Women's Affinity Group?

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Forums: 

Any interest in starting one? Or do we have one already?

I've been noticing committees forming for other groups (Indigenous Peoples, etc.) and I think it would be nice to have a space where women's voices and opinions can be centered, discussed and brought back to the larger community.

- Alyss

NeoGaia's picture

Yes!

Submitted by NeoGaia on

We really need to have some sort of affinity group that will deal with gender issues.

We could call it whatever, a Women's Group, A Feminist Group, or any number of things but it would be important.

I've been uncomfortable hearing a few call Women's Issues or People of Color's Issues or LGBT issues "side issues" that need to be put aside for the "good of the group" in the early days. People are trying to erase difference and it makes me uncomfortable. We are not trying to be divsive, it is the opposite, we are trying to be inclusive and you cannot be inclusive if you ignore the specific problems that certain groups experience.

If we got economic justice that would definitely make me happy but if sexism still existed and sexual assault were still huge problems in such a society, we'd only have gotten part of the way there. If our goal is for a just society we need to address ALL oppression not just economic oppression.

Rocio

www.twitter.com/neogaia
www.facebook.com/missrocio

Yay! I'm glad other people like this idea.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Now I'm just not sure how to go about it.

I think we should avoid using the word feminist, at least for now, because many women of color view feminism as a white middle-class women's thing, and understandably so.

People of all genders, including men, would be welcome with the understanding that men's voices will not be centered.

Due to work and life stuff I haven't been back to the Occupation since the first weekend. As a result I'm not as familiar with how things are being run. I'm planning on coming back this weekend, but what I'm asking is this: do we need to propose forming a women's group at the GA and get the approval of the collective or something? Or can we just pick a meeting place/time and start broadcasting it?

This isn't so much about asking "permission" as not wanting to disrupt processes that are already in place.

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

It makes me so  happy to see

Submitted by Kbee on

It makes me so  happy to see support behind this idea. I wrote a post earlier voicing a great deal of concern over the treatment of women (and their reproductive/healthcare rights) in this country. I think an affinity group would be wonderful. Women's rights must be fought for before the GOP attempts to strip away even more of our rights.

Should we exchange email addresses/phone numbers to discuss a meeting time/outline a plan of action? How should we go about this?

Sorry for the silence, I'm back!

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

I took the liberty of creating a Google Doc for the group: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AajX623EByv5EHL2bnSj0DXG1t9et5m0s5AV...

It can be added to or edited by anyone who has this link. This will just give the group a work space to start with. I started a contact list on there. 

Another good idea might be to hold a chat-based meeting and figure out the where/when/what in real-time before we get the show on the road. What do you all think? 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Here's a chat space for us too.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Occupy LA Women's AG tinychat room: http://tinychat.com/arsenicalyss

No account registration or login required, anyone with the link can join. Sorry that my name is on everything...I tried to change the URL but I can't figure out how to make it stick.

Good days/times for people to meet? I'm limited to after 5pm on weekdays, but I can be available anytime on weekends.

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Meeting time update

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

I changed the meeting to tomorrow Wed Oct 19th at 7pm. Let me know if that works.

We have one person who mentioned that she works until 8pm, so if you'd possibly be comfortable with doing it even later evening, post that too. 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Media Tent volunteer?

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Also out of curiosity is there anyone who will be at city hall in between now and saturday/sunday who would be wiling to stop by the media tent and get them to add us to the calendar, and/or make an announcement at GA? I can help with this more once we get to the weekend. 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

John GetEQUAL Waiblinger's picture

Last night's announcement

Submitted by John GetEQUAL W... on

Yes, there was an announcement of a Women's Group meeting, and a need for an affinity group, with a meeting announced for tonight - I do not remember the woman's name, but she identified as being with Code Pink, and it was a great and enthusiastic presentation and I sensed a lot of support from the GA. I plan to be there and participate as well, and believe this is a critical affinity group to get off the ground.

I'm also working on getting a LGBTQ affinity group going and we'll have our first gathering today from 1-4, here's the blog post announcement link:
http://www.occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/804

Totally agree with the issues raised in your google doc, especially think the idea of the magazine component addressing some of these issues is great. I, too, find any talk about these issues being "side issues" that are divisive, and should be tabled for the "overall good of the group" to be very disturbing (and an argument that's been used frequently over the decades I've been involved in progressive politics). The political establishment has done a good job of defining our needs and issues as a demand for "special rights" and used all sorts of tools and talking points to marginalize our issues. This is unacceptable. Women's rights, LGBTQ rights are HUMAN rights and must be fully incorporated into any progressive movement's agenda.

It's important to educate people about their unconscious assumptions. I'm on board and look forward to meeting you all.

John Waiblinger
waibling@yahoo.com
facebook.com/john.waiblinger
vimeo.com/johnwaiblinger 

Thanks for the tip, John, and

Submitted by Kbee on

Thanks for the tip, John, and I am in full agreement that women's rights and LGBTQ rights are HUMAN rights and not "side issues" that many have, somewhat condescendingly, labeled them to be. 

