The Art and Activism of Complaining

This reading list for Teach-In 29 by Sara Ahmed explores how complaining can be a form of feminist art and activism. It begins with the figure of “sister killjoy” introduced by Ama Ata Aidoo, as well as the feminist killjoy, exploring how some of us are heard as complaining, as being negative, because we point to problems, refusing to pass over institutional violence in return for happiness, inclusion or promotion. But saying no to institutions, or to those given power by them, often leads to doors being shut, to voices being silenced, and complaints buried. We have to find ways not just to say no to institutions, but to get our nos out of them. Saying no can lead us to others who said no, giving much needed solace and solidarity in the face of escalating violence.