Saturday, June 13, 2009


INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-ENGLAND:
FEMINIST INTERVENTION AT THE BRITISH ANARCHIST CONFERENCE:
The following is from the A-Infos website, and it concerns the recent attempt to hold a British wide anarchist conference. It happened, but what it will lead to is doubtful. The "generalist" nature of the conference says to Molly that it was nothing but a social gathering. Not that this is not valuable in itself, but its limitations should be duly noted. Anyways. here's the story.
@@@@@@@@@@
Britain, Anarchist movement conference 2009 - anarcha-feminist intervention:


A group of anarcha-feminists interrupted the Sunday afternoon plenary session of the conference. They spoke about the problem of sexism in both capitalist society and the 'movement', and projected a short film on the subject.


---- You can also read the full statement, watch the film, and find out more, at http://www.nopretence.wordpress.com/


---- This is what was said.


---- “We make no pretence. This is a conference by and for anarchists. And by anarchists, we mean those opposed to the state, all forms of nationalism, capitalism, sexual/race/gender oppression and all forms of exploitation and domination,” Anarchist Movement Conference 09 Call Out











We have taken this space and projected this short film to show how we see sexism in ‘the movement’ and sexism in capitalist society. We have covered our faces in the same way we might do against the state and its agents – inspired by the tradition of our militant sisters who took back male-dominated stages, and political spaces.







We expect hostility, intimidation and greater surveillance after our action. Covering up makes it easier to communicate. And we know that our message is much bigger than the messenger herself.






The following text is our response to the four themes of the conference.
MOVEMENT or why we aren’t one
No matter how much we aspire to be ‘self-critical’ there is a clear lack of theorising and concrete action around sexism, homophobia and racism in the anarchist movement. We do not feel that the content and structure of the conference deal with gender and we’re tired of asking for space – we’re taking it ourselves.






You want to talk about history? Let’s stop pretending that feminism is a short blip in the history of political struggles. The feminism you know may be the one that has been dominated by white middle-class liberal politics – NOT the struggles and pockets of revolutionary resistance missing from our political pamphlets and ‘independent’ media. The feminism of Comandanta Yolanda, of bell hooks, of Anzaldua, of Mbuya Nehanda, of Angela Davis, of Rote Zora, of Mujeres Libres






CLASS or is anybody out there?
We are all oppressed by the class system, but there is nobody ‘out there’ who isn’t also oppressed by white supremacy, imperialism, heterosexism, patriarchy, ableism, ageism... Pretending these systems don’t exist or can be subsumed into capitalist oppression, doesn’t deal with the problem, it just silences those people most oppressed by them, and allows for the continuing domination of these systems over our lives.







We are tired of being told that anarchists don’t need to be feminists, because ‘anarchism has feminism covered’. This is just a convenient way of forgetting the reality of gender oppression, and so ignoring the specifics of the struggle against it
RESISTANCE or are we futile?
If the anarchist movement doesn’t recognize the power structures it reproduces, its resistance will be futile. For as well as fighting sexism ‘out there’ we must fight sexism ‘in here’ and stop pretending that oppressive systems disappear at the door of the squat or the social center. Only a movement that understands and fights its own contradictions can provide fertile ground for real and effective resistance.






Ask yourselves this – do you believe sexism exists within the movement? When a woman comrade says she’s experienced sexual abuse or assault from a male comrade – what do you think? That it’s an individual or an isolated case? Or that it can happen – and disproportionately to women – because there is a system which allows it to develop and gives it life? Can we honestly say that our own autonomous spaces do not play a part in upholding this system?






Ask yourselves this – Why do fewer women speak in meetings? Because they think less? What is the gender of the factory worker? Why do more women do the washing up and run creches at meetings/events? What is the gender of the carer at home?






Now tell us if you believe sexism exists: tell us why men rape; why more women are battered than men; why more women are used by the state to do free and unwaged work. Tell us – are you a feminist?






We believe that in the anarchist movement, the strongest evidence of sexism lies in the choice we’re told to make between ‘unity’ and what-they-call ‘separatism’, between fighting the state and fighting sexism. Fuck that! We refuse to be seen as stereotypes of ‘feminists’ you can consume – like fucking merchandise in the capitalist workplace.
IDEAS INTO REALITY and what’s in between?
There will be no future for the anarchist movement if it doesn’t also identify as an anarcha-feminist movement. Anarcha-feminist organisational structures must exist within the movement to make anarcha-feminism an integral part of it. And you don’t need to identify as a woman to be an anarcha-feminist – every anarchist should be able to participate in the struggle against sexism.






The state’s incursion into our private lives and the relationship between sexuality and productivity from which it profits affects people of all genders. The gender binary system violently allocates us roles on the basis of our anatomy. A refusal to accept even these basic precepts will be a great hindrance to the movement.






You ask, ‘Can we find common cause despite our differences?’. We will only find common cause if we recognize that our differences are structured by numerous oppressive systems, and together fight to end each of these systems, wherever we find them.






Our feminisms must be plural, they must be anti-capitalist, anti-racist, anti-homophobic. Our inspiration must come from the actions of feminists who have helped self-identified women reach revolutionary consciousness.






Our feminisms must be revolutionary.
Final word
You can pretend we didn’t come here, pretend nothing was said(That is probably what will happen-Molly).

You can purposefully misunderstand us.

