Feminism and activism

[map_of_the_world]

So in I'm chairing the next feminist discussion meeting and the title is "feminist activism" Partly because there is a real issue in the group that while people turn up to the discussion meetings very few are actually involved in the activism we do and we think its a real issue.

I personally think that as society has become more consumerist and more individual people pick labels for themselves and don't work out what that actually means or what that actually entails. To me "feminist" is not an identity label, it is a principled political position that entails working for change, that entails working with others and actually doing stuff. Talking about it is not the end point its the beginning point. The discussion groups are good and important but if that is all people do I'm not sure they can call themselves feminists.

I'm not really sure how to structure it but I'm going to put forward these questions as discussion points and see what that kick starts

What is feminist activism?
What is the relationship between feminist friendships and activism?
What can we learn about activism from older feminists?
Difference between group activism and individual activism?
How do we radicalise ourselves and others into activism?
What is the place of activism within feminism?

I know that feminist activism isn't just what happens in feminist spaces, I know that. I consider the fact that I'm setting up a women only depression support group as feminist activism and raising strong female children and non sexist/misogynistic male children is feminist activism. And empowering female students. And supporting women, emotionally, practically, financially, politically all this is activism I think, so I think that all feminists do do some sort of activism but I think what we are more concerned about is practical activism that the group can do together.

I also think that if you do activism together, if you know you have a group of women supporting you with the big things then it makes the piecemeal individual activism easier to do I think. I know certainly I am more focused on feminism in my personal life if I have a group of women I can talk about feminism with and who I know are actively trying to change things.


I'm going to use
The womans timeline to illustrate that things change when activism happens.

and

this

and

this,
to start discussions

if anyone can suggest some more links on the relationship between feminism and activism that would be cool.

Comments

[evie-tess.livejournal.com]

Maybe address the issue of *why* people aren't more involved? Is it apathy? Maybe show what happens when no one is active, I would use choice as an example. Is a time issue? Maybe people don't understand ways they can be active without losing much time, or maybe they just need help organizing time.

I know for me I don't label myself as a feminist and I don't do activism for several reasons:

-I have fundemental differences regarding some of my beliefs.
-Time and physical/monatary constraints.
-I feel issues that are important to me are not adressed.

[nectarine-words.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, really good points which I will incorporate to the structure of the meeting.

I'd really like to know what fundamentally different beliefs you have and what issues that matter to you arnt addressed if you feel comfortable expanding on that?

[evie-tess.livejournal.com]

Sure.

Do you have an email? I feel comfortable posting it here, but something tells me I will run out of room.

[nectarine-words.livejournal.com]

hey, my email is nectarine99@googlemail.com

[hello-trouble.livejournal.com]

This sounds really interesting, I wish I could go to it. The discussion vs activisim balance is definitely one that I think I get wrong sometimes & would be good to have a (haha) discussion about that to come up with some practical actions to take forward.

[nectarine-words.livejournal.com]

you could come down if you like and stay at mine? probably that isnt posisible if you are working but you are welcome to. Its on wednesday the 28th

Also are you going to the F.A.F meeting in manchester? I'm hoping to if i can sort the traveling out etc.

[hello-trouble.livejournal.com]

thanks that's a really kind offer, but as you guessed yes i'm working (plus have a ladyfest london finance meeting that night...fun!)

yes i'm planning to go to manchester but haven't booked my tickets yet. hopefully see you there.