From: iview-AT-technologist.com
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 09:34:00 -0800
Subject: Accountability


Hi, Annapurna,

I just responded to Meg.  I agree with her, to shut down communication
by calling it a "squabble" when a woman speaks her mind is to usurp and
assume control that many women exercise successfully because of a
prestigious position (even if they are activists!!!) they have within an
already established patriarchy.

Accountability is something most organizers never seem to worry about,
since the organizing itself is from some position of power, whether
business, political, or academic.  So, accountability is a real issue
for me.  Are the organizers accountable to anyone?  Or is the
Harvard/VHP banner one more evidence of a subtler kind of
oppression...shutting up the oppressed, a sort of "there, there, we'll
take your issues to the forum, come up with resolutions to formulate
policy and implement legislation with absolutely no input necessary from
you, the sufferers!" "Because, Dearies, we really know what's best for
you!"  I wish this were just my fantasy script!

-Manjusree


Annapurna M wrote:
> 
> dear manjusree
> the statistics on bride burning 'specially in the cow belt' are horrible
> and the issues naturally raise a lot of of temperatures..for people on
> the field who literally watch their efforts going up in flames and i
> guess for people who have made it their agenda not to allow the problem
> to be swept under political or acedemic carpets.
> and of course the queston you ask is quite valid...who are these
> organisers accountable to......
> 
> owning up to a brief doesnt automatically make one accountable....
> isnt that the problem...
> i guess thats why this dialogue space is so important...
> [or should i call it squabble space...:)]
> a.
> 
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