any radical feminists on MDC?

[princesstutu]

Lately, I feel so bogged down by patriarchy. I wanna discuss life with women who "get it".

Plus...I want to know what other rad fems are doing in this world. You know...w/o reading their blogs.

[lolar2]

I guess that describes me philosophically, but I don't really DO much about it at present (in terms of activism). Someday when I have more time, I guess.

[princesstutu]

Hi, again, 1hautemama! Hi to you, too, lolar2!

I feel like I'm at a standstill politically. I almost didn't vote in the last election, but voting is such a strong issue for me, I couldn't allow myself to not do so. I ended up voting for Obama, but I didn't think he was a good choice and I feel like that's borne out. In the end, he is representative of the patriarchy and I think his democratic leanings will allow some benefit for women, I think we (women) really need to rethink how much energy we put behind male politicians and female politicians who want to play with the Big Boys.

I feel like we're at the scraps portion of the day and I want to know what we can do to get past this. It feels so intimidating!

BUT! I finally called the YWCA about volunteering today. I kept forgetting to do it until it was too late in the day (I really need to get back to making lists), but since I was sitting here reading, I picked up the phone and called. I generally volunteer with social community efforts, not ones that are more political, but I really feel the need to get extra political lately. One step at a time!

I don't worry about Roe v. Wade being overturned. There are many reasons for that and maybe I'll get into later. I am boggled by women who are not pro-choice. I understand it's their right, but...I just don't comprehend how one feels that's even a possibility. How could you NOT think you should be able to do what you need to do with your own life and body?

Actually, I'm boggled by a lot of things women do. I really don't think most of us see clearly. I guess that's the plan, tho.

peace

[Hazelnut]

Originally Posted by lolar2

I guess that describes me philosophically, but I don't really DO much about it at present (in terms of activism). Someday when I have more time, I guess.

sort of me too, and I probably don't appear to be much of a radical feminist by how I am currently living. Frankly I think a lot of women feel threatened by some feminists (I stress "some") who put down childcare, and other things that women have traditionally done like cooking, sewing, etc. I think, however, that rejecting feminism b/c of this is as misinformed as putting down these activities in the first place. We need a restructuring so people (and not just women) can work and have kids, with less power imbalance. Well that's not all we need, but I do think that's why some women reject it. My take anyway.

I also fear that I've become apathetic. I'm not okay with sexism when I see it, but there's this acceptance that it all just sucks, and it doesn't go away, and I haven't the thick skin for all the backlash I suffered from saying the simplest things.

[Teenytoona]

My ideal self is closer to radical feminism, but I suppose I look like someone who's feminist when it suits me, and I suppose lately that's how I've been. I'm working on it, but am not the greatest at balancing life and ideals!

But I wanted to say I'm here too!

[PiePie]

I'm pretty hardcore in my feminist convictions. However, I have to say that at the moment the vast majority of my energy is centered on my family, which I experience as a political act (DH would differ). Lots of thoughts and ambitions around work/family restructuring, which i guess is more of a liberal feminist goal. I guess I should be : that it's moving mainstream.

[princesstutu]

Originally Posted by Hazelnut

I also fear that I've become apathetic. I'm not okay with sexism when I see it, but there's this acceptance that it all just sucks, and it doesn't go away, and I haven't the thick skin for all the backlash I suffered from saying the simplest things.

That was my fear for a while, too. Then, I realized that I'm (still) very angry and I decided to use that anger instead of trying to get rid of it. I feel like I had a thicker skin when I was younger. As I get older, I feel more compassionate and I feel more, period. I wonder if that's just part of being a woman? Sometimes I feel like I carry all the pain of the world on my back. It's draining, but I'm working on channeling all that so that I don't become a depressed, lethargic mess.

Good to see you both here, Hazelnut and Teenytoona!

Oh, and I was gonna speak on the "feminists put us down" mentality. I understand that. I'm one of those feminists who will question a feminists claim to feminism if she's trying to put limits on women. I'm not a feminist b/c I want to be more like a man! I'm a feminist b/c I love being a woman and I think I deserve the opportunity to express that however I wish to do so. I'm a human and I have rights.

My "be more like a man" isn't about doing things that have traditionally been "male fields" but more about behaving like a cog in the patriarchy machine. I keep trying to find uninsulting language for these concepts, but I'm not sure this is the time for that. I really think this is the time for bluntness and unrepentant honesty.

I think the time is ripe for a social overhaul, but I feel like I'm not sure how to participate in it/get it going. I'm not Ralph Nader!

[princesstutu]

Hi, PiePie! I agree that focusing on the family is a political act. How could it not be in this day and age?

[the_lissa]

Originally Posted by lolar2

I guess that describes me philosophically, but I don't really DO much about it at present (in terms of activism). Someday when I have more time, I guess.

This is me right now too.

[calpurnia]

i'm here too! definitely a radical feminist, but like most of the others, i am not really active. & i am very conscious that i don't "look" like a feminist atm, especially since i am a young mum & i'm sure people think i was just dying to get into the kitchen & start raising babies, iykwim. that might just be my paranoia though!

i live in the uk, & all the mums i know through antenatal class etc are going back to work since our babies are nearly one. i am currently obsessed by the "work/life" balance, "mommy" track, maternal profiling, childcare, paternal input etc issues. there doesn't seem to be a feminist movement around these things??

[MittensKittens]

I'm in! I'm Olivia, solo mom by choice of two great kids, living in Serbia, and trying to figure out where to go next in terms of life choices. This is a pretty uncharted place as far as feminism goes, although many locals wouldn't agree. Society is very patriarchal here, and I have to admit I have a hard time dealing sometimes. I want to be get active. The brands of feminism that exist here are not ones that I personally identify with, at all. OK, so that's me. I really hope to see this thread grow as well!

