Of Effacement: Blackness and Non-Being

In Of Effacement, David Marriott challenges established notions of blackness and reexamines its presence in art, philosophy, autobiography, literary theory, political theory, and psychoanalysis. He explores the relationships between language, judgment, and effacement, arguing that it has become the dominant force in anti-blackness. Through critical analysis of key figures and concepts, Marriott proposes a rereading of blackness as an identity and a fundamental question for philosophy.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 410 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "Of Effacement," David Marriott sets out to challenge and dismantle prevailing notions about what blackness means and redefine our understanding of what it is not in various fields such as art, philosophy, autobiography, literary theory, political theory, and psychoanalysis. Displaying the same critical rigor and boldness seen in his earlier book, "Whither Fanon?" Marriott delves into the intricate relationships between language, judgment, and effacement, revealing how effacement has become the dominant force in anti-blackness.

Throughout the book, Marriott engages in a series of radical philosophical discussions with Fanon's concept of "n est pas" and its profound implications for black politics. He questions the very possibility of speaking or representing that which is devoid of existence, exploring whether blackness is "n est pas" because it has yet to be conceived as such. Marriott anchors these profound inquiries by examining fundamental questions about freedom, resistance, mastery, life, and liberation through a series of insightful analyses of key figures such as Huey Newton, Nietzsche, Malcolm X, Edward Said, Georges Bataille, Stuart Hall, and Lacan. By reinterpreting the effacement of blackness as an identity and emphasizing its centrality to philosophy, Marriott establishes the groundwork for a fresh perspective on blackness.

In conclusion, "Of Effacement" is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking work that challenges our preconceptions and expands our horizons. Through his meticulous exploration of language, judgment, and effacement, Marriott offers a profound and innovative interpretation of blackness, shedding light on its complexities and implications in art, philosophy, autobiography, literary theory, political theory, and psychoanalysis. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in delving deeper into the realm of blackness and its profound impact on our world.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503637252