The practice of appearing to obey dominant structures while covertly preserving critique, autonomy, and alternative perspectives—a survival and subversion tactic.
Sor Juana navigated her position within the Church and patriarchal society by adopting the language and forms expected of her while embedding radical questions within orthodox frameworks. This strategic conformity was not capitulation but calculated performance, allowing her to occupy intellectual space while avoiding erasure. Postcolonial subjects often employ similar tactics: adopting colonial languages, institutions, or aesthetics as vessels for decolonial content. This concept validates the complexity of resistance in contexts where direct refusal invites punishment or elimination. Strategic conformity acknowledges that decolonization is not always visibly heroic; sometimes it requires inhabiting oppressive structures while subtly rewriting them from within, preserving intellectual integrity and cultural memory until circumstances permit more open reclamation.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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