Being Human in a Time of Catastrophe: African Feminism, Feminist Humaneness, and the Poetry of Joyce Ash

Abstract

This article explores what it means to be human in a time of health catastrophe, and introduces the concept of feminist humaneness. Feminist humaneness is an offshoot of African feminism and is about women practicalising their feminism by expressing kindness, care, compassion, empathy and consideration for other women in times of sickness, disease, pandemics and other health catastrophes. The article establishes connections between being feminist and being humane using the poetry of Cameroonian writer Joyce Ash. Ash’s poetry constructs feminist humaneness as a socially responsive and practical feminism that fosters human relationships. Opsomming Hierdie artikel bestudeer wat menswees in ’n tyd van gesondheidskatastrofe behels, en stel die konsep van feministiese menslikheid bekend. Feministiese menslikheid is ’n vertakking van Afrika-feminisme en handel oor vroue se praktikalisering van hul feminisme deur welwillendheid, sorg, medelye, empatie en bedagsaamheid teenoor ander vroue in tye van siekte, pandemies, en ander gesondheidskatastrofes te toon. Die artikel gebruik die poësie van die Kameroense skrywer Joyce Ash deur ’n verband daar te stel tussen feministies wees en menslik wees. Ash se poësie konstrueer feministiese menslikheid as ’n maatskaplik responsiewe en praktiese feminisme wat menslike verhoudings koester.