Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

What is going on with the Feminist Library in London?

86 replies

ArcheryAnnie · 17/09/2015 10:41

This isn't a rhetorical question. I am seeing on twitter that loads of sensible gender-crit women and transwomen have been banned and blocked from the FB message boards, including pre-emptive bans, and that posts on such things as, er, the menopause have been deleted as transphobic.

The Feminist Library was set up by second-wavers decades ago, and I thought it was still run by second-wavers. What's going on?

(I'm not on FB so don't know if I am pre-emptively banned or not.)

OP posts:
PlaysWellWithOthers · 17/09/2015 16:33

They've posted approvingly about M.A.Melby, a woman who was one of the main movers within the blockbot, which has been used to vilify and silence anyone who doesn't immediately fall into line with whatever new bullshit the transactivist caucus wants to raise as being transphobic this week.

So, it seems it's all gone deeply anti feminist.

LauraMipsum · 17/09/2015 13:33

I can't link the threads but they are here:

www.facebook.com/groups/7086189852/?fref=ts

Some of it doesn't make sense because of deleted posts.

TheWanderingUterus · 17/09/2015 12:54

The feminist library is also in a precarious position at the moment, they are fundraising for a new and secure home.

Any hint of controversy and donations become harder to collect, their existence harder to justify.

Who also is going to donate? Turning away more than half of your potential donation pool is a foolish thing to do.

Original poster
ArcheryAnnie · 17/09/2015 12:49

Have you got a link to all this, Laura? Because I can't find it on the public page. Maybe you have to be logged-in.

OP posts:
Original poster
ArcheryAnnie · 17/09/2015 12:48

Somebody should take away her shovel before she buries the huge amount of goodwill the library has accumulated over the years.

Who does she think donates all the material in the library? Tedious old second-wavers, that's who.

(I've got a TON of classic stuff earmarked for them in a load of old suitcases, when I can be arsed to sort it out, but not if they are going to be ridiculous.)

OP posts:
LauraMipsum · 17/09/2015 12:21

They are threatening to close their FB group and I'm beginning to think it might not be a bad idea.

The Library itself is a fantastic resource and it would be a shame if it were tainted by what appears to be the entirely unselfconscious idiocy of one young woman who has, so far, deleted comments about uteruses, banned piles of people for "liking" comments she disagrees with, posted a terribly pious sermon on not talking over minorities and then deleted a WOC's complaint of racism.

TheWanderingUterus · 17/09/2015 12:21

Oh and its 'dog' in the manger attitude, I have been watching too much Shaun the Sheep with the DC.

TheWanderingUterus · 17/09/2015 12:20

Its also the only large feminist archive. I assume thats the draw.

Feminism is being done WRONG so they must FIX it!

I am very disappointed that no-one else from the library has commented on the situation. I would like to think that its because they are unaware/out of touch with social media.

Original poster
ArcheryAnnie · 17/09/2015 12:10

But the Feminist Library is heaving with second-wave material! They just had a Spare Rib event! I don't know why anyone would get involved if they weren't interested in second-wave thought or history.

Do they have trustees, I wonder? Because if it is newer volunteers who are trashing their reputation like this, someone ought to take note.

OP posts:
TheWanderingUterus · 17/09/2015 11:36

*Libfem

TheWanderingUterus · 17/09/2015 11:35

I've been following it on Twitter open mouthed. I got the impression that they have recently got some LibFeb/genderqueer etc volunteers who have certain ideas about how the library should be run. They run the FB group and have suggested that the library should be more intersectional, which seems to mean - ban certain discussions and certain groups of women.

I also get the impression that they don't place much value on second wave material (one admitted to hiding it when she worked in Waterstones), which has absolutely gobsmacked me. Its very much the pig in the manger attitude - 'I don't want to read this because it might challenge my opinions and I don't want anyone else to'.

Swipe left for the next trending thread