page2 Spring 1992

Editor: Joan Riggs Womenspeak Editing and production staff: Kelly Bovil/e, Marion Haas- Miller, Laura McFarlane, Michelle Simms, Jennifer Tomas, Lynne Tyler, Crystal Wood Thank you Women who helped on this issue: Lucy Chapman, To The Woman/st: Caitlin Frost, Roberta Hill, Peggy Lynn Macisaac, Joanne I read your newspaper for Stevens, Maria Stewart, Joan Wood, Melina Young the first time yesterday, and it just blew me away. This is the Special thanks to: Ted Riggs, Lil and Tim Tyler, Kristin type of information I have been Ostling, Jim Albert, Lyse Blanchard, Noelle Dominque Willems searching for. I found the and Roberta Hill for providing us with financial support and for articles well written, informative believing in us. and positive. I now have a renewed sense of hope for the To The Woman/st: To The Woman/st: Artwork for the front cover: Photos (clockwise from women of the world. I look Just a quick note to thank Oh, thank goodness you upper left): from "Faces of Feminism" by Pamela Harris, photo forward to your next issue. you for distributing your paper people are publishing this of Jane Morrigan, dairy farmer, Nova Scotia (see page 43 for to welfare offices. I had to go newspaper. I attempt to read more information); from CIDA, photo of a woman in Bangladesh Regards, through a degrading the Citizen every morning, you by David Barbour; from CIDA, photo of a woman in Thailand by Josie Filipovic experience and you r know, to stay on top of world David Barbour; photo by Melina Young of women in a Kitchener, Ontario newspaper was an unexpected politics and to be somewhat demonstration in London, England; from "I Dream A World: source of pleasure, courage knowledgeable about the world Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America" by Brian and strength. I've read the around me. It is becoming Lanker, photo of Josephine Riley Matthews. paper from cover to cover and increasingly frustrating to read Design by Catherine O'Neill, Emerging Design Thank you liked what you had to say. I am about male-created wars and Published by: To The Woman/st: very interested in the- second tragedies from a male-centered Catalyst Research and Communications, BRAVO! Thank you for half of the article by Salli journalism perspective. And 541 Sussex Drive, Suite 201, finally having a "real" woman's Abbott called "Bridging the gap: that's why I'm so thankful the Ottawa, K1 N 6Z6 newspaper! It's a pleasure to Lesbians and Heterosexual Womanist exists - you (613) 233-2621 open a paper and not see an women talk together." I may understand my life experiences Fax# - (613) 236-7118 exploited woman clad in bikini submit some writing some time and make intelligent sense out form! in the future but at the moment of these woman experiences in Circulation: 18,000 I have thoroughly enjoyed I am happy to read and think a male-centered world. Distributed: Nationally reading many of the issues and and discuss the articles in this Please keep up the wonderful I admit my ignorance regarding paper. Good job! work you're doing. If I can some (or many) of the volunteer my time on To subscribe: To have the paper delivered, the price is $10- concerns. Certainly the media Sincerely Weekends to helping you out, $30 a year. Institutions $25, $17 for non-profits. exposes a pragmatic picture, Sara Short please give me a call. yes? Vancouver, B.C. Thank You The Woman/st was created to empower and enable women. Enclosed please find a We want to get back to the basics, the common ground that cheque - I wish I could donate Sincerely, built the women's movement, while celebrating our differences. more. However, being a single Debbie Potts mom, a budget is like my Kanata, Ontario What can we agree upon? That we as women are important and shadow! that we have a right to be heard, to be respected and to be Thank you again and keep trusted. up the great work!!!

As a movement we have a responsibility to enable all voices to Another Sister, be heard, equally. That is the commitment in this newspaper - E.M. Tolie Stewart to empower with ideas, information and inspiration.

