Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 02:03:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Martha Rosler <navadada-AT-idt.net> Subject: Re: M-FEM: Moderating M-Fem just a quick note in support of martha g's desire for a theoretical list. I don't mind the "experience-based" exchanges but I have found, on other lists, that they have tended to determine the direction and level of exchanges unless there is a strong effort to keep theoretical exchanges at the fore.I hope to learn, and personally I believe I will benefit mor here from the more theory-minded posts. martha rosler brooklyn, new york On Sun, 18 May 1997, Martha Gimenez wrote: > Hello everyone! > > I joined this list recently and, shortly after, we learned that there > might be a possibility it might end. I wrote to the former moderator > offering to help and, in the meantime, Carrol wrote to the list with the > same offer to step in. Carrol and I have been exchanging views and I > decided to give it a try as co-moderator with him. > > I will start by telling you a little about my self and my views. I am a > sociologist by training and teach courses on Marxist Theory, Social > Stratification, Feminist Theory, Population theory and Sociological > Theory. I have published a number of articles and book chapters on my > version of marxist-feminist theory and the reason I joined this list was > to learn more from what others might be thinking and writing on marxist- > feminism. In my mind, there is a deep difference between > socialist-feminism, which radically separates capitalism from > "patriarchy," and marxist-feminism, which explores the historically > specific forms and supports of gender inequality within capitalism. > Marxist-feminism has been relatively marginalized in feminist writings and > its adherents are few and probably do not know each other well, because > their work tends to be known among fewer people. This list offers the > opportunity for those who share these views, regardless of how they > actually conceptualize the connection between capitalism and gender > inequality, to get to know each other, to exchange ideas, to learn about > each other's work, to support each other's work perhaps offering feedback > on work in progress, to choose books to read and discuss in the list, etc. > There are many and very important possible uses for this list. > > I must say that I was a bit disappointed and confused by the recent > exchange of ideas. While I believe that we learn from personal > experiences, if one of the goals of this list is the development of > marxist feminism, it is important to place those experiences in a > theoretical context. For example, to me, Linda's original message about > the meaning and effects of childbirth suggests very rich avenues to > explore, such as Marx's concept of nature in the Early Manuscripts and the > relationship between nature and our humanity. Instead.... > > As moderators, Carrol and I have modest goals: to quell flames and to keep > the discussion going in ways we, in our different ways, consider fruitful. > > If members of the list consider that my understanding of the list's goals > is mistaken (after all, I am a very recent member) and they see it as a > forum for more personal exchanges and discussion of the political > activities of its members, let me know and I shall, without feeling > rejected, step out. And if the list, despite its attempts to focus on > theoretical issues, remains at the level of personal experiences and > rejoinders, then I will step out. And if there are others who would like > to work with us, please let us know. > > I don't know what the list was like before - I am not sure I like what I > saw so far but I believe it is very important it continues and develops to > become a significant resource. > > In solidarity, > > Martha > > ******************************** > Martha E. Gimenez > Department of Sociology > Campus Box 327 > University of Colorado at Boulder > Boulder, Colorado 80309 > Voice: 303-492-7080 > Fax: 303-492-5105 > > > > > >
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