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Activism and PoliticsAre You an Activist?
Some periods in history have been quieter than others. For a short time after WWII the US seemed to be thriving but in fact discrimination was rampant. Political issues smoldered.
The coming election will be a turning point in history and matter to women more than any previous election since women were granted the right to vote. Either way Democratic or Republican victory for president, we can expect that women's rights will be continued to be trampled. Haley is captured by the likes of the Koch brothers and will always fall in line. Trump despises women. Biden too seems to despise women in spite of his penance after the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas fiasco.
Would you ever consider demonstrating, protesting publicly, or joining a march? There are really brave women who are protesting now but the numbers are small.
There are many reasons why women are reluctant or unable to join a public protest.
Health concerns and mobility issues. There are probably more Americans who have chronic or disabling illnesses than during anytime in the past.
Safety issues. Most of the actions of TRA seem to be confined to thefts of equipment, taunts and spitting. In other countries (Australia) there have been serious assaults. There is danger. Would marches in multiple cities at the same time help alleviate the risk?
Women posting here to Ovarit have stated that they could never work with women who are members of a different party or have different political views.
What are your thoughts? It was amazing when women marched against Donald Trump though later there were rifts between organizers. Also the marchers against Israel just seemed to appear out of nowhere. But it can be done.
These demonstrations (anti-Trump, anti-Israel) though were highlighted in the news. The suppression of news about any women's marches other than for abortion rights is very discouraging for anyone who might consider becoming an activist.
Some posters here have suggested that women soon will be or even now are active in an underground movement. The way I see this, is that then women have lost and men will be women when they feel like it.
Some of Margaret Atwood's books are interesting – I liked Surfacing, for example, but she's written lots of other books if that's not for you.
Alice Munro (e.g. Lives of Girls and Women) and Margaret Laurence (e.g. The Stone Angel) have also written books about women.
All three of these women are second-wave or older Canadian women.
I second The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper.
Older authors also include Mary Stewart and Helen MacInnes. They're not feminist but they do have strongly written female characters.
I've read some of Atwood's poetry, but have never known where to start with her fiction, so having a recommendation is helpful.
I'm definitely trying to read more older authors, I like keeping up with contemporary fiction for the aspect of having a community of readers to talk about books with, but I definitely need some more variety so I'll look into all these authors! Thanks!
I haven’t read it since it came out in the 90s, but I really liked Alias Grace. I also second Munro and Laurence. The voices of my formative years.
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