectively.
  • Prompt participants to consider how their discussions relate to the concepts in Puar’s work, especially regarding the construction and value of different disabilities.
  • Taking notes of the discussion and arguments.

Discuss your roles, develop your characters, and plan your approach to the scenario. Think about how you will represent your character’s viewpoint and interact with others.

Role Play

  • Setting: The summit takes place in a neutral location, with high security due to the tensions between the Yaran and Zani states.
  • Purpose: To address the escalating crisis regarding the treatment and rights of disabled individuals in both states, amidst growing international concern and internal strife.
  • Key Issues:
    • Disparities in access to healthcare and support for disabled individuals.
    • Allegations of discrimination and neglect in disability policies.
    • The impact of ongoing conflict and economic disparity on disabled communities.
  • Roles and Perspectives:
    • Government officials from both states defend their policies amidst criticism.
    • Activists and disabled individuals express frustration and demand change.
    • Critical theorists and international representatives challenge the existing policies and advocate for a more equitable approach.
    • Summit Coordinators.

biopolitics, commentary on session #4: trans & disability

Our last seminar delved deep into the concept of “piecing” and how it relates to bodily integrity, autonomy, and identity formation in the Middle East. Piecing, as Jasbir Puar describes, involves the fragmentation and reconstitution of the body, often in response to violence and marginalization. It can be a means of asserting agency and reclaiming narrative.

In our robust group discussions, some key themes emerged:

Piecing as Reclaiming Identity

For trans individuals and people with disabilities in the Middle East, piecing allows the reassertion of an identity that dominant social norms delegitimize. Embodying gender transition or disability on one’s own terms resists narratives that label such bodies as “broken” or “abnormal.” As one participant noted, when society fragments you, piecing becomes an act of refusal.

The Commodification of Body Parts

We must critique how neoliberal capitalism intersects with piecing practices like medical tourism or organ trafficking. Within these systems, the body becomes a commodity—its parts assigned monetary value, accessibility dependent on ability to pay. This compromises bodily autonomy and raises ethical concerns. Who has the “right to maim” for profit?

Piecing as Ontological Multiplicity

Piecing also challenges static conceptions of identity. National, ethnic, religious, and gender identities in the Middle East are contested and in flux. Piecing embraces the coexistence of multiple identities within oneself, recognizing identity as an ever-evolving process rather than a fixed state.

Situating Trans Experiences

For trans people, piecing opens vital possibilities for embodying gender on their own terms. Yet we must also consider the broader context—cultural stigma, medical gatekeeping, lack of legal protections—that compromises trans bodily autonomy in much of the region. As one participant emphasized, realizing self-definition often remains an elusive struggle.

Ultimately, our dialogue revealed universal questions about bodily sovereignty, normalcy, and the relationship between individual and society. Piecing foregrounds the struggles for self-determination and belonging that marginalized communities face worldwide. It calls us to imagine a more just world, where all bodies can thrive in their own ways.

These discussions prompt deeper questions:

  • How are queer and crip bodies portrayed in Middle Eastern media and popular culture? What counter-narratives exist?
  • How do lived experiences of trans and disabled people from the region complicate Western assumptions and savior narratives?
  • What traditional practices and communal care strategies exist in the Middle East that support bodily and psychic difference?
  • How do we move beyond just “tolerance” or “visibility” and build a culture of true belonging?
  • What would policies and societal changes that enhance bodily autonomy and integrity look like in this region and globally?

Our dialogues illustrated how the body becomes a lightning rod for core issues of identity, power and social justice. Piecing foregrounds the universal struggles for self-determination and belonging among marginalized communities worldwide. It calls us to imagine more just futures where all embodiments can thrive.

In our next session, we analyze how disabled bodies are impacted by nationalist projects, medical regimes and capitalism. This critical linkage between body, state and economy will expand our understanding of the forces shaping bodily autonomy.

biopolitics, comment on chapter 1: Bodies with New Organs – Becoming Trans, Becoming Disabled

The first chapter of Jasbir Puar’s “The Right to Maim” delves into a complex interplay of bodies, identities, and the socio-political structures that govern them. Here are some essential findings and key takeaways, which we can then relate to the context of the Middle East:

