| Author(s) | V. Denise James |
| Journal | Hypatia |
| Thematic Cluster/Special Issue | Interstices |
| Abstract | This reflective essay explores the author’s journey toward claiming the identity of “black feminist philosopher” within academic philosophy. V. Denise James examines the professional and personal challenges of reconciling black feminist commitments with the norms and practices of professional philosophy. She critiques her own earlier reliance on the adversarial method, which prioritized criticism over constructive engagement with black feminist thought. Drawing on Sandra Harding’s standpoint theory and John Dewey’s pragmatism, James questions whether professional philosophy can accommodate black feminist philosophy as more than a critical tool. She reflects on the scarcity of black women philosophers (fewer than forty in the U.S.), the marginalization of black feminist intellectual work within the discipline, and persistent doubts about whether it is possible to privilege black feminism while succeeding as an academic philosopher. The essay ultimately asks whether professional philosophy will make genuine space for black feminist philosophical work. This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work. |
| Keywords | black feminist philosophy, standpoint theory, professional philosophy, adversarial method, pragmatism, Africana philosophy, intersectionality, philosophical identity, academic marginalization, black women philosophers, professional legitimacy, philosophical methodology This content was generated by artificial intelligence using the text of the original work. |
| Date Published | 2014 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 189-195 |
| DOI | doi.org/10.1111/hypa.12067 |
| Google Scholar Link | https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=v.+denise+james%2C+a+black+feminist+philosopher&btnG= |
| Open Access? | No |