This is basically MY blog. Like, my second blog, or something. I post articles and such, maybe a book review from time to time. Basically, the content and discussion revolves around published writings.
I had initially envisioned FRG to be a group project, but that never got off the ground. So it’s mostly just me!
Please feel free to comment on any of the articles, new or old. Please feel free to suggest readings that you’d like to discuss.
And finally, please be respectful of the fact that this is a RADICAL FEMINIST space. Male apologist comments will not be published.
Undercover Punk, February 25, 2011
Hi Undercover,
This sounds like a good and sensible plan to me.
Just to put my vote in, I’d prefer it to be women’s only space, and no trans or men. I personally think men add nothing to feminism, and it’s women only groups that are rare in the world when it comes to feminism.
There is no such thing as a safe space on the Internet, so I think using that term is rather hopeless, but an appeal to common sense decency I think might be fine.
Feminism is not safe, but it can expand your mind and be very thought provoking.
Good luck, and thanks for reformatting the article, which now is a lot easier to read!!!
Thank you, Sheila! I’m also inclined not to allow men. And, now that I’m thinking about the safe space thing, (thank you for bringing it up)I don’t think trans can be allowed either. If the kind of feminists I talk to are any indication, trans criticism WILL happen. And that would be “unsafe” for them.
The other thing is that you’re right about SS being somewhat hopeless; I think we’ll have to add Safe Spaces to the list of ethical paradoxes! And then we can work on setting up a rules-based ethical system. ;D Hahaha!
There is no such thing as a safe space on the Internet
Amen to that, sister!
After some consideration, I’m also more inclined to make this a women’s only space.
Okay, not sure where to post this, but I’d like to draw everyone’s attention to this essay by the Australian feminist, publisher and poet Susan Hawthorne:
http://susanspoliticalblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/gender-mainstreaming.html
It was first brought to my attention by Rain (http://rainsinger.wordpress.com/) on the http://radfemspeak.net forums. I’ve only read about half of it because I’m going out (to an anti-racism benefit, of all things
) but it looks like a cracking read.
Safe space as ethical system
I’m smiling at that.
Internet feminism tends to be far more abusive to women than anything I ever encounter in real life.
I point this out, just to be realistic, because I believe we can have good discussions if we try, but also, it would be helpful to have more commonality.
What might open up a more positive space, is simply to say that you admire the positive, or that we might want to be working toward what we want rather than going down the road of what we all hate.
There’s a big difference between the feminism of life, and the feminism taught in a women’s studies class.
So Redmegaera, I admire your writings on Australia, and your courage. I know you’ve been having a little bit of a dust up over at your place, but you handled it very well. When in doubt just delete, and move on. Find the women who want to go forward, and learn from each thing.
Red, Up, two find new minds that I have had the privilege of coming across this year! Looking forward to what we all come up with
P.S. Just read the article on gender mainstreaming Redmegaear… it hit the nail directly on the head.
It is why I am a lesbian separatist. I simply want women’s nation and lesbian nation front and center. That’s L-E-S-B-I-A-N not genderqueer, transwoman, transbutch, queer or any other damn woman erasing name out there.
We need to guard against the word that erase women “gender studies blender studies” to quote Mary Daly, who was on to this game long before the rest of us! Read her Wickidary for useful words women can use to attack the patriarchy.
Orwell indeed!
What a great idea. I’d love to take part in the discussion. I too think this sort of thing would be better as ‘women-only’. It only takes one man to derail an entire conversation, as I’ve witnessed time and time again on the feminist internet.
YAY! Hi, Miska! So happy to have your participation! And you are soooo right about one man derailing an entire conversation! I don’t generally talk to men on the internet, and the sites I visit are also fairly man-free; but I am inclined to call this a women’s space. Ooh wait, let me put up a poll!