  1. Somatechnologies and Social Bodies: Puar discusses the concept of somatechnologies, which refers to the ways in which demands for bodily alteration are also demands for new social bodies. This idea challenges neoliberal paradigms by emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual bodies and broader societal assemblages (page 50). In the Middle East, this can be seen in the context of gender reassignment surgery in Iran, where the state sanctions and subsidizes such surgeries. While on the surface this may appear as a progressive stance on transgender rights, it also enforces strict gender binaries and does not necessarily reflect a broader acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities.
  2. Transnormative Bodies and Neoliberalism: The chapter critiques the neoliberal celebration of bodily flexibility and the commodification of body parts, noting that the transnormative body that “pieces” is a reflection of market economies that value this piecing as a form of transgressive capacity when it is, in fact, constitutive of neoliberalism (page 56). The Middle East, particularly in the Gulf region, has seen a rise in medical tourism, cosmetic surgeries, and body modifications, driven by neoliberal market forces. Dubai, for instance, is becoming a hub for cosmetic surgery, reflecting the global commodification of body parts that Puar critiques. This trend raises questions about the ways in which economic liberalization influences body norms and ideals in the region.
  3. Intersectionality of Disability and Trans Identity: There is an exploration of the intersectionality between disability and trans identities, highlighting the exceptionalization of both trans and disabled bodies within socio-cultural and legal frameworks. This exceptionalization converts nonnormative debility into a form of social and cultural capacity (page 42). In the Middle East, the intersectionality of disability and trans identities can be particularly complex due to cultural, religious, and political factors. For example, in Iraq, transgender individuals face significant persecution, and those who are disabled due to war-related injuries may receive limited support and face social ostracization. The intersection of these identities can lead to compounded discrimination, where trans individuals who are also disabled may find themselves marginalized from both the broader society and within communities that advocate for either disability or LGBTQ+ rights. This intersectionality is critical to understand in regions affected by conflict, where the social infrastructure for support is often lacking, and where the bodies of disabled trans individuals can become sites of political, social, and medical contestation.
  4. Resistance and Control Economies: Puar engages with the idea of the body as a site of resistance to biopolitical control technologies, emphasizing the paradoxical condition of contemporary resistance where subjectivity is both an effect of control and a site of revolt (page 58). The concept of the body as a site of resistance is vividly illustrated in the Middle East by specific events and movements. For instance, during the Arab Spring, the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia was a stark and tragic act of resistance that catalyzed widespread protests. In Egypt, the occupation of Tahrir Square involved a collective embodiment of protest where physical presence became a form of resistance against the regime. Additionally, in Iran, the women’s movement against compulsory hijab-wearing, exemplified by the “White Wednesdays” campaign, sees women risking imprisonment by publicly removing their hijabs. These acts of resistance are not only against specific policies but also challenge the broader economies of control that govern bodies and behavior in public spaces. Puar’s work invites us to consider how these bodies resist and how resistance itself is commodified or controlled by state powers, which can be seen in the subsequent crackdowns and surveillance of activists in these regions.
  5. Race, Gender, and Speciation: The text discusses the concept of becoming trans as a deterritorializing force that relates to gender, sex, race, and species, challenging the normativities and creating intensive differences (page 60). The Middle East’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape provides a complex backdrop for examining the intersections of race, gender, and species. For instance, the treatment of migrant workers, often from South Asia, in Gulf countries, can be critiqued through Puar’s lens of speciation, where certain bodies are deemed less valuable and are subjected to harsher working and living conditions.
  6. Legal and Political Entanglements: Puar critically examines the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its role in shaping societal views and treatment of disability. The ADA, while groundbreaking, is argued to have inadvertently reinforced certain standards of bodily capacity and debility through the reproduction of gender normativity. This is integral to the productive potential of the disabled body. The Act is seen as creating a class of “untouchables” by allowing a space for permissible employer discrimination, particularly against those who do not conform to sexual and gender norms, marking them as outsiders. This legal framework contributes to what is termed “crip nationalism,” where certain disabilities are valorized as productive for national economies and ideologies, further marginalizing other disabilities. This tolerance of disability is negotiated through the disciplining of the body along other normative registers of sameness, including racial hierarchies (page 35).
    • Israel: The complexities of the ADA’s counterpart in Israel, the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law, can be seen in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Disability rights within Israeli society are advanced compared to many other countries, but the situation for Palestinians, particularly those in the Occupied Territories, is markedly different. The intersection of disability with the racialized politics of occupation adds layers of marginalization for disabled Palestinians, who face barriers to mobility, healthcare, and social services.
    • Iran: In Iran, the legal framework for disability is influenced by Islamic principles and the government’s approach to social welfare. The Iranian government has made efforts to integrate disabled individuals into society, but traditional gender norms can complicate this, especially for women with disabilities, who may face double discrimination based on both disability and gender expectations.
    • Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has been working on improving disability rights and has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, the intersection of disability with gender can be particularly challenging due to the conservative nature of Saudi society, where gender roles are rigidly defined, and the guardianship system has only recently begun to be dismantled.
  7. Ontological Multiplicity: Puar introduces the concept of “ontological multiplicity,” which suggests an imagined affiliation between disability and trans identities. This affiliation is linked to racial and interspecies discourses that acknowledge the differentiation of variation and multiplicity (page 36). The idea here is that bodies are not fixed entities but are malleable composites of parts, capacities, and debilities. This perspective challenges the notion of discrete categories of identity and instead promotes a view of identities as fluid and interconnected.
    • Lebanon: In Lebanon, the organization “The Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality (AFE)” works on issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as well as disability rights. They advocate for inclusive health services that cater to both the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with disabilities. For example, AFE has highlighted the unique challenges faced by trans individuals with disabilities, who often experience compounded discrimination that is not adequately addressed by existing legal frameworks or social services.
    • Iran: The Iranian context presents a paradox. While transgender individuals can legally undergo gender reassignment surgery and have their new gender recognized, this is often encouraged as a solution for homosexuality, which is criminalized. This situation creates a complex interplay between the state’s enforcement of a gender binary through medicalization and the lived reality of gender-diverse individuals who may not fit neatly into state-sanctioned categories. So, the seemingly progressive stance interms of re-assigning gender is complicated by the lack of support for those who don’t conform to post-surgical gender norms or for those who are disabled as a result of surgery.

