Mobilising the Racialised 'Others': Postethnic Activism, Neoliberalisation and Racial Politics

by Suvi Keskinen

Overview

This book provides an original approach to the connections of race, racism and neoliberalisation through a focus on ‘postethnic activism,’ in which mobilisation is based on racialisation as non-white or ‘other’ instead of ethnic group membership.

Developing the theoretical understanding of political activism under the neoliberal turn in racial capitalism and the increasingly hostile political environment towards migrants and racialised minorities, the book investigates the conditions, forms and visions of postethnic activism in three Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden and Finland). It connects the historical legacies of European colonialism to the current configurations of racial politics and global capitalism.

The book compellingly argues that contrary to the tendencies of neoliberal postracialism to de-politicise social inequalities the activists are re-politicising questions of race, class and gender in new ways. The book is of interest to scholars and students in sociology, ethnic and racial studies, cultural studies, feminist studies and urban studies.

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367432461
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/17/2022
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Suvi Keskinen is Professor of Ethnic Relations at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Her research interests include racism, antiracism, political activism, and the politics of belonging. She is the co-editor of Undoing Homogeneity in the Nordic Region. Migration, Difference and the Politics of Solidarity (2019) and Feminisms in the Nordic Region. Neoliberalism, Nationalism and Decolonial Critique (2021).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Racial Nordicisation and Racial Politics

3. Methodological Routes

4. Creating Communities of Belonging and Naming the ‘Common’

5. Autonomous Spaces, Politics and Organising

6. New Representations, Cultural Work and Navigating Neoliberal Rationalities

7. Penal Welfare State, Neoliberal Policies and the Insurgence of the Suburb

8. Histories, Stories and Imaginaries

9. Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

"Suvi Keskinen examines emerging forms of antiracist political activism that seek to articulate futures beyond racial, class and gender hierarchies in the Nordic countries. This is particularly urgent and timely against the backdrop of increasing racist, nationalist and right-wing mobilisations in these countries and internationally. Drawing on historical and theoretical work she identifies the specificities of ‘racial nordicisation’ and its articulations of neoliberal racial capitalism in these countries, long seen as exemplary welfare states with high achievements in gender equality and egalitarianism, yet denying racism. By centering activists’ perspectives, the book explores politics of mobilisation as well as belonging that challenge racial, gendered, sexual and classed inequalities. An inspiring and important book!"

Umut Erel, The Open University, UK

"Suvi Keskinen makes a step change in documenting contemporary activism in Nordic countries. She reinvigorates the concept, ‘postethnic activism’, showing that racialising people as ‘other’ on the basis of appearance or religion treats ethnic differences as irrelevant. In resisting the resulting exclusions, postethnic activists create new spaces of belonging, collaboration and political activism. Keskinen analyses interview and media accounts to illuminate the shared struggle that creates political communities. In analysing the racial logics and racial capitalism in neoliberal states she highlights contemporary global processes that provide the conditions of possibility for postethnic activism. Mobilising the Racialised ‘Others’ is invaluable reading for those seeking to understand the simultaneity of personal and sociostructural processes and the inextricable linking of racialisation and resistance."

Ann Phoenix, University College London, UK

"Suvi Keskinen explores feminist and antiracist communities of struggle in Denmark, Finland and Sweden through the voices and the dreams of young activists racialised as ‘others’. The book offers an original and analytically provocative way of understanding both feminism and anti-racism in the Nordic region. Written with love, care and a powerful analytical frame the book is an essential reading to those interested in social justice agendas globally."

Diana Mulinari, Lund University, Sweden

"Suvi Keskinen very adeptly combines theoretical and empirical material in this pioneering study of resistance to racism in three Nordic countries. She identifies and analyzes the ways in which activists inject politics back into racial, class and gender identities to forge coalitions across minority groups and problematize neoliberal regimes under which they live."

Steve Garner, Texas A&M University, USA

From the Publisher