The Woman/st appears 4 times a year. Male Subscriber This issue took a very long time to come out. Throughout the year To The Woman/st we had many women who wrote articles for the paper that were time I am not really sure if you sensitive and are no longer appropriate for printing in the Spring of welcome male subscribers. I Definition of Womanist 1992. am, however, very interested in women's publications We would like to thank the women below for their time and effort. 1. From womanish (Opp. of "girlish", ie, frivolous, irresponsible, concerning the female not serious.) A black feminist or feminist of colour. From the condition in our society. I am a These women reflect the incredible support and commitment women black folk expression of mothers to female children, "you social worker and co-lead acting womanish," ie, like a woman. Usually referring to have in sharing information and inspiration to help all of us treatment groups for men who understand a little more about ourselves and the world. outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful behaviour. abuse their partners and, as Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered such, am always interested in Mary Allen-Creighton, Janis Alton, Susan Annis, Elizabeth Art, "good" for one. Interested in grown-up doings. Acting grown finding new ways to help men Elaine Auerbach, Joan Baril, Margarita Selan, Ruth Bell, Jill Bend, up. Being grown up. Interchangeable with another black folk understand the impact their Jacqueline Bernard, Janet Biehl, Laura Bildfell, Dawn Black, MP, expression: "You trying to be grown." Responsible. In charge. violence has on women. Catherine Bray, Pat Carney, Jean Christie, Ellen Cole, Katherine Serious. Gender equality in our Cooper, Jane Craig, Vida Cuadra, Constance D., Elise D., Meg treatment program is held as Dean, Xavier Declerq, Anna Demetrokapoulos, Chief Liz Diablo, 2. Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or Sandy Dobrowoisky, Margo Dunn, Suzanne Edward, Trish Eliot, very beneficial to both women nonsexually. Appreciates and prefers women's culture, Kelly Faraday, Lee Fleming, Mona Forrest, Carolyn Gammon, Joyce and men. He i g ht en e d women's emotional flexibility (values tears as natural Green, Barbara Greene, MP, Irene Grabowsky, Joyce Hancock, Jo awareness and sensitivity counterbalance of laughter), and women's strength. Hayward Haines, Kathryn Hazel, Carmencita Hernandez, Anne among our clients to women's Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually. Hicks, Jennifer Horsman, Par Israel, Lisa Jenson, Mobina Jaffer, anger and pain due to Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male France Lafond, Jan Langford, Robin LeDrew, Julie Lee, Gloria continuing inequalities must and female. Not a separatist, except periodically, for health. LeMay, Doreen Ligertwood, Lucie Laliberte, Jennifer Lotan, Laura remain one of our primary Traditionally universalist, as in: "Mama, why are we brown, pink Macdonald, Theresa MacKenzie, Joan MacNeil, Heather Mathers, objectives. One way I strive to and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige and black?" Ans: Sasha Mcinnes, Heather Menzies, Penni Mitchell, Marika Morris, ensure that I am continually "Well, you know the coloured race is just like a flower garden, Pascale N., Linda Nelson, Greta Nemiroff, Hanna Newcombe, sensitive to and aware of the with every colour flower represented." Traditionally capable, Peggy Orenstein, Elizabeth Panashue, Diane Park, Nano anger and pain is to read as in: "Mama, I'm walking to Canada and I'm taking you and a Pennefather-McConnell, Betty Peterson, Gillian Phillipe, Pictou publications such as yours. bunch of other slaves with me." Reply: "It wouldn't be the first County Women's Centre Collective, Judy Poulin, Dariah Purdy, I wish you success in your time." Pauline Rankin, Penni Richmond, Joyce Robarts, Judy Roberts, work. Esther D. Rothblum, Beth Ryan, Juanita Sauve, Jessica Simon, 3. Loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Christine Smillie, Sandra Sorenson, Jane Stinson, Aisla Thomson, Yours truly Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Sara Torres, Mary Trafford, Liz Turcotte, i.inda Ungar, Denise Dan Jardine Loves the folks. Loves herself. Regardless. Veilleux, Frances Wasserlein, Lise Weil, Cindy Wiggins, Dolly Brookdale, Manitoba Williams, Women's Research Centre, Vancouver. 4. Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender. Editor's Note: We certainly do welcome male subscribers. From In Search of Our Mother's Gardens, Womanist Thank you for your support. Prose by Alice Walker. f Spring 1992 page3

Editoria Triumph of heart over logic

