Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-20-2021
Abstract
This article explores the role of practical political theory in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. I argue that BLM represents a multifaceted engagement with the complicated politics of redemption that lies at the heart of American democracy. In one sense, BLM stands for the integration of black life into the framework of political value, and thus for a redemption of the promise of ‘justice for all’. In another, it is a challenge to the principles themselves, viewing justice as a threat to be managed, rather than as a principle to be redeemed. Exploring the praxis of this movement, organized both against and within the possibility of redemption, will enable us to more effectively characterize the limitations of a politics grounded in the theorization of justice and generate a richer understanding of the possibility for practical political theory to simultaneously employ and critique the politics of redemption.
Recommended Citation
Olney, C. (2021). Black Lives Matter and the politics of redemption. Philosophy & Social Criticism. https://doi.org/10.1177/01914537211009573
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Philosophy & Social Criticism
DOI
10.1177/01914537211009573
Comments
Original published version available at https://journals.sagepub.com/share/UP47UPWFX22H4QUQTYXA?target=10.1177/01914537211009573