Fearful or fearless? The impact of fear on feminist activism

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fear is an emotion we generally try to avoid. It is associated with reflexes such as immobility, flight or, in the case of activism, demobilization. This article partially questions this received wisdom based on empirical research with feminists in Quebec (Canada) and Romandie (Switzerland). This article suggests that fear can also sometimes be a ‘drive to action’ for feminists and, at other times, rein in their activism. It first examines the varying effects of fear on feminist activism and links these to the different positioning of feminists within social relations of race, class and sexuality. Second, it suggests that the origin of the fear, its interactions with other emotions, and the emotional work performed by interviewees were other key factors shaping the impact of fear on their activism. In other words, we will discuss four main emotional sequences which take different directions depending on whether the fear stems from police violence, male violence, fear for one’s reputation or fear of exclusion. We will also look at the effects they give rise to: protective mechanisms, censorship, deepening knowledge and partial withdrawal from majority feminist circles. The article further addresses the fear of male violence which pushes many to become involved in the feminist movement. Combined with anger and emotional work to reduce its intensity, fear acts as a true driving force for action. Additionally, the article shows that factors which impede feminist activism are mostly related to a minority position in the movement and repeated anti-feminist threats.