So who went on a

[Leithlurker]

Anti Bedroom Tax march and what one?

[Leithlurker]

Well at least Chibi you answered the question, and as highly intriguing as the title was not it only had to do one job and that was to get people to click on it. Oh and my inferences are both useless and pointless as the reception has proved all of my points for me. Or so you would expect me to say.

Which actually is a pity because I was sure that some on this board would be involved in the anti cuts movement, some would have gone on a march, some would have willingly said how being on a march with other people from all walks of life was both uplifting and positive.

We could have then spoken about how many of these marches are organised and run by trade unions which are predominantly white male led, and so on, which gives a very false image of those most effected.
My we could have had a pretty good discussion about how women are being disproportionately hit by the cuts, how women will be forced to stay in abusive relationships, how children will suffer, how services for homeless women will be ciut and even how womens roles as carers will be more devalued and increasingly seen as their job, but be punished for it.

We could I think have found many activities that as feminists, anti cuts campaigners, people with impairments, single parents, men could have supported each other in, in a bid to bring about the end of the patriarchy.

However my "inferences" that you seem perfectly certain I want to make, seem to prevent any conversation about those things.

[Leithlurker]

Btb thank you for asking, unfortunately I could not go it was tyoo cold and the likelihood was that the cold would have set off a chain reaction causing me to be ill for the rest of the week, and I have lots to do this week.

I did however have many friends, a large number of whom self identify as feminists by the way who did go and who said it was a brilliant atmosphere with lots of families, kids, and a mix of ages. The local polis were expecting 200 but about a thousand turned up. So that was brilliant. (iI am in Edinburgh by the way but shhh don't tell anyone) The Glasgow event had 3000 which was fab, bit disappointed in the London one though as it seemed to be fairly small. But I know that many many marches took place and so whole communities were represented irrespective of politics. What about you, did you go what was your experience if you did?

[EduCated]

Can I suggest you put some of that stuff in your OP next time? That would have engaged me. But as I said, no I didn't. I didn't know there were any marches.

[Mandytm]

...No, I didn't go on one.

[Leithlurker]

EduCated I hope my response to BTB answered some of your point's.

As it happens I posted in fwr and in other places. In fact I am quite active on a thread on this subject in "In the news". I posted here because, and I am not being snarky here either. The high level of political debate, also the lens of feminism has sometimes been slow to engage with mass movements preferring to pursue their own agenda. Which is absolutely fine, in many ways thats exactly the point of feminist, or disability activists. In this instance though I was hoping to start a broad discussion about the need for unity, as the welfare reforms are going to effect a large number of people and not one group of activists can hope to stand against them.

[Leithlurker]

I may well do Educated but I fear it would not matter as I got the reception I expected because I have a reputation apparently.

[EduCated]

I've never heard of you

[Trills]

If the aim is to get people who want to discuss the bedroom tax to click then perhaps saying that's what it is about would help.

No, I didn't.

[chibi]

meh.

i am put off discussing anything with someone whose agenda is clearly more activisty than thou.

you have causes dear to your heart. i do too. sometimes, they might be the same. other times, not. so it goes. don't get huffy and act like i pissed on christmas if i a)haven't heard of what you are talking about b) do not feel my feminism depends on being as invested as you are

[BitBewildered]

No I didn't go on one. I am interested in the issue though.

[Leithlurker]

BTB, I am sure an anti cuts group or an anti bedroom tax group will be in your area, if you happen to be in Scotland they are plentiful. If you want to read up on the issue I would suggest this as a starter, and from there you can decide what you want to know more about. I would be happy to help you find more detailed links if need be.www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=3086

Chib how do you know what your feminism needs to be invested in if you are unaware of the issue?

[chibi]

i am aware of the issue, i was not aware of this demo, not the same thing, actually

i think i am best placed to decide what i want to feel invested in, and how it relates to my feminism (or not)

currently my feminism sees me involved in a lot of decolonisation work. does yours? if not why not?