It's good to be back. It is no We need reassurance now We also do not want to be easy feat putting this paper out and leadership. Canadians do jobless. These are not but with the support of many not want to mirror U.S. society - mutually exclusive goals. women we have managed again a society that endorses police We have battle-fatigue as a to reappear. And we are more viewing all black men as country and as individuals. But determined than ever to keep dangerous and all white people think of the fatigue of people in coming back. as needing protection, a El Salvador, Eastern Europe The Rodney King riots society that views poverty and and Southern Africa. We have reminded us again that it takes violence as beyond control. infinitely more resources, and that amount of violence, anger We do not accept these many of them we fritter away and despair for the media to beliefs. every day. We need to use notice what surrounds us every avenue we have everyday. But The available. Woman/st notices and we We need to pull together write about it. now more than every WE There is so much happening HAVE TO REBUILD CANADA- to us everyday as Canadians, in the image of what we value as women and as citizens of and believe. the world. We are bombarded Keep the faith. Stay strong. with conflict and bad news: Trust your instincts. You are unemployment is skyrocketing, not crazy, but a few of our Quebec is leaving Canada, leaders leave something to be racial violence is increasing ... Just because certain prominent politicans have desired. even the cod stocks are Enjoy this issue of the diminishing. betrayed us, does not mean that we should turn our backs paper. We enjoyed putting it on the entire political system. out and subscribe please - we If we abdicate the running of need the money. Hope to be this country, then we leave it to out again this summer but no people who don't share our later than the end of Communities where beliefs. September. Canadians do not want to be you can find a part of a global economic plan The Womanist that exploits other people, other countries and this planet. Newfoundland: St. John's, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Grand Falls, Labrador City, Gander. Nova Scotia: Halifax, Antigonish, Wolfville, New W.W.T.M.C., Dept. W, Box 22 Glasgow, Sydney, Truro, Walhalla, MI 49458 616-757-4766 Bridgewater. Prince Edward Axis Dance Troupe Island: Charlottetown, Summer- Lillian Allen side. New Brunswick: New Ruth Barrett & Candlelight Concert Maryland, Fredricton, Moncton, Barrett & Smith BETIT Sussex, Saint John. Quebec: Heather Bishop Montreal, Eastern Townships Bougainvillea Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, Carolyn Brandy Newmarket, Scarborough, Belle- Sarah Campbell ville, Tottenham, London, Seraiah Carol Melborne, Cambridge, Guelph, Casselberry & DuPree Carol Chalkin Waterloo, Hamilton, Windsor, Sara Cytron Sarnia, Stratford, Pembroke, Dance Brigade Killaloe, Renfrew, Cornwall, Dos Fallopla Almonte, Kingston, Peterborogh, Mrs. RJN Bancroft, Hunstville, North Bay, Judy Grahn Thunder Bay, Kenora, Marathon. Susan Jackson Nedra Johnson Manltoba:Brandon, Thompson, Kitka Winnipeg, Dauphin, Flin Flan. Living On The Edge Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, Nathie Marbury Regina, Prince Albert, Big River, MASA & Osaka Jazz Women Aooos1'1l~: Moose Jaw. Alberta: Calgary, LeePulMing Red Deer, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Rashida Oji Vicki Randle 1992 Whitecourt, Hinton, St. Paul. Tosh! Reagon British Columbia: Nelson, Catherine Roma & Festival Chorus Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Dorothy Scott Campbell River, Port Coquitlam, Peggy Seeger Victoria, Penticton, Cranbrook, Terry Sendgraff Golden, Fort St. John, Terrace, Shlkisha Sharon Still & Festival Band Prince George, Telegraph Creek Linda Tiilery & Gospel Choir Yukon: Whitehorse, Dawson Toppl\vlns City Northwest Territories: Edwina Lee l}'kr Yellowknife, Hay River. Urban Bush Women Suzanne Westenhoefer Karen Wlllliuns Thank you to the many, Women's Philharmonic many women who h~lp String Quintet distribute the newspaper. page 4 Spring 1992 Women leading the way: in the country by Trish Keays relationships to be as or more by Alexa McDonough important than tasks and An election is going Questions about outputs, that more women than I agree with those who say leadership, the women's men initiate and take part in to happen in the Fall there has always been and movement and Canadian movements for ch an g e always will be a women's society raise other ·questions (obviously -- we have so much of 1992 or Spring of movement. for me. Leadership? Which more to gain!). 