Feminisms in a time of permanent war: still we persist, organize, endure, resist

In the face of dire human struggles and climate crises, both resulting from rampant exploitation, this chapter asks how feminists are to address these problems. It queries whether or not there is such a thing as “postcolonial” feminism since the trappings of colonial exploitation are still with us, albeit in changed forms. Convinced that the term “postcolonialism” has outlived its usefulness, this chapter proposes using the phrase “the afterlife of colonialism,” to convey the continued presence of colonialism. This phrase, inspired by Saidiya Hartman’s work on slavery, brings clarity to the situation and shifts the focus to the need for praxis. The chapter argues that feminism has long served as a touchstone for these pressing problems, which explains why we still persist in our struggles.