betterthinkers

Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone by Minna Salami

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really appreciate the perspective I gained from this book. As someone with a background in social epistemology, it was nice to read a book that aims to challenge the western-dominated/reductive view of knowledge. There are good examples of holistic more systemic types of knowledge that help broaden my perspective. I particularly like the river analogy for a conception of social power, where rivers can converge and be generative for the benefit of all, vs. the dichotomous “A” having power over “B” formula that seems to be the dominant view. I also loved the stomach and the body analogy of how all parts of a system are important even if not immediately evident:

Once upon a time various parts of the body began complaining that they didn’t like the stomach. The hand said, “I cultivate all the soil to plant the seeds, I harvest the crops, I prepare the food. All that the stomach ever does is wait to be fed. How unfair.” The feet agreed and said, “Yeah, me too, man. I carry the heavy stomach around all day, I carry her to the farm to get food, I carry her to the river to get water, I even carry her up the palm tree to get palm wine, and all the stomach ever does is lie there and expect to get her ration of food, water, and wine whenever she needs them. This is unfair.” The head chimed in, complaining about how she carries all the heavy load from the farm and the river, having to do all the thinking—all to feed the stomach, who does nothing to help. The parts of the body decided to embark on a protest action. They agreed to stop working and feeding the lazy stomach until the stomach ended her selfishness. A whole day went by, and they didn’t give the stomach food or water or wine. All that the stomach did was groan from time to time while the others taunted her. By the second day of starving the stomach, however, the head said that she was beginning to feel dizzy. By the third day, the hands reported that they were feeling weak, and the feet were wobbly and could not stand straight. Then it dawned on them that, much as they were visibly supporting the stomach, the stomach was also helping them in a less obvious but equally important way. By feeding the stomach, they were feeding themselves without knowing it. So they called off their strike and went back to work to feed the stomach. Their strength returned, and together with the stomach, they continued to live.”

(pg. 139-140, Kindle Edition)

My main issue with the book is that it often lays out some premises, and then jumps to a conclusion that often doesn’t seem to follow. I found myself having to apply logic which of course the book wants to resist this:

what moral and ethical questions underpin the scientific method? What is the worldview that brought us to present-day society? And how can we change it? For if knowledge production is unethical today, then the knowledge produced will be unethical in the future too. (p. 32, Kindle Edition.)

Although I agree that a reductive view, or a pure scientific method approach can problematic, it is by no means always the case, or the case for all instances. There are a number of general statements like this in the book, that reveal an overplayed hand.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the book, gained perspective on African and Feminist views of knowledge which I will hold onto. Some of the prose is great. And although some of conclusions are not supported well, I do think it is thought-provoking and very well worth the read.



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