I, a Performatively Feminist Male, Will Be Touring Internationally – The New Yorker

Report on an International Advocacy Tour for Sustainable Development Goal Advancement

An international tour has been launched to promote key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a primary focus on Gender Equality (SDG 5). The initiative employs public performance and direct engagement to raise awareness and advocate for systemic change across North America and Europe.

Phase I: North American and European Engagements

1. Philadelphia, USA: Economic Justice and Public Education (SDG 5, SDG 10)

   The tour commenced with activities targeting economic and social inequalities.

   • Economic Advocacy: Public demonstrations were held at financial institutions under the “Time’s Up” banner to protest gender-based economic disparities, directly addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
   • Educational Outreach: A mobile literacy campaign was conducted on public transit, featuring the public display of seminal texts such as “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” to promote historical awareness and contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education).

2. London, UK: Women in STEM and Environmental Justice (SDG 5, SDG 15, SDG 16)

   Engagements in the United Kingdom focused on highlighting female contributions to science and advocating for the rights of non-human species.

   • Promoting Women in Science: Public lectures were delivered on the contributions of pioneering female scientists, such as entomologist Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, to advance Target 5.5 of SDG 5 (ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership).
   • Environmental and Legal Advocacy: Symbolic protests were conducted to raise awareness for animal welfare and the need for legal representation for captive species, aligning with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

3. Hamburg, Germany: Historical Accountability and Violence Against Women (SDG 5, SDG 16)

   A targeted campaign was executed to address historical instances of gender-based violence by public figures. This initiative supports SDG 5, Target 5.2 (eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls), by fostering public accountability. Non-verbal communication methods were planned to ensure the message transcended language barriers, promoting inclusive dialogue.

4. Paris, France (Proposed): Restorative Justice and Civic Partnerships (SDG 16, SDG 17)

   A proposal is underway to lift a previous municipal ban to allow for future advocacy. This effort involves engaging with local government officials (conseillers municipaux) to foster dialogue and build partnerships for the goals (SDG 17), demonstrating a commitment to restorative justice processes under SDG 16.

Inter-Phase Strategic Activities: Health and Intersectionality

A scheduled rest period will be utilized for community-focused actions that embody an intersectional approach to sustainable development.

• Contribution to Public Health (SDG 3): The advocate will engage in activities supporting public health infrastructure, including blood donation and volunteering at collection centers.
• Ensuring Safe Public Spaces (SDG 5, SDG 11): Concurrent security services will be provided to ensure safe access for women at these public health facilities, a direct action supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 5.

Phase II: Domestic Engagements and Sustainable Practices

1. Scranton, USA: Sustainable Transport and Promotion of Women in Sports (SDG 12, SDG 5)

   The second phase will commence with a focus on sustainable practices and continued advocacy.

   • Commitment to Responsible Consumption (SDG 12): The advocate will travel solo via ground transport to minimize the tour’s carbon footprint, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production Patterns).
   • Media Advocacy: During transit, public streaming of interviews with female athletes like Caitlin Clark will be used to promote visibility for women’s sports, contributing to the cultural shift required for SDG 5.

2. Ongoing Local Engagements: Public Art and Civic Dialogue (SDG 5, SDG 4)

   Smaller-scale initiatives will continue between major tour legs. These include high-visibility public art installations, such as displaying texts like “The Feminine Mystique” in civic spaces like the Department of Motor Vehicles, to provoke dialogue and advance educational goals related to gender equality.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the central theme of the article. The entire piece is a satire of performative feminism, directly engaging with concepts of gender equality. The narrator’s actions, though absurd, revolve around feminist literature (“A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” “The Feminine Mystique”), historical female figures (Lucy Evelyn Cheesman), and issues like violence against women (John Lennon’s spousal abuse) and women’s sports (Caitlin Clark).

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article touches upon themes of justice, albeit in a satirical manner. The narrator’s plan to publicize John Lennon’s “history of emotional spousal abuse” relates to seeking accountability for violence. His mention of “big cats locked away without legal representation” is a parody of the concept of access to justice for all.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The narrator explicitly uses the term “intersectionality,” a key concept in understanding and reducing inequalities. Although he misapplies it comically (“volunteering at a blood bank while simultaneously donating blood and providing physical security for ladies”), its inclusion connects the article’s satirical critique to the broader discourse on inequality.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  A brief, satirical connection is made when the narrator justifies traveling alone by citing “the environmental impact of flying with them [groupies] would be staggering.” This mocks the co-opting of environmental concerns for personal justification, thereby touching on the theme of climate action and its associated impacts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The narrator’s entire “tour” is a satirical performance aimed at combating gender discrimination, referencing foundational feminist texts that argue against it.
  • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. This is directly referenced in the plan to “be informed of John Lennon’s (ahem) cavernous history of emotional spousal abuse.”
  • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The mention of “Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, O.B.E., who was the first female curator of insects” highlights the historical struggle for women’s participation and leadership in professional fields.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence. The reference to spousal abuse directly relates to the goal of reducing violence.
  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all. This is parodied through the narrator’s concern for animals “locked away without legal representation,” mocking the principle of universal access to justice.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… sex. The narrator’s misguided attempt at “intersectionality” is a satirical take on the complex goal of promoting inclusion for all, particularly women in the context of his performance.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation. The narrator’s comment on the “environmental impact of flying” is a performative display of awareness, satirizing superficial engagement with climate issues.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

  • Implied Indicator for Target 5.2: The article’s mention of “emotional spousal abuse” is a qualitative reference to the type of violence measured by Indicator 5.2.1 (Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner). It highlights the existence of the problem this indicator tracks.
  • Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: The reference to the “first female curator of insects” implies a historical baseline of zero women in that position. This relates to the concept behind Indicator 5.5.2 (Proportion of women in managerial positions), which measures the presence and progress of women in leadership roles over time.

• For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

  • Implied Indicator for Target 13.3: The narrator’s statement about the “environmental impact of flying” serves as a satirical, individual-level proxy for awareness. While not a formal metric, it points to the phenomenon measured by Indicator 13.3.1 (Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in national education policies), as it represents a (flawed) expression of learned environmental consciousness.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newyorker.com