Editor's Note

Abstract

Editor's Note Red Washburn This issue, State/Power, addresses the many bureaucratic and problematic faces of the state—the carceral state, the straight state, the anti-choice state, the anti-immigrant state, the white supremacist state, the fascist state, and the cis state, among others. It explores many critical issues connected to state formations, historical legacies, and structures of power. Some such issues include the following: mutual aid, housing insecurity, reproductive rights, land sovereignty, familial disappearances, juvenile rights, and social movements. The focus on racialized resistance to state power is incisive, allowing for a rich centering of BIPOC identity, history, and struggle at this moment of interminable and egregious anti-Black, anti-trans, white nationalist, and misogynist hatred. Basic human access to jobs, housing, health care, and a livable life are essential at any temporal juncture, though as the global pandemic continues, state power must be excoriated and reenvisioned. Alternatives for a better world are possible with a restructuring and dismantling of social institutions, multinational corporations, and global capitalism. In particular, the academic and activist work on trans of color critiques of carceral states and abolitionist futures as well as the historical remembering of the Third World Women's Alliance and the lessons and possibilities it holds at this current moment are captivating. This issue points to the problems and promises of challenging state power. State/Power is indebted to numerous scholars, writers, artists, editors, and/or editorial staff and boards. During a very difficult time, namely the tragic passing of WSQ general editor Brianne Waychoff, I want to extend a huge thank-you to the WSQ team and editorial board for all their commitment and labor. In particular, I want to thank Dana-Ain Davis at the Center [End Page 9] for the Study of Women and Society and Kendra Sullivan at the Center for Humanities for coming on board as interim editorial directors to oversee managerial operations and funding as WSQ transitions to new general editors later in 2023. Their work has been invaluable to helping the journal grow and thrive. I also want to extend a hearty thank-you to the editorial assistants, Googie Karrass, Maya von Ziegesar, and Angela Boscarino, all of whom worked tirelessly on communicating with the scholars, writers, and artists to make this issue happen. I want to thank the guest editors, Christina Hanhardt and Dayo Gore, for curating and editing this issue. I also want to thank the poetry editors, Cheryl Clarke, Julie R. Enszer, and JP Howard, as well as the prose editors, Keisha-Gaye Anderson, Lauren Cherelle, and Vi Khi Nao. In addition, I want to extend a generous thank-you to Eileen Liang and Natalie Ruby for their administrative assistance with internships in feminist publishing for graduate students in women's and gender studies at the City University of New York. Our partnership has significantly enriched the quality of the journal for our feminist communities across CUNY and beyond. I also wish to thank Sampson Starkweather and Juwon Jun at the Center for Humanities for collaborating with WSQ especially aiding with publicity. Most importantly, I am extremely grateful for the Feminist Press leadership for all their help with scheduling, production, and distribution, especially executive director Margot Atwell, editorial director Lauren Rosemary Hook, and assistant editor Nick Whitney. I cannot thank you enough for your help and support. I appreciate the entire WSQ community for everything, and I look forward to future issues, including Nonbinary next in the queue! [End Page 10] Red Washburn Professor of English and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Director of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Kingsborough Community College and the Graduate Center City University of New York Copyright © 2023 Red Washburn