According to Halberstam

According to Halberstam, the importance of names, naming, and the meanings that names convey is what she refers to as the “dynamic power of naming”. Halberstam argues that this is because names are not simply dictated by history and genealogy but also because they help shape our understanding of the present. She refers to this phenomenon as “naming’s alchemical moment”, a transformation where naming becomes a way in which we re-imagine social arrangements and create identities. Alternatively, she calls it “naming’s magic”, where names provide us with the means to create desired identities or social arrangements. Finally, she refers to it as “naming’s potential”, suggesting that names possess something more than historically attributed to them.

Naming is a vital aspect of political organizing. Through the process, people can come together with shared beliefs and goals, as well as create a sense of unity that would otherwise not exist. This is especially important in the current political climate, where people are getting more divided. One significant way for people to name themselves or others is through representation. For example, if you say you’re a Democrat and you see one of your representatives on TV, a person has likely been named by other Americans who share the same values as you. This creates a shared identity for those who are Democrats and Republicans alike that would otherwise not exist without naming themselves or someone else.

Identity names tend to be generally tied to the production of knowledge and about a group of people. In other words, these names can sometimes be used to uncover someone’s identity, in which case they may need to alter their name. On the other hand, these names are also often used to identify with a certain social group or cause. This is because people may want to show support for an issue or movement. This is especially true when people want to represent themselves as being part of that particular group while trying not to be seen as an outsider (e.g., if they’re queer and don’t want others in the community to know).

The act of naming tends to be closely related to power. This can be seen through the power exerted by words. Words are used to maintain power and control over other people or objects in society. It’s not just the powerful who have access to naming; individuals with less social clout may create their power by naming things themselves. This is most commonly seen with graffiti tagging, where it’s hard for police (who lack local knowledge) to catch the perpetrators because they know the streets better than any map does.

When a person cannot name themselves, it is often because they are not willing or able to claim their identity. This is self-neglect and can lead to feelings of inadequacy, shame, and powerlessness. There are various reasons why someone may not be able to name themselves, such as the person experiencing shame about their past experiences or upbringing. The first step in addressing this issue is gaining insight into the causes of this self-neglect.

According to Halberstam, Trans* Feminism refers to a particular understanding of feminism that recognizes and addresses the complexities of trans women’s identities. Halberstam argues that this definition is necessary to shift attention away from essentialist understandings of femininity and gender, which she believes have led to the erasure and subordination of trans women. Halberstam does not claim that Trans* Feminism is a new school but instead that it incorporates multiple feminist theories into one, including “feminine-focused” feminisms and queer theory.

Halberstam argues against TERF or anti-trans* activism due to various reasons. For example, TERF’s or anti-trans* activists claim that transgender children should be seen in the same way as if they were born into the wrong body. Halberstam argues against this idea because he believes it is an endorsement of the “essentialist view” on gender and sex. According to this view, individuals are born with particular sex but later (for example, at puberty) identify themselves as transgender.

Halberstam’s argument for inclusivity is highly important because it illuminates the need for increased education, understanding, and awareness across racial and cultural divides. Halberstam also argues that there is a commonality in our oppression as women. I think it is essential to have an ongoing dialogue about moving forward as women, which will require us to learn from each other’s experiences.