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Original poster

Daily acts of feminism - a thread for ideas

441 replies

teawamutu · 14/03/2021 10:14

Pinched the idea shamelessly from another thread after an hour of speechless rage reading the papers and Twatter. I need to DO something.

I pledge to do something positive every day to stand up for women. Deeds not words.

Today was taken care of for me - a subscription to The Radical Notion for Mother's Day. I'm also going to fill out the VAWG consultation.

Thought might be good to share anything else we come across here, so anyone in need of ideas could check?

OP posts:
Happinessisawarmcervix · 14/03/2021 22:09

@Beancounter1

What does FWR mean please?
It’s the old name for the feminism chat board - Feminism and Women’s Rights.
334bu · 14/03/2021 22:09

Feminism and Women's Rights.

Happinessisawarmcervix · 14/03/2021 22:08

That shoulder barge can really bloody hurt.

Beancounter1 · 14/03/2021 22:07

What does FWR mean please?

MangoBiscuit · 14/03/2021 21:31

@Happinessisawarmcervix

Start playing Patriarchy Chicken.

The rules are simple - stop moving aside for men. You probably don’t even realise you’re doing it. Pavements, footpaths, supermarket aisles.

Be prepared for them to get very, very angry when you don’t immediately clear a path for The Mighty Penis.

“I suppose I’ll move then” muttered the male jogger when I didn’t.

“One of us has to, might as well be you.”

But he clearly expected me to clear the way for him.

I used to love doing this! I tend to shift just slightly for them, as I would for another woman. When they also shift just slightly, we both pass without incident. If they don't, I brace for impact, and the inevitable "HEY WTF?". I've only had one guy decide not to shift at all, but drop his shoulder and barge straight in to me. I'm also 6foot tall and lift a lot of weights. He barged, I braced, he bounced! He wasn't too happy, but his friends thought it was hilarious.

Also, thank you @teawamutu for the thread, and to all PPs for the suggestions. I've been feeling so bloody low with all of this recently. I don't want to just stop and hide and feel like I've given up, but equally, I don't have the mental resilience to argue the toss with every sexist cockwomble. Small acts is definitely the way to go for me at the moment, and hearing everyone else is doing them too is filling me with hope.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 14/03/2021 21:17

Pandora I love that. And you've lovely handwriting Wink

TheRabbitOfCaerbannog · 14/03/2021 21:17

Be an ally to younger women in the workplace.

PandorasMailbox · 14/03/2021 21:12

@FindTheTruth

out of interest where do you get your ribbons from?
I got mine from Ebay for a few quid. I use them with luggage labels but pieces of cardboard are fine.
Daily acts of feminism - a thread for ideas
TheRabbitOfCaerbannog · 14/03/2021 21:11

Record inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Really serious about this. If you experience sexism and discrimination as a woman, whether as a woman without kids or after you have had kids make a note of it. Send a contemporaneous email to an friend, an ally, your partner or union rep. Say it made you feel uncomfortable, explain why, file it away. Read up on discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace and understand your rights. www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment

ListeningQuietly · 14/03/2021 21:06

Report
not shrug

I have taken to reporting "banter" posts on Linkedin
rather than scrolling on by.

The same applies to posts on any "Below the Line" / Social media

do not walk by on the other side
report

do not engage, report

vomcomvomcom · 14/03/2021 20:59

I think the best way of protesting the patriarchy is by refusing to have a child. Ultimately that’s all men want us for. Imagine if every woman in the world just refused to carry on their bloodline, it would hurt their egos more than any other sort of direct action Wink

Thislittlefinger123 · 14/03/2021 20:55

What a great thread!

IheartJKR · 14/03/2021 20:48

@Evarish

Everything by bell hooks!!!

fatblackcatspaw · 14/03/2021 20:36

Buy books by GC Authors who have been cancelled good lists further upwould add Jane Harris. If you can afford it buy the books liberally leave at free libraries, give to friends.

Write to your MSP /MP / Councillor so often their emails come up automatically in your email system.

Give money to crowdfunders and good feminist orgs doing good work. Support LGB Alliance. Support Vancouver Rape Crisis who were the canary in the mine and STILL getting shit. Double your Soreen loaf order.

fatblackcatspaw · 14/03/2021 20:32

@FindTheTruth

Thanks Wait.
simply ribbons online has a huge range of ribbons
WarriorN · 14/03/2021 20:14

Pebbles could work if enough room to write on too?

Oooh yes...

PurpleHoodie · 14/03/2021 20:13

Giving money and support to good causes.

Thebabysdoneapoo · 14/03/2021 20:02

What's digging?

SpringCrocus · 14/03/2021 20:02

Great idea, today I have done some digging, and joined some GC social media closed groups.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 14/03/2021 19:56

@WarriorN

What lovely ideas! I especially like the slate idea.
Pebbles could work if enough room to write on too?
Original poster
teawamutu · 14/03/2021 19:52

@Happinessisawarmcervix

Start playing Patriarchy Chicken.

The rules are simple - stop moving aside for men. You probably don’t even realise you’re doing it. Pavements, footpaths, supermarket aisles.

Be prepared for them to get very, very angry when you don’t immediately clear a path for The Mighty Penis.

“I suppose I’ll move then” muttered the male jogger when I didn’t.

“One of us has to, might as well be you.”

But he clearly expected me to clear the way for him.

I used to do this pre-COVID and social distancing. Must start again.

Good fun when swimming, too. They hate it 😁

OP posts:
awesomekillick · 14/03/2021 19:48

When meeting a man - any man you don't know, so shopkeeper, zoom call, delivery driver, old bloke outside Boots - try not to smile and "be nice". It's bloody hard. But I became aware of how much effort I put into smiling and being nice just in a "I'm a nice woman" way, so I'm trying hard not to do it because it's yet another aspect of the socialisation of women. I'm well into my 50s. It feels so hostile not to smile - but men manage to do it all the time!

Wrongsideofhistorymyarse · 14/03/2021 19:46

Thank you OP for starting this lovely thread.

Waitwhat23 · 14/03/2021 19:44

Yes, the same MP's don't seem to have experienced the same level of 'terror' when the yes and no stickers were all over the place in 2014. It's amazing how scary a couple of stickers, ribbon and a slate can be really. There's a very amusing response called 'hateful haberdashery' which makes me laugh whenever I think about it.

Happinessisawarmcervix · 14/03/2021 19:33

The slates are lovely. The (inappropriate) levels of outrage they have generated from the MPs whose offices they were left outside has been something to behold.

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