Spivak's Can the Subaltern Speak?

Spivak's "Can the Subaltern Speak?" questions whether marginalized groups, especially those oppressed historically, can truly have their voices heard and understood within dominant power structures. She argues that systemic forces often silence or distort their perspectives, making it difficult for subaltern (oppressed) groups to freely express themselves in ways that influence mainstream discourse. The essay highlights how language, representation, and societal hierarchies can prevent the oppressed from being truly heard or understood, raising important questions about whether they can speak freely or if their voices are always mediated by others.