The Feminist Pub - come on in, chat, ask a quick question, ramble ... whatever you like!

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Hello and welcome! Pull up a chair!

This thread started when we all decided to imagine what the perfect local for feminists would be like. So far, it has taps with plenty of good real ale, and some decent non-alcoholic alternatives too. There are comfy chairs and there's a feminist film night, as well as lots of nice feminist-friendly books on the shelves and space to curl up and read. The open-mic nights are attracting feminist singers and comedians, and we're just sorting out the feminist creche.

Old thread is here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/1875250-The-Feminist-Pub-is-Open-Chat-Rant-or-pull-up-a-chair-here. But don't feel you need to read or catch up - just jump in.

I'm having a nice cup of earl grey but there is wine mulling as requested.

What can I get anyone?

That's pretty good for a 4 year old. Dd2 is 3.5 and doesn't seem to get jokes yet.

I like that Kim

Still trying to wrk out punchline for zero eight joke.

I like this article on intersectionality.

feministcurrent.com/8065/marginalization-is-messy-beyond-intersectionality/

I think that understanding intersectionality is really important. I have been working on a project looking at some issues regarding the intersection of ageism and sexism. There is so much casual and not-so-casual ageism in society, and most of it is directed toward women.

Nice Belt!

(that's what the zero said to the eight)

Also there was an outcry about Travoyyn Martin, but hardly any publicity about Marissa Alexander.

I read a really good blog about the marrisa alexander case grennie. That story is horrific and there seems to be several (from blogs I have read..not the news ) cases about other black women being systematically let down by the police and the legal system.

'I keep getting bouquets of flowers with the heads cut off - do you think I am being stalked?'

Yoni, I ment to say thank you for your link - I've not looked yet (got distracted) and I feel an early night coming on.

Is a mug of Ovaltine too wussy for the Jolly Greer?

Yes Pigeons. But you never hear about it outside of feminist circles.

The other thing I hate is when people excuse abuse to women by saying things such as, well it's their culture. No treating women badly is wrong whoever is doing it.

Marissa Alexander's conviction was overturned by the appellate court. She will have a new trial.

I new it was being heard, but I hadn't heard the result. That is great news.

Marissa Alexander new trial

Thank you Scone

hi all waves I'll have a frothy coffee with cinnamon please :-)

feministcurrent.com/8065/marginalization-is-messy-beyond-intersectionality/

Definitely worth reading if anybody is interested in that topic. For me, the term intersectionality has always been little more than a buzzword -- as the article clarifies, it slots people into boxes with no solution to get them out. And if it's not being used as a buzzword, then it's little more than an accusation: "hey you're focusing on your own oppression while projecting your white-supremacy/male-supremacy/heterosexuality onto me". Again, just an accusation with no actual suggestions for anybody to improve.

Which is why that term is usually followed by yet another buzzword: "hey check your privilege". I personally think it's used to end conversations not anything else, since it sounds so dismissive.

As for the marisa alexander thing, my own opinion is not popular AT ALL with feminists. I suspect most of them are only focusing on the idea that she had previously experienced abuse -- and to american feminists, a prior history of abuse means that anyone should be allowed to fire warning shots anytime they want for the purpose of intimidation not self-preservation.

As a registered gun owner (american) who is familiar with crazy people with guns who enjoy intimidating others, no way in hell would I want warning shots to be legal for any reason at all. Either shoot to kill in self-defense or keep the damn thing holstered. If people are not familiar with guns and how dominating control freaky men tend to behave with guns, then I suppose it's understandable that they're only thinking about the poor abused woman. BUT...

Men would have a field day if firing warning shots were legal. More women would be abused. More people would die. If some nut were to whip out a gun in order to fire a "warning shot", the people around them would rightly assume the nut intended to kill and so would consequently unload their own weapon in self-defense. There is a reason that firing warning shots carries a minimum penalty of ten years in jail. But american feminists are in favor of more abuse and more deaths, yippee. Cos they're myopic as hell. They assume that women are going to get a Pink Gun Law whereby only women get to fire warning shots while it's magically illegal for men to fire warning shots.

It depends very much on who is having the conversation and why.

I agree that guns don't help women.

But It's Florida, stand your ground is already here. I just want to know why I can shoot someone because I feel threatened.. but a woman shoots a fucking warning shot at a man who has abused her in the past (so a very real present danger) is at risk of going to jail.

Watched Order of the Phoenix last night.

My eyes were arrested by a grouping that was majority female. It looked so "dominated" by girls that I counted. It was 3 girls and 2 boys (Harry was looking at the group so wasn't in it). So actually 60:40 and 50:50 if Harry had been included.

It is so unusual that it struck me. And this is probably the same part of the brain that "thinks" women are dominating a discussion if they speak more than 30% of the time.

I am about my subconscious.

.

Thanks mrsrisotto. Obviously I agree. But I find it harder these days (old sleep deprived under stimulated brain) to be articulate about hese things.
Our local leisure centre has started to offer pole dancing as an exercise class and I attempted to run amok through the foyer with paint gun.

The ageism/sexism thing makes me depressed.
Obviously especially as I get older.

Thanks for the jokes. I can't tell jokes. I get sidetracked.

Pole dancing as exercise = so tragic!

I need a drink and it's only 9am.

I'll make do with a cup of strong builders tea.

The thought of you running amok (I love that word) with a paint gun in a pole dancing class makes me smile AmandaClarke!

Oh, coffee AND tea on the go already .

I don't know enough on the Marissa Alexander case, but do feel her sentence is v harsh for a 'warning shot' having been fired.
As a non-American, non-gun-owning, bleeding-heart-liberal I cannot feel that less guns might lead to less of these situations, but don't want to start a gun control bunfight .

The Go Bearfaced campaign is of course in aid of a good cause, so to be applauded for that. Maybe some of the high profile male TV personalities good go on air without make-up too?? I am sure there are no less shiny-nosed than their female equivalents....
I find it quite shocking how many women feel they literally cannot leave the house without being made up, for whom make-up is clearly far more than just decor (I can understand that), but a ?defense/safety blanket/mask behind which to feel safer or hide.

Maybe I could find somebody to sponsor me to wear make-up for CiN?? I might make millions...

You'd have to give me a lot of money to wear makeup!