Women only?
I discussed with a male friend of mine the forthcoming Reclaim The Night march and he wondered why it had to be women-only. I muttered the importance of "safe spaces" etc. and directed him to the London Feminist Network website which explained it all, but his point was that it would be more effective if men marched alongside us.
If 1000 men marched through London campaigning against being sent to war, would they be told that a few women on the march would make it more effective? Would it be a more effective march if it were 500 men & 500 women? I don't think so. I won't go as far as to say it might be seen as less effective that 1000 men...
A women-only march is seen as needing male support to add "weight" to the cause. It is as if we don't matter in our own right and are not taken seriously without men to back us up. Damn shame for half the population who've already achieved "equality".
It is this belittling of women and the We've-Got-Our-Fingers-In-Our-Ears-La-La-La response to sexual violence that needs to change.
In the meantime, let 1000 women (hopefully) march through London in November all by ourselves and see how effective we can be!
If 1000 men marched through London campaigning against being sent to war, would they be told that a few women on the march would make it more effective? Would it be a more effective march if it were 500 men & 500 women? I don't think so. I won't go as far as to say it might be seen as less effective that 1000 men...
A women-only march is seen as needing male support to add "weight" to the cause. It is as if we don't matter in our own right and are not taken seriously without men to back us up. Damn shame for half the population who've already achieved "equality".
It is this belittling of women and the We've-Got-Our-Fingers-In-Our-Ears-La-La-La response to sexual violence that needs to change.
In the meantime, let 1000 women (hopefully) march through London in November all by ourselves and see how effective we can be!
posted by jo22 at 2:15 PM
8 Comments:
Wohey! Phemi will be there to roar.
Ah, but you see if we had men there we'd be so much safer, ya know? It's just PRACTICAL to have men with us when we women walk the streets at night, and it's pigheaded to insist we don't want or need them. Well, don't blame me if something happens, I did my best to protect you...
Ahhhh, the lowest form of wit is so satisying sometimes.
I'm thinking I'll come over from Paris for it, there's some stuff going on here but I really want to meet up with all you lovely people.
And I reckon we can make more noise than the french anyways hehe.
That would be great if you came over for it Laura. One lovely fem I know has suggested we wear "blogger" badges to identify each other :)
If men were allowed on the march, it would defeat the whole object of it. Women have to negotiate the streets at night with the fear of male sexual violence always in the back of her mind.
This march is a way for women to assert we have the right to walk the streets at night- with other women and alone- without needing a man to protect us or fearing a man attacking us.
I am confused about going in together on a pack of ten. How would we get them to each other? Why not just agree on a colour, make a badge however which way, and write BLOGGER on it. x
Yay! Let's have an argument about what the badges should look like!
Ok, we could arrange it on PN. Or one of us could wave a huge red flag. Or we could all turn up in the nude. I'm sure we'll get it together somehow.
And Phemi, your contributions are welcome xxx
PN don't allow dinosaurs. Phemi is not a member. One of you lot will have to relay whatever plans are forged over there. We nominate Jo ;)
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