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Article published In:
Narrative Inquiry
Vol. 30:2 (2020) ► pp.236–270

Horizontality and gender in contemporary social movements

Narrative practice as a means of resistance

| Pontíficia Universidade Católica, Rio de Janeiro
| Pontíficia Universidade Católica, Rio de Janeiro

The notion of horizontal, “structureless” organisation continues to hold resounding appeal for those seeking to create more egalitarian societies. Given horizontality’s comfortable status as the golden child of contemporary social movements, in this article we ask to what extent symmetrical relations may materialize discursively within an ostensibly horizontal group. To do so, we analyse two narratives of resistance which emerge during a meeting of bicycle advocates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Uniting insider and outsider perspectives, our analysis suggests that gendered asymmetries are simultaneously contested and reified during the activists’ narrative and interactional practice. As such, this study highlights the need to take a critical stance towards discursive practice in order to further understand the construction of horizontality. In so doing, it may then be possible to build communities which foster minority groups’ active participation and the very transformative practice sought out by those who engage in social movements.

Keywords: gender performance, gender identity, social movements, horizontality, resistance, story telling in interaction
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Contemporary social movements, horizontality and gendered performances
  • Narrative practice and resistance
  • Methodological considerations and epistemological stance
  • Data analysis: How are power dynamics navigated within the narrated world?
  • Adding a second layer to the analysis: How are power dynamics navigated during the narrative event?
  • Discussion and conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 19 May 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.19045.ort
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