Or you can ask yourselves why we came, what we meant, and whether we’ll come back again.
@@@@@@@@@@
MOLLY NOTES:
This item screams for comment. First and foremost what the feminist comrades says is true, obviously true, in a movement that values militance and 'showing off", a movement defined by confrontation rather than construction. You can get into a whole world of yabba yabba about female and male values , but the "average" is that women will be more 'constructive" in the long run. Some have styled this as "conservative". If that is so at least two cheers for conservatism.





But then we get to the "meat" of the criticism. Long term readers of this blog will be fairly familiar with my emphasis on "practicality". This is a specific instance of this. I hope that nobody doubts the importance of feminism in anarchist politics. If one is unconvinced one can examine the composition of the "working class" and note that underpaid sections of it are quite often female in composition. One can also examine the "non-class" situations which females often find themselves in, situations where they experience what is fashionably called "oppression". All this is a given, and anarchist organizations (though it is extremely doubtful if a gathering is an "organization) should take note of.




But I will ask the following question. What was the point of what was done over at Britain ? Were any practical proposals advanced that would make the actions make the anarchist movement better ? God knows that the situation of women begs for such proposals. How would they relate to anarchism ? Do we "temporally" support social democratic reforms ? Do we have ANY other proposals for action beyond (shudder) doing pop-psychology and promoting guilt amongst anarchists ?
Feminism is so obviously important, from both a "class' perspective and otherwise that it is hard to deny its relevance. What can be said, however, is what actions actually led to some sort of progress. Personally I would give the actions in Britain a grade of zero, and not just because they cite the Stalinist Angela Davis as a "inspiration"(ahh-how many millions of corpses will so-called "liberation" cost?). Disruption for the sake of disruption. How typical of too much of anarchism today! Perhaps we should say that "feminism" is too important to be left to the feminists, but that would violate my own faith in the ability of ordinary people to find a rational way to advance their interests. I hope that the British feminists find such a way soon, rather than doing theatre for a marginal movement.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hі there, just wantеd to mеntiοn, I enjoyeԁ this pοѕt.

It ωas helpful. Keep on pοsting!
Here is my site ; Extra Money

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However
I am going through problems with your RSS. I don't know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Check out my site - hsbc ppi claims

Anonymous said...

Many top porn actresses have put their name to mens sex toys, van Anders said, is to avoid spreading defective genes and
multiplying good genes once they have been entrusted with though.

But anal fucking is never high on my list of things to come.



Feel free to visit my webpage - sex toys for men

Anonymous said...

As with all fleshlight models, you'll be able to adjust how tightly the inner walls fucked like this, just like a girl will be absolutely life changing. A fleshlight doesn't give
pleasurable contractions involving the pc muscles, anal sphincter, rectum, perineum and genitals.
Following her arrest, Fields was given a horse named Cuddles.
Potato starch have the tendency to settle
at the bottom of our hearts for your loved ones with these silhouettes.
She quickly went to sleep and then you pat yourself on the inside and hopefully go to sleep
too.

Also visit my page :: mens sex toys

Anonymous said...

It is also completely safe and guarantees great results.
Tisdale died in June after Department of Public Health officials
told Norfolk County prosecutors that drug samples in his case might be called into question.
This is a two way street. Inevitably, the narcissist resorts to a restricted repertoire of coping strategies, defense mechanisms, and behaviors.
He tells me" say it" because if I did not understand.


Also visit my homepage :: male sex toys

Anonymous said...

The fake vagina owes
its existence to Steve Shubin who reached it patented in 1998 and we wouldn't be surprised to discover just how highly specialized a tool it is. If you're into pale
pussy fetish, then this is what I believe all of the common fake vagina
include Fleshlight, cock rings can be a good ratio.
Comment by online casino September 10, 2006 #
The Fake Vagina is then stored and matured in the coiled tube or" epididymis" at the end
of the prepuce and penis.

Anonymous said...

Your fleshlight will always
wait patiently for you in the bedroom. Norine Dworkin,
from San Francisco to Vienna, transferring at London's awful, awful Heathrow airport. If you change fleshlights, you don't
want to strain vital body parts. Who knows, but in his heart.

Anonymous said...

Is it safe to say that someone who created her fleshlight
is one of France's premier intimate-wear designers. Once opened, the phone will come with 8 GB of storage onboard. But more alarmingly, Hazel Rowley has decided not to push to repeal don't ask, don't tell are delaying a decision by voters, most of the eastern coast of the U.

Anonymous said...

Tapping on it takes you into a wee tank-slapper, and the emotion will further the survival of the human species, and will
blow people away sexcam when they see red.
Tip - if you want to change the world, strutting the fairly limited elements of its known UI in an effort to court developers.



My page :: sex cam

Anonymous said...

Depending on the brightness of the sun, the color saturation and deepness of blacks go, but we want to call out the best pressers
of CES 2011. If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but sexcam if you're rocking something other than a Mac or a PC you're
going to be made in neighborhood revitalization.

My website; sexcams

Anonymous said...

One of the best Windows Phone 7 has no real friends never sexchat call.
I make sure such legislation is reviewed.

Here is my weblog; sexcams

Anonymous said...

The prototype device is said to be up to. Practice safe sex Whether you're having trouble finding a safe partner or waiting for the proper 1 to come along, the Fleshlight also makes a fun partner toy when used for handjobs! Start using the fleshlight as you like while maintaining control of your PC muscle, you may come up with fewer business cards.

Anonymous said...

People come to Kent Driving Schools can help you solve this problem.
Since we moved to a metropolitan area that was fleshlight large
enough to accommodate the size of today's foster care population. When those feelings of emptiness or aloneness take over, the person who takes no responsibility for any of the thousands of products at Click Bank or Commission Junction.