[Cindy Sherman, 1978]

Manifesto

Manifesto: a book or other work by a private individual supporting a cause, propounding a theory or argument, or promoting a certain lifestyle. [from the Oxford English Dictionary]

Together we will read a few manifestos and in this project, I ask you to write your own. A manifesto is a call to action, a pledge that explains a problem and outlines a necessary response. Your manifesto can be about anything as long as it relates to something we have read or discussed in class. It does not have to be explicitly focused on theory, although it can be. Your manifesto can be personal or collective.

As a reminder, we read a number of manifestos together:
Week 4 - The Communist Manifesto;
Week 10 - The Combahee River Collective Statement, which could be a model for a manifesto even though they do not use that term;
Week 13 - A Posttranssexual Manifesto;
Additionally, Sara Ahmed’s Living a Feminist Life (of which we will read selections), includes a “A Killjoy Manifesto.”

Your manifesto must be at least 1000 words.

As for all the projects, your manifesto must be turned in by April 25, although I welcome earlier submissions. I would be happy to talk over your ideas or questions in office hours.