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Original poster

How do you learn about feminism?

30 replies

FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 13:53

Can someone tell me how you get to a point where you can, without flustering, argue with twits like the guardian commenters? What should you do to learn enough that the arguments for feminism just trip off the tongue?

Read books? Which ones?

Join groups that meet regularly? What if there are none near you?

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YeButerfleogeEffete · 17/01/2011 13:34

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 17/01/2011 13:26

I've emailed a group in the next town to me, but won't be able to get to a meeting until the end of Feb, and that won't be a proper meeting, so probably not end of March Sad

But excited nevertheless!

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flyingcloud · 17/01/2011 10:09

I have a raft of feminist books to read, and have decided to read them in chronological order, starting with The Second Sex, up to Living Dolls.

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 16/01/2011 18:49

you don't need to be an expert and 'lead' a group, you can organise a group by getting it going but then everyone is equal with regard to the discussion. You don't need any kind of expert knowledge to find the titles of a few books that might be interesting and then discussing them is simply a matter of 'Did you enjoy this? Was it worth reading? Did you agree with it?'

I've had this conversation with several people on here so apologies if I've already said all this to you, but our local group started off with someone in the area setting up a 'local feminist seeks other feminists' facebook group then linking to it on UK Feminista.
You can start a thread on UK Feminista, and name-change and start one on here, asking if there is anyone in your area who wants to meet up.
Once there are more than one of you, you might suddenly find you start to feel more confident about getting things moving!

YeButerfleogeEffete · 16/01/2011 18:18

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 18:12

Thanks for those 'starting off' book recommendations, though - will look those up.

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 18:11

But how do you get brave enough to start one, TBE? And don't you need to be an expert already to lead one?

There is none close to me - already searched the UK Feminista page...and done it a few more times just in case I missed one! Grin

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YeButerfleogeEffete · 16/01/2011 18:10

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HelenBa · 16/01/2011 18:00

ooh, thanks for starting this OP, I didn't know about the book club

ISNT · 16/01/2011 17:47

If people need to buy stuff then apparently if you buy through the f word they get some money.

StewieGriffinsMom · 16/01/2011 17:43

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 17:33

Angry They only have The Feminine Mystique in my county library system! How crappy is that!?

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JaneS · 16/01/2011 17:26

Oh, yes, I was wondering the same as the OP.

I have previously been put off by the very crappy feminist writings in my subject area - is there anything pretty recent that's good to read? I think the older texts maybe come across oddly to a newcomer like me.

StewieGriffinsMom · 16/01/2011 17:24

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 17:20

TY Smile

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ISNT · 16/01/2011 17:17

I think the place to look is here

Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 16:45

I don't get the MN emails, whatever I do! Can you tell me what book it is, and I'll try and get hold of it and get into the discussion?

Does anyone on here go to feminist meet ups to discuss issues? I go to a mothers' group, which is small but perfectly formed, and incredibly helpful in considering and clarifying my feelings about being a mother and how to do it! I could see something along the same lines, but for feminism, being really helpful in informing opinions and increasing understanding. I can't find anything local though Sad.

Trying to get up the guts to start something myself, but I don't know nearly enough to lead a group!

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ISNT · 16/01/2011 16:06

here is a thread with some book recommendations.

Keep an eye out on the topic for Feb's book club, and I think it's being advertised in the MN email that goes around this month as well

dittany · 16/01/2011 15:30

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ISNT · 16/01/2011 15:22

Whoops I went to change a nappy and xposted there!

ISNT · 16/01/2011 15:22

Well there is a book club that runs on here that would be a good place to start!

I have asked Dittany to pop over too, she always has lots of info Smile

dittany · 16/01/2011 15:21

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Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 15:06

Nope Blush

What should I read first?

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ISNT · 16/01/2011 15:05

Erm...

Blush

I think you need Dittany!

Have you done much reading?

Original poster
FlamingoBingo · 16/01/2011 15:00

No, I really mean just a really good grounding in the history, philosophy etc. of feminism - all the ins and outs. Apart from doing a degree in womens' studies, what are good ways of learning all this stuff?

I really want to engage with feminism properly now, and not need to spend my life online to do it! (much as I love spending my life on MN Wink)

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