* Socialist ferniniçt bulletin Editorial 1 This is Survival? 2 Barbara Smith in Toronto 3 Gay Bashing in Whitehorse 5 Beyond the Decade 7 Voices Spoken, Voices Heard 9 Talking Dirty 10 Labour : Affirmative Action: Making it Work 13 Grenfruit: A Women's Coop in Grenada 15 Colombia: Domestics Organize 17 Choice: Update on the Toronto Clinic 18 Uruguay: The Abortion Debate 19 Argentina: Women Get Results 19 Culture: Wallflower Collective Ends 20 True Confessions of a Romance Junkie 22 Guatemala Art Project: "The Road of War" 25 Women Strip-Searched in Armagh 28 WISCA Interviews a Filipina Activist 31 Reviews : Sweet Dreams: The Patsy Cline Story 39 What Do Women Want? 41

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Issue number 5 brings to a close our via the report on the growing first year of publication. As we strength of the midwifery movement in look bank over the range of issues Ontario. raised in this first volume, we see One of our greatest sources of that it has been a good year for satisfaction is in bringing you news cayenne— but a mixed year at best of the world-wide insistence of women for the women of Canada, and of every age and race, not to be elsewhere in the world. silenced any longer: from Guatemala Cayenne has set as its goal the to the Philippines to South Africa, they continue to fight and to inspire promotion of debate and dialogue us. among socialist feminists in Canada, and the spread of news about women's We need the inspiration. When events and struggles in the 1980s. we look at the content of our articles so far, we realize that the It feels like a good beginning. We 80s are rife with loss and threats of have succeeded in persuading a number more loss to Canadian women. of women to reflect on their Toronto's Action Day Care has been experiences as organizers and stripped of its funding. Metro activists and creators, from Cate Toronto's library workers were faced Cochran and Shuster Gindin talking to with 107 takeaways of existing Marie Lorenzo about their production rights by their employer. Air Canada of a series of alternative doll tried to push a segment of its labour houses, to Penni Richmond reporting force (mostly women) from full into on the battle within the Publi1 c part-time work. The Whitehorse Service Al1ianne to keep women s Women's Centre has been forced to issues central to the progressive prepare for the decimation of its wing of the union. financial base. The jury acquittal As part of our campaign to raise of Henry Morgenthaler was overturned strategy discussions, we have brought by the Ontario Court of Appeal. And you the thoughts of Judy Rebick, of so it goes.. Nancy Adamson and Susan Prentice, and In 1986 cayenne hopes to promote of Peggy McDonagh on the abortion anger and action among Canadian struggle, and have added another socialist feminists by continuing to perspective on reproductive choice inspire more women to write about

1 their experiences and analyses. We'd continue working with us to increase to speak about feminism and women of like to have correspondents like Jan our cayenne network. colour. About one hundred women, Langford, not only in Whitehorse but Barbara Smith in Toronto We ask those of you who have Christina Mills and Makeda Silvera one-third of them women of colour, all across Canada. been with us for a year now to note plus a handful of men, heard her Unfortunately, we also have to the "RENEW NOW" on your envelope. We Barbara Smith is a writer who has speak at A Space. The event was admit that we're in debt. We're can't afford to send another notice, been active in the Black feminist somewhat disappointing to those who badly in need of financial support— so please don't lose us in your "in" movement since 1973. She is co- had looked forward to hearing her donations and subscriptions. Your basket. editor of All the Women Are White talk about Black feminism, anti- response to the sub drive has been L Most importantly, thanks to all All the_Blacks Are Men,_ But_Some.of racist work, and the issue of forming great, and we thank you. But don't those believers who have made year Us Are Brave Black Women 's Studies, coalitions with white feminists. stop now—we need all of you to one of cayenne a step forward. editor of Hone Girls, : A Black Instead, she made a few brief remarks Feminist Anthology, and no-author and read from some short stories she °f Yours in Struggle: Three Feminist is currently writing, then asked for questions from the audience. Her P-Ç£§E>ÇP.tiyes on Anti-Semitism and reading was wonderful, f it'll of humour Racism. The two anthologies are This is Survival? and insight, underpinned by a rare firsts in the history of Black political clarity, and delivered in a Judi Stevenson women's writing in the U.S. Smith simple, direct, un-academic, almost was also involved in the founding of conversational manner. Cayenne readers will be relieved to the first and, so far, only women of hear that an organization called colour press in the U.S.—Kitchen But we wanted more! More "Survival for Women" has come up with Table: Women of Color Press (sister analysis, more information about how a way to protect us from "thieves, and inspiration to Toronto's Sister feminists, Black and white, are muggers, rapists, etc.," at least Vision: Black Women and Women of fighting racism' in the U.S., more those of them so foolhardy as to Colour Press). about relations between U.S. women of "prey on us when we are stranded in Smith was in Toronto in October colour and Third World women, more our cars". Their contribution is a (wait for it) handy-dandy, durable plastic, folding banner, which says CALL POLICE In rather large letters. This wonderful invention comes equipped with double-sided corner tapes so it can be pressed to the rear window of your car when needed— that is, if you're not too busy with the activities of the thief, mugger or rapist at hand. The price is only $3.95, post paid of course. No doubt deeply the concern that feminists you will want one for every member of everywhere have for the physical your family. Or collective safety of our sisters. The utter household. Or women's group. Maybe failure of "Survival for Women" to as Christmas presents. The grasp the serious threat of male possibilities are endless. They are prédation on women alone left all of available from, (of course), us (at cayenne) speechless. Their California. Hurry with your order, foolish "solution" is reminiscent of supplies are limited. some of the worst of R.E.A.L. Women-- This advertising information, but at least R.E.A.L. Women is not which cayenne received in a letter trying to make money from a addressed to "Dear products editor", vulnerable constituency. Only in would be funny if it didn't insult so America.... fact that lack of previous opportunities for Black women writers made it necessary for her to take a Gay Bashing in Whitehorse more active role as editor of Home Jan Langford Girls : rather than just asking for submissions and waiting to pick the Whitehorse best of a flood of offerings, she had to seek out women, persuade many that In early October the minority NOP they could write, and participate government tabled a Human Rights actively in the development of m"any Bill. Currently there is no Human of the contributions. The lessons of Rights legislation in the Yukon save that experience could apply to any the Fair Practices Act, which applies women's publishing endeavour, but are only to accommodation, employment and particularly relevant to two current the provision of public services, and projects: the Feminist Periodicals prohibits a limited number of kinds Conference's followup committee to of discrimination. investigate ways of increasing the The new NDP bill includes participation of working class and protection from discrimination on the minority women in our publications, basis of race, colour, nationality, RICHARD 1IAI.A and the Women's Press's forthcoming ethnic background, religion or creed, "I/'.' fi> anthology of short stories by age, gender or sex, pregnancy, sexual my partais. QuuL. help me IhinL i'l semttkmg lietrrnstxitill fay." Canadian Black women "(ed. Dionne orientation or preference, marital or Brand and Makeda Silvera). family status, criminal record, he stated that the issue or political belief, association or Smith's visit to Toronto was too homosexuals teaching in schools was a activity, and physical or mental short to allow her to meet more "grey area", and that perhaps the disability. The proposed act also intimately with some of the government would have to make an collectives undertaking anti-racist includes an exception clause for exception and discriminate in these work in the women's movement here. affirmative action programmes and a circumstances 1 Let's hope there will be another section on equal pay for work or There is no lesbian and gay opportunity. equal value. community as such in Whitehorse. By far the most controversial There are lesbians and gay men here, about her vision of how to combat the issue to date is the inclusion of but most are in the closet, and not tangled web of racial, sexual, sexual orientation and preference. organized. Socializing is done in heterosexual and class oppression, Ministers and priests have responded small closed groups, and It is hard more nuggets from the treasure that (through newspapers and on radio to develop contacts outside of the is her extensive experience as a shows) with the usual objections to group. Within the feminist community homosexuality on the grounds of it has only been within the last two Black woman in struggle. Sister Vision: Blank Women and sinfulness and degenerate moral years that women have had to deal She did get into more political Women of Colour Press behaviour. Others have trotted out with lesbian relationships in their nitty-gritty the next day at OISE, distributes No To Sexual the old homophobic myths that ranks. Typically lesbian feminists where a smaller room and crowd (about Violence. by Jamaica's Sistren homosexuals are sick, perverse and have failed to find support in 35) gave the meeting more intimacy. Collective. For information would corrupt or molest children if Whitehorse and have left for larger The questions asked also seemed to be write Box 217. Station E, allowed to be teachers. So far, only centres in search of that support and more thoughtful and thought-provoking Toronto, H6H 2E2, or call an anonymous gay man and a few sense of community. . Some few than those of the night before. The 532-9868. question period turned into a real feminists in the women's community feminist activists (including those discussion, a relative rarity at such have responded publicly against the lesbians before they left) have tried public events. homophobia. to make Whitehorse a less homophobic We would have liked to hear more It's a tough battle, too. Our place to live—for ourselves, our about Smith's experiences with own NDP Justice Minister showed his friends and for the lesbians and gay Kitchen Table. She referred to the lack of commitment to the cause when men who currently live in isolation. 