Relating these takeaways to the Middle East, we can consider how the region’s complex socio-political landscape interacts with these concepts. For example, the Middle East’s history of colonialism, conflict, and socio-political movements provides a rich context for examining the intersectionality of identities and the body as a site of resistance. The neoliberal market economies prevalent in some parts of the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf states, can be critiqued through Puar’s analysis of transnormative bodies and neoliberalism.

For example, we can ask:

  • How do neoliberal market economies in the Middle East contribute to the commodification of bodies, and how does this relate to Puar’s concept of the transnormative body?
  • In what ways do the intersectional identities of disability and trans manifest in Middle Eastern societies, and how are they shaped by cultural, legal, and political forces?
  • How might the body act as a site of resistance within the context of Middle Eastern geopolitics, and what forms might this resistance take?

biopolitics, commentary on session #1: preface and introduction

Maiming rights: between power and vulnerability

In the dimly lit corners of our collective consciousness, there lies a question, one that has been whispered in hushed tones in the grand halls of academia: What does it mean to have the right to maim? As I sat through the inaugural session of our biopolitics course, the weight of this question pressed somehow heavily upon me. It was like the sensation of a dense fog, obscuring the path ahead, yet beckoning me to venture deeper.

Jasbir Puar’s “The Right to Maim” is not just a book; it’s a provocation. It’s a challenge to our preconceived notions of power, control, and the human body. Remember Foucault’s musings on biopower? Puar takes it a step further, diving headfirst into the murky waters of debility, capacity, and disability. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

The preface of “The Right to Maim” is akin to the opening sequence of a gripping film. It sets the stage, introduces the characters, and hints at the drama to unfold. But what truly caught my attention was the introduction. It’s here that Puar lays out their thesis, drawing us into a world where the body is both a site of resistance and subjugation. It’s reminiscent of Orwell’s “1984,” where power is not just about control but also about the ability to inflict pain. But Puar goes beyond Orwell, asking: What if power is not just about the right to inflict pain, but also the right to maim?

Now, fellow thinkers, I invite you to pause for a moment.

[trigger warning: imaginations of pain and conflict]

Close your eyes and imagine a world where the state has the authority to maim its citizens. It’s a chilling thought, isn’t it? But as Puar argues, this is not just a dystopian fantasy. It’s a reality for many, especially in conflict zones. Think of the countless stories from war- and conflict- and terror-inflicted places, where bodies are broken, not just to punish, but to control.

But why maim?
Why not kill?

This is where Puar’s argument becomes particularly intriguing. Maiming, she suggests, is a form of biopolitical control. It’s about creating a population that is perpetually debilitated, dependent, and thus easier to control. It’s a Machiavellian strategy, one that is both cruel and effective.

Yet, as I sat in that seminar room, listening to the first reflections on ableness, disability, debility, and activisim, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is there a silver lining? Can the maimed body also be a site of resistance? Can it challenge the very power structures that seek to control it?

In the world of pop culture, the underdog is celebrated, the one who rises against all odds. Think of characters like Furiosa from “Mad Max: Fury Road” or Bran Stark from “Game of Thrones.” Both are physically debilitated, yet they challenge and subvert the power structures around them – to a certain degree, and, of course, a matter of interpretation. Can real-life maimed bodies do the same?

As we venture deeper into “The Right to Maim,” I invite you to join in on this intellectual journey. Let’s explore the nuances of Puar’s arguments, challenge their assumptions, and perhaps, just perhaps, find some answers to these pressing questions.

In the words of the great philosopher Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” So let’s examine, let’s question, and let’s discover. After all, isn’t that what academia is all about?