Writing the Past as Politics: Some Reflections on Historiography and Margaret Henderson

Lilith: A Feminst History Journal, Vol. 17 & 18, 2012

U of Melbourne Legal Studies Research Paper No. 661

8 Pages Posted: 17 Oct 2013

See all articles by Ann Genovese

Ann Genovese

University of Melbourne - Law School

Date Written: October 16, 2013

Abstract

Margaret Henderson’s work is important. In both the essay included in this edition of Lilith, and in her broader body of writing, importantly, in her book Marking Feminist Times: Remembering the Longest Revolution in Australia, Henderson challenges her readers to move beyond the tired complacencies of static arguments about what she calls ‘accountancy’: narrative closures about what Australian feminism meant, or didn’t; what it did or didn’t do, and what it could have done better. She reminds us, gently but firmly, to return to thinking about our theoretical vantage points when we engage in these conversations, both within and outside our political and intellectual communities. In so doing, Henderson chides us, we will see more, we will see differently; and that has the potential not just for better scholarship, but for feminist politics more generally.

JEL Classification: K00, K19

Suggested Citation

Genovese, Ann, Writing the Past as Politics: Some Reflections on Historiography and Margaret Henderson (October 16, 2013). Lilith: A Feminst History Journal, Vol. 17 & 18, 2012, U of Melbourne Legal Studies Research Paper No. 661, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2341434

Ann Genovese (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne - Law School ( email )

University Square
185 Pelham Street, Carlton
Victoria, Victoria 3010
Australia

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