How do you learn about feminism?

[FlamingoBingo]

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?

Hang around here for a while. Very informative.

Yesh, I do, and have done for a very long time (have changed name back to the one I had ages ago recently)...but what IRL?

I don't know flamingo.

Many of the posters on here are old hands at this stuff but still lose their temper/patience from time to time.

There are some feminism 101 sites I think which explain all about people using different tactics to derail/upset/change the debate etc, is it that sort of thing you mean?

this sort of thing?

I haven't read it myself, mind

Good question: I haven't got there yet either. I tend not to engage with guardian commenters because they're beyond redemption, as far as I can see

I've learned the most from reading the threads in this section (and elsewhere on MN) and seeing how others do it :)

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 )

Erm...

I think you need Dittany!

Have you done much reading?

Nope

What should I read first?

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

Whoops I went to change a nappy and xposted there!

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

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 .

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

I think the place to look is here

TY

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.

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

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

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

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!

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