1993. Think about Women like to work together. women's movement? Canadian However, I don't see We are the life givers and we society -- wouldn't that be evidence that women who pay who you want to prefer cooperation to nice? (to paraphrase Gandhi's the high prices required to rise competition. But women comment about western within existing systems show lead this country: leaders and the women's civilization - that it was fundamentally different styles encourage them to movement needs a mutual something he hoped to see). of leadership, management, support system to persevere in Leaders are accountable for administration -- the fair, wise run, support their a male-dominated world. transforming the hierarchies of use of power and other Until economic and social power so th at diverse resources. This is true even of campaign and structures are transformed, equalities are facilitated, rather those structures we claim are vote for change! they will repudiate us. Don't than resisted and cut off at the alternatives, with flatter leave your leaders isolated, to knees. structures, consensus or send messages from the top People don't empower other collective decision-making down in the traditional, male- people -- people empower processes, and within which I dominated manner. Form a ·themselves. A leader's' number have seen equally hierarchical support system - act in a one job is to create conditions ego-systems. sisterly manner - so you have a within which people have true I do believe, though, that So, I feel part of different up to the seat of power. way to validate each other's access to resources of money, women's full participation in movements, of which the The "women's movement" is visions, feelings, experiences power and time, and every sphere will transform the women's movement is only overlapping edges of different and goals. circumstances in which people institutions that cripple and one. I believe the women's networks that contribute to all We who seek to change our are held accountable for their diminish us all. movement nee.ds to begin to movements for progressive roles and set new standards decisions from the point of view In the shadow of the flimsy look up from itself to consider change and equality. What I must be true to ourselves, to of the future as well as now. network of relationships I have the relation among all these expect of the women 's our sisters, and to the men This means not just making enjoyed with women across questions, less divisively, movement is: mutual support, who support us. That's how our things look good, but Canada who are struggling with more acceptingly, more confidence, willingness to actions will be consistently considering who benefits, who questions like these, I see the flexibly, less personally. (And listen and to hear, willingness directed toward the vision we pays, and in what ways. outlines of the kind o f more personally, as we truly to be an advocate as well as a share of a society that nurtures Leaders have to help wean relationships of acceptance, make the political the personal, listen and to hear, willingness and empowers each member, us rich-world people from glut, accountability, responsibility and empower ourselves to be to be an advocate as well as a rather than one which exploits guide us in seeking less of and shared leadership that I leaders in our own lives. Let participant, principles of people and the environment. what is poisoning us, and help want for my children. Raising the rest slide, because whose connection I not separation, us demand more of what we them to carry that on is ever- interests is all that really respect, balance, and truly need: respect, self- serving, anyway?) generosity of mind and spirit as determination, autonomy, a My responsibility to "the" well as hard cash. (Our sense of the continuous leaders (not "my" leaders at all, principle should be tithing, to opportunities to meet our life How wrong it is merely the functionaries left share the good fortune we may tasks with dignity. We have for woman to over from a mo rib u n d be at times privileged to too much -- too inuch stuff, too institutional legacy of the experience.) I also expect much stress, too much power, expect the man politics of self-interest) is to occasional shared belly- too much money -- and we are to build the world provide them with continual, laughs, commiseration in time too much influenced by unrelenting input on how I want of pain, and gentle jokes as we promoters, marketers, she wants, them to act and behave. deal seriously with things that charlatans and cretins. rather than set No more demagoguery, no matter. These are candles on Each one of us has to take out to create it more weaseling away from the cake we share along the a leading role in changing our issues, no more acceptance of way. lives, as individuals, as herself male, white, middle-aged I support Ursula Franklin's members of households and measures of "normal", and approach to development, and families, and as members of AnaisNin dismissal of all those other apply it to national governing A woman leader must wider communities on a planet perspectives as "other" . as well as international DiaJY... Vol. 5 demonstrate that there are under assault. I believe, with Theodore relations. We need a "potluck" other, equally valid methods of Women, who have been Roethke, that, "What we need approach to development, discussing issues, making shaped by patriarchal values are more people who specialize where each person brings as we all have been, are