From: blunose-AT-interserv.com
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 19:26:28 -0800
Subject: M-FEM: Thoughts on M-I Discussion: Class & Feminism


[I'm posting this to M-Fem as it seems appropriate and
emotions are escalating again on M-I. I apologize for 
strictly M-I references and for the cut and paste style. 
I really did paste together a number of different thoughts and posts!]


I've been trying for 5 days to formulate a sensible post 
out of the jumble of thoughts that fill my head about the 
discussion regarding gender and marxism on M-I. There's not 
much to add to the wonderful posts by Yoshie, Carrol, Brad, 
Zeynep, Doug, Garry, Louis P & Louis G (am I forgetting anyone?), 
but I guess I owe a comment in light of my previous posts on the matter.

Well, the topic is a rich one for Marxists and I'm 
delighted to see it move beyond an exercise in labelling. 

I. Sexism
This issue is so emotionally charged for me that I do not 
trust myself to speak in an articulate manner. 

I see lots of problems with the way M-I list addresses this issue. 

It is an issue, a topic for discussion, not a *personal* load 
to bear for the women. *Anyone* can and should discuss it. 
I think one of the most offensive perspectives I see presented 
is the one where men are criticized for defending women. The unfair 
characterization of this sort of discussion being "chivalrous" 
is poppycock, outdated crap and absolutely offensive to both male 
and female.

We need to move beyond this personalization of one of the 
most significant issues for Marxists and invite *all* to 
fight for a united working class. (Sorry for the "slogan", 
but sometimes ya gotta state the bleeding obvious.)

II. Class & Feminism

I'm out of my league trying to contribute at any sort 
of scholarly level about this topic. But on an anecdotal 
level,  the feminism I have encountered is probably more 
like that bad kind some on M-I list like to caricature, 
that sort of boogey feminism. (I know this is a *very* 
personal perception & I throw it out with little weight 
-- just to show what I think some others might be reacting to.)

I have encountered some very snobbish, ignorant of 
working class, elitist-type feminists. I have felt 
uncomfortable at parties, festivals, women's events where 
men and working class women are ridiculed. There are many 
feminist groups and leaders who condescend and preach a 
pretty limited vision of okay behavior. Their judgments often 
blur sexism / good taste / class. (There is a line in 
"The People vs Larry Flynt" where Hustler magazine publisher 
Flynt/Harrelson says; "all I'm guilty of is bad taste". 
Well, I don't agree. But it's a good line and the point is 
made about the class nature of his pornography and the judgment 
of censorship.)

Now of course, mainstream culture has distorted what 
feminism is. The media select and cruelly caricature 
non-makeup strident middle agers. Of course, this puritanism 
has *little* appeal to teenage girls discovering their 
sexuality and sexual roles. So popular culture has managed 
to pigeon-hole feminism and limit the appeal it should have to 
all of us. (But as I was saying, not without some help from 
some b.fems.)

Courtney Love captures this dichotomy when she loudly 
proclaims ... "I am not a feminist" in _I think that I 
would die_ but goes on to project a strong and vital woman-image
that explodes myths of gender and the limits of "traditional" 
feminism. 

The big umbrella of all the organizations, theories and 
people we call feminist just doesn't feel like home for 
working class women. There are some real class and race 
issues in the feminist movement and there is the problem 
of a perceived "culture" of feminism. By the same token when 
you're scared shitless by being abused by your boss and beaten 
up by your spouse, the "feminist"/female biased organizations 
are going to feel a lot more comfortable than most revolutionary 
working class organizations. (I look forward to the day when 
the latter are the most welcoming.)

This is not to say feminism, feminists and fem theory should 
be dismissed or avoided. Not at all. Even in recognizing the 
problems, we still need to fight on all the issues oppressing 
working class women.

I haven't read much of fem theorists. Yoshie was kind enough 
to point me in the direction of some very promising work. And 
the discussion I've read to date has certainly "hit home" 
and piqued my interest.

III. Bourgeois movements & working class emancipation

The essay called "Capitalism and human emancipation: race, 
gender and democracy" in Ellen Meiskins Wood's _Capitalism 
against Democracy_ delineates the liberating struggles against 
sexist & racist discrimination and working class emancipation, 
while examining the relationship between them historically and 
under capitalism. Great essay. I won't recap, as many on these 
lists seem to have this book.

----------------------

The quality of posting on this topic (by the people who care 
and put some thought into it) has been amazing. I've been eating 
it up the last few days. I'm only now digesting the ideas posted.

Thanks to all ... hope to open a whole new avenue to my education 
with the birthing of this new list!

Gay Harley
Toronto, Canada