Fighting Identity: An Ethnography of Kickboxing in East London

This book explores how fighters at a Polish-owned Muay Thai/kickboxing gym in East London construct one another as the same, rejecting prior identity markers such as race, class, gender, and sexuality. It argues that becoming a fighter is socially contingent and remains subject to rupture due to the durability of taken-for-granted thinking about race, gender, and sexuality. It deploys Butler's theory of performativity and Bourdieu's conceptualization of habitus to explore the context-specific ways people transgress identity while remaining attentive to the constrained nature of agency. The book is intended for undergraduate and master's students on courses looking at race, racism, gender, social anthropology, sociology, and sociology of sport.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating ethnographic exploration delves into the dynamic world of fighters at a Polish-owned Muay Thai/kickboxing gym in East London. Through immersive fieldwork, the author offers a profound account of how these individuals strive to transcend their prior identity markers, seeking to construct a unified identity as fighters, a category supposedly liberated from the negative assumptions and limitations associated with race, class, gender, and sexuality. The book explores the intricate tapestry of subjectivity and identity by examining the motivations behind fighters' desire to disavow identity. It uncovers the complex processes involved in casting aside pre-established ways of thinking, feeling, and acting about constructed differences, ultimately forging deep bonds of carnal convivial friendships.

However, this book argues that the journey to becoming a fighter is far from straightforward, as it is profoundly shaped by the socially contingent nature of the sport. It highlights the resilience of taken-for-granted thinking about race, gender, and sexuality, which, if invoked, has the potential to disrupt the category of fighters and re-assign individuals to longer-standing durable categories. To navigate this complex terrain, the book employs Butler's theory of performativity and Bourdieu's conceptualization of habitus to examine the context-specific ways in which people transgress identity while remaining mindful of the limited agency available to them.

The book is meticulously crafted to cater to undergraduate and master's students enrolled in courses that delve into the realms of race, racism, gender, social anthropology, sociology, and the sociology of sport. It provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in identity construction, social categorization, and the intersection of sport and society. Through its compelling narrative and insightful analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the world of fighters and their pursuit of a shared identity beyond the boundaries of race, class, and gender.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032279190