East London Feminists

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Have been looking for feminist groups in East London, but not come up with anything, so was thinking of (possibly) starting one instead.

Does anyone know of a group? Or would anyone like to come to one? Would probably be quite relaxed, chatty (think MN in real life) and aiming to be a source of inspiration, moral support and wine ideas for activism etc.

:)

Yep, I think it would be quite nice just to brainstorm for ideas about what people want to get out of the group.

Agenda?

How about:

1. what do we all want out of the group
2. when shall we meet next
3. more wine!

4. patriarchy-blaming
5. Adam Ant's leather trousers circa 1982
6. further wine

7. The Feminist Cavalry - uniforms or not?
8. The Trampling List
9. yet more wine

10. Troll voodoo doll making
11. Drunken slurring of "I love you lot"
12. Snacks

13. Outline structure for World Domination
14. Detailed inspection of Bluepirints of Ken Clarke's house
15. Form sub-committee for carrying Treacle home

Ummmm...wine... yes. If I feel sick, will you point me at the nearest man wearing a t-shirt with an offensively sexist slogan on it and we can call it Direct Feminst Action instead of just what inevitably happens after I've had half a shandy?

My DH did ask if a MN Feminist meeting was going to be a bit like<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mgd/lowres/mgdn388l.jpg&imgrefurl=www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/men.asp&usg=__58etgR3VFQcPrRyNxavcA2ecSSU=&h=320&w=400&sz=100&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&tbnid=7UGJIjErr477xM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=124&ei=2wvYTcCeHpSp8QOtzfCDBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfeminist%2Bcartoons%2Bgrandchildren%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1039%26bih%3D892%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> this so I poked him in the eye I've ordered bulk copies of SCUM Manifesto and we can leave them lying around as inspiration.

I've been thinking that it might be a nice idea to have a little... task ... for everyone to do (if they want) before the next meeting.

I was thinking along the lines of the Feminist Fridays stuff that Object do - nothing hardcore -turning over FHM etc in WHSmith and so forth.

I think it's really common for everyone to turn up all fired up for meeting one and then, it just sort of...fizzles out a bit. If people have stuff to do between now and the next meeting, it gets them thinking about Feminism during the gap and also drives them to want to attend the next one to report back.

Obviously it won't be obligitary! What do you think? Is it too much?

I AM SO EXCITED!

Treacle, I've have just seen point 7. Uniforms? Hell yeah!

I do have a badge making machine. Just saying.

at point 15. Perhaps I should just provide Elephants with a wheelbarrow?

Yep, "homework" sounds like a good idea - even if it's just sending an email to your MP about something. Or putting stickers on things. I like stickers and would quite enjoy putting them over stupid plastic surgery adverts on the tube and the like. Hopefully we won't lose momentum though - I can think of loads of things I would like us to do!

PS YOU HAVE A BADGE MAKER? Ooooh, you are so going to regret telling me about that. I LOVE badges. Especially if they say - "The Feminist Cavalry - Stamping out the Patriarchy" inside a horseshoe.

Doesn't someone have a sticker machine at work? Treacle?

Love the homework idea. We can make point 0.5 on the agenda Boasting.

Well, I can print out address labels so I could do ones saying something different... as long as I get to the printer before everyone else in the office notices I'm printing out stickers saying 'Fuck the Patriarchy' instead of 'Mr Smith, Clifford Chance etc'

Treacle, consider it done. I will expect you to wear it at all times.

I am enjoying the idea of Mr Smith being galvanised into Feminism after receiving mysterious letters asking him to eschew harmful beauty practices.

I think some ready-made stickers plus some blank ones and felt tips so people can create their own is good idea - gives ownership and the stickers can be specific to a poster etc. I have lots of felt tips. Also stickers I think.

I'm stressing a bit - I've not been to the pub (the pub we're going to, I mean, not 'the pub' generally. Though admittedly I find being out after half past six terribly exciting and novel these days) for a long time, but is it actually a good environment to have discussions in?

If it's got loud music or is very busy, it might actually be very hard for everyone to hear what is being said etc. Also, is it possible to reserve an area so we're not all perched awkwardly round a single barstool?