[Leithlurker]

As it happens it does. Now is that not interesting, who does that make the better feminist you or me. Nope don't bother it is not about better or worse, not compition involved. It is about though knowing that being involved in any social movement is to be open to see how the issues of others impact on the issues you are interested in.

[SatsukiKusukabe]

odd thread. I didn't go to any. I don't live in the uj

[chibi]

it sure is interesting having a conversation with someone who asks questions and answers them themselves with 'nope don't bother'

with respect to what i am involved in, i am aware of how various social movements may intersect and impact on each other. i have a finite amount of time and energy, so i prioritise some and not others. as does everyone.

surely this isn't shocking?

also interesting that you want to frame this as who is the better feminist. if it makes you feel better, you are.

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Leith, it's not unusual for very brief OPs that have uninformative titles and only ask a question without saying anything about the poster's position to not attract responses. Why should people put effort into responding when you barely put any into your OP?

[Mandytm]

Chibi I don't think anything productive will come of continuing this conversation - leithlurker is verging on trolling with this unfocused and aggressive attitude.

[Childrenofthestones]

Thanks Leith, a very informative two pages.

[Leithlurker]

Why thank you Mandy for your view of my activities, and what others should or should not do. I suggest you report me and this thread. Although to be fair it is much easier to throw mud around.

Children: I am pleased you got something of value out of those pages.

As of this morning, womens lives, predominately working class, and exclusively working age women's lives will have been made much harder, in all respects. Seems from others who have posted on this thread that this change has gone unnoticed.

Perhaps in feminist meetings, the issue of joint action with Anti cuts protestors could be raised, or those on this board who have taken action with others might want to report back on their experiences?

[chibi]

people knew about the cuts, they did not know about the marches. perhaps next time anti-cuts protesters can tell people that they are panning protests?

interestingly, i found out yesterday that at a Glasgow anti cuts protest there were swp stewards and supporters shouting horrible things at and kettling young women who objected to some swp rape apologist dude speaking.

it kind of puts me off making common cause with them tbh

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

leith, what are you doing to publicize this event?

Have you yet explained how it fits in with a feminist agenda properly? Maybe you have but please run it by me again.

I would like to know which feminist groups have been approached and what their reactions were.

I would also like statistics for how many women have been affected and how you propose to make sure that other feminist issues are also covered at the same time.

Is there a conflict between this and, say, your stance on sex work that may have put feminists off associating with you?

I look forward to prompt, clear answers.

[SabrinaMulhollandJjones]

Is there a conflict between this and, say, your stance on sex work that may have put feminists off associating with you?

That would be it for me.

Same goes for boney's post.

[Leithlurker]

Do your own research, I am not here to supply you with material.

Not sure why you think my views on any subject should bar me from associating with feminists, unless you mean that those feminist on this board who hold different views from myself have been operating closed minds as to the value of any contribution that people who disagree with you make.

If you look at the links on this and other boards on mums net such as politics, you will see that I have been involved quiet closely in highlighting the marches.

As for the rest of your post, perhaps you can tell me how other feminist issues can be covered covered.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Hmm. Yet you usually seem to think threads in this section are there for you to be supplied with material by others.

Isn't it deeply hypocritical to tell me to do my own research, then end by asking me to 'tell you' about other feminist issues?! Surely, given you posted in FWR, you should already know this stuff?

Frankly, I think you are wasting everyone's time by starting a thread where you just seem to want to have a go at other posters with snide comments. If you were really interested in the issue as you claim to be, you'd be happy to talk about it, instead of insisting people should already know and/or go and look in other sections.

I never said your views on any subject should bar you from associating with feminists (though it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world). That is a really self-centred reversal of what I said.

I said your views put me off associating with you.

[Leithlurker]

So it's official then Sabrina and LRD as well as others are saying that since I have different views on sex work, which incidentally I challenge you to say what they are as I doubt you even know what views I hold.

My views on anything and everything else connected to feminism and women are questionable? Fine just wanted it made clear.