Saturday's Stop Porn Culture Fun

Rebecca Whisnant, prolific anti porn activist and author, lead an Object organised 'Stop Porn Culture' workshop on Saturday.

Rebecca flew all the way from the USA to lend us the combined experiences and information gathered over time working against the ever pervasive porn culture in main stream society. It was an excellent session with activists, students, those working against porn for almost forever and those new to the concept that it might not be the most fun industry in the world, there were even men in attendance.

Amongst the conversations we looked at the new Stop Porn Culture slideshow - It’s Easy Out Here for a Pimp: How a Porn Culture Grooms Kids for Sexual Exploitation - which can be used by any anti porn activists, with friends and family to a whole rooms of interested strangers. We also looked at the semantics of patriarchy, opression, porn and choice and role played putting our best thoughts forward in a Q&A session - which sounds awful, but is really always awfully fun.

Interested but didn't make it? Check out the following materials

StopPornCulture.org
London Feminist Network
Anti-Porn Activist Network

Drop your own links in the comments.

Charlotte

Edwina Currie on the pay gap...

As evil as the lure of procrasination might be, it did mean I stumbled across a gem of an interview with Edwina Currie on The One Show concerning the continuing pay gap between women and men. Such discrepencies don't seem to cause any alarm in Currie; her responses implying that this is the way it is and even, this is the way it should be. The justification behind this? The matter of choice. Edwina Currie talks about the choices women make during their careers, choices involving children (think taking a 'break' in employment when you decide to start a family*). Of course, we women make such choices so it is only right that women's pay reflects such...la di da da. The point at which Currie starts throwing around this buzzword of choice I am reminded of Catherine Hakim and her Preference Theory (basically the notion that patterns in women's employment reflect the lifestyle preferences of women rather than patriarchal structures in society). Do we see the problem here? We can talk about 'choice' and 'preference' and doll this situation up as women being active decision makers of their life, their roles, their careers because that's the easiest option isn't? It's just merely an attempt to mask the fact that despite equal pay legislation and work by the women's movement, our society, to put it simply, still sucks on this. Why pretend that this is what women want because clearly it really isn't. And of course Edwina will talk about 'choice' because it can, to an extent, be a matter of choice for women like her because of their background affording them more opportunities than perhaps the rest of us.

And all of this from day-time tv.


Laura

*Feeling the sarcasm?...

Disclaimer: I don't particularly like The One Show and I feel the fact I found myself watching this episode on demand this morning was purely a reflection of my avoiding work...

HerStoria, History With Visible Women

Despite David Starkey's pompous accusation that history is becoming "feminised" it is actually becoming equalised - in that it is no longer the mirror with which white men can see themselves as main players, but one which shows all of the nuanced characters of our times.

HerStoria, the recently launched history magazine giving voice and visibility to the lives and lifestyles of women through history, is papery proof of this change.

Covering Victorian Lady travellers, women's workhouse experiences, reactions to great changes in society and a look at women missing from the retelling of history, it is a bastion of academia and general interest and I recommend you check it out.

Charlotte

Lady GaGa..Postmodern Feminist?

So yes, firstly I do find it strange that a new 'out-there' female singer enters the fold and we're clambering over their stance, if any, on feminism - but hey, I'm guilty as the rest of us. Lady GaGa...the epitome of post-modern feminism? Some articles suggest that LGG isn't a feminist (and in one she is quoted as saying this) yet she states her music is about "sexually empowering women" and:

I think it's great to be a sexy, beautiful woman who can f--- her man after she makes him dinner...There's a stigma around feminism that's a little bit man-hating. And I don't promote hatred, ever. That's not to say that I don't appreciate women who feel that way.

and

Young women equate feminism with man hating and not embracing any tradition as a woman, and I think it’s okay to embrace tradition. Look after your man and take care of your father; be good to your mom and dad; cook sometimes at home.

Perhaps LGG herself suffers from the "I'm not a feminist but..." syndrome or, on the other hand, this is all part of a post-modern identity creation - defying definitions of concepts such as 'feminist, feminism' or even 'woman' which the gender-bending aspects of some songs might suggest. Perhaps this is just all part of the performance.

Some bloggers' thoughts below:

Another Resolution: Lady GaGa is not a feminist
Rosemary Mac Cabe: this video makes me want to...
Feminist Music Geek: Lady Gaga - not buying it
We Are the Wave: Lady Gaga


Laura

Secret Daughter

As much as I enjoyed making issue 7 I'm already working on my stuff for issue 8 including a spread on women in film, behind the camera, calling shots, changing lives and all that jazz.

As part of this I've interviewed June Cross, amazing journalist, documentary maker and now author, here's a link to her site for "Secret Daughter" her new book, based on her life growing up as the secret of her white mother.

I was lucky enough to see her read from the book, then read the book myself which I thoroughly enjoyed - if you want a review ask for one, otherwise the ruminations are my own!

Charlotte

Boris Keep Your Promise - Save London's Last Rape Crisis Centre Launch Night

The joys of being back in London mean I'm getting the opportunity to pop about the city seeing what's going on; last night it was the launch of the North London Fawcett pressure group to make sure Boris keeps his promise to increase rape crisis services for the 3.9 million women of the city.

The event was held in an art space in Bethnal Green and featured comedy, music acts and cabaret. I was a bit worried that there was too much Boris hate and not enough constructive information and action taking place but that was evened out when Matty, the organiser, and a spokesperson from Croyden Rape Crisis centre, the last Rape Crisis centre in the city, took to the stage.

It's alright to draw attention to a problem, but if your audience aren't going away knowing the systematic lack of services for women is due to the fact that government is always over represented by men and sees issues concerning women as fringe issues then what can you achieve?

Get involved with Boris Keep Your Promise, but also be aware of your local situation, be proactive and support your local rape crisis services in any way you can.

Pics on Flickr

Charlotte

Fay Weldon - The F Word

The July issue of Easy Living Magazine features The F Word: an introduction by Fay Weldon. Whilst Weldon acknowledges a New Feminism which isn't anti-man or anti-sex; the fact our feminist actions need not focus merely on our experiences as Western women and the persisting negative connotation of the term 'feminism', there is one thing which troubled me very early in the piece:

"But then feminists committed the worst sin of all - they became boring. They will go on being seen as boring, I fear, until they acknowledge what everyone accepts except them - that men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically, and that sex is important. It's a Freud thing".

Coming from a sociology, rather than psychology, background I just can't get my head around this assertion. I also cannot envision that this is the key issue 'holding back feminism' or that it is what has made us "boring" (though I can't even imagine us being accused of being boring!). Why is sex important? What if sex itself is a construction? (and there are those who would argue just that!) How can we completely disregard the differences society creates of us in favor of such apparent innate ones*?

Aside from this niggling bit for me, the article was an enjoyable read; particularly Fay Weldon's brief charting of the feminist movement with tidbits from her own life. Has anyone else had the chance to see this? Or does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Laura

*strangely enough I picked up a book from Waterstones today about gender and schooling/careers which actually speaks from a psychological, rather than sociological, perspective. Expect thoughts also on that to follow!

Body Image Event at The Women's Library, London

Upcoming panel event at The Women's Library in London exploring the impact of magazines on body image and featuring Susie Orbach among others. Full details and booking information at their site here


Laura

News Fix

A selection from The Guardian over the last week:

Boys outperform girls at science in UK, gender stereotyping to blame?

Interview with a Shanghai professor of women and gender studies

Orbituary

Patricia Crawford, Australian feminist historian.

Betty Scharf, Academic (LSE, Fawcett Society).


Laura

Some bits and pieces from The Femilist

The Femilist is my other site, trying to keep abreast of events and information that feminists might like.

Event: Stop Porn Culture Training: London 13.06.09
This is a brand new and updated training course focusing on young people and pornified culture – which gives a grounding in feminist theory and pornography as a form of violence against women.

The Speaker’s Conference on Parliamentary Representation of Women, Disabled People, People from Ethnic Minorities and LGBT Communities
The Speaker’s Conference invites comments on these issues, and if you are a member of one of these under-represented groups, it would especially like to hear from you.

Event: Public Rally in Parliament on Equal Pay 08/06/09
Fawcett and Unison are organising a public rally in Parliament to urge the Government to strengthen equal pay law reforms.

Scottish Transgender Alliance and Gender Spectrum UK Survey on Equality Bill Priority Issues
The Scottish Transgender Alliance and Gender Spectrum UK both recognise there are many sections of the Equality Bill that we wish were better in how they address transphobic discrimination and harassment.

Charlotte

The Trouble With Pretending to Care About Sexism in the Workplace

You may, or may not have been in the position to watch the BBC's The Trouble with Working Women (still available on the iPlayer)

It came in two fabulously titled parts, "Why Can't a Woman Succeed Like a Man?" and "Why Can't a Woman Earn As Much As a Man?" While one might theoretically offer, institutionalized sexism, gender stereotypes in the home and work place.. maybe the onus on women to raise and care for children as it's women's work it is apparently not that easy an answer.

Yes, in between the hand picked stereotyped men and like this, women are like that vox pops and the brain scans between the male and female presenters and the carefully chosen personas of the presenters viewers were treated to two hours of TV that concluded it was a privilege that women could give birth to children, that we all want children, that work places assumptions that all women between 20 and 30 will be intent on popping one out and that post pregnancy will become unable to do anything other than care for a child... am I ranting - well wasn't everyone?

Check out what twitter had to say


tanyagoodin @Hannechr I felt I'd fallen asleep and woken up back in the 80s! V disappointing from BBC2 which usually produces quality programming #twww

marmaladegirl That was a real opportunity missed, some fundamental issues laughed off and ignored = reason I prefer the web to TV -main stream sucks #twww

CathElliott: #twww "women have richer lives" and they "get to give birth to children - nothing better than that" Oh FUCK OFF!!

BitchBuzz There is no simple answer. Part-time/maternity leave aside - if you're at the same level doing the same job, pay should be the same. #twww

bmcmichael Weeping that the only positive message to be taken from this programme comes in the form of Lynne Franks #twww

fjoms I'm not going to watch #twww because just reading the tweets about it is making me angry

CyranDorman No, this programme isn't making me feel less of a woman by largely focusing on mothers. (sarcasm) #twww



I understand why you'd choose cheeky chappy, blonde prefect style wink wink nudge nudge teasing presenters, because, you know, it's too hard and boring to talk sensibly about something quite important, but seriously. Stop It.

Charlotte

Are You Ready?

Issue 7 of Subtext, available May 22nd.

The Femagazinist Initiative

Wowza. What a fab idea! All text below copied straight from the Facebook group, get involved suggest your fave feminist mags!

Fed up with seeing the same old women's magazines in doctors and dentist surgeries?

Thats where the Femagazinist initiative comes in.

We're encouraging women to buy and subscribe to feminist magazines and zines such as Subtext, Bitch, Bust and Ms.

Then when you've read your magazine we want you to leave it in a public place for others to read it.

This will have the double effect of supporting feminst publications and getting the word out.

Want to do even more? How about stickering women's magazines in doctors surgeries with slogans such as:

'Warning this magazine damages your self esteme/ confidence/ body image.'

Or in men's magazines.

'Warning the attitudes expressed in this magazine could negatively impact your relationships with women.'

Know any feminist magazines or zines that haven't been mentioned? Why not post a link and a recommendation on our wall.

So lets spread the word. Invite your friends to join the Femagazinist initiative.

Join Join Join

Also, I've blogged about this for The F Word
Charlotte

Teens Dropping the FBomb

But praise be, these are not the foul mouthed youths of legend but the estute Julie Zeilinger from new teen feminist blog The FBomb.

I couldn't be more excited to see the younger women on the scale getting more involved in building their feminist language, and I couldn't urge you to go have a look and encourage your youthful sisters, nieces, whatevers to get involved and submit some of their thoughts (as well as The F-Word and Subtext of course!)

I think a lot of young women develop their ideas alone, I know I did, reacting to my surroundings, my emotions and deciding thing's were not OK and I wouldn't stand for it. So in my opinion this site could help lots of young women find a platform to mix on an international level, broadening their thought process and their feel for feminism as a movement that should benefit all women no matter the class, colour or religion.

What do you think?

Charlotte

Call for Submissions!! Subtext Issue 8

As Issue 7 moves into the final stages before printing this month we're putting out the call out for submissions for Issue 8!

You don't have to be a professional journalist, an academic, or a long time blogger to submit your writing, you just have to be engaging with feminism and big wide world of women's issues.

We want to publish a broad range of articles encompassing cultural attitudes and myths, social trends, political analysis and opinion, current affairs as well as movies, TV, magazines, books and advertising. Profiles of, and interviews with, feminist culture-makers and business owners are welcome. We're also looking for reviews and reviews to contribute to our reviews blog, excerpts of which will appear in the print magazine.

We take big meaty articles running to around 2,500 words, slimmer pieces at max 1,500 and short commentaries coming in under 1,000.

Don't be afraid to pitch any idea's we're fairly open to accommodating contributors, especially those with something to say. Find out a little more here.

Written Submissions should be emailed to Gill - subtext@subtextmagazine.co.uk

We also take illustration and design submissions, email a link to some of your work to Charlotte - charlottcooper@gmail.com

Charlotte