spread challenging. Being true to the in the impossible." We need something, each person's decisions and setting priorities. along the same continuum of shadow outline when the leaders in everyday life, not contribution is valued and Otherwise, subconsciously Canadian diversity as men. relationships get fractious or positional leaders. We need incorporated into a feast. and certainly in the perception Sex really isn't a determinant of wither from distance and powerful people who use their Everyone gets fed (probably of many, she gives in to the a different approach to power, disuse is something hard, but power, their capacity to act, on better than they would have fed established rules and the male control, leadership and mostly easy. We are behalf of others as well as themselves), each person gets power that lies behind them. humanity. accountable to people who themselves. We need self- essential needs met in When it seems that all the It is true that more women share our vision, to ourselves government: Ovide Mercredi community, no one gets left out powers that be are lined up voters are doves than hawks, and even to those who aren't and Ethel Blondin as joint or ignored, and no pot luck ever against us it's especially that women perceive thinking about these things. candidates for Prime Minister! ends up with 400 plates of important to reach out for No more party politics, no carrots. support, take heart and keep more politicians who don't live Perhaps this is a prayer on going. like the rest of the people, no more than an analytical offering Every step that challenges career group leadership more separation between acts - may we live to see it so! the old way of doing things is a counselling facilitation training and actions, and their effects Good luck! risk worth taking. This is not on people. No more meanness, the road to quick success by no more mean-spiritedness, Trish Keays lives in Powell traditional standards - I'm living ROBERTA F. HILL, B.A., M.B.A. much more respect for River, BC. She has a testimony to that. But it is a ourselves, each other and the background in development: rewarding journey. planet. No more violence. international, educational, Let's let "the average citizens" economic, community, social, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Alexa R. F. HILL CONSULTANTS take the lead. I trust a motley human, personal, and McDonough, became in 1980, R.R. 2 collection of citizens selected especially the finks between all the first woman to be chosen CARP, ONTARIO KOA 1LO (613) 839-5513 on fhe same basis as a jury these and sustainable leader of a major political party more than I trust those who rise development. in Canada. Spring 1992 pages and in the women's movement

by Jona Campagno/o by Rosemary Brown

I sometimes wonder what Decisions are reached The absence of women from Many women, through no pioneer feminists like Nellie consensually, all views are the leadership ranks of politics, choice of their own, act as our McClung and Therese Casgrain addressed and every voice is Power. business, the church and other leaders. Their life experiences would think of these woman- heard. The values that women institutions is a national reflect the strength and times. They who sustained bring to decision-making are scandal. sacrifice we women continue to countless insults and painful based on practical Energy .. Women continue, as have to make simply to live our encounters, but who "soldiered considerations for now and Christina McCall says, to have lives: the women whose on" to the end of their lives with tomorrow. Our children are our is the one force influence but little power. massacre at Ecole a clear view of what Feminism vested interest in tomorrow and in the universe There have been some Polytechnique focused the main reason that we rarely was, and where we women were that is never really outstanding exceptions to this national attention on violence going. Nothing seems as clear dwell on yesterday (besides, wasted. In other words, situation however, and against women; the poor yesterday was no place for a now. if we do not use our certainly the women of Canada women who have fought for woman). will always be grateful to childcare, the women who have The leaders of today's power, it will be used women's movement are beset by some other force. resisted all attempts to close on every hand. Fearfu I of down abortion clinics, the falling into the false trap of domestic workers and "Political Correctness", we Audre Lorde immigrant women who continue have allowed ourselves to be to fight for the right to be cut off from each other by a treated with dignity and deliberate and manipulated respect, regardless of their fragmentation of the need to broaden the outreach class, race or economic movement. Rather than of our care and concern to condition. standing in solidarity, as we include within our ranks those A world in which the once would have to return the men