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Original poster

Are any of you radical feminists?

147 replies

Jazzicatz · 30/10/2010 12:50

I would consider myself a radical feminist. I was told yesterday that the logical conclusion to radical feminism is lesbianism and seperatism! I am not in agreement, but would love to know your opinions.

OP posts:
vesuvia · 31/10/2010 12:16

Much of what I've seen and read about the old Communist/Marxist/Socialist societies of Eastern Europe leads me to think that women there were dealing with very similar discrimination to what happens to women in the west. For example, domestic abuse, work/life balance, being sole carers. Very many Russian men "survived" communism by being permanently drunk. Most Russian women still had the same problems with state repression, poor economy, shortages etc. but they were still expected to look after the drunk men and raise families. Those women didn't have the luxury of abdicating their responsibilities.

Now that Russia is worshipping capitalism, those same men are still useless drunks and the women are still struggling.

Whichever patriarchal system is used, women still come off second-best of the two sexes.

sethstarkaddersmummyreturns · 31/10/2010 12:11

Jazzicatz - I had an experience with my PhD where my temporary supervisor really didn't get what I was doing, and that turned out to be the making of the research in a way because I became much better at explaining and justifying it as a result, and much clearer about what I was trying to do and why. So I see what Dittany means, it will strengthen it.
I think it would be hard without someone who gets it but in the end you can find that person elsewhere.
In the end your supervisor will want an easy life, he wants an independent student who will write a thesis that will pass. If you can show him you are doing the rad fem stuff really bloody well without his input, he's more likely to accept it and not put barriers in your way even if he actually disagrees. And then when your thesis is done and you have passed he will convince himself it is thanks to his great expertise on radical feminism Grin

Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 12:01

Dittany, thank you and I believe you are right in that it will strenghten my resolve and therefore my argument will be stronger!

LittleRedPumpkin - I think its a great discussion to be had Grin and I have posted on your thread!

OP posts:
LittleRedPumpkin · 31/10/2010 11:56

Blush Sorry, I both wrote the OP and my last post here before I read yours about it being another thread jazzi. Didn't meant to poach your topic. It's something that's been on my mind for a bit.

dittany · 31/10/2010 11:55

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LittleRedPumpkin · 31/10/2010 11:55

Btw, I've just done an OP in this topic about women and sexism at universities, if you're interested?

sethstarkaddersmummyreturns · 31/10/2010 11:55

the ones who write about equality are the worst . If you dare question their utter moral rightness on all equality-related matters they will use whatever bullying techniques they can to silence you.
You need some feminist allies....

Prolesworth · 31/10/2010 11:53

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Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 11:53

No he is a young academic!

OP posts:
Prolesworth · 31/10/2010 11:51

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Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 11:50

Not really - another thread entirely, on the lack of feminist research and debate to be had within academia. I was most shocked by his vehemence, especially as he writes about equality!

OP posts:
LittleRedPumpkin · 31/10/2010 11:46

He is being a twat. And you need a new supervisor or at least someone else you can go to and discuss this area of your phD. Is there someone else in the department you could go out for coffee with and talk over this chapter/section?

Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 11:42

Dittany - I did argue that point and he just didn't agree. I can't make him agree with my standpoint. It is just very frustrating when I have to spend supervisory sessions arguing my position, beyond the ususal. He literally verbally attacked me!

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LittleRedPumpkin · 31/10/2010 11:37

HerB, I got incredibly confused there thinking, 'That doesn't sound like our Lenin'.

Blush Grin

dittany · 31/10/2010 11:36

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Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 11:35

PhD has changed over time, and this new methodology follows more what I want my PhD to be. Before it was gender neutral and of course they were happy with that. Think I need to reassess my supervisory team!

OP posts:
LittleRedPumpkin · 31/10/2010 11:31

Jazzi, are you ok? It seems wildly inappropriate that your supervisor won't support your methodology. Surely he knew about it when he agreed to take you on, and anyway, it's none of his business is it?

HerBeatitude · 31/10/2010 11:02

Oh no one ever mentions Lenin's comment about Alexandra Kollontai. (or it might have been someone else, but I think it was her.) She argued against the idea of sex being confined to marriage, noting that it was just a pleasurable activity and ought to be conisidered no more signicant than drinking a glass of water. To which Lenin's response was "but who wants to drink from a dirty glass?"

Whihc gives a bit of a clue as the attitudes to women of one of the gods of communism. Hmm

Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 10:57

Do you know what? - I was just thinking the same thing Grin

OP posts:
Prolesworth · 31/10/2010 10:56

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Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 10:53

I can't answer for him obviously, but I think he sees that a Marxist approach is more about equality than a radical feminist approach which lends itself to seperatism!

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Prolesworth · 31/10/2010 10:49

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LeninGhoul · 31/10/2010 10:46

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Original poster
Jazzicatz · 31/10/2010 10:42

Was that a central tenet of argument then too Leningrad?

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LeninGhoul · 31/10/2010 10:38

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