[princesstutu]

Hi, the_lissa, calpurnia, and MittensKittens!

i am currently obsessed by the "work/life" balance, "mommy" track, maternal profiling, childcare, paternal input etc issues. there doesn't seem to be a feminist movement around these things??

I think it gets encompassed in certain feminist tracks, but it certainly doesn't get a positive level of attention, IMO. I've read books by mommy feminists and I came away feeling like those women had a lot more privilege than your "average" woman and due to that, their perspectives were quite superficial. I certainly agree that there is not a movement. That is something I'd like to see change in feminist circles.

Maybe we can discuss that here?

[boigrrrlwonder]

:

I'm a feminist and young parent. I remember trying to get through <i>The Maternal Is Political</i> and it just didn't jive with my parenting values or the experiences I have as a young parent in a blue collar family.

[princesstutu]

We can still post links on MDC, can't we?

If we can, read this article about homeschooling as feminist venture.

[flapjack]

I'm kind of here: more of a socialist feminist, tbh.

Melissa Benn wrote Madonna and Child: the politics of motherhood, which is a good read IMO. Calpurnia, Naomi Standlen wrote What Mothers Do, and I know she has links with the Active Birth Centre in south London.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by flapjack

I'm kind of here: more of a socialist feminist, tbh.

Likewise, very socially oriented.

Do you folks have any wisdom to share with me? I have been active in existing movements before, but never set one up from scratch - that's something totally different. Any of you know about the logistics of this? I have been brainstorming over a non-governmental org to empower women on birth options, that is, to open up non-existing options to them, and to educate. Where I am, this seems to be one of the most pressing issues. Obviously, I'd need funding etc. Any ideas?

[Astrogirl]

I think I am, although I'm not sure what the "quintessential radical feminist" is. Maybe i should google. Personally, my inner convictions may be controversial in that I think women should proverbially rule the world, so I try to keep those opinions somewhat discrete and do my own thang.

Originally Posted by princesstutu

I think it gets encompassed in certain feminist tracks, but it certainly doesn't get a positive level of attention, IMO. I've read books by mommy feminists and I came away feeling like those women had a lot more privilege than your "average" woman and due to that, their perspectives were quite superficial. I certainly agree that there is not a movement. That is something I'd like to see change in feminist circles.

Maybe we can discuss that here?

I agree, and I would love to be involved in such a discussion.

[katmann]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens

Likewise, very socially oriented.

Do you folks have any wisdom to share with me? I have been active in existing movements before, but never set one up from scratch - that's something totally different. Any of you know about the logistics of this? I have been brainstorming over a non-governmental org to empower women on birth options, that is, to open up non-existing options to them, and to educate. Where I am, this seems to be one of the most pressing issues. Obviously, I'd need funding etc. Any ideas?

I can't say I have any advice, but I think this is a great idea. I was really struck during my pregnancy how the issue of birth options is NOT part of the feminist agenda. Reproductive choice is a huge issue for me, and it should include protecting our choices in the way we deliver. An OB can represent the patriarchy just as well as a politician, IMO.

As far as my personal feminist philosophy, my mom was a feminist writer and came from what I think of as an old school of feminism. She really focused on childcare, the pro-choice movement, protection of victims of domestic violence, and equal pay for equal work (those things still being crucially important, of course). I feel more like feminism now is a part of human rights in general, and is tied to basic human needs like clean water, reducing hunger, and environmental protection. We need to address all these issues to truly empower women around the world.

[greenmamapagan]

*Puts hand up* I consider my choice to meet my children's needs as fully as I can a political act.

Originally Posted by katmann

Reproductive choice is a huge issue for me, and it should include protecting our choices in the way we deliver. An OB can represent the patriarchy just as well as a politician, IMO.

Agreed. There is a bit of feminist birth activist movement here in Aus, here are some articles from a friend of mine:
http://www.ilithyiainspired.com/2008/03/wild-birth.html
http://www.ilithyiainspired.com/2008...ryone-but.html
By the way, most of the feminist womyn I know here would point out that "Pizzas are delivered, babies are BORN." Language can be subtly disempowering.

[princesstutu]

Originally Posted by MittensKittens

Do you folks have any wisdom to share with me? I have been active in existing movements before, but never set one up from scratch - that's something totally different. Any of you know about the logistics of this? I have been brainstorming over a non-governmental org to empower women on birth options, that is, to open up non-existing options to them, and to educate. Where I am, this seems to be one of the most pressing issues. Obviously, I'd need funding etc. Any ideas?

Maybe put flyers up around town and start off as a group of women helping women. Find some doulas who've worked in your local hospitals and talk to them about what they see as pressing needs in your birthing community. First get the ppl involved, then do the politicking. At least, that's how I look at it. Have dinners with other women who are concerned about the birthing scene (potluck, of course ). Invite women from LLL, API, etc. See what happens.

I keep meaning to do this myself, which is why I posted this.

I happen to be a socialist (really an anarchist and I support socialism as a move toward the anarchy goal), as well. I agree that feminism is a part of human rights (how could it not be? we are human), however I think it's still pertinent that we look at how patriarchy corrupts. I see it as the starting point when it comes to ignoring the basic human rights of others, so I feel like dealing with patriarchy inherently deals with everything that stems from it, which is a LOT. It covers violence, social programming, poverty...everything.

I'm trying to figure out a good way to start a convo on '"work/life" balance, "mommy" track, maternal profiling, childcare, paternal input'. Maybe we can start with work/life balance. How do we feel feminism is already addressing this issue and how do we think it should improve?