Feminist Solidarity, Reflective Solidarity

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents the concept of reflective solidarity as an ideal of feminist coalition. Reflective solidarity is defined as the mutual expectation of a responsible orientation to relationship. Situating itself among other feminist efforts to theorize connections after identity politics, the article builds from a critical appraisal of recent work by Shane Phelan (1994), Lee Quinby (1994), and Donna Haraway (1991). It argues that these works contribute significantly to feminist theory when they are understood in the context of communication and dialogue. The remainder of the paper develops this context through an analysis of the communicative underpinnings of the word “we” and through the development of the concept of the perspective of situated, hypothetical thirds.