https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma Name the two concepts that have impacted on your understanding of feminism. Briefly, how and why have they had an impact? en-us 2018-02-06 12:36:55 UTC 2018-02-12 04:46:07 UTC hello@padlet.com kirsty_alexander https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228558637 Zoe means life and was the ancient Greek term for life beyond the human (bios was reserved for human life). This concept helped me to understand feminism as necessarily ecological in outlook with an emphasis on interspecies domination and kinship. Previously, I understood feminism as a movement that encompassed human life only. Biophilia means love of life, and helped to see the theme of joy running throughout feminism philosophy and politics; previously, especially when I was an undergrad, I thought feminism was only about justified fury and rage. It still is structured by that, but biophilia put another spin on feminist politics for me. It helped me understand why the affects are part of politics and epistemology. ]]> 2018-02-06 13:07:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228558637 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228566849 Simone de Beauvoir proposes the idea that women have historically been categorized as "Other" and as secondary to men. Her explanation that Othering comes not from "one historical event" but rather ingrained social ideologies about women's lives and experiences changed the way I viewed feminism because it allowed me to understand how and why women are treated with such inequality. This concept also helped me realize why more women are not fighting against their status as secondary; they have come to accept their role and position as fact. De Beauvoir's explanation of process of "becominng" a woman has also allowed me to reflect on my own journey as a woman and a feminist and understand the ways in which I have grown and continue to grow in my own identity. ]]> 2018-02-06 13:23:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228566849 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228656975 ‘Ecofeminism’ bridges the spheres of feminism and ecology. It conflates the ideas of mankind’s domination of the world’s environment, with man’s domination and subjugation of the female sex. Looking at Vandana Shiva’s ecofeminist work, I am interested by the parallels drawn between woman and the environment, compared to man as external interferer in the ‘natural’ world. In today’s geopolitical landscape of predominantly male politicians/policy-makers, coupled with worrying numbers who deny climate change (or even the possibility of human activity having a negative effect on the planet), I am intrigued by Shiva’s work and theories. I’m also interested in the humbling theory of the existence of fundamental equality (between sexes and species) beyond social structures, if one considers the ‘interconnectedness’ of humans (as organic beings) with plant and animal life.]]> 2018-02-06 15:34:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/228656975 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229018385 I had previously believed that anarchy meant chaos but, having read Goldman's work and relating it to feminism, I can see how it is not enough to wish for equal rights for women but that we should question the power regimes which cause inequality in the first place. Goldman emphasises individual freedom which links to my next concept of imagination. Whenever I reflect on how far women still are from freedom, and feel depressed by this, Goldman's passion reminds me that we can always imagine better. Feminism/anarchy may not be able to say what the future will be like if we ever achieve our goals, but this should never stop women fighting for their personal dreams.]]> 2018-02-07 10:16:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229018385 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229020969
Existentialist philosophy - responsibility for free choice & bad faith. Women as 'the Other' -establishment & perpetuation of patriarchy through unequal reciprocity.  'The married woman' & 'the independent woman' chapters = my life experience - disappointments of married life & tension between transcendence & immanence.  Marriage as institution is mutual dissatisfaction  & highlights universal value of feminism.]]> 2018-02-07 10:23:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229020969 rhiaspiers https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229061837 2018-02-07 12:41:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229061837 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229127959 Love and the personal revolutionary capacity if offers is not something I had given much thought to. It made me consider a more optimistic outlook for feminist practice where perhaps I might have dismissed the power of love as somehow 'frivolous' when it comes to feminism. Goldman's critiques of suffrage were quite challenging and made me consider the contradictions and difficulties of women attempting to challenge institutional power by becoming apart of 'the system'/the state. I think those critiques have a continuing relevance today with regard to women politician's/leaders.]]> 2018-02-07 15:04:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229127959 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229278012 Reading Goldman's critique of marriage, and her concept that the institution should be rejected as part of freeing women from oppression allowed me to fully realise and examine my own ambivalence about marriage. In turn, however, this presented me with a dilemma that has to also be examined; how does my own ambivalence then connect with my support for the universal legalisation of same sex marriage?  

Secondly, Goldman's concept of prefigurative thinking/practice, also understood as her imagination, or utopian thinking, brought clarity, hope, and reassurance to my understanding of feminism and the disappointments/frustrations that often arise. Through this I understood it is not enough to simply imagine change; to glimpse utopia; instead feminists can live their imagined future, or at least a part of it in the present. How we do that, individually and collectively, is, however, more challenging; which Goldman's own struggle illuminates. ]]> 2018-02-07 19:07:17 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/229278012 https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/230253958 2018-02-10 09:52:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kirsty_alexander/vd8ehatwloma/wish/230253958