Why do we tend to neglect the histories of today’s struggles?
Call for Contributions bis zum 15.03.2022
Oppression, war and exploitation run through the history of societies – just like the resistance that forms against these various forms of violence. Social movements and emancipatory struggles have therefore always followed a temporal dimension: they are related to the past, they build on it, they distance themselves from it or repeat it. Many struggles look back on a long, heterogeneous and multi-layered history. However, if this history is not shaped by patriarchal achievements, it often lacks presence in today’s societies.
We also observe that many current struggles follow a specific tendency: they seek to be something new and aim at distinguishing themselves from the past – in doing so, in a more or less conscious or unconscious process, they also might overlook the struggles of the past. Perhaps we do the same when framing UNEINS as bringing „new impulses on peace and conflict“. Yet, have we given enough attention to what we hereby mark as „old“ in order to be able to speak of the „new“?
One reason for this current phenomenon might be our linear understanding of time and temporality, which often positions the paradigm of progress and innovation in the present and future.
In the second issue of UNEINS, we want to look at temporality as continuity and rupture in emancipatory, political, and social struggles. In doing so, we ask:
- Which past struggles should receive more attention? Why are they not talked about, not visible anymore, etc.?
- What does „temporality“ mean in the context of emancipatory struggles? What does it mean for our struggles when breaking with a linear understanding of time and the idea of progress that lies ahead of us?
- On which continuities do today‘s struggles build on? Which historical events shape protest movements of today? Can movements learn from the past?
- Who are our role models? What do their struggles teach us? What influence do they have on our own identification with the struggles we fight?
- Under which circumstances does it make sense to refer to past struggles? Which strength lies in this, which possible dangers might occur?
- Why do we even fight in struggles that have never succeeded?
- Anyway, do you agree with our thesis? If not, challenge us!
We are looking for:
Contributions of any journalistic, scientific, literary, artistic kind and form that deal with the theme of conflict and continuity. We are looking forward to critical, creative and courageous ideas!
General framework for the submission of contributions:
- The call is open to everyone!
- Contributions in English or German are welcome.
- Please submit an abstract (max. 3,000 characters including spaces) of an already existing or planned contribution.
- Please indicate the approximate length of the planned contribution (not more than 15,000 characters including spaces, shorter contributions are welcome too!).
- Other formats and ideas (e.g. photographs, artistic works, poems, cartographies, illustrations, comics, etc.) can be submitted in an appropriate format.
- Short biography (max. 600 characters incl. spaces)
- Name, contact information (email), if available institution (e.g. university, collective, alliance, association, etc.)
Deadline for submission is 15.03.2022
Further process
The selection of the contributions will be made by 01.04.2022. All submissions will receive written feedback from us. A participatory peer review process is planned for the selected contributions. A small financial reimbursement for the authors is planned.
About UNEINS
UNEINS is a young magazine that debates new impulses on peace and conflict from a peace-political and feminist perspective.
Are you curious about the first issue of UNEINS on "Critical Knowledge Production" and don’t know it yet? Order it for free!
For submissions and for further questions contact us at uneins-mag@posteo.de.
We are looking forward to your contributions! Your UNEINS Magazin