I, unfortunately, just noticed your comment now and was unable to make it to your meeting today. I do hope you can make it to our chat-meeting tonight, and that we can all work together to educate and make a difference. 

Kaitlin

Yaaaaay!

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Thank you SO much Kbee, for emailing Code Pink. : )

Unfortunately John will not be at our meeting tonight, he's in the trenches at City Hall without Internet, but he's going to do a shout-out for us at GA if CJ isn't there again. 

Picking an in-person meeting time/date should probably go to the top of the list...we're getting whispers...; )

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Our first real meeting!

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

It'll be at 1 PM this Saturday (Oct 22) at the occupation downtown. 

We don't have a specific location picked yet, but as backup and for announcements in the meantime, meet directly in front of the city hall steps and we will find space from there. 

Looking forward to getting this ball rolling!

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Also, check this out.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

I already emailed the person who posted this letting them know we exist, but their visit will have to be proposed to the group for consensus.

http://occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/935#comment-2517

"I'm an occupier at City Hall - one of my professors at Claremont Graduate University has asked if there are feminists (perhaps a feminist affinity group) that her class on activist media and feminism can come down in a few weeks to OccupyLA, and talk to. They are interested in the work of feminists goin on down there, as well as the media team and its work. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks! tzagawd@yahoo.com"

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

So this was in the GA minutes from yesterday.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

"Megan, Women and Allies Affinity Group: Gloria Steinem once said …Armies of the Status Quo. We formed Women and Allies. It is open to everyone and we meet tomorrow at the Kids Tent. It is a safe place. Join Us."

Does anyone know Megan? I have already contacted her on here but I want to make sure that we discuss either merging or working together to avoid the confusion of two women's groups. 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Help?

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Okay so, apparently there is a women's group that is already having meetings. Their third one will be today. I am not criticizing them or trying to shut them down, I just want to connect so we can figure out how to present a united front. I think we should respect what they're doing but I don't want to throw our ideas away either. So if anyone knows anything about the women's group meeting today (Friday) at 3pm at the Kids' Tent, let me know.

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Sigh. Tough luck.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Alright. Well, unfortunately I find myself in a tough spot at the last minute. Most of you do not know this -- but my car got hit by a semi truck last week so I have been relying on others for transportation. And the person that I thought would be able to drive and accompany me tomorrow can no longer go.

I am looking for alternatives but it is possible that I may not make it there until after 1pm. If that happens, I would suggest checking out the LGBTQ group headed up by John or see if Women and Allies are gathering again. Apparently today's meeting was awesome. 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

A suggestion from a privileged white, heterosexual male

Submitted by ctizzie on

To my sisters in this movement:

I heard an appalling story last night that goes beyond even the deleterious effects of 'objectification' and/or systematic repression and marginalization of our sisters: it was a story about what constitutes a sexual assault at this camp. I'm not one for rumor-mongering, but after a brief discussion with a far wiser, far more experienced female organizer - I have decided to offer a proposal for the safety of all participants and a tool for self-policing. I was wondering what those of you working on this Affinity group think...

She suggested we go to finance and procure whistles, at a bulk rate, that would be distributed to all OccupyLA participants and could be used to quickly summon assistance in any matters of conflict.

Now, I know there are many arguments against the use of 'whistles' as a tool to defend women. It suggests an individual can't 'take care of themself.' And I don't mean to imply that women, in particular, are any more vulnerable than men. Quite frankly, there are situations where every single one of us could use some help if the situation arises.

I think, more than assisting merely our sisters who find themselves in uncomfortable or threatening situations, the distribution of whistles or other noisemakers (and trust me, I am loathe to give any bongo players more tools for noise) could help us better to self-police. Clearly, the 'peacekeepers' committee and volunteers there are over-taxed and over-extended at present. Perhaps spending a modest amount on whistles could both build community and help ensure everyone's safety.

Just a thought from a brother. Submitted with love and...

In solidarity,

Craig Toennies

Back once again.

Submitted by ArsenicAlyss on

Okay, so I totally dropped the ball this weekend. Hoping I can pick back up from here. Do we want to reschedule this for this coming weekend? Friday night, Saturday daytime or Sunday daytime would be possible for me Or do the Women and Allies have a regular meeting day/time that we can just merge ourselves into?  

Also, Craig, thank you so much for the suggestion. Something like this could be one part of a larger plan that the women's group will probably make to address sexual assault. I personally hope it will include some way to educate people about boundaries and put the onus on the assaulter rather than the victim. I do understand that many aggressors will simply not listen, but we need to start making the conversation more about "don't rape" than "don't get raped." 

However I know your suggestion was in the best of spirits and I'll make a note to bring it up if no one else hasn't already : ) Thank you, brother. 

 

I will find a way or make one. DIY or die. Occupy reality.

Pages