Critical sisters event this Saturday- anyone else going?

[GinevraFanshawe]

I'm going! But nervous as it's the first time I've gone to anything like this. Anyone else going?

[Terfinator]

Where is it?

[GinevraFanshawe]

In Cheltenham but I think it's sold out now. I'm going to take notes!

[CaoNiMartacus]

Ooh I wish I were going! Report back!

[CharlieSierra]

I'm going.

[Datun]

Loads of people are going. I do hope you all manage to hook up. Please report back.

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

I'm going. So far I know of 4 others - plus you, Ginevra. So 6. Hurray for us!

[tiredofchallenge]

Me too - well, I'm actually here right now! Sitting at the end of the back row if anyone else is on their own and wants to say hello!

[Jog22]

Sitting in the middle on the back row. Hi

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

I'm still on the train to Cheltenham, feeling distinctly annoyed with myself. Overslept and missed the train. I was so keyed up I hardly slept I should be sneaking into the back row shortly before 11.30. I'll be the somewhat harassed looking woman with the purple rucksack.

[QuentinSummers]

I really wanted to but sadly had prior arrangement! Would love to hear how it went

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

I'm on the train home. The event ended at 2.30 but then nearly everyone went to a pub. It was well chosen, with a garden where we moved trestle tables together to make a long one where we could all sit. I was one of the last to leave, at about 5.30. It was brilliant, lots of debate, bonding and laughter among a very varied group of women.

My slight anxiety that I might not be a "good enough feminist" dissolved in the warmth and friendliness of everyone there. It was an amazing day, and I urge anyone who - like me - thinks they might be too straight, old or boring, not to let it keep them back from attending a feminist event.

The event was a panel discussion rather than a sequence of speakers. The panellists were Julie Bindel, Maryam Nastase and Sarah Ditun. There was loads of time for questions too.

After lunch we were split into 4 groups, given a long list of suggestions, and asked to produce a list of issues we considered most important. Tbh, we didn't have enough time to consider the full list. Each group had markers to write down their bullet points, and we were also asked to design and create a slogan on a cotton bag. My group went for "sisterhood, not cisterhood". I proposed "biology is not bigotry", which was chosen by another group, so it was a good thing they didn't listen to me.

There's more I could say but this post is quite long enough already. I am concerned that if I lose connectivity on the train I will also lose this post. It's happened once already. I imagine a bunch of other posters will be along to describe the day too.

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

Sorry, you can tell I'm knackered. Spelling mistakes. It's Maryam Namazie and Sarah Ditum. I was so worried about sleeping through my 5.30 alarm that I was still awake at 2.30.

The main thing I took away from today (apart from several action points) was Maryam's message that we should not be deterred from speaking out on issues like FGM and the veil by accusations of "white feminism", accusations which - she pointed out - were typically made by liberal white men, and were themselves racist. She encouraged all feminists to speak out and to stand together. This was endorsed by another BME speaker, one of the Critical Sisters group who put on the event.

During the group discussion, we prioritized solidarity, and being very firm that feminism is about women. Feminism is the only civil rights movement which is exhorted to cater for all the others. We're not, it's clear, allowed to just campaign in our own interests. No. We are expected to do the emotional labour for everyone. Speak up for women and people launch into whatthefuckery. Why campaign for women when there's a donkey sanctuary needs funding?

Hopefully someone else will be along In a minute to give their account of the day.

[TalkingintheDark]

Thanks for that, Prawn, I was hoping someone would update on it. It sounds like a great day. I would have liked to go too but had to work today. Hopefully there will be another similar event soon.

[CharlieSierra]

I am so glad I went today, it was brilliant to meet up with such a fantastic group of like minded women, some of whom were MNers. I just wish I could have stayed longer in the pub!

[Glossolalia]

How did you find out about the even Prawn?

[Glossolalia]

*event

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

CharlieSierra posted a link back in early February. Thanks, Charlie!

I've just got in. Long journey. And no loos on the last leg. So at the station I wandered vaguely into the ladies. Should've sussed there was something wrong. There was urine all over the floor. However it wasn't until I emerged from my cubicle that I saw a man with his back to me and realised I was in the gents.

[PreemptiveSalvageEngineer]

This was going on on the same day as the Million Women Rise march?

Sounds lovely, though, and I'm keen to go to an event like it.

[humourless]

Prawn, the panellists were Glosswitch, Maryam Nimaze and Julie Bindel.

Sarah was listed but not there!

I was the one who quoted Laurie Penny in a first question.

What an enriching and inspirational day!!

[humourless]

I implore everyone to look at the Criticalsisters website and join. .

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

Doh! I thought Sarah Ditum looked very different from her photo but because I missed the start and tend to vagueness I assumed I'd forgotten what she looked like.

My only complaint would be that it wasn't long enough. So many MN posters I wanted to talk to for hours each! A weekend would have been better, but as I couldn't afford a weekend that's just wishful thinking. I came away full of what I'd heard and busting to talk more.

[humourless]

Radfem weekends away look brilliant!

Damn I wish I'd know you were there Prawn, I would have introduced myself.

[tiredofchallenge]

Sorry I couldn't make the pub, would have liked to have carried on chatting!

I thought it was a great day - I've been motivated to contact my MP (again, 3rd time) about the gender equality bill, and copying in its main supporters this time (thanks to whoever made that suggestion!), and have set up a new twitter account so can join the MN collective, and support/post without worrying about backlash getting too close to home.

[brasty]

You know there are RadFem weekends away? The last one was £45 including all food. Organised by RadFem Collective.