What: Anarchist feminist reflection on 160 years of struggle.
When: Saturday, 19 July 2008. 12PM-whenever
Where: Seneca Falls, NY [more precise location forthcoming, but it'll be outdoors, rain or shine]
Why: On July 19th 1848, the national conversation on 'the condition and rights of women' began in Seneca Falls, NY. Subsequent movements for gender justice have left a mixed legacy in terms of analysis, tactics and impact. Whether using white supremacist racism to attain their goals, excluding working-class women, reinforcing and emphasizing a binary gender framework and pervasive queerphobia, the hands of our feminist foremothers are by no means clean. So while this may be a problematic anniversary for anarchist feminists who, one hopes, aspire toward comprehensive liberation, it is nonetheless an important benchmark. Besides, we could all use an excuse to chill in scenic upstate with like-minded feminists.
How: The original Seneca Falls convention wasn't very well organized, which is one aspect we'll keep intact. So let's picnic. Let's guerrilla skillshare. Let's raise consciousness. Let's fucking talk. Let's make our presence felt. After some free-form socializing, we'll call a council wherein participants should be prepared to introduce themselves and any projects with which they're involved. Participants are invited to bring zines, literature, and issue/s they wish to talk about in a group setting. We hope to produce, as a result of this gathering, our own Declaration of Sentiments,* for which inspired participants are invited to write and submit their reflections for a forthcoming zine.
Who: As anarchist feminists, we are acutely interested in deconstructing gender. Nevertheless, whether we like it or not, our experiences under a heteropatriarchy are unavoidably gendered. Therefore, this event is open to those who either identify as women and/or are identified as such by the bloodshot eyes of the male gaze. Allies, we love you and we're glad you exist, but we'll catch up with you later. [allies who wish to support this event are invited to contact littlejohn68@gmail.com [1] to help coordinate housing, food and entertainment. Also, feel free to spread this call around!]
What else: Coordinating rides! As Seneca Falls is a place forsaken even by the Dirty Dog/Shamehound, leave us not forget our fine Northeast anarchist rideshare board: http://www.neanarchist.net/?q=ed-classified [2] Direct housing inquiries to littlejohn68@gmail.com [1] of the Ithacore. General event inquiries may be sent to cyd.grayson@gmail.com [3]
* The full text of the original can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Falls_Declaration_of_Sentiments [4]