Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 09:56:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Satish K Kolluri <kolluri-AT-comm.umass.edu>
Subject: Re: Definition of subalterns


tina

some thoughts...

when one talks about the subaltern one need not necessarily privilege 
the migratory experience (to the center or the metropolis). usually i 
have in mind the figure of the dalit, in the indian context, when i refer to 
the "subaltern," in a gramscian kind of a way. and i  think it is inherently 
problematic for postcolonial elites (some folks like us) to claim 
subalternity. to follow gayatri spivak's line of thought, how do we unlearn 
our privileges and does this process of unlearning (is it possible?) 
enable us to speak for the subaltern, that is, how does one articulate a 
politics of representation, philosophically and politically?

	some postcolonial scholars in the metropolis claim subalternity 
in a strategic way, in "light of a visible political interest" and it 
could be about rewriting history or (not) getting tenured.  but 
then, on another level, a question could be posed: how does the 
figure of an indian/ pakistani cab driver in new york city complicate the 
above claim? 

best, 

satish
umass, amherst


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