Naomi Wolf: live webchat TODAY, Thursday 6 September, 12pm to 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Naomi Wolf is joining us for a live webchat on Thursday 6 September at 12 noon. Naomi's latest book, Vagina - A New Biography, has attracted major media attention this month and we're delighted she's joining us to tell us more about the book and answer your questions.

Described as 'exhilarating and groundbreaking', Vagina combines cultural history, physiology and personal memoir to explore the role of female desire and how it affects female identity, creativity and confidence.

Naomi Wolf is author of seven books including the bestseller, The Beauty Myth. She travels regularly to speak about gender equality and social justice. She lives in New York and is working towards a doctorate at New College, Oxford University.

Please post your question to Naomi in advance, or set the date in your diary to join us this Thursday at midday to chat to Naomi 'live'.

I haven't had a wank today, could that be why I haven't been able to get on with the ironing?

SGM - I asked that. Having a diddle.on your own is fine

Rapists rape with impunity everywhere not just in the UK or USA.

I'm sure you have witnessed or at least been aware of the huge level of abuse that has fallen on Assange's accusers. As soon as their anonymity was removed (illegally I should note) they were subject to an unrelenting torrent of abuse, rape threats, death treats etc. their names have been published, their previous sexual behaviour examined in minute detail and the underlying message is they were lying sluts who deserved everything they got because they were stupid enough to claim their right to have a sex life.

If their anonymity had been kept, don't you think they would not have been doorstopped, had their email addresses and phone numbers published, had their home address published so every conspiracy theorist could accuse them of being a USA stooge, been hounded in public and in private nor been subject to the daily excruciating process of going about their daily life?

Surely, watching what happened to these women would make any sane woman think very carefully about accusing any person of rape? The very case you are an apologist for is a stark example of what happens to women who speak p publicly.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

My vagina is still a bit confused about whether she actually wants Assange to be extradited or not.

Maybe if I go and stroke it a bit, it will understand.

JustineMumsnet You wrote:

"Naomi's position isn't this wasn't rape, it's that Assange's deportation is politically motivated and that under normal circumstances a case like this wouldn't be prosecuted. But far better for her to speak for herself, I'd say."

Well saying that it was politically motivated is the equivalent of saying that it shouldn't be taken as seriously as it is ie: all rape victims should be treated badly. Apparently, if you are raped by a left-wing celebrity the police should not prosecute your case because, well, there are worse rapes to worry about. Utterly appalling.

And that wasn't all that Naomi said. You should read exactly what she said on it. She definitely falls into the this wasn't rape-rape camp.

And the conspiracy theories she has bought into are an embarrassment too.

This definitely doesn't fit with the WeBelieveHer campaign. I accept that Assange hasn't been convicted but at least let his accusers/victims have their day in court. He has had many, many, many days in court and the best legal counsel that could be bought. I don't know of many other people accused of rape who have had such fantastic access to due process and excellent legal counsel!

I really wish Mumsnet had done some research on this before supporting Ms Wolf in this way.

if we all walk round with love eggs in we'll have the patriarchy whipped in no time.

i can't stop! god i wish the world was as simple as people in ivory towers with publishers in their ears believe it to be.

it makes me think twice about going back into academia in case my brain becomes as riddled with nonsense and ego as seems to happen to so many.

Slug she appears to have no shame

So.

George Galloway next?

Well, she is a journalist with a book to sell

That went well

Thank you Naomi and I look forward to reading your open letter of apology to those two women.

My vagina and I love mumsnet. But we won't be reading your book, ms wolf.

Naomi- if you are still here- the UK is not one jurisdiction. Scotland has a separate legal system, laws on rape, reporting, prosecution and conviction rate, therefore that is why there are no UK stats.

Can you all be quiet, I'm try to get myself all confident and dopamined up for the afternoon. I've got this patriarchy to defeat just as soon as I've got myself off.

Apparently it is ok to talk about the Beauty Myth but not to ask her about her writings on Assange. What fcking bullsh*t, Mumsnet HQ.

(a little part of me does want to read her book, am a big fan of anything to do with my minge, but don't want to line her pockets and am banned from the library)

You have got exceptional hair Naomi. What shampoo do you use?

I have a brilliant idea.

We must choose a date and time, and agree to have a mass fuck, wank or other vagina-focused sexual activity and if everyone in the world does it, there will be no more patriarchy and men and women will be equal. No more rape, equal pay, no more DV and men will do their fair share of housework and parenting.

Does October 17th at 8PM suit?

How did you get banned from the library, Alameda?

LOL Alameda, what did you do to get banned from a library?

Fastidia, that's a bit close to the kids' bedtime- can we make it nine?

@chaya5738

JustineMumsnet You wrote:

"Naomi's position isn't this wasn't rape, it's that Assange's deportation is politically motivated and that under normal circumstances a case like this wouldn't be prosecuted. But far better for her to speak for herself, I'd say."

Well saying that it was politically motivated is the equivalent of saying that it shouldn't be taken as seriously as it is ie: all rape victims should be treated badly. Apparently, if you are raped by a left-wing celebrity the police should not prosecute your case because, well, there are worse rapes to worry about. Utterly appalling.

And that wasn't all that Naomi said. You should read exactly what she said on it. She definitely falls into the this wasn't rape-rape camp.

And the conspiracy theories she has bought into are an embarrassment too.

This definitely doesn't fit with the WeBelieveHer campaign. I accept that Assange hasn't been convicted but at least let his accusers/victims have their day in court. He has had many, many, many days in court and the best legal counsel that could be bought. I don't know of many other people accused of rape who have had such fantastic access to due process and excellent legal counsel!

I really wish Mumsnet had done some research on this before supporting Ms Wolf in this way.

I merely outlined Naomi's position - one that's she's put forward anywhere and everywhere this week and that she reiterated here. I didn't say I agree with it it and I'm not sure providing a platform on Mumsnet counts as "supporting Ms Wolf" tbh. But I do think it's useful to give people a chance to explain their statements and I thought it was an interesting webchat. Hope others did too.