Organising Principles of Radical Feminism and The Tyranny of Structurelessness by Jo Freeman

discussed by Lierre Keith, Jo Brew, Sheila Jeffreys and Marian Rutigliano
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[RosaBorg]

Much gratitude to the four of you for this video & for all your women centering work.

[kbruss]

Well done and quite timely to boot. Thank you so much for this enlightening presentation!

[beatrixkiddvideo]

Thank you for this timely, excellent presentation. I learned quite a bit, and I can see how and why NVDA and cohesive organising principles are useful, even necessary, to the current fight for women’s rights.

I also thank you for the historical and personal examples. I was born in the late 70s and I was always confused as to why the WLM was so emphatic about leaderlessness - whether or not you think I’m brainwashed by patriarchy, I have never seen a lack of structure as strategically effective, in any context. I believe in collective, strategic, democratic action. As Jo said, without structure, people will divert their energies into infighting.

The only hesitation I have with Lierre’s recommendations is that the media is so brutally dishonest compared to how it was in the past. Western media functions today more like Pravda than like journalism, and I know this as a Canadian who watched every moment of the Ottawa protests and saw the lies spun by MSM as well as the ease with which these lies were accepted by most Canadians. To clarify, the point isn’t whether or not you agree with that particular protest or any other, but rather how it is framed, worded, and whether it gets broadcast or suppressed. Women already have more than enough experience with being portrayed as “white supremacists” or “genocidal” by our dishonest detractors. However, Lierre knows what she’s doing and I can’t see someone of her brilliance NOT considering this factor.

I hope every woman who is already or potentially playing a part in the current WLM will watch this presentation in its entirety.

[miriamyagud]

Lierre Keith's explanation about what is NVDA is timely. Thanks

[pythonjava]

Justice may not be won by individual transformation or spiritual epiphany (and that's important to note) but nonetheless the individual changing is an important part of gaining consciousness to be involved in the political action in the first place.

[pythonjava]

Non hierarchy and egalitarianism can happen but this doesn't mean there is no leadership. Imo egalitarian leadership occurs when a leader is a person who is respected and listened to willingly by the group as a result of favourable qualities - like knowledge or expertise in certain areas and/or good interpersonal skills. What makes the leadership egalitarian is that the group listens willingly and can present differing opinions or opt out. The leader cannot compel, bribe, manipulate or force anyone to do anything. The leadership is also fluid such that if the group no longer wants the leader they are ousted and replaced without much fanfare.
Basically in practice non hierarchy is the expression of rational authority. Irrational authority is leadership that happens without the the consent of the people.

[pythonjava]

What do y'all think of KJK structure on Standing up for women.
She's clearly a leader of that group but it's also an open group particularly with the speakers corner events.
It seems like a good combo of both worlds doesnt it?

[pythonjava]

Im not really sure thats an accurate representation of Germain greer.
Ive followed her work for a while and i think her opinions on consent are pretty misrepresented and misinterpreted. Plus as far as i know she calls herself a feminist.