We come together not because we may identify as women; rather, we come together because we believe that we can only be free and live better lives with the end of capitalism, white supremacy, Western empire, and patriarchy. - Feminist Library

Another thought terminating cliche presents itself as a radical revolutionary movement. This kind of feminism is worse than useless - it is destructive and the kindest thought I have for the women afflicted by this kind of thinking is that they are tremendously stupid.

Does that mean that other groups set up to challenge other oppressions (class, race, etc.) must focus on feminism/women/patriarchy and ending male supremacy?

Thought not.

They've had public money, and funding to pay workers, to look after the collection so it's not like they are doing it out of generosity with their time. The library is closed most of the time anyway and good luck getting anyone to answer if you try and contact them.

'Feminism is like pornography - I'll know it when I see it'

I'm not seeing much of it here. They sound like a toddler that needs a nap.

I do recognise the claims of bullying I'm afraid. I witnessed it and it was vicious and sustained. It has become a very unfriendly and cliquey place. The flip side of their constant emphasis on trans inclusive events and publications means they don't take much interest in women's day to day lives and issues, ignore or attack feminist organisations and have explicitly denied access to feminists they don't agree with.

This seems remarkably ignorant of the history of the library and more generally of political feminism in the UK over the last hundred+ years.

The library comes out of the women’s suffrage movement initially, not the women’s liberation movement. But it has been built on by many archives in the decades since and had several owners all with slightly different twists on why they are prepared to take on the costs of ownership. It is not a library intended only for women. It is one of the best specialist libraries in the country and a boon to researchers of any sex who are interested in the history of women’s political activity in the UK.

Politically, the women’s movement has been dominated by the left. Groups set up to improve women’s political situation, especially since WWII, have tended to be left wing, many explicitly anti-capitalist. While a lot of women who engaged with campaigns for individual rights like access to contraception, equal pay, or standing up against VAWG were not as interested in a wider political ideology, the women who did the heavy lifting and actually developed the organizations that created these campaigns often did so as part of a bigger belief that the oppression of women was just one aspect of capitalistic oppression that also oppressed the working class and ethnic minorities. Expressions of more radical and, especially, anti-capitalist feelings died down in the Blair years but come back every time there is a resurgence in the Labour Party (because it’s Labour supporters who tend to be activists in the area of women’s rights).

I’m don’t buy into the politics of that statement or the radical left nowadays (I don’t believe the ending of capitalism will significantly free women or reduce racism, for instance). But other than the intention to include information on transwomen, they are not particularly out of keeping with the history of the women’s movement in the UK. And they are, as PP said, willing to safeguard the archives, which less politically motivated groups do not seem to have been bothered about doing.

‘Capitalism’ and the ‘Western Empire’…

Well, with such laser-like focus on their goals, how can they fail to make an impact?

I can't make head nor tail of what that's supposed to mean. It's just a pile of buzzwords with punctuation.

at least they are taking care of the collection
Wow. They are doing part of what they signed up to do. Fucking tremendous. When you join a body like that, you agree to uphold its aims.

Any organisation that launches into what Israel is currently doing in Gaza without condemning in clear terms the murder of over a thousand people and the nightmarish kidnap of nearly 200 others is plainly so morally bankrupt and detached from reality that it loses all credibility.

Yes, and all that material would have gone in a skip if it wasn't for the group currently running it. I know quite a lot about the FL, I used to be involved with it.

I don't recognise any claims of bullying or humiliation, there were certainly disagreements but they've been there throughout the feminist movement.

There was never any reassurance that only women would access the materials, it was always open to all when I was involved. Including trans people.

The people who are running it are actually doing something, you're just sniping on the sidelines. It's not necessarily how I'd choose to characterise a feminist group I was involved with, but at least they are taking care of the collection.

'We want to smash whatever it is.'

Communism. Death for everyone who disagrees.

When you have a particular cause, and suddenly tack on (counts) six other causes that you demand followers must also agree with, suddenly you make your potential pool of supporters much more niche.

I am unsure of, actively disagree with, or feel attacked by, the various tenuously related woke causes they mention. A feminist library should be neutral and inoffensive to non-feminists and appealing to feminists, but they've immediately turned me off. They are making enemies of people who might otherwise be interested before they even start, because they're so insistent upon forcing their personal worldview down everyone's throats.

This is why I like Kellie Jay Keen, she's down to earth, and she just says to support other females, even the ones you don't like. Simple.

It is really time that the Charities Commission wielded some power. This is happening with increasing frequency, charities not fulfilling their remit, but off on another course altogether. If people donated books to an organisation that promised to look after and use them in a certain way, it is a bit much that some fly-by-nights turn up and change the whole set-up.

Amnesty International also seems to have given up on political prisoners in a clear betrayal of the huge donations it has received over the years.

There has been a weird mashing together of all causes on the left. I feel it's related in some sense to the way the newest Pride flag is supposed to stand for every group of people too. I keep thinking of sci fi stories like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where utopian unity is achieved by removing all human differences. So no one disagrees about what they care about. We are all individuals, we are all differernt, we are Diverse" they chant in unison.

On a slightly different note, I think maybe people should give up talking about colonialism. It's become a sort of sound that just stands in for "evil" without any other reference to meaning. It's entirely possible to talk about history accuratly without it, and maybe if we did, people would have to think clearly about what they were saying.

I think any group that says it 'stands with Palestine' unequivocally, with no mention of the slaughter by Hamas or sympathy for the Jewish victims, is morally bankrupt.

I don't excuse the behaviour of the Israeli government but to suggest it comes out of nowhere 'because colonialism' is moronic. This a horribly complex situation with monsters on both sides and no good options.

Small wonder these fuckwits can't work out what a woman is either.

They are saying they are against everything........especially the West with its liberal democracy, free speech, individual rights protected by law, and so on......They want a revolution - just because.

Borders are not just " What separate us" but also what defines us. There is no relationship; no community; no meaning; no morality; no differentiation; no equality - without boundaries.

" I dont understand what they're saying"

I stand with @JamSandle

I hear Charlie Brown's teacher when people blether on like this. It's usually the enemy within that causes the most damage.

I dont understand what they're saying...

The Library is trans-inclusive, welcomes visitors of any gender, does not require registration or membership, and provides an intersectional space for the exploration of feminism.

'Feminism' for men, again.