1968 in Retrospect
History, Theory, Alterity

This volume examines the protest movements of 1968 from innovative perspectives. With contributions from leading social theorists the book reflects on the untold narratives of race, gender and sexuality and critically addresses the standard theoretical assumptions of 1968 to discuss overlooked perspectives.

What is the meaning of 1968, a year which figures large in the social imaginary? This volume brings together leading social theorists as well as promising younger scholars to examine the phenomenon of '1968' from a number of innovative perspectives, including situating 1968 in global context. The first section includes chapters by leading scholars who were witness to the events, reflecting on untold narratives of race, gender and sexuality as well as weaving their own personal stories into the analysis. The second section critically addresses the standard theoretical concepts and assumptions of 1968. The final section examines 'other voices', examining the struggles of African students, immigrants in France, transgender peoples, and provides a critique of the notion of 'other voices'. The volume also explores if and when 1968 'ended'.

Introduction: 1968 in Retrospect
G.K.Bhambra &
I.Demir PART I: RETHINKING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES Freedom Now: 1968 as a Turning Point for Black American Student Activism
P.Hill Collins She's Leaving Home! Repositioning Women in the Narratives of the Sixties
L.Segal Outsiders, Deviants and Countercultures: Subterranean Tribes and Queer Imaginations in 1968
K.Plummer PART II: THEORETICAL ENGAGEMENTS From 1968 to 1951: How Habermas Turned Marx into Parsons
J.Holmwood Critical Theory and Crisis Diagnosis: The Reconciliation of Reason and Revolution after 1968
T.Skillington On Totalitarianism: The Continuing Relevance of Herbert Marcuse
S.Hornstein Everyone Longs for a Master: Lacan and 1968
S.Frosh PART III: OTHER VOICES May 1968 and the Postcolonial Immigrant in France: Mobilisation, Encounter, Difference
M.A.Bracke Turning to Africa: Politics and Student Resistance in Africa since 1968
L.Zeilig Riding the Waves: Feminism, Lesbian and Gay Politics, and the Transgender Debates
S.Hines On the Limits of our Political Imagination? Interrogating 'the Other'
M.Panu Conclusion: When did 1968 End?
W.Outhwaite