who seek to make that principles and ethics of these fire aimed at us, too many of us better world with us. We have women are part of the decision- have allowed that barrage of to stand together in mutual making structure would be a half-truths and lies to hit their respect and in all our world more committed to social mark. differences, with a simple, justice and human and civil Traditional women-leaders, clear goal in mind: That all rights. Not just because they we are told, are too left, too women everywhere have an were women, but because they elitiest, too white, not equal right with men to seek were women who rejected sufficiently conscious of the and attain that better life that is traditional patriarchal principles the ongoing goal of the human needs of poor women. Does based on self-interest. family, and that we· will not anyone seriously believe that I cannot envision a world The Big Lie of our time is that cease our struggle until this our goals are all realized and those making these charges ruled by women, since the goal most basic of human rights is Madame Bertha Wilson for the that equality is ours, while the from the political right have the of the feminist movement is to attained. difference she made during her facts show anything but. Other create a new form of power fainte-st concern for poor all too brief tenure on the big lies of our time abound: based on equality and sharing women? Does anyone believe Ms. Campagnolo is a former Supreme Court. Most al the "new" women are becoming rather than on dominance and that the model of the woman federal Cabinet Minister, well real leaders of the women's sterile, women who seek control. Leaders emerging leader is static and not subject know in recent years for her equality cannot hold a movement remain little known: from that equal power base to change? Does anyone work in intern a ti on a I Iris Murdoch, whose husband, "new " women are bad would be committed to peace remember that leaders cannot development. She is currently moms, public day care is experiences served to highlight and have the respect for the stand without support and that a Commissioner with four other detrimental to our children, the injustice of the nation's environment and all peoples. those who chose to follow have distinguished Canadians, Family Law, Henrietta Muir, women who want it all must responsibilities too? inevitably fall into emotional leading a cross-country Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Rosemary Brown is a former The principles that will lift us Citizen's Inquiry into Peace Louise McKinney and Irene member of provincial oblivion. Not truel If women from despair, from this "slew of have won, why are women's and Security, sponsored by an Par Iby, these five whose parliament for B. C. and most despondency" are those that unprecedented consortium of efforts ensured that women recently was the Executive issues subjected to the have sustained the women who intentional "flogging", and Non-Governmental were issued the status of Director of M A T C H first led us, those of us who Organizations. persons. International. women to an unjust legal have survived from an earlier system, to downright lies and woman-time and those who will deliberately calculated counter attacks on our progress that are all a feature of everyday Canadian life. We know what a woman-led Everybody wants world would look like and what too many power-men and their to do something few women supporters, still fail to help, to grasp. It is that Men and but nobody wants Women are two halves of the Shadforth Associates Same humanity, and that given to be first. equal power, we will re-assert the human equilibrium that Pearl Bailey 2,500 years of patriarchy have Wordproces.sing Manuscripts R~um~ Desktop Publishing obliterated. Night after night The Raw Pearl. 1968 the television news shows us those depressing pictures of Technical Writing Proof-reading rooms filled with men who are making decisions about the lives of men and women, in which women have n o lead us. We require a n Call for your complimentary brochure (613) 747-7185 opportunity to express their unambiguous ethic embracing views. Incongruously, this is love of our own and each other being called democracy! The and all children, one that will structures that women feel forever put to rest the anti- comfortable working within are woman, anti-child canards co-operative, circular and perpetrated by those w ho exhaustively consultative. would restore yesterday. We

~------The Vl/01T1anist page6 Spring 1992 Women leading the way: in the country and in the women s movement by Lorraine Greaves by Judy Rebick