Yaaaay! I shall wear it always!

No, I haven't been there before either - maybe I should pop by on my way home this week and check it out? That way, if it's really awful, we can go to the Water Poet or somewhere instead. I can ask about reserving an area that way, too.

Am liking the felt tip idea.

I mentioned this at the weekend to some friends I was seeing and asked my mate if she wanted to come along and her bf piped up 'surely the test of a good feminist meeting is if I'm allowed to come'

Don't worry sistas, I made sure he understood before he left then I did it again, repeatedly throughout the meal until everyone wished they were somewhere else

Bwahahaha yes the test of feminism is how tenderly it treats the feelings of men.

aawww, the poor menz

i hope you didn't hurt his feelings, Unruly

Can someone PM me the deets? I'd like to come if I'm not busy (and would like to know about future meetings in case)

Elephants we met on the Million Women march.

I will!

oh im really looking forward to this!
ive been thinking about this a lot and i must admit-ive smiled several times
because ive become nostolgic-x years ago i was sitting somewhere discussiing womens issues[i didnt understand the patriarchy though]and running around trying to do my bit.
it was a good feeling trying to help other women and there was this "sisters together"kind of thing!
i stopped smiling at the thought that x years later im still having to fight
anyway-another thought that crossed my mind was-
although im looking forward to the meetup-i was getting a bit nervous!
i started worrying that i will turn up and i will be sitting there not understanding anything anyone else is saying cos them have the long words!
i was getting worried no one would understand my short words!
i was getting worried that everyone would see me as the "underclass"woman
ive been labelled-and not hear my voice!
then i thought"shuuuuutuuuuup sparky"this is whats patrichy has done to us-
pitt everyone against each other-then we are so busy arguin and appologising-we dont look theyre way!
so.......im looking forward to meeting you-i have some terriffic life experiane
and im sure you do aswell-even though we might come from diffrent places sometime!
this will enable to come together and fight together!
as for homework-my who;e life has been bloody homework!
i think we are going to be a strong group!

Sparky - this is our Mission Statement (published on the FB group)!

"This group originated on a Feminist discussion forum on the internet, but the group belongs to all the members and no-one is in charge or the arbiter of What Feminists Should Think About Stuff.

Everyone will be at a different point on the Feminism road. Some of us will be brand new to it, some of us will put Germaine Greer to shame, and all the stages in between. Everyone's contribution will be valid and welcome and we hope that no-one will feel intimidated.

It's about discussion and sharing our thoughts, ideas and knowledge with everyone else. Perhaps we can aim towards doing some Feminist activism in the future?

Hopefully there will also be wine, tea, and baked goods.

It's so exciting that there are so many of us who are interested in Feminism to make this group.

Hope to see you at our very first meeting. ¡Viva la Revolución!"

Treacle. Yes, go to the pub. It's research, innit.

Unrulysun, you fight the good fight. Even if you are just alienating potential male allies who we really really neeeeed and are in fact being, y'know, like, all discriminatory against men which is a bit ironic, huh? Now stop wittering on, and just get back in your glass coffin and concentrate on being the prettiest.

I want to come to your group! It looks the best!

Come, Alice! If you PM Daisy or me your email address I can add you to the Facebook group, if you're on Facebook. Or I can just email you the meet-up details, if you prefer.

this seems quite defensive daisy-im not on facebook!
maybe i shouldnt come along after all!

Sparky, I'm really sorry if it came across as defensive. It really wasn't meant to be. I meant it to be supportive.

I re-posted what we have on FB here because you said you had had some worries about feeling as though you wouldn't understand what was being discussed or that no-one would understand what you had to say.

Those of us in the FB group had already anticipated that some people may have concerns about this kind of thing and wanted to address it in advance, that's all.

Of course you should come. And you certainly shouldn't not come because of something I have said - you have just as much right to be there as I do.

bollocks-this is going a bit bad innit!
i shall meet you with open arms and hug you tightly-and i hope you hug me back-
our lingo is diffrent innit
we dont understnd each other-maybe one day x