>The 1999 intro to the International Critical Geography Group in Environment
>and Planning D: Society and Space 1999, volume 18, pages 379 - 382
>http://www.pion.co.uk/ep/html/d1704fst.html uses the term 'serb genocide'.
>I noted already that the ICGG takes its world view from the
>western liberal-democratic mainstream. The 'genocidal race of serbs' was a
>western media stereotype for much of the 1990's. The use of an ethnic label
>for a genocide implies that the members of that ethnic group may legitimately
>be killed to prevent that genocide. The rest of the text is not specifically
>pro-NATO, but I think this language should be explained...
>
>--
>Paul Treanor
>
>I would ask the authors, Caroline Desbiens and Neil Smith, to expain what they
>mean by this...
Paul,
I apreciate your engagement with the ICGG statement of purpose. Neil
doesn't have access to his email right now, so I 'll try to clarify the
paragraph you point to from my own perspective. I should emphasize that,
although the 'Society and Space' editorial is by Neil and I, the statement
is the outcome of a group effort and very much a work in progress. During a
meeting in Mexico City last spring, some members found it difficult to
adapt this document to their own political context. There are plans to
discuss other versions and adaptations in Taegu.
The specific paragraph you take issue with is an attempt to acknowledge
that in the changing realities of globalization, the affirmation of
difference can play on many fronts, sometimes aligning with progressive
politics, at other times with repressives ones and every other kind in
between. I agree with you that the term 'genocide' has to be used
cautiously since it makes it easier to sanction military acts of violence
or, worse, leads to their glorification. The mention of 'Serb genocide' in
this context is meant to highlight the difficult terrain that a group such
as the ICGG faces in its attempts to develop new forms of political
organizing when struggles can move so quickly between different sides of
the fence . Rather, the fence is a pretty confusing labyrinth which is what
the ICGG is trying to address. Once again, I take issue with your broad
jump from our mention of 'Serb genocide' as an example of that to the
'genocidal race of serbs' you rightly identify as a media stereotype. In no
way do we equate the acts of influential leaders and their followers with
the entirety of the Serb population.
So is it third space, paradoxical space, postmodern politics, all of the
above this paragraph is talking about? I don't much care about the
terminology, the issue is to remain attuned to subleties in our political
work and leave the broad strokes for chants and placards when they are
needed. How do we remake politics in a context where even genocide can
raise doubt because it is a mediated, contested reality that we can only
grasp in partial ways?
Hope this helps. Thanks Luiza, Lawrence and Nicholas for chipping in on this.
Caroline
____________________________________
Caroline Desbiens
PhD Candidate, Geography
University of British Columbia
Room 217 - 1984 West Mall
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z2
Tel: (604) 605-0672
Fax: (604) 822-5945
Email: [log in to unmask]
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