It is easier to say what and practice must b e I think the key to being a base, they risk, as individuals, than competing for leadership feminist leadership should not constantly ready and able to feminist leader is public disapproval and criticism as men have done historically, be than what it is. It's clear reexamine their values. accountability. To me, feminist in order to further the struggle women should be promoting that simply getting more women Sometimes this means re- leadership is about furthering for feminism. Women who put others with talent and ability into so-called leadership or examining well-established and the interests of the collective, themselves in these positions and training them in the power positions isn't ever often unquestioned val u e,s, of women in general. need critical support. necessary skills. The women's enough. It's equally clear that those that seem to give us and Leadership in a collective All of our organizations are movement has not devoted having feminists continue to our organizations our very doesn't mean that everyone in struggle not only with our very many resources to create and operate identity and greatest security. plays the same role but rather own ideas about how we want training leaders. Experienced organizations without And lastly, it means that all of that leaders speak for the to be represented, but also with women should be encouraging constantly exam in i n,g us must genuinely want to collective and not for the government and m.ed ias younger women and sharing leadership principles and change, to fit, to modify, to themselves. practices of choosing and their skills. practices is downright meld, to share, to cooperate, to Accountability means (mis)representing our leaders I feel very supported in my damaging. In fact, like an be different, to have our minds several things to me. It means for us. The mystification that present position. I get a lot of unexamined life, a1 n changed, to become providing individual feedback our society places- upon support and understanding unexamined concept of dispensable to the feminist to women leaders, and it means leadership and particularly from the NAC Executive and leadership or organization cause. It means that we will developing structures for upon public figures, makes it others in the women's leads to no vision and no feel better when there are more democratic decision making very difficult to provide movement about the demands quality. The practical effect of of us ready and able to lead, that support both the interests leadership, without getting of my position. I w o u Id unexamined leadershjp is not fewer of us; when our minds of the group and the seduced by this process of welcome more feedback than I perpetuation of only a slightly are less made up, not more mystification. I have found this get. varied status quo. made up; and when we stop especially true as I have Women often think that any It is often assumed that reacting to our world and start become a media figure. It is criticism is negative and feminist process can be simply creating it. important that women feel destructive. Without critical It also means that we need learned and transplanted into comfortable giving leaders very feedback, a leader can only to reject the dichotomy of "the an individual's or organization's personal feedback - letting guess at how she needs to leaders" and "the led", and style or repertoire; as if it's a them know if they are becoming change her behaviour. Silent consider that o u r matter of acquiring a few new egotistical, arrogant or criticism of her behaviour will responsibiliti~s are of both rules and some politically otherwise unresponsive and turn to resentment and that's kinds all of the time. We must correct tricks, and hoping-- for insensitive. when things get ugly and be active when "being led", by the best. Not so. What is often Representation has always destructive. recognizing no differences overlooked are sever a I been a demand of, and an There will always by between us and our leaders. preconditions. The parties issue within, the women's leaders, at least in this society. Indeed, being as responsible involved must truly value the movement. It is very difficult What is important is to for ourselves and each other, goals inherent in feminist for any one woman to recognize their leadership whether currently "leading" or process such as increasing adequately 'represent' the formally so they can be held representation, an appreciation "being led", may be the first voices of the diversity of the accountable and be provided of diversity, inclusivity, and step in re-examining the movement in this country. Our with the support necessary to accessibility. The mechanisms feminist status quo, and movement is fiercely provide responsible leadership. for reaching these goals must creating a model of feminist democratic and is very hard on be sincerely welcomed: inviting leadership that is workable, its leaders. As a result, a lot of Judy Rebick is t h e spokespersori. It is impo_rtant and welcoming dissent, humane, effective, and very talented women have President of the National that we learn to direct our accepting challenge, and visionary. burned out on the women's Action Committee on the leaders, