경험이 언어가 될 때
- Page
- 204
- Publication Date
- January 3, 2023
- ISBN
- 9788932041131
An essay that continuously reflects on and examines
oneself through the lenses of feminism and Marxism
How do feminists live today? Since 2015, many changes have taken place in Korean society through various phases such as #MeToo and crimes related to sharing of film footage shot without consent. Women raised their collective voices against a culture that was insensitive to discrimination and violence against women, and now feminism has come to be regarded as the spirit of the times. However, our lives are still surrounded by many questions and challenges. When Experience Becomes Language offers insights on how to live as a feminist. It is a record of the struggle to practice the values of solidarity and coexistence based on feminist epistemology. The title “When Experience Becomes Language” can be said to refer to the moment of discerning daily violence and making one’s experience meaningful by looking at the world, breaking away from male-centered language.
Based on the two values of feminism and Marxism that have influenced her life, author Lee Sojin expands her gaze from ‘me’ to the world, intersecting topics such as class, women, capital, time, and consumption. Instead of presenting herself as an activist or professional researcher with firm convictions, the author chooses a confessional style of writing that reveals her immature past and uses it as a stepping stone for reflection. For example, during childhood, the author had high self-esteem and no concern for others, but later, through the experiences of seeing, hearing and realizing, she came to gradually understand others better and grew from that. The author sharply recalls her experiences and observes the world around her while pointing out various issues.
Lee says that if you want a world where no one is alienated, and if you support feminism from that point of view, you should not refrain from asking questions. You have to think hard about whether you are insensitive to someone’s pain, where the emotions you feel come from, what problems you can bring to light, and how you can persuade more people. And the first step begins with reflecting deeply upon yourself, bumping into yourself, and breaking yourself repeatedly. This book is the result of such intense self-reflection.