In this contribution Barbara Henkes explores the possibilities offered by Michal Rothberg's concept of the 'implicated subject' as an alternative to the well-known categories of victim, perpetrator and bystander. Where the 'bystander' was...
moreIn this contribution Barbara Henkes explores the possibilities offered by Michal Rothberg's concept of the 'implicated subject' as an alternative to the well-known categories of victim, perpetrator and bystander. Where the 'bystander' was introduced to nuance the perpetrator-victim dichotomy, it soon became clear that the conceptual problems were not solved in this way. It provided insufficient support to investigate the dynamic reality from which subjects can switch positions or can take multiple positions at the same time. Henkes argues that the implicated subject can contribute to an understanding of our individual and collective responsibilities in relation to historical violence and contemporary inequality associated with it.
