From: jyanowitz@hamp.hampshire.EDU
Subject: ANNC: PRO-FEMINIST MEN'S ISSUES MAILING LIST
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Organization: Hampshire College
Date: 12 Aug 92 20:36:59 GMT

ANNOUNCING A PRO-FEMINIST MEN'S ISSUES MAILING LIST.
To join, email jyanowitz@hamp.hampshire.edu.
Below is a brief conception of the list, and I apologize for the
cheesy format of it all.

Origin: This mailing list came about because of my desire to talk
about these issues on the internet and the lack of a forum to do so
in.  It didn't seem appropriate to use soc.feminism for this
discussion, as that would be repeating a common pattern of male
co-optation of women's spaces (although men post there, it's often
done to dialogue (ugh, I can't believe I used that as a verb) with
women).  And of course, soc.men (aka soc.patriarchy, soc.not.my.fault,
soc.bash.women, soc.kill.fags, soc.i'm.so.oppressed) wasn't exactly a
friendly forum.

Purpose: To provide a forum for discussions of issues pertaining to
being men and being pro-feminist.  I see this as including, but not
limited to, examinations of gender, race, class, sexuality, male
privilege, culture, religion, how these and other social identites
intersect/relate, and what to do about it.  The activism part of this
is particularly important to me because among many of the profeminist
men I know and the recent writings by pro-feminist men I've
encountered there is a tendency to emphasie the political as solely
that of the peronsal.  Community organizing and other forms of
activism aren't seen as necessary.  It's just, "Well, if I live my
life well and treat all the women I meet with respect, that's enough."
I would like to see discussions on strategies for interrupting sexist
behavior in the home, at school, at work, at play, in oneself, in
one's kids, organizing, with women, neighborhood anti-rape patrols,
outreach sessions to other men, and battles against patriarchy at all
levels.  Of course, isolating sexism from other oppressions (such as
homohatred and racism) is not possible, and it will be
interesting/necessary to incorporate those battles into our activism
and discussions of male privilege.  (BTW, this is slightly skewed
because I'm giving my visions for this list, but that's just because
I'm announcing it/doing some of the administrative stuff.)  This is
hardly complete as it's meant to be a minor introduction, but I
believe that's enough for now.

Requirements: None.  Well that's not strictly true, since you have to
have access to a computer with an internet or gatewayed mailing
address.  However poeple from all genders are welcome.

Requests: No feminist bashing.  If you want that, go post to soc.men.
Obviously there will be ideological differences, but if we're all
coming from certain base beliefs (e.g. male privilege/patriarchy is a
pervasive and evil force on most of the planet) we should all learn a
lot.

well, welcome and enjoy!

once again, to join, email me at
jyanowitz@hamp.hampshire.edu
thanks.
(for those that care, hampshire is Hampshire College in Amherst, MA).

Please feel free to advertise the list everywhere.
--

Jason

  "But militancy is the alternative to madness."
                 ---bell hooks

  "Higgedy Sasquatch."
                 ---Das Efx

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