Category: feminist

Whip in hand: Emma Goldman’s feminist critique of feminism

Emma Goldmanhttps://thefreeonline.wordpress.com
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Dear old Emma Goldman, throughout her long and prolific career within the anarchist movement of the twentieth century, produced many political texts to which activists return much more frequently than to other anarchist thinkers. Usually these texts are criticized by leftist feminism for being just what they are: anarchist harangues from on the barricade itself. Here we take the thought of Emma Goldman not uncritically as libertarian gospel, but to make it live in your discussion today, and to rescue Emma’s special ability to put her finger right on the spot, in the wound of mainstream feminism of her day, while at the same time opposing the practices of her own fellow militants of the anarchist movement,  whip in hand.

dance the Revolution
Goldman’s texts are always a concern with passion, joy and the sharing of erotic bodies, key concepts of personal fulfillment without which  struggle and social revolution can not be successful. Even today these ideas, which in her time were a totally unprecedented and radical innovation, go far beyond the usual conceptualizations of anarchist free love that generally reach only to forming couples but without legal contract. Continue reading “Whip in hand: Emma Goldman’s feminist critique of feminism”

#Pro-Choice protests today in #Ireland – #abortion rights now –

-Choice protests in tomorrow – rights now – repeal 8th amendment

BvZSdPuIEAA8lH3Anger is growing around the news that “a raped woman who went on food and liquid strike in Ireland was denied an abortion.” ( Doctors for Choice ) A large demonstration is already scheduled in Dublin for Wednesday (6pm The Spire).

In the aftermath of the passing of the X-case legislation we explained why the legislation was worthless. Continue reading “#Pro-Choice protests today in #Ireland – #abortion rights now –”

Feminists We Love: Marissa Alexander

By Aishah Shahidah Simmons and Alisa Bierria

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Today is the first day of Standing Our Ground Week of Action (July 25 – August 1, 2014) in Jacksonville, FL and everywhere in support of Marissa Alexander’s case. The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign is a coalition of organizations and activists that has been mobilizing people in Jacksonville, across the US and around the globe to support the call for Marissa’s freedom.

Less than two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to break bread and talk with my sister and comrade Alisa Bierria, a Free Marissa Now member based in the Bay Area, about what Marissa Alexander’s case means for feminist social movements and the current push for grassroots support for her freedom during the week of action.

Since Ms. Alexander is under house arrest, I asked Alisa if she would partner with me on a Feminists We Love feature on Marissa Alexander. Ms. Alexander’s current struggle for freedom exemplifies many aspects of The Feminist Wire’s mission and vision. We are in unwavering solidarity with the movement to free her. If you aren’t aware of Ms. Alexander’s case or if you don’t have a full grasp of what’s at stake for Ms. Alexander, and by extension all women who are or will be in similar situations in the future; we hope that after reading this conversation you will be called to action.

Continue reading “Feminists We Love: Marissa Alexander”

How imposed Precarity, Anxiety and Isolation keep us Passive

 WHO I AM

This group argue that a big taboo is seeing how our anxiety is caused by the system and not just ourselves, and how exposing this can empower us to fight back.

Six Theses on Anxiety and Why It is Effectively Preventing Militancy, and One Possible Strategy for Overcoming It 1    

Reposted with the kind permission of the Institute for Precarious Consciousness: www.weareplanc.org

 1:  Each phase of capitalism has its own dominant reactive ‘affect’. 2

Each phase of capitalism has a particular affect which holds it together. This is not a static situation. The prevalence of a particular dominant affect 3 is sustainable only until strategies of resistance able to break down this particular affect and /or its social sources are formulated. Hence, capitalism constantly comes into crisis and recomposes around newly dominant affects.

Continue reading “How imposed Precarity, Anxiety and Isolation keep us Passive”

Dolly Parton, the most Influential Ad for Feminism

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Dolly Parton – “A radical in rhinestones”

By Helen Morales

When Dolly Parton played at the Glastonbury Festival last month she won rave reviews. However, the media focus was not just on her exquisite singing (or alleged miming) and fabulous costumes, but also turned to feminism.

Lily Allen discussed feminism with Dolly in an interview for The Radio Times, Krissi Murison and myself debated whether Dolly is a feminist with Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, and articles in The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times also honed in on the subject. Continue reading “Dolly Parton, the most Influential Ad for Feminism”

Solidarity Week for Anarchist Prisoners. Aug. 23-30

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In  summer 2013 members of several ABC groups discussed the necessity of introducing an International Day for Anarchist Prisoners. Given there are already established dates for Political Prisoners Rights Day or Prison Justice Day, we found it important to emphasise the stories of our comrades as well. Many imprisoned anarchists will never be acknowledged as ‘political prisoners’ by formal human-rights organisations, because their sense of social justice is strictly limited to the capitalist laws which are designed to defend the State and prevent any real social change.

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At the same time, even within our individual communities, we know so little about the repression that exists in other countries, to say nothing of the names and cases involving many of our incarcerated comrades.

This is why we have decided to introduce an annual Week for Anarchist Prisoners on August 23-30.

Continue reading “Solidarity Week for Anarchist Prisoners. Aug. 23-30”

Brazil Black Bloc battle bastard bullies

The story of the unsung heroes: Black Bloc Brazil

by Esther Solano Gallego, from ROAR with thanks

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Despised by many, hailed by some: the Black Bloc in Brazil uses its “performative violence” to draw attention to the everyday struggles of millions.

Article by Esther Solano Gallego and Paulo Rogério Lugoboni Filho. Illustration by Luciano Cunha, creator of O Doutrinador.

It was in the first weeks of the massive anti-government protests that started in June 2013 and shook Brazilian society to its very foundations that the Black Bloc made its first appearance on the protest scene. Demonstrations took place in dozens of cities across the country, but the black-clad youngsters who covered their faces and linked arms at the front-line of the marches, ready for any confrontation with the security forces, made their appearance mainly on the streets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.anon brasil

While being denounced by some for their violent tactics, actively looking for confrontations with the police and smashing banks and other symbols of global capitalism, those joining the Black Bloc in a protest could also count on some support from fellow protesters. During last year’s education crisis in October, which drew thousands of indignant teachers to the streets, the Black Bloc was present to protect them from the police violence.

In response, the SEPE Teacher’s Union declared its unconditional support for the Black Bloc, claiming that many have been protected by the masked youngsters from the excessive use of force by the police. Even though the SEPE has now retracted its support for the Black Bloc, and popular opinion has turned against it due to its negative depiction in the mainstream media, this strategy of radical anti-authoritarianism is still alive and kicking on the streets of Brazil today.

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Continue reading “Brazil Black Bloc battle bastard bullies”