Plural Desires: Feminist Epistemology as Anarchist Praxis By Jane Gavin-Hebert A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary's University and Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the joint Degree of Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies August 16, 2011 Halifax, Nova Scotia Copyright Jane Gavin-Hebert, 2011 Approved: Dr. Linda Christiansen-Ruffman Supervisor Approved: Dr. Alex Khasnabish Committee Member Approved: Dr. Audrey MacNevin External Reader Date: August 16,2011 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-80946-4 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-80946-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 14-1 Canada Plural Desires: Feminist Epistemology as Anarchist Praxis by Jane Gavin-Hebert Abstract: This thesis explores feminist articulations and expressions within anarchist culture. Feminists within the anarchist movement have historically critiqued its male- dominated sphere and have, thus, created a new theoretical and practical framework: anarcha-feminism. Anarcha-feminist praxis challenges both anarchism and feminism by simultaneously critiquing and confronting capitalism and patriarchy. Interviews with anarcha-feminists and anarchist scholars reveal their experiences of "anarchosexism" and their resistance to "manarchy". The re-telling of anarchist women's experiences show the ways in which patriarchal oppression is reproduced among their male "allies". This research highlights the political and sexual pluralities that anarcha-feminists have historically fought for, which continue to be contested and appropriated by men. Addressing concepts of free love and plural sexuality, and patterns of sexual abuse and rape within anarchist communities, this thesis uncovers the complex struggle for (and against) womens' liberation among anarchists. Examining feminist (under)representation at anarchist bookfairs, conferences, meetings, and schools provides further insight on the gendered tensions and negotiations. Centralizing female subjects as creators of knowledge offers a subversive feminist lens through which to view and critique the cultural, social and political manifestations of anarchism. August 16,2011 Table of Contents Introduction: "That's a feminist issue. We're dealing with anarchism right here.". .1 Chapter 1: No Pretence 4 Chapter 2: Feminist Methods 9 Chapter 3: Anarcha-feminist Epistemology 14 Chapter 4: "We Want More Than Dirt and Worms" 37 Chapter 5: Confronting "Anarcho-sexism" 60 Chapter 6: Predator Pedagogy 77 Chapter 7: With Tongue, Hands, and Heart 87 Conclusion: Plural Desires 97 Bibliography 99 Appendix 1 Introduction: "That's a feminist issue. We're dealing with anarchism right here." Anarcha-feminists are not women who happen to be both anarchists and feminists. Anarchism and feminism are not closely linked. They are not related. They are one. By separating anarchism and feminism, men are able to marginalize women and our struggles and to effectively cut the heart and the social out of anarchist philosophy and theory. When we challenge internal group patriarchy, men quickly relegate that "issue " to the feminist realm. "Oh, that's a feminist issue. We're dealing with anarchism right here. You should go talk to NOW (National Organization of Women) about that one. "Anarchism is not just about money, brothers. It's not just about economic class. (Sallydarity)' Anarchist theory views all hierarchies as oppressive and proposes replacing oppressive power with horizontal power-sharing. Feminist goals of eliminating gender oppression through the self determination of women incorporate anarchist principles of mutual aid, autonomy, and anti-authoritarian networks. Second-wave feminism is widely known for consciousness-raising groups among women discussing their personal political issues. American feminist Peggy Kronegger likens the format of these politicizing gatherings to grassroots anarchist groups: The structure of women s groups bore a striking resemblance to that of anarchist affinity groups within anarcho-syndicalist unions in Spain, France, and many other countries. Yet, we had not called ourselves anarchists and consciously organised around anarchist principles." Feminist theory is essential to anarchism; the ways in which anarchism is a feminist issue will be a recurring theme throughout this thesis. Through my research, I have observed patterns in gendered relations at anarchist events in urban Canadian settings. My thesis connects these observations to contemporary anarcha-feminist analysis from other regions as well as historical anarcha-feminist publications and cultural production. Recognizing the role that cultural production plays in the public assertion of anarcha-feminist ideals, I have produced a video using my research content as a means of returning my findings to 2 the studied communities, and initiating a feminist dialogue among anarchists. Violence against women is institutionalized within anarchist communities that sexually objectify and sexually abuse women. This thesis contributes a feminist narrative which disrupts the dominant male centric anarchist voice and serves as a means to address and prevent harm caused by male manipulation and violence. Chapter 1 "No Pretence" highlights a series of related happenings in Canadian and US anarchist communities documented through feminist response to sexual attacks from male anarchists. These events indicate a disturbing pattern of unaccountability and denial of sexual assault in anarchist scenes. Chapter 2 "Feminist Methods" describes the mixed methods I have applied in generating data for this thesis. My research gathers commentary on anarchist events and their meanings with a focus on the political ideologies, influences, activism and goals of Canadian-based feminist anarchists. Offering a glimpse into the lives of contemporary anarcha-feminists, Chapter 3 "Feminist Epistemology" reviews themes emerging from interviews with anarchists in the Canadian context as they share their personal and political struggles in relation to anarchism and patriarchy. Chapter 4 "We Want More Than Dirt and Worms" presents, in its entirety, an interview with members of the musical group Submission Hold as they reflect on the connections between gender, power, parenthood, misogyny, and the exclusion of anarcha-feminist praxis in anarchist communities. Faced with epistemic and physical violence in the anarchist movement and in society at large, anarcha-feminists look to a history of resistance and multifaceted struggle. Anarcha-feminists view women's struggles as simultaneously feminist and anarchist. Chapter 5 "Confronting Anarcho-sexism" examines responses from 3 interviewees about these intersections and why they are widely unobserved in anarchist spaces. The backlash women continue to face when identifying rapists exemplifies the institutionalized misogyny within anarchist scenes and results in anarchists defending rapists and denying rape. Chapter 6: "Predator Pedagogies" considers the context in which male-determined sexual norms are promoted to female anarchists. The institutionalization of polyamory within anarchist communities dominated by male leadership promotes male privilege and sexual access of women, creating an environment where sexual abuse is perpetuated and excused. Deconstructing these patterns of abuse requires identifying the misogyny inherent in pedagogies of male anarchists. Chapter 7 analyses the content of my film project "With Tongue, Hands, and Heart" and observes gendered patterns in the documentary subjects. Analyzing anarcha-feminist cultural production of music, speeches and video as well as reviewing feminist histories has provided me with historical examples of anarcha- feminist activism. Exploring the