1. Deconstructing binary opposition By Jacob Moore
Bad feminist
Deconstructing binary opposition
By Jacob Moore

2. What are binary oppositions?
A lightswitch is on or off
A team wins or loses
Water is hot or cold
Opposites—concepts that can’t exist together
Other examples?

3. Binary opposition is a key component of structuralism
Structuralism: A theory of sociology that states that all elements of human culture can only be understood in relation to one another
Binary opposition is a key component of structuralism
What are some binaries that we place people into?
Where have you seen these binaries reflected?

4. Take out a piece of paper
Copy this chart onto it
For each binary pair, circle the label that society ascribes to you— even if you disagree with it
Can anyone think of some problems with these binaries?

5. Problems with binaries
Creates boundaries and divisions between groups of people
Often privileges one group of person over the other—makes one group the “default”
Uses language that ignores the realities of people

6. So let’s mess with some binaries
Let’s pick one of our societal binaries
What are some aspects we (as a society, not you as individuals) attribute to each side?
Are these always right, all the time?
What is wrong with them?
What are some things that challenge them?
Deconstruction: A critical approach that challenges binary opposition

7. Bad Feminist
Go through the essay—note 3-5 points in the essay where Roxane Gay points out a binary
Does she agree with these binaries?
How does she confront them?

8. What is a bad feminist? What is a good feminist?

9. Why does Gay define feminists as “women who don’t want to be treated like shit”?
What are some other possible definitions of the term?
What is unique about this one?
This one is unique because it troubles the binary. In its simplicity, it challenges the notion that a feminist should fit into a rigid set of guidelines. It is so open and simplistic that it almost sounds too broad. It forces the listener to reconsider what they think of as feminist, what they don’t think of as feminist, and how many of those things are actually directly related to feminism

10. In-class assignment What is something that you identify yourself with?
Make a T-chart for “good” and “bad” versions of that identity
Think about where those ideas of what is “good” or “bad” are coming from
Circle the attributes on your T-chart that you, personally, identify with

11. Did you get mostly “good” or mostly “bad”?
What are some of the things that make you “bad”
Do you agree that these attributes are good or bad? Why/why not?

12. For next class
Read “Race, Ethnicity, Surgery” (Emerging, pg )