5 Beyond the Decade Maureen Simpkins Now we wonder how to mount a Some southern support might aid and Pramila Singh campaign to support the sexual us tremendously. The NDP could use a Toron to orientation and preference clause. shove in the form of congratulations "Beyond the Decade", a women and So far we have been writing letters to keep them on track. You can write development conference, was held in to the editor of the newspaper. We Roger Kimmerly, Minister of Justice, Guelph, Sept. 26 - 29. The aim of wonder about a public education forum Yukon Legislative Assembly, the conference was to review the with a film or guest speaker. We Whitehorse, Yukon. issues raised at the NGO (non• will have at least a few months as governmental organizations) Forum the government is planning to set up Any suggestions for our campaign held in Nairobi this summer, (see a committee to receive public input can be sent to Jan Langford, Box cayenne 4), as well as look at the o on the proposed act. 5546, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 6H4. commonalities affecting women in Third World nations and Canada. p¬ In assessing any conference we o usually ask the age-old question, Women Organize Eatons: The Video what can conferences achieve? And do Many speakers made glowing people leave feeling motivated to You've no doubt heard about the tributes to the achievements of bring change about? Typically this development agencies in the African strike at Eaton's in Toronto. You've is not the case. seen short news clips or noticed the countries. This was fol lowed by The "Beyond the Decade" critical comments on the traditional buttons and signs. Well, the strike conference held in Guelph came close. is over. and the videotape approaches to development—a more We found the workshops and general promising direction. Marie Berge documentary i s ready for its atmosphere of the conference from the Cooper Institute in P.E.I, premiere. extremely stimulating and thought- was particularly refreshing. She The tape was produced by Emma provoking. People were motivated, pointed out that no one was talking Productions is a. feminist media verbal and open to new possibllties. about the root of the problem—a production collective dedicated to 1 The workshops were invigorating, with world dominated by the male women s labour-oriented audio-visual many dynamic women and lively capitalist order. Only when we production. Our goal is to document discussions. Unfortunately, not much challenge this as feminists will the struggles won and lost, and make happened as a follow-up to the change begin. the records available to other groups workshops. Attempts were made to to build action and outreach. pass resolutions, but the discussion We had hoped for some critical The tape No Small Change: The was usually too broad and diffused. review of the experiences of women that went to Nairobi. However, over Story of the Eaton's Strike was and over again the Nairobi NGO Forum produced after 6 months of location was referred to as a joyous shooting at rallies, picket lines. experience, which is certainly not meetings and personal accounts of the an adequate assessment. strikers' experiences. The Eaton's empi re. as we 11 as thei r groundswell of support from women's introduction to trade unionism and to It was surprising that none of the speakers addressed the difference groups which followed the Christmas the women's movement. between the "energising force" of the boycott of Eaton's brought home that No Small Change will have its NGO Forum and the concurrent official this was a women's strike. By the premiere screening in Toronto on conference. There was no mention of end of it, the strikers had gained a Friday. November 29th. at H p.m. in 1 the tremendous wealth of information, new awareness of their position as . the Steelworkers Hall. 25 Ceril experience, analysis of women in women in the retail sector, and knew Street. Tickets are $5/$3. available national struggles and in migration. that they could count on the strength in advance from the Women's Bookstore But there was no way in which the and solidarity of the women's and DEC (229 College S!.). discussions in various workshops community. The tape portrays the The tape is also available for could have even a minimal input into changes which the strikers went rental or purchase from Emma the official conference. We would through in their fight against the Product ions ( 4 1 (5 ) 537- 6207 . 7 have liked to have heard if the NGO Forum analyzed inequality, Voices Spoken, Voices Heard - An International Event underdevelopment and war—since equality, development and peace were Against Violence Against Women the themes of the U.N. Decade for Donna Scagliotti being discussed, the focus and the Women. Toronto direction of the discussion. Four The Nairobi experience is a On November 25th, 1960, Patricia, workshop areas have been set up : complicated one to assess. Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirable violence in the home, sexual assault, Admittedly the Forum was designed to were on their way to visit their state violence, and organizing. bring women from all over the world husbands in prison in the Dominican to talk and share. But there was no Republic when they were detained, A cultural celebration at the possibility for action since the NGO tortured and assassinated by military end of the day will include song, Forum was not part of policy intelligence. In memory of these dance, art, and displays. We hope development taking place under the three sisters the Dominican you will join us on November 29 and auspices of the official U.N. delegation to the First Latin 30. conference. American and Caribbean Feminist There were striking similarities Meeting (Columbia, 1981) proposed between the Forum '85 and the November 25th as an International Day conference in Guelph. Burning issues Against Violence Against Women. were raised and then dropped. The A national magazine with a feminist bent This year in Toronto a coalition Guelph conference did not result in of women's, community and immigrant any action either. The • Rites connects lesbians and gay men with other groups is marking the International disassociation between discussion and progressive movements for social change Day Against Violence Against Women strategy was very disconcerting. with a two day event, Voices Spoken, Everytime there is a meeting of , • / / 10 Issues $14.50 Voices Heard. It will attempt to make people of this nature there is a ^uJ>£<**li>*— • Outside Canada $16.50 public the reality of violence possibility of applying pressure for Rites: Box 65, Stn. F against women, and also provide time progresssive change. We believe It Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2L4 and space for women to share is very important that these forums information, experiences, ideas and don't remain just another great Name _ analyses of the issue. personal/individual experience. We Address The opening session will be held at Harbord Collegiate Institute on acknowledge that we were not at all City the workshops and so some resolutions Friday, November 29. Charlotte or plans of action may have resulted. • Canadian $14.50 Bunch, a feminist organizer, writer, In fact, we did hear after the • Outside Canada $ 16.50 and co-editor of International Conference that a resolution was Feminism! Networking. Against passed supporting the pro-choice Sexual Slavery, will speak on movement, and that a letter to that violence as a personal and effect was sent to the federal international issue. The evening Tickets for the Friday evening are government. But It is telling that will also feature a performance on $6, $4 for students, seniors and we only discovered this several days women who have disappeared in Chile unemployed. Advance tickets are $5. later. by the Ruoh Dance Theatre. available at: DEC Bookroom, Women's Generally speaking though, A full day of open workshops has Bookstore, SCM Bookroom. Tickets for like Nairobi, the Women and been planned for Saturday. November the day event are $10; $5 for Development Conference provided only 30, at Jorgenson Hal 1 in Ryerson students, unemployed and seniors. new contacts and a stimulating Polytechnical Institute. Lunch is provided. Subsidies are atmosphere. It fell short of real Participants are invited to take available. If you are interested in change. control of the workshops, to attending please contact Feme at determine their size, the issues 961-8100. 8 9 1 values and to avoid discussion of Varda Burstyn s workshop was Talking Dirty anything which might make explicit cancelled; given the recent our differences and lead to, horrors, controversy over her interview in conflict. Penthouse Forum, it promised to be Christina Mills There seemed to be something for particularly lively. everyone among the thirty-three "Sisters are doin' it for The keynote speakers were more workshops on such varied topics as consistently successful than the themselves." Aretha Franklin/ intimacy, breaking up, anger, coming Annie Lennox workshops. Susan Cole had me so out, and raising sexually healthy enthralled at the opening session children. Apparently there were some that I forgot to take notes; playing "Let it go." Luba rumblings to the effect that the her own devil's advocate, she * Audrey sees the world from a conference was dominated by lesbians challenged herself and us to envision "I yam what I yam." Olive Oyl (get wheelchair, but the world often does and that there were very few what sexuality would be like once we lost, Popeye!) not see her as a human, much less as workshops of interest to straight shed the burden of patriarchal sexual a sexual being. women, but when I looked over the values. Connie Clement suffered in * Eve has told her husband that, for programme I found that, in fact, the dignity through numerous an indefinite period of time, she vast majority were of general technological problems and held our * Bette is a long-time activist in does not want to have penetration, interest, except for two workshops the women's movement who feels attention (even when a wall started although she still wants other forms specifically for straight women, two to move in the back of the defensive about the fact that she of contact. He is angry and hurt, for bisexual women, and three for lives with and loves a man. auditorium) with a thoughtful and and cannot understand how she can lesbians... not what I would consider honest exploration of multiple issues * Dorothy is a 45-year-old lesbian love him and believe he loves her and a heavy bias. The quality of the who believes in non-monogamy but is around growing up, intimacy, still see penetration as violation. workshops seemed to vary ident ity, and sexual imagery. starting to fear she may be in for a * Debby believes in monogamy; her considerably : those I attended lonely old age. The third speaker was JoAnn lover does not. ranged from one which was almost Loulan, author of Lesbian Sex. The * Paula is a bisexual woman who * Donna thinks she's too fat to ever worth che registration in itself to be attractive; Pam thinks she's too audience loved her, laughing or thinks that she shouldn't have to one which seemed a sad waste of two skinny. gasping with pleasurable shock make a once-and-for-all choice to hours of a perfectly lovely autumn * And so on, and so on... throughout. Her evocation of the love only women or only men, but day. I was quite disappointed that still feels under pressure from "little girl with the broken heart," lesbian friends who think she wants These are some of the 300 women to have her cake and her pie too. who attended Coming Together : a toftù IS * Norma describes her past as Women's Sexuality Conference, on the ft'Al/yOaT.. "promiscuous" and now just wants a weekend of October 4 to 6 (the names long rest from sex. have been changed to protect...). It was billed as "affirming and strengthening our sexuality in a H? A6E. . . feminist context, exploring the commonalities and differences of our sexual/affectional preferences and moving us towards a sexual expression consistent with our feminism." 7tf€ SZX Whatever its net success in terms of those aims, it was a notable achievement to have brought together /5 {f lesbians, bisexuals, and straight feminists to spend a whole weekend talking about our sexuality. Especially given our tendency to keep to the safety of those who share our 10 11 LABOUR Affirmative Action: Making Work Marion Pollack attacking the labour movement, and Vancouver cutting back on social, health and educational services. I came home f rom the recent CLC The CLC and most Federations of women's conference elated and Labour have affirmative action recommitted. programmes for their executive The conference was held in councils. This was not reflected by Ottawa at the end of September. Over the representation at the conference. 500 people participated and another The vast majority of the delegates 150 were turned away. were not local Presidents, but The strength of the conference secretary-treasurers, shop stewards was a series of workshops where women or committee members. This rank and had a chance to explore issues and file representation was one of the share ideas. The weakness of the strengths of the conference, but it the damaged part of each of us which complaint is that the performances, conference was its lack of power: also reflected the fact that women somehow makes us choose partners who Sexual Acts, were held at the same the conference could not send are still not equals in the trade are bound to hurt us, touched a chord time as workshops. I resented having resolutions to the next CLC union movement. At the final plenary in many women, judging from the to choose between workshops and what conference. All we could do was make there was a suggestion that the CLC number of references to her in the turned out to be a highlight of the recommendations to the CLC executive require that all its affiliates workshops, but afterward I realized weekend. council and fervently pray for their develop affirmative action that compared to the other two All things considered, however, favourable disposition. programmes. This was not universally speakers she had really said very the conrerence was an impressive The purpose of the conference supported, but it is an important little that was new or challenging. first effort by Side by Side, a non• was to discuss affirmative action. debate for the future. It was oddly disappointing—I felt profit feminist resource group which This was broadly defined to include The conference underscored the that I'd been snowed by her rather seems to consist of only two women, not only access to Jobs but also need for labour solidarity. A woman spectacular performance skills into Maggi Redmonds and Natalie Zlodre. equal pay for work of equal value, from the Communications Workers of not listening critically. When a woman pointed out that $40 is paid parental leaves, reduced working A . glance at the assembled a lot of money for an unemployed time, childcare, benefits for part- participants revealed a mère handful woman ($80 for employed) to pay to time workers, protection from the of women of colour. This is not just register and suggested the impact of technological changes and a shortcoming of one conference but organization should have applied for sexual harassment clauses. a much broader phenomenon in the outside funding, Natalie Zlodre The discussions were exciting. (white) women's movement, and it's responded that granting agencies are However, the conference was not time we took a look at why it happens unlikely to hand out money to two strategic. In some workshops, we and what can/should be done to bridge women without credentials who want to discussed the nuts and bolts of an the gap. Not surpris ingly, the bring together a bunch of lesbians, affirmative action programme, but question of racism and sexuality was bisexuals, and straight feminists to failed to discuss the larger never raised, to my knowledge. Class spend a weekend talking about sex! framework. It is a major weakness issues were given specific mention in With Coming Together now under their because we end up with lots of some workshops and in Sunday's panel, belts (so to speak), they definitely enthusiasm and information but but there could have been much more. do have credentials. Let's hope that without a strong analysis in which to I have a few nits to pick about it's enough for them to get grants develop tactics for implementation. daycare (it was. great, but blocks for their next project so that it Coming from B.C., I found this away and I had to miss part of a will be more accessible to lower particularly frustrating because I great workshop in order to get there income women. Congratulations tn need to talk about how to fight for before it closed), the venue (OISE Side by Side for a fine debut. women's rights, when the government air is deadly!), and the lack of a is slashing the public sector, real wrap-up plenary. My final 12 13 Canada spoke about their successful to talk to various women about six-month strike against the exactly the same problems we face Grenfruit: A Women's Co-op in Grenada Newfoundland telephone company, getting recognized in our locals. Williams, who had lost 10 years work stressing the importance of support And I was interested to learn about Susan White and most of her personal belongings from other unions. Two strikers from how other women had addressed the Winnipeg the Bank of Commerce Visa Centre problems my local faces in terms of when she was arrested and who was spoke and asked for our support. sexual harassment and other issues. emotionally brutalized by her Finally, in a way which reflects the experiences, nonetheless encouraged The sheer spirit of the women In November of 1983, the U.S. Marines the women to fight back. experience of women everywhere, uplifted me. I was especially moved conference organizers emphasized the landed in Grenada. One of their In November 1984 the women took by an older woman in my workshop. A first acts was to close the Pope Paul need for participants to build up former battered woman and divorcee, the Catholic Church to cdurt to fight their own personal support networks. Ecumenical Centre and imprison its for the factory which was their she had only recently become active director, Judy Williams, for in her union. She talked about how livelihood and the symbol of their Judge Rosalie Abella spoke about interrogation. They also closed the she now sees herself as a strong, pride in themselves and their her Royal Commission into Employment Grenfruit cooperative factory, an capable woman as opposed being afraid achievements. "It was almost Equity. Delegate after delegate offshoot of the Centre. The eight spoke angrily, wondering why the of her own shadow. Two young women unimaginable", says Williams, "that from the UAH were infectious in their women who worked there found uneducated rural women, unemployed government had ignored the themselves on the street, jobless and recommendations of her report and enthusiasm. single mothers, would challenge the frightened. They were barred from Instead introduced their own hierarchy of the Catholic Church." The conference was Important in their stock of dried fruits, Employment Equity Legislation. This In predominantly Catholic that it made me determined to representing weeks of work—stock Grenada the Church is drawn from the promotes mandatory reporting and continue the fight. But we need more which might have been sold to support island's wealthy elite, and they had voluntary affirmative action. It's a than biennial conferences. Right their families and pay the farmers sided with the U.S. invaders. The weak and meaningless law. now, we need to build all-out support who were owed for their produce. women and the Pope Paul Centre were For me the highlight of the campaigns for the striking VISA The Marines claimed to have a conference was seeing the strength of seen as 'subversive' because they had workers. If they win, so do working letter from the local Bishop of t.ie women unionists from all across women. We need to continue to been involved in community education Catholic Church, which owned the Canada. It was inspiring to know pressure the CLC to implement a and skills training, and had land, giving them permission to close that the UAW-Canada requires nation-wide campaign for the shorter supported the 1979 revolution which mandatory women's committees in all work week, without which affirmative it down. They offered the excuse brought so many new educational and its locals. (It left me wondering if action campaigns cannot succeed. And that the Pope Paul Centre had been employment opportunities to Grenada's such a thing was possible in my we need to fight for a militant "harbouring Cubans". poor majority. union). It was so nice to see women campaign against privatization and Very soon the Bishop began to The court dispute has not yet who are really working hard to ensure de-regulation. The women at this CLC hear from supporters of the Grenfruit been settled. The Church has offered that men and women in their conference showed themselves ready to women from around the world, some compensation, but well below the workplaces start at the same base fight. including protest from development value of the factory, which the women rate. It was both reassuring and sad agencies like the Canadian Catholic will have to rebuild elsewere. Organization for Development and Payment continues to be denied for Peace, which had given the co-op seized and destroyed equipment. grants to build the factory. The But the women keep on working— MOLE ThE. B05S SAYS WHAT WITH MY DOMESTIC WIRE À WALK- HE SAID Bishop bowed to international and growing. Since unemployment has INEQUALITY IM A' HIGH DUTIE5,PM5AND ING DISASTER HE JUST pressure and allowed the women back soared and prostitution boomed under BtU£$ÉH? RISK" PREGNANCY POTENTIAL. AREAJTS A COULDMT into the factory, but they were the U.S. and Carribean military i EMPLOYEE.. taJDERHEEXK PASS UP told that the Church was claiming occupation, jobs and training for A CHANCE ON A BARGAIN. back the land and would pay the women women are even more critical than ON" WAT ALL. v. no compensation for their factory. before. Grenfruit has trained 12 new Judy Williams remembers the members and introduced new worker heartbroken women asking her in benefits such as health insurance and tears, "All those stones we carried a small savings and loan fund. They for the foundations, all our work, have expanded production to include can they take it all away?" ground spices and other new products, 14 15 and have opened new markets in Colombia: Domestics Organize Trinidad. Christina Mills Judy Wi11iams lost beloved friends and trusted political ieaders be described as consciousness-raising to assassination in the political Domestic workers in Colombia are sessions. Besides explaining their crisis which preceded the invasion. demanding social security and health legal obligations, the workshops She saw, and continues to see, the benefits as well as important encourage participants to think about the vertical power relations between dreams of a lifetime die as the improvements in their working people-oriented programs conditions. women of different classes, and about of the revolution are swept away A programme sponsored by the the relation between paid and unpaid by the domestic labour. U.S.-imposed government. She Union of Domestic Service Workers sometimes wonders whether (which only recently won legal Three thousand employers have she can occasionally1 there are reminders that start all over again, organizing they aren t forgotten. In March recognition after years of struggle) been persuaded to enroll their women in a climate of repression as 1985, Toronto women decided to buy has involved 7000 domestic workers in employees in the state-operated she did under the Eric Gairy them much needed equipment from the five cities over the last three social security and health insurance dictatorship overthrown in 1979. But proceeds of International Women's Day years. Its main function is to plan since the programme's inception. she draws strength from her women co• activities. support domestic workers in This has been possible legally since workers, as they do from her, and so negotiating salaries and working 1982, but Is still a rare occurrence. she goes on. The factory has taken You can write your encouragement conditions; both the individual In addition to educational work with over part of her new home, and she to Grenfruit. Grand Roy Post Office, workers and the union have been employers, the Domestics' Union is steps over drying ginger in her St. John's, Grenada. strengthened in the process. organizing mass actions to pressure living room as she works to establish the government to make enrolment in a new community development agency. Besides various activities (Ed.: Susan White talked to Judy designed to educate the public about the social security plan compulsory, The Grenfruit women plan to Williams in Grenada in March of the legal norms governing domestic and to ensure coverage for women who f ight unti1 they win. And 1985.) labour and to ensure their work part-time for several fulfilment, the programme offers employers. employers workshops which can almost DEC BOOKROOM Short Circuit: • Third World Women • Development Education Women on the • Politics Culture • Labour Peace/Disarmament global assembly line

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A &2JVJÂ.CZ Q{ the. Vzvzlopm&nt Education Ctntsie,, 229 CoZtzge. St., Toronto, M5T TR4, 416-597-0328. 17 16 CHOICE Update on Toronto Morgei Clinic Uruguay:

Christina Mills The Abortion Debate Two private members' bills to The Ontario Court of Appeal's legalize abortion have aroused the recent derision to order a retrial of anger of Uruguayan women, who feel Dr. Henry Morgentaler was, of course, that the topic has been introduced as a disappointment, but it came as no a smokescreen to distract the media surprise to pro-choice activists who from the civilian government's had been following the proceedings. failure to call a Constitutional usual demobilizing effect of having Assembly, as promised when it took Nikki Colodny, speaking at a an issue tied up in the courts. The rally following the decision, pointed over from the previous military courts are far from immune to social government. The uproar around the out that calling the defence argument movements, so part of the current of a medical emergency (each week of bills has divided opinion at all strategy is to continue to apply levels and they have been packed off delay in obtaining an abortion pressure and educate public opinion increases risks by 20%) "immaterial" to a committee for "study", so that when the appeal finally is effectively putting an end to the amounts to saying that "what happens heard the balance of forces will be to us as women doesn't count" but legalization process for now. strongly in favour of choice. The men who prepared the bills that "judges have been quite Across Canada pro-choice consistent in denying women's did so without consulting the Women's activists are organizing to broaden Condition • Committee of their own reproductive and sexual freedom." the movement and make it truly bi- Apart from reinforcing the party or taking into consideration a national. A series of tribunals are document on health issues prepared by "Canadian tradition" of marriage and being planned to put the abortion law compulsory motherhood {according to the Women's Alliance, a non• itself on trial, in Toronto, Halifax, partisan national women's the Court), the decision has Winnipeg, Alberta, Ottawa, Montreal, frightening implications for civil organization. Not surprisingly, Saskatchewan, and elsewhere. OCAC is neither piece of legislation provided liberties in general. The decision coordinating the tribunals bi- Women Get Results rejects the power of a jury to choose for sex education and family planning nationally and has formed a committee During the month of September justice over an unjust law, a power programmes. to plan the Toronto tribunal. hundreds of women staged weekly sit- deeply rooted in the very legal By now the media and parliament Anyone interested in working on the ins stopping traffic in front of the system the Court is defending. But have forgotten about the issue and tribunal committee should call OCAC Congress of Argentina, in order to it seems to be a matter of gone on to other things, but the at 532-8193. pressure legislators to pass a law priorities; if the jury's verdict right-to-life movement is papering It is crucial that we not be providing for parents to share equal were allowed to stand, effectively Montevideo with posters saying, demobilized by the setback in the responsibility for children. overturning the law on behalf of the "Abortion is a Crime" and blitzing courts. We must continue to As in most countries in Latin pro-choice movement, it would set a schools with "The Silent Scream". organize, to educate, to put the America, Argentinian law provided for precedent for all social movements Meanwhile, women's groups are issue of abortion rights in the fathers to have sole decision-making which could seriously endanger the continuing to discuss the issues and broader perspective of reproductive power concerning their offspring, for status quo. work on a strategy for winning rights, to extend the base of support everything from travel to consent for Meanwhile, the clinic stays reproductive choice, so cynically of the pro-choice movement. The surgery. The text of the law open. It appears that the State sees held out to them only to be snatched forces which would return us to the providing for shared power had been no advantage in moving against it at away by political opportunism. days of the back street abortionist passed seven months before, but the this point; at least, Ian Scott has are backed by powerful institutions Senate was inexplicably dragging its said that he will not attempt to and abetted by the courts, but we are International notes prepared by feet. Unrelenting pressure by women close the clinic pending the appeal. the majority. We must not, we wi11 Chris Mills; information from Mu.ier- finally resulted in the law being OCAC (Ontario Coalition for Abortion not go back! ilet. No. 51, October 85. proclaimed on the last day of Clinics), undaunted, is stepping up ordinary session. its efforts in order to forestall the (With thanks to Nikki Colodny) 18 19 CULTURE

their recent split into two different collective the way it had been. The I felt what happens in relationships Wallflower Collective Ends groups. older members wanted to define jobs happened in our group." Marie Lorenzo The Wallflower Order Dance more, have directors, and people Wallflower's experience raises Collective was formed by five women specifically in charge of certain question for all of us. Whether or We are at a point historically where in Eugene, Oregon in 1975. The group areas. Krissy and I wanted everybody not leadership or delegating are many groups are wondering what the performed among women. left, and to be in charge of different areas, irreconcilable with a basically best structure/organization is for solidarity groups in the United we wanted to delegate. Things were collective approach? Perhaps political action. This is especially States and Canada for over nine not getting covered, we would have a competitiveness makes us too insecure true of women, who for years have years, using dance to explore social workshop and nobody would show up to to accept leadership from people in been proud of their departure from and political issues. teach it. that kind of stuff. So one areas they are good at. And the fear traditional, hierarchical, and The effect of a political group wanted to change the structure of overt domination has sometimes exploitative structures. It is women's dance group was riveting, and and the other resisted." clouded our goals. important to evaluate the usefulness over Wallflower's nine-year history Tensions mounted and after There are no easy answers to the of collective structures, consensus the demand for their performances trying to work things out, the group issue of political structure, but decision-making, and the process by increased to a fever pitch. Suddenly finally split, ending up in a bitter maybe we can learn from experiences which these principles are applied. trying to run a viable cultural of other struggles, other countries. Many groups have experienced enterprise and keeping to collective One of the experiences that most paralysis when they were unable to feminist principles became a strain. impressed the Wildflower Dance Incorporate leadership, special "We were like a family, together Brigade in the last year was their talents or capabilities, or the all the time. The conditions were trip to Nicaragua. strength of different experiences horrible. Financially, we were "I was much more of an anarchist into their collective practice. barely surviving. The demands on us before I went to Nicaragua," says The traditional association of were incredible. Work, work, work. Nina, "and going there you can see art with inborn ability (talent), and Nothing else. Our whole lives were that organization is really the fostering of individuality and work, and we were always together and important. The tendencies toward competition in the cultural field isolated because we were always on collectivity in the United States run makes it especially difficult to the road, so we didn't have friends. along the anarchist lines, you know, promote cooperation. We'd be home one month, two months if everybody has an equal say, then For this reason I was curious to out of the year, living in a hell• that makes everybody equal. Whereas hear about the experience of the hole, a sublet room. So the in Nicaragua that's not exactly what Wallflower Order Dance Collective and conditions were really stressful," happens. There is—" says Nina Fichter, a founding member. "—a democratic centralist

"I think the collective process 1 structure," interjects Krissy made those conditions worse. The PRESENTS .... "Yeah, there are leaders, there demands on us as a group were is leadership, and there's a reason becomimg greater and greater because for it. And I think that's probably

we were performing a lot more,1 had an effect on us." travelling a lot more, and the legal battle over the use of the name Wildflower Dance Brigade, the collective structure couldn't keep up they had built over the last nine breakaway group formed by Krissy and with it. We couldn't make decisions years. Nina, has chosen to be really clear fast enough, we were always behind. One thing is cl-ear to both: the about the division of labour. They Originally when we weren't performing differences became irreconcilable. bill the group as being under their a lot, it was really relaxed, so we Why? What happened to that early artistic direction. However, their could take a month to decide feminist vision of collective program still contains many pieces something. But at that point, after practice? that are choreographed collectively. 10 years, collectivity was not "Well, it's a hard thing to It will be interesting to see what working. explain, but I feel it's a reflection the change will mean in terms of "There was disagreement from of the society we live in. We're their creative and collective newer members who wanted to keep the raised with a lot of competition and process. 20 21 "True Confessions of a Romance Junkie"

Bev Crossman is, but so are the car chases and good-guy-always-wins fights in any I an a romance junkie. I'm not an police or detective show. If we're expert, analyst, sociologist or looking for a reflection of ordinary philosopher of romance. I just like people's lives, we had better leave to watch soaps. The disaster prone 988B TV out of the search. Ginny Blake of General Hospital, •VOU'BE A TOUGH Daytime television is usually Felicia Gallant, romance novelist about middle- and upper-class NEGOTIATOR'. extraordinaire of Another World, the Americans. There are no factory powerful Alexis Carrington Colby said youns - A UN So was 'ONBn™ workers or electricians, and not many Dexter of Dynasty fame and hard det clerical workers. But women don't f f l anion .very drinking Sue Ellen Ewing from Dallas r U watch the soaps to see a reflection "entertain" me every week. At other Union boss Rand of their struggles to meet the times I can be found reading pced mortgage payments or buy new shoes bestseller romances, and in a pinch, Xove and >•» e h for the kids or keep the house clean. second-hand Harlequin Romances at 10 Us annoyed by i. Rir They watch in order to imagine what cents a copy will do. opposition of J n the sce e life could be like if all the bills in 3 The true confessions of a "heHarcn V nfe If , were paid, you had money left over, romance junkie do not come without iabout-managet /nl^en» t battle own heart! and someone to help look after your social pain. It's just not that easy f her kids and clean your house. to admit that you spend hours in One of the more interesting front of the TV soaking up daily and aspects of soaps is viewer control. weekly soaps. But I do not despair In virtually no other form of for I know I am not alone. Every television are viewers able to write year more and more women I know in, express their preference for the openly discuss their interest in fate of a character and have it come characters such as Ginny and Alexis. true. Not too long ago viewers Our difficulty lies in finding brought back Tony Jones on General an answer for the politically correct Hospital from sure death, and most "progressives" who denounce our brand dramatic of all, achieved the return of entertainment as "anti-female, of Fallon to Dynasty. Even though pro-capitalist and mindless the original actress no longer wanted propaganda". I became interested in to play her, the creators of Dynasty developing a rationale for romance listened to their audience and watching when I decided to stop Daytime drama is "female" in characters appear to have forgotten brought back the character. pretending I didn't watch or read that the major sources of activity, what they said or did the week The form that soap operas take them. suspense and laughter are its before. Of course, an increasing also reflects a reality in women's There are hundreds of thousands characters' emotional lives. These number of prime time TV shows now do lives. Those who watch a soap once of women who spend many hours a week dramas pay attention to what women build on experiences between or twice will find them "repetitive" watching daytime drama and the prime feel, and legitimize emotions as the characters, and ongoing story threads or "disruptive." That's quite time soaps. Have all these women motivation for actions and decisions. have begun to appear in some episodic correct. been duped by the system Into feeling Plot sequences focus on lovers, TV. They learned it from the soaps. Many women are cooking dinner, entertained by images of their own friends and families. Very little on-screen shoot 'em doing dishes, laundry or ironing when exploitation? Or is there something Daytime dramas provide on-going up violence hits the stage of daytime the soaps are on. That means that else to be learned here about women stories about characters who develop drama. Any murders here generally their attention isn't always on the and popular culture? I think there relationships to each other based on take place off screen, and people screen. So repetition is important is, and it lies in the specifically shared experiences of days or years tastefully die elsewhere, or in a to plot development. A viewer may be "female" character of the soaps (and before—just as real human beings do, clean hospital with very little changing a diaper or chasing a child other romances) themselves. and not as In prime-time drama, where blood. Unreal you say? Of course it during a crucial plot development and 22 23 just to make sure that nothing is ago they ran a plot sequence around Guatemala Art Project: "The Road of War" missed the information is repeated in the manufacture and sale of synthetic some way. drugs, its legalities, and its Freda Guttman any attempt to make political art was Soap operas are virtually the affects on people's lives. Montreal doomed to aesthetic failure. Images only television form that reflect and Every week openly gay Steven of "Yasha on the Tractor" and other address the real way that women's Carrington struggles with himself, The power of art lies in Its such Norman Rockwell horrors of lives are structured. They treat his lovers and his family for connection of the ability to Socialist Realism were conjured up as women as a serious viewing audience recognition, understanding and make with the ability to see— warnings. Not that I or anyone else and work in a pattern that can fit openness. His family sometimes and then Its power to make was eager to make political art, for into women's lives. struggles to change him, at others to others see that they ton can this was the heyday of Abstract Prime time soaps introduce some accept him, but always to love him. make something out of what they Expressionism, art for art's sake other elements. Plots in these [Where else and how often is it even see, and on out it ripples. with a vengeance. Its supremacy dramas often focus around the an issue?) (Lucy Lippard) seemed to make overt human experience struggle for power, both economically It is true that soaps are not and its representation completely and personally. Alexis of Dynasty is about social change in the About a year and a half ago, I began irrelevant to art. interesting to watch because she is a progressive sense. They are about a project about the Mayan Indians of Abstract expressionism in its woman with her own economic power. things that are important to women Guatemala. In content and in form, highest form was understood as the Sue Ellen of Dallas on the other hand though, and that has to be taken the project is something of a output of a few tormented geniuses, has absolutely no power—at least not seriously. We have much to learn from breakthrough for me—a union between male of course. The hegemony of right now. But next Friday or the soaps, and more to understand about two threads of my life that once were their style was policed by the Friday after that, I'm confident she their positive aspects. We cannot separate: art and politics. Other galleries and critics of New York and will rise from her alcoholic stupor write off a form of popular culture women artists have struggled, and are Paris, who dictated "taste"—and and be strong—on her own—again. directed and supported by Millions of struggling, toward a similar goal, price—from the late 40s until the Finally, I'd like to briefly women. I do not argue that soaps are but here is how it happened for me. mid 60s. discuss soaps and social issues. without serious political problems, For many years, my work was Contrary to popular (i.e. non soap but critics can always find those. "feminist" only in a representational watchers) belief, many important What we need to do is look beneath way. That is, I made images of women social issues are dealt with in the the surface. remaking themselves and recreating soaps. the idea of 'woman'. Later on, more Growing up in small town obliquely, my work made reference to Saskatchewan didn't occasion much newly valued art forms such as discussion of abortion. But Another embroidery—the silent works of women World did. My first exposure to through the ages. I saw my work as abortion came from skipping school on self-expression. It made me happy, Friday afternoon to watch Marianne—a but it didn't do much for others. pregnant teenager—decide her fate. At the same time I was active When all around me, young women were politically in other ways, and I getting pregnant and subsequently believed in the importance of marrying and having babies; Another political action, but I wasn't yet World showed us an alternative. More convinced that art had the power to recently, ' AW dealt with the issue move or change people. It was a slow Ironically, although art was once again in a sensitive manner when learning process for me, partly seen as an endeavour of great purity a young woman was trying to choose because of my own insecurities and my and disinterest, it was nonetheless whether to have a child or not. (Not inability to take myself seriously. clear that the artist was producing many other forms of mass media do There was also the residue of my yet another commodity for a consumer that !) early education. society. Each new style was appropriated Into the "art-as-money- AW continues to deal with At art school in the 1950s, I and-fame" machine, which needed a important social issues. Not long was nurtured on the orthodoxy that dizzying array of new fashions to 24 25 gobble up. And by Its rooptive thereby providing alternatives to the My aim was to inform people about it. In fact, much of the best strategies, the system insisted on mainstream. That meant that many about Guatemala as fully as I could art being produced today is compromise or outright capitulation, more artists could participate, and through the conventions of art, using political, tackling issues such as so that the artist had to choose the dictatorship of style was to a both text and images. I wanted to sexism, censorship, pornography, between striving after success (open large degree dissipated. deal with the history of the last militarism, racism, workers' to only a few tormented male As in our other struggles, the thirty-one years, since a CIA- problems and so on. geniuses) or being in the women labouring to redefine art arranged coup unleashed a new era of I believe that the stranglehold wilderness. sought to find our own voices, and as repression (after a ten year period that once applied to the making of Things changed in the late 60s a result, many strains of a of mild reform which had looked like art does not function for those who and the 70s. Artists and critics on distinctly feminist art were the beginning of social equality), as refuse it. For one thing, it is the left examined their practice and developed, as well as feminist art well as the recent atrocities since harder than ever to make any money criticism. But women were crucial in began to understand the role of art the 1980 militarization. doing art. But more importantly, all phases of the politicization of in upholding capitalist ideology. My work deals as well with some refusal to participate in the art. The analysis by the women's aspects of the Mayan culture, how the mainstream—and even exclusion from Not only was the making, buying and liberation movement of the selling of art a market practise, but Mayans are fighting back, and what it—brings a certain kind of freedom: the very images served to get the marginality of women deéply affected that means in their culture. I have the freedom to be an unstinting ideological message across. (A book both the process of making art and used the huipil, which is a loose social critic. The fact that women written in 1983, How New York Stole the images themselves. poncho-1 ike blouse woven and worn by are underrepresented and undervalued the Idea of Modern Art by S. An important turning point for the women, as a symbol of their in the official art establishment, Gilbaut, documents the connections me was organizing the Anti-Nuke Show identity and their culture. For the and even sometimes in the parallel between US cold war politics and with four women from Powerhouse Indians, their clothing is their system, is at least in part a good Abstract Expressionist ideology.) Gallery, a women's gallery in identity. Each village has its own thing. What happens to women in the Montreal. The show toured the New art modes came into being, huipil patterns and colours, art world happens to them everywhere, parallel galleries across Canada last predicated on the belief that art distinctly different from those of and that shared experience of year. We decided early on that we other villages. The exhibition will exclusion helps women artists see need not be the prerogative of a few did not want representations of white males or the right, but was in bear witness to the fate of some of things as they really are. It also violence such as mushroom clouds that these villages and the people of helps us avoid the dangers inherent reality a powerful tool for self- might serve to reinforce our feelings expression; it could express the them. in success and cooptation. of passivity. Rather we wanted to do I am nearly fini shed the This is not to say that the strivings for social Justice and work that was directly political equality of blacks and project, and have now arranged shows system does not go on as before. In women and other groups. confrontational, that forced people in alternative galleries across fact, in this age of Reagan, there is A new pluralism arose and gave to think, and that spoke directly to Canada throughout 1986, and am trying a return to the idea of the heroic, the issues of militarism. I learned birth to a multiplicity of to arrange more for 1987. So far the individual voice of the artist, once a great deal in this experience, and approaches, the blurring of show will be going to Ottawa, North more male and suffering from angst, was able to clarify my ideas about boundaries between the various art Bay, Moncton, Quebec City, St. The difference is that women artists how to intersect my political Catharines, Calgary Saskatoon, can now function, if we wish, in a disciplines and completely new art involvements and my art practice. I forms such as performance and Vancouver, and Montreal. In these parallel system. We can think of began to believe that I could use art cities I have made connections with ourselves as cultural workers making insta1latlon. Working outside the as a means to an end. system, artists set up and ran their Latin American solidarity groups to alliances wi th other workers and My interest In Guatemala began own non-profit parallel galleries, organize parallel events which will groups, and we can contribute to the in earnest after I saw the film, complement and extend the message of betterment of society, expose i ts "When the Mountains Tremble", which my show. Such a series of events ills and move people to action. is about the genocidal practices of should reach and engage more people the government of Guatemala towards than an art show in an arts context Anyone interested in having the the Mayan Indians who make up about ever does. show come to their community can 70* of the population. After that I Not all artists in the parallel reach me through cayenne. read all that I could and made what system do political art, but many do. was for me the radical decision to do Certainly political art is in good a large body of work, of a directly "When the Mountains Tremble" can be political nature. health, and it will be a long time rented from DEC Films, 229 College before anyone has to be apologetic St.. Toronto, M5T 1R4 . 26 97 has been growing steadily over the Women Strip-Searched in agh past three years. This campaign has Cer.ilia Morgan united various groups in both Niagara-on-the-Lake Northern Ireland and in the Republic. A woman is taken from her cell Catholic clergy {many of whom condemn to a cubicle, ordered to strip naked The prospect of arrest and their church's hierarchy for their imprisonment by the state is not a and remove any sanitary napkins or 4#* silence on the matter), labour tampons. She is visually reality many Canadians contend with representatives, feminists, Sinn Fein "inspected," both from the front and on a regular basis. When such a activists and politicians, socialists rear by a minimum of six female possibility crosses my mind, I and civil rights activists have warders. One warder then picks up visualize it as a dehumanizing and participated in street demonstra• her palms and soles for scrutiny and frightening experience; however, it tions, vigils, leafletting and gathers up the women's hair to check remains a remote possibility. But petitioning campaigns, pickets, and the nape of her neck. If the woman for many women in Northern Ireland, the establishment of exhibits dealing has long hair, warders have been arrest and imprisonment are a with strip-searching. Meetings and known to run their fingers through it reality—a reality which has become rallies have been held across as part of the search. even further dehumanizing by the Northern Ireland and in the Republic, From the moment she enters the brutal strip searches conducted in at which ex-Armagh prisoners have cubicle, the woman is in full view of Northern Ireland's Armagh jail. explained the strip-searching process the warders. Women who refuse to The practice of strip- and described their own experiences. strip or remove menstrual protection searching female prisoners has been In England, these women have face beatings, forcible stripping, routine at the jail since November conducting the searches make been interviewed by London and solitary confinement of up to 1982. Prior to this date, • strip- derogatory comments about their Broadcasting and the BBC, and have sixty days. searching was not performed on women, bodies, forcibly remove menstrual met with British Labour MPs, student One woman, five months pregnant even though internment without trial protection, and that there is a groups and organizations such as the and facing the prospect of a strip- In the 1970s produced a higher female complete lack of privacy, and Asian Collective and the Black search upon her release from Armagh prison population than that of the beatings and punishment upon a People's Socialist League. In (I cannot help but wonder at the 1980s. woman's refusal to strip. response to the campaign, Irish logic of this particular security Although the majority of women The British government's claims Senate members, British and Dutch precaution), was told upon making a subjected to these searches are those that these searches are necessary members of the European Parliament, formal objection to the Armagh arrested for political offenses, any security measures are questionable. British Labour MPs and the British governor that any objections to the female prisoner in Armagh may be Women going to court do so under Labour Women's Conference, Irish search at the time of her release strip-searched. The searches are armed escort in a closed van, and Urban District Councils, and the would result in a forcible strip- performed upon a woman's arrival at have no contact with any members of Irish Council of Trade Unions have search, despite her pregnancy. and departure from Armagh and on her the public at any time. Two thousand condemned the stri p-searches and have In a statement released by way to and from court, the hospital strip-searches over a period of three called for an immediate end to them Armagh prisoners in September 1983, and inter-prison visits. It is years have yielded one 5 pound note, and an inquiry into the use of such the strip-searches were described as primarily remand prisoners, women who a phial of perfume, and a personal methods by Britain. Sean MacBride, a form of "degrading, demoralizing, are awaiting trial and must appear in letter. Although metal detectors co-founder of Amnesty International, and immoral violation" similar to court constantly, who are strip- have been installed in Armagh, the has condemned the searches as a rape. Several Irish psychiatrists searched. Remand periods are of prisoners' requests that these be "fundamental breach of human rights" agree with the women prisoners and variable lengths and some have lasted used instead of the strip-searches and suggests that Amnesty should have warned British authorities that for two years. During this time have been refused. The authorities investigate strip-searches. the prisoners' health is endangered. prisoners appear in court regularly, have refused to allow the Board of In spite of these condemnations, The British Embassy and Nicholas often once a day, five days a week. Prison Visitors, independent authorities have been recalcitrant. Scott, Minister for Prisons in For many women in Armagh, such psychiatrists and doctors, to witness Scott has dismissed criticisms of the Northern Ireland claim that the appearances may involve ten strip- and report on the searches. searches and stated that present searches are conducted wi th searches per week, one before leaving Despite the government's efforts prison policy would remain unchanged. "sensititivity" and "in privacy"! the jail for the court, one upon to deny the women's reports, a In May of this year Armagh Prisoners' report that warders their return. campaign to end the strip-searching authorities began describing the

28 on searches as "reception searches," an In the words of Noirin Greene, those sectors. We also animate in extremely misleading term since it execut ive member of the Irish WISCA Interviews terms of specific issues which suggests that the searches only occur Transport and General Workers Union, amplify the national problem, and at upon a prisoner's initial entry to the Armagh strip-searches must be the same time highlight women's Armagh and that it is a clothed body seen as "no different" than the a Filipina Activist situation. search rather than a strip-search. treatment received by political For example, there was strong The Armagh strip-searches prisoners in South Africa and Central feeling against the military buildup, Maria Villariba, coordinator of the present feminists with various America. Finally, although the but we wanted to pose it in terms of 1 Center for Women's Resources in the Issues: the British government s searches continue, the uniting of its impact on women. There was a Philippines, was recently In Toronto. violation of human rights; their Irish labour, women's groups, need to discuss it also in terms of Chris Mills had an opportunity to attempt to manipulate women's bodies socialists, and Irish nationalists in rape, its impact on children and so speak with her about the Center's in order to humiliate and subordinate the anti-strip-searching campaign may forth, rather than just giving work. We feel her comments raise statistics of villages being put them; and, the fact that the primary have implications for the future Important issues for women committed under military rule or going into a targets of these searches are women construction of a "united front" to anti-imperialist struggles and list of political prisoners. denied political prisoner status but which could co-operate in the thus thought the interview an As a result of our research and accused of crimes of a political establishment of a truly egalitarian, important contribution to our WISCA organizing work, it was possible for nature against the British non-sexist society in both Southern column. us to establish the Center as a government. The importance of this and Northern Ireland. source of initiatives and also to last issue should not be overlooked help other sectors build up their in any assessment of the government's Thank you to Dara Neary and the WISCA: Tell us about the Center. programs. For example, in 1982 the motives in ordering the strip- Armagh Support Group for providing March 8 campaign was initiated by a searches . some of the reasearch material. CM. Maria: We started in 1982 with a committee set up by the Center. It very big idea of what women's work took three years to make it a was all about. First we set up a national and annual event. Now committee of women who were already people know about March 8 and initiating work with women or who recognize it as a necessity. And now were interested. And we established there Is much more of a commitment to an office so we could more easily project women's perspective in other locate each other. Our first national campaigns. production was a brochure to We are however involved in a advertise who we were and where women number of community-base1 d could find us. newsletters, and right now we re There was a shortage of women's putting a lot of energy into materials in the country, not initiating small community groups. academic studies and articles but Once they are established we pull resources with a coherent vision in back, but continue to play a role in terms of women. terras of education and referrals for We decided to begin that process funding. by doing some research, and travelling thoughout the islands investigating and talking to women. The first product of our research was

an audiovisual show in which w1 e wanted to share the women s perspective. Since those first projects our work has multiplied. We conduct what we call sectoral studies that then form the basis for organizing in 31 We start by setting up symposia W: Could you tell us about the W: What is the relationship between or study groups in different women's movement in the Philippines the women's movement and the rest of communities. If the group decides to both prior to and after the formation the opposition? keep meeting they usually focus on of the Center for Women's Resources? 'training and education. Sometimes MV: Of course there has been a lot they decide to put out a newsletter MV: By 1970 some political women of debate. We do have different to help educate and expand their already saw the Importance of women's kinds of feminism. Some feminists membership. We may provide liberation, but when martial law was insist on autonomy from the national assistance in getting funds, but it's declared many of them had to go movement, they fear that even if the their paper: the editorial policy, underground, and the aspiration to women's perspective is taken up everything is decided by the establish a women's movement had to before political power is seized, community-based group. They often wait. women are sent back to the kitchens ask us to help with editing or Since 1980, and especially after afterwards. But for most feminists specific articles they want to the Aquino assassination, more and that's not valid, because they think Include. It's a two-way process : more women have seen the need to get in terms of the concrete experiences our continuing connection with them organized or at least to participate of women and men in the Philippines, helps us to remain anchored in in many of the political events. which they feel is pre-empting the community news and issues, and they Once we saw that the national women's movement on the autonomy get access to other kinds of news and struggle was coming on strong, then question. Then there are some women analysis from us. the stage was set for really building who believe that women's liberation can only mature through national As yet we don't produce regular the women's movement, and we started liberation. These women, whether or publications as a center. We believe organizing women. their attitudes, their habits, and not we call them feminists, are in a that publications should be created We were based in Metro Manila, their ways of relating to each other. position to create public opinion in in the midst of organizing, as the national capital region, but we That's what we're trying to do, what favour of the national struggle. organizing tools. Right now having found out that simultaneously women we call internal work among So there has been some tension our own publications is not a on the other Islands were also progressive groups and organizations. among women. But it's a healthy priority. thinking along this line so we We encourage them to examine their decided to organize a March 8 event tension because that's how a movement relationships and If need be, change and get in touch with the labour grows. If we were all on the same them. unions, youth, even indigenous women track, if it were a monolith, it So there is what we call an from the tribal groups. wouldn't be a movement. internal or educational process in What we had was more and more Our central vision is that all the movement wherein relationships women almost spontaneously becoming women and men should be free from are made based on certain principles more committed to the idea of a oppression, but the strategy and or convictions. Some of us no longer women's movement. And since thev came process will depend on actual events subscribe to Catholic dogma; there from different classes and different and the participation of women in are different norms now for sectors, the movement already had a great numbers, their capacity to do courtship, for initiating mass dimension. From then on there solid work, to base themselves in the relationships. We feel that It is has been a very aggressive campaign complete needs of the people, and to every woman's right to choose her to get communities organized along have foresight. If women have this partner. The Spanish norm was to sectoral lines, including special anxiety about being sent back to wait until someone asked for your initiatives in organizing women. where they were before, it means that hand; you had no right to shop around

In our language we call women 1a we must do more educational or or test relationships, you had to get sector. Starting this year it s cultural work aimed at both women and married right away; it was a lifetime really being called a mass movement, men. risk. which means that it has already taken It's one thing to do protest We are trying to promote the shape, and many progressive groups work : exposing human rights idea that divorce, which is illegal recognize the women's movement as a violations, rapes, and so forth, but in the Philippines, is a woman's very vital part of the national the other side of the problem is how right. Many political women struggle. to educate women and men and change establish relationships and get 32 views, and some of them have been undertaking, but right now only the married, not legally, but in the eyes of the movement. It is the emerging quite Influential in doing so. women's movement can give shape to norm, the emerging society; the We feel that professional women the care and preparation of another ethics it has developed are ones many have a role to play in the women's generation. of us identify with. When people movement, but we caution against say, "Oh, but that's immoral or setting them up as a vanguard, W: How do these changes among women illegal," we say, "But from whose because they might not be able to affect personal relations between men point of view?" take it when repression hits. It is and women at the same or different to our advantage to have a multi- levels of political responsibility W: Does this change extend to sectoral dynamic movement in which and so on? For example, if a man in questioning whether relationships women from different classes are able a leadership position lives with a necessarily must be heterosexual? to articlulate their issues, but at woman in the rank and file, does his the same time unite around a national work always take priority over hers? *MV: That Is still a very sensitive opportunities, or the right to have vision. area. In fact there are many gays nurseries in the factories, or full We haven't reached a stage where MV: For many of us it is very and lesbians who don't express It in maternity leave and pay will be on the demands are as clear and distinct difficult to relate to men who are terms of choice. We've always the unions' agenda. But at least as the national movement's because not political. In fact, it's even recognized that heterosexuality is a it's beginning to perk up. right now it is imperative for us to unheard of. If you get involved with to express the national demands. But product of society, but it is Unions are not the only an apolitical person you're likely as the women's movement grows in difficult for many people to accept organizations open to women. Women to just be stifled and end up In the numbers and in its capacity to that men can love men and women can participate actively and in great kitchen or have to sacrif ice the understand the problem on different love women, a1though they can numbers in many community relationship because it isn't going levels then the stage is set for us understand deep friendships without organizations. Many Filipino women anywhere. to be able to present a cohesive plan sex. Open homosexuality is are not permanently employed, so they We want companeros who recognize of action. associated with the flamboyance of form community or craft the validity of our aspirations as We insist on claiming women the entertainment world. When gays organizations; their demands are women. It takes so much patience and leaders; we are tired of following and lesbians become very political becoming more and more gender time, because being dominating is men, and would rather initiate and they are respected because of their oriented. Demands such as housing, very deeply engrained in even put forward our own program of political commitment but they are not health care, education, safety, and progressive men. It's hard for them action. That means that women encouraged to have open peace, are increasingly seen as to relax and be open to any change of leaders have to be at par with relationships. Some do assert their women's demands. Of course, men too power, or to have no power at all national leaders. It's a very identity, but it is still not have an interest in promoting such over their partner. It's often demanding role, because you may have commonly seen as part of the emerging things, but many communities are subconscious; many men would not children to take care of, a family to norm, and there is no deliberate basically run by women, since men admit it. They say, "Of course I consider. Part of the responsibility organizing to raise consciousness often migrate overseas and in any treat you as an equal 1 Aren't you of our women's movement has been to around the question. case are usually absent from their part of a committee that takes care consider the children's movement as communities during the day when they of all the planning and Integral. It should be a national W: How are women of different are away at work. The concrete needs implementation? You're just as undertaking, the people's classes involved in the opposition of the family are taken up by the responsible a member as I am, so movement? women, so when we organize women in what's the difference?" But men are communities they are more anchored in often more at home in politics, and MV: Women in factories do their main gender analysis. so they take on very responsible political work in their unions, Then there are very articulate positions and don't worry about fighting for just wages, a decent women in the professional sectors who families, about children, housing or living, the right to strike, and so are able to shape public opinion, by a steady Income—they have "urgent" forth. These women are now beginning virtue of an education that provides things to attend to, and their to at least include a gender them with skill in analysis and partners are left to take care of the component in addressing issues but It expression. We have a lot of women rest. All that takes time with the will take some time before things joining us who are in a position to result that women don't have time to like the right to equal promote women's literature, women's hone their political skills. 34 35 Some women try to reduce the hispanic peoples; our way of dealing intervention. But despite what we stop U.S. intervention. The Canadian tension by giving in, saying, "It with inequality is to streamline, by are up against we believe that the and American people are staunch takes time, it's a process; meanwhile being quite gentle and tender. It's problem will reach its logical friends. We've never been anti- the just get on with your work and I'll subtle sometimes; a lot of attractive conclusion, and set the stage for an American people; we've always attend to the children, especially men might just tease or crack sexist emerging new order to prevail. addressed ourselves to the central when they're very young." jokes, without physically expressing target of U.S. imperialism. We also We have noticed that if the inequality. TtC Sl'f E£JJ£ OWBT "TtërttlEUËP Ht PULES K VJËLL'fOUNPCD Of PEJKCLUTIOW know that by spearheading their own W ïbUTKW. EGW&eeS W W>WT TO sw/ IN Voup. CowiBY HOT ewou&ft woman does not just struggle on her Many middle-class women say wine as \ struggle they will be fragmenting the personal terms but involves other that in their relationship there is U.S.'s capacity to mobilize a war people in helping to decide on the no oppression because our men are not machinery. We'd like to lend more problem, then the tension is really so big on being overtly macho. It's support to that struggle, but since resolved. If people just keep it to more subtle, and therefore harder to F9 fS 5% we are facing our own, very themselves the situation becomes very combat and change. formidable responsibility, we need to volatile and they both suffer. And focus all our strength on our own it does not convince the man of the W: Do male militants prefer to have struggle. That's our contribution to an apolitical partner so they don't WWJ WMD OF EVIDENCE ft NOTE. fCoW the overall effort of winning peace have to deal with these problems? and genuine development. And in spite of our isolation in terms of MV: There are some. But normally bodies of water, perhaps we can the collectives or people in the provide people with some inspiration community would address the to give birth to their own struggle, situation. They'd say, "Are you we think that would be an important neglecting your wife? Are you not Dan WiiMrnua victory. We're putting a major effort providing her with a political into building a very strong anti- Personally, I'm very interested perspective?" Five years ago people intervention movement. Since our in the problem of the construction; would just keep quiet about it, solidarity work has been closely right now our main task is to thinking it too personal to inquire connected with the solidarity dismantle the dictatorship; the next about a wife staying at home. Now movements with other countries, and stage will be the construction of a there are men who approach us and say with the peace movements, it just base for real democracy. That aspect their wives could benefit from might be possible for a more peaceful has been discussed in our program of knowing us. But there are also men principles we have already pointed resolution to the problem. But we action, but it's a very general who say, "It's nice getting to know out. The process of educating the must prepare for both that and a more program. We want to give it more man has to be a very structured one; you, but I hope my wife doesn't meet climactic resolution. Our people depth in terms of how it will take it cannot be left to an individual or you." I usually counter that with, have been tempered in the struggle shape in our lives, in our personal initiative. A lot of women "Well, she might not meet me, but and they will understand the communities. It's what you call come to us for help. I've sat in on she'll find her way, so you'd better sacrifices demanded of them in the forward planning, but our work now many discussions between companeros. watch out; even if you don't wake up, coming years. must also focus on building towards We've been doing that for years, but she will !" One source of great anxiety is that; we hope the women's movement the tension gets to be too much. our children. Children are very here will be able to lend us concrete Sometimes the couple even refuses to W: What would you project happening important, very tender, and since we support in that aspect. It's a talk about it any more; they feel in Philippines over the next five have a very large population under question of long-term support, to be that verbally nothing is resolved, years? the age of fifteen, we hope they able to build and sustain the work of but of course there are changes. will commit themselves to this construction. Women are more and more convinced MV: In the next five years we're movement so that the future can that educational work has to be very going to reach a certain climax, and really be theirs. Of course it will W: Most of us know much less about slow. with that a higher militancy among also be ours. I would like to remain the struggle in the Philippines than In terms of people outside the! women and men, a higher form of in the process and enjoy the about South Africa and Central organized movement, the prevailing| commitment. We know we have to be celebration of a new order for women. America; what would you say the view is still to dominate women. In prepared to weather the death throes I expect a lot of support and lessons are of your situation for us some ways we're not as dominating as of the dictatorship and a U.S. militance from other countries to here? 36 37 REVIEWS MV: Well, one thing is that we have to one segment or one particular focused our energies on one central problem but not hitting a central the framework for her relationships target and built mass movements to target. We've learned how important Sweet Dreams with the men in her life. fight that. It's been my observation it is to always address and evaluate Her first husband appears as that there are many women activists our work in terms of a central no more than a leaf in a windstorm in Canada who are not connected target. Marie Lorenzo against this dynamo; she just has too solidly on a clear program of action. For example, I believe very much verve for him. It's not long I think it is necessary for women to strongly in the need for a daycare Sweet Dreams is a movie about before she finds Andy, her second examine closely the bonding that they movement. We need that. But that working-class dreams that sometimes husband (sympathetically portrayed by can estalish and to address cannot be a central priority at this come true—and normally don't. It is Ed Harris). Their relationship is themselves to a program of action time, given the situation that we are a moving, heartbreaking, and very nothing if not passionate and that can be realized within a certain in. Another example is that we fully funny film about the life of country volatile. framework. For example, if what believe in the importance of the singer Patsy Cline, who hit the big Cline continues to pursue her you've got are feminists who are struggle for women's right to be able times in the late 1950's and early singing career on her own and their socialists, and feminists who are not to choose and have powpr nver our own 1960's. She was one of the first life is not easy. Her unexpected socialists, and socialists who are sexuality and reproduction, but at women country and western singers to pregnancy adds to the tension and one not feminists, then you have to find the same time, our situation demands record a million-dollar seller ("I day Andy hits her. She wastes no a basis for coalescing. You can that our primary choice be to be free Fall to Pieces" and then "Sweet time in moving back to her mother's distinguish it in terms of a broader from domination from the powers that Dreams.") She was killed in a plane place. be, and in the process to also be crash in 1963. base, and later crystallize it in 1a Though they reconcile, it is higher basis of unity. But it s able to exercise that choice in terms I don't know much about the real clear she doesn't have to take important for many women to connect; of our own social needs. person, but the screen Patsy Cline anything from anybody. Two children otherwise the problems just multiply, (played beautifully by Jessica Lange) and many recordings later, she has and you'll be addressing yourselves is a laughing, strong, witty, established herself in the industry incredible woman determined to take and it is clear she is on her way up. control of her life and make When he beats her the second time, in Women's Brigade to something of it. She tells her mama the house she has bought, for Cline early on that she wants to make money it is one time too many. go to Nicaragua singing so she can buy herself a big house with yellow roses growing in

Canadian Action for Nicaragua (CAN) is the front yard. But later in the planni ng a women activi sts' coffee harvest movie it becomes clear Patsy Cline brigade for January 20 to February 16, wants to be the biggest country and western singer possible. At a time 1986. The trip will include t\ weeks of when women were busy looking for work i n Nicaragua's coffee harvest and NICARAGUAN WOMEN: Unlearning the husbands, she wants to be another Alphabet of Submission Hank Williams. And she clearly had no other intention but to make it on A moving, broad-ranging compilation her own—husband or no husband. of articles documenting the reality It helped that she had a of different women's lives since terrific voice and an inimitable the Nicaraguan revolution, li. weeks of travel in the country and style. (All the music in the movie— including the Participatory meetings with various organizations. There and there's lots of it—is original Research Group's own "We Have the will be opportunities for many discussions Patsy Cline, and Jessica Lange does Capacity, the Imagination and the with members of AMNIAE, Nicaragua's women's terrific lip synch!) But unlike Will". Published by the Women's organization. The cost of the entire trip Loretta Lynn (Coal Miner's Daughter) International Resource Exchange will be approximately $1200. Patsy Cline takes control of her (WIRE), 2700 Broadway, New York, NY Al 1 women interested in parti ci pating marketable skill right from the 10025. Available at better in the brigade should call Hagaly at 534-7273 begi nning. It is the resulting bookstores. or CAN at 534-1766. economic independence that provides 38 One of the many remarkable things about Cline's life is her What Do Women Want? Orbach and Eichenbaum see the intense relationship with her mother, Dowling view of women's dependency as a dangerous myth. It suggests to who was her constant emotional "Looking Forward, Berkeley Books, 1985 support. Her mother is portrayed Reaching Back" women that we can pull ourselves up with a wonderful blend of maternal by the bootstraps, if only we would Women's Archives stop complaining and stop depending concern, Southern working-class Linda Briskin on men. And it leaves us feeling warmth, and youthful admiration for In Canada Project I am ambivalent about pop psychology The Canadian Women's inadequate if we cannot. Orbach and books. Secretly I hope that they her daughter. Cline's relationship Movement Archives has Eichenbaum argue for a more complex will provide the ten easy steps to to her is like that of a close been collecting material view of dependency which begins by on the women's movement sister, her lifetime confidante. whatever they promise: happiness, acknowledging that everyone has in Canada since 1977. The success, conf idence, assortiveness, Even though she becomes a bulk of archival material, though is being saved by dependency needs. If these are met successful recording artist, her life individuals and women's groups across the country. perfect relationships. At the same in childhood, it is easier for us to is plagued by tragedy. Her sudden time, I have serious political go out into the world as whole people During the next year, the CWMA will be concerns about their basic premise: death in the flowering of her career researching and compiling a directory of Women's —confident and strong. They suggest ended a vibrant life that, surely Archival Collections in Canada. A collective member the belief that individuals are that boys have their needs met in a would have touched millions. will be travelling across the country to meet with wholly responsible for their own more positive way than girls do, and By far the best thing about this individuals and women's groups, success, confidence, etc. This is an that this different treatment sets up movie is Jessica Lange's performance • If you or your organization have any unacceptably liberal and their adult patterns. material on the women's movement in Canada, individualistic assumption about the as a strong, tough woman; she conveys "Women are indeed fearful of please contact the CWMA. Help ensure that our world, and its corollary is that when a contagious zest for life and for history is saved. independence and success. But we don't succeed, we have only dreams. After all, no matter how bad this is not because they have it all gets, you can always find Canadian Women's Movement Archives ourselves to blame. P.O. Box 928, Stn P, Toronto, Ont. M4T 2Pl (416) 597-8865 been raised to depend on others. something to laugh at. You will So it was with some trepidation It is precisely for the opposite laugh with her and hurt with her and that I read What Do Women Want. reason: women are raised to be fall in love with her. And the music Recommended by several friends, it is depended upon; to place their just clinches it. written by Susie Orbach, author of emotional needs second to those Fat is a Feminist Issue, and Luise Eichenbaum, who was instrumental in starting the Women's Therapy Centre in England. This book does not have a 'ten easy steps' approach, nor does it fail to take into account the complex socio-economic and cultural reality. to OR-p wL ^ What Do Women Want fundamentally N A challenges our ideas about AN A i MM— dependency, and in particular, what * /-/NCjUlSt" vvfjo of two pHRMÉS^ftÉREP we might call the female/male HAS tyc^emo m+H wy/Nfj pterin dependency division of labour. In IN &REMcifJCr of /wfeNsifY:"Hf/?Ry ~- the first place it challenges the premise of The Cinderella Complex, a -tttE CODÉ of -irVM P/*N£R, willva'; fop. AWW*- £nD, "ÊVÉ^yfH/Nûr popular book by Claudette Dowling. KéRë 15 M/NË."/p Dowling argues that progress toward ) equality of the sexes is hampered by a learned dependency that goes with growing up female. She sees dependency as the refusal to accept SACNHRA in MAT responsibility. 40 41 of others. While women have relationships between women and men, insecure and shaky about her traditionally been dependent already almost paralysed by sense of self as different from economically, they have always patriarchal values, will be fraught her mother. When two women open been the emotional caretakers of with conflict and miscommunication. themselves to each other in a the family. At the same time The authors deal not only with close sexual relationship, they that women are depended upon for the pattern of dependency in may both be touched by echoes of emotional support and nurturanre, relationships between women and men, that early merger with mother. they learn to behave dependently. but also in those between women and They may both long to be reunited (pg. 19) women. For example, they explore the now, in this adult way, with a ...while girls and women are merger that can occur in loveraaking warm, soft, loving, accepting raised to display dependent between women, a merger that can woman. They may be overwhelmed behaviour—which is in reality touch off fears of loss of identity. by how much pleasure they more of a deference behaviour, a They connect this experience to the experience and by how easily looking up to a man—they are childhood separation of girls from their boundaries dissolve and cautioned against showing their their mothers. they feel the possibility of real emotional dependency needs. merger." (pg. 140-1) Girls learn early that in the "...the process of girls most profound sense they must separating from their mothers is Drawing on extensive case rely on themselves, there is no a difficult one. Mother, because studies, What Do Women Want uses this one to take care of them of her shared gender identity, viewpoint to look at intimate emotionally. They cannot assume relates to her daughter as though relationships between women and men, —as can the man—that there will she were an extension of herself. and between women. In fact the be someone for them to bring This makes it hard for the authors integrate a discussion of their emotional lives to. (pg. daughter to know herself apart lesbian relationships into each 24-5) from her mother... [The] section of the book. ...men's emotional dependency daughter then moves away from the I found What Do Women Want needs are, in fact, more mother with trepidation, not frighteningly revealing, and I highly consistently catered to than of the fact that men's dependency terribly sure in her own recommend it. women's, and this fact has a needs are met by women, first by boundaries, feeling somewhat direct correlation to (men's) mother and then by wife or intimates, ability to be more 'independent', men are more easily able to be (pg. 19-20) ...his needs for independent and confident. Because emotional nurturance are their needs are met generously and addressed without him having to often unconsciously, men are often especially confront them or spell oblivious to women's needs (how often men say that they do not understand them out. (pg. 23). ...Both 1 women and men co-operate in this 'what women want ). Women's needs process of keeping from view meanwhile, are not being met. and we men's dependency needs. The true come to despair of men's ability or dialogue of women's and men's des ire to respond to us emot iona1ly. dependency on each other is not As women come to be less acknowledged. (pg. 20) dependent on men economically or for sexual legitimacy, the flaws and This set of insights exposes the discrepancies in the emotional reality of the dependency exchange between men and women are relationship between women and men, increasingly exposed. Until men and women's disadvantaged position acknowledge their dependency needs on in it. Women care for men who rarely women, and women realize their right acknowledge this caring. As a result to emotional support, the

A2 43 Christine Rcchr