The article describes a manifesto- a way of thinking proposed as the ideal life of a killjoy. Ahmed defines a feminist killjoy as a manifesto, which states, declares and spreads the ideals of a feminist (252). According to him, the feminist killjoy does not just have a spelled out manifesto but also a manifesto.
The description of a feminist killjoy is based on the idea of violence in how feminism is interpreted. Feminism is often interpreted as murder in that it advocates for the termination of the system that forms and develops men. The feminist killjoy is comparable to the murderous feminist advanced by Valerie Solanas, who depicted a feminist mindset for a Society for Cutting Up Men (SCUM) (Ahmed 253). The feminist killjoy, therefore, is a person who advances the feminist ideals that kill the joy that comes with ordinary life principles.
Actions of a Feminist Killjoy
A feminist killjoy must stay unhappy with life, showing that they disagree with the social norms that are in place. According to Ahmed, happiness has been attributed to satisfaction and justifying the life patterns in society (255). Therefore, a feminist killjoy needs to show their disagreement with the political and social systems that have given attributes to killjoys. The unhappiness is attributed to the feminist snap described by Ahmed as breaking under the weight and the bruises of social structures that have given the feminist killjoy the guts and strength to rebel (255). Therefore, a killjoy is made a killjoy by what she does, exposing violence and crafting principles that express what a feminist is willing or unwilling to abide with.
As a feminist killjoy, one must be willing to make unhappiness their cause and support those willing to cause it. As Ahmed puts it, a killjoy should appreciate and recognize the unhappiness that happiness can cause (257). This statement means that what the world considers happiness should be unhappiness to a feminist killjoy, and they must make a lifetime commitment to expose and fight it. A fundamental principle in the killjoy manifesto is taking a firm stand and accepting the consequences of deviating from the acceptable social norms and forming their own principles of creating and supporting unhappiness (Ahmed 258). Living the life of a killjoy is costly, and therefore, a feminist killjoy finds the strength to persist from the warmth of other killjoys. Essentially, one must be willing to support others in the fight to facilitate the continuity of the killjoy manifesto and create awareness of it.
A feminist killjoy should not laugh at jokes meant to offend. This has been described as the fantasy of a killjoy characterized by humorless life (Ahmed 265). Once a person has been labeled a feminist killjoy, others may develop some jokes to offend and ridicule them, but these must never be taken to heart or entertained in any way. Racism and sexist statements are often passed through satire and sarcasm disguised as jokes. For this reason, a feminist killjoy must loathe and fight offensive jokes as one way of protecting their freedom to articulate their personal views ( Ahmed 262). They must reject any form of humor that is against their principles.
Lastly, a feminist killjoy must never concede to the belief that the fight is over unless it means an end to the systems that have brought inequality and injustice. According to Ahmed, inclusion can only imply that the feminist manifesto is included; otherwise, the fight is not over (264). The fight is against the unjust and violent system, and the end of it means happiness to the feminist killjoy. To achieve the desired happiness, a feminist killjoy must be willing to snap any bonds that stand in her way no matter how strong they are (Ahmed 267). Although they live against the commonly accepted views of happiness, feminist killjoys should be willing to give a chance to happiness, which bespeaks hope of equality and justice as the end means of joy.
Examples of the Killjoy Manifesto Applications
In society, women have been seen as subjects to submission accorded a second place after men. An example of applying the killjoy manifesto would be campaigning for the appointment of women in key executive positions such as the presidency. This aligns with the principles of destroying the system that created men as the ones who should take pre-eminence in leadership. According to Ahmed, inclusion should entail the destruction of all unjust systems (265).
A second example is where the law would force a schoolboy who impregnates a schoolgirl to drop out together with the girl to fend for her. This would be diverting from the norm where girls drop out as boys continue excelling in their studies. Following these practices would force people to change their way of life and start accepting women as integral and equal partners in life. Ahmed’s principles can exemplify feminist praxis since they advocate for destroying the system that creates men. This is the basis of feminism, which insists that men should not be considered superior to women.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the feminist killjoy advanced by Ahmed is an illustration of the manifesto that advocates for equality and justice in society. A feminist killjoy is depicted as a person willing to fight for their right of expression, support others, and be ready to bear all consequences of going against the established social order. According to Ahmed’s principle, living would necessitate a change of the thinking and structures at the personal, social, and corporate level.
Works Cited
Ahmed, Sara. “Conclusion 2. A Killjoy Manifesto.” Living a Feminist Life, 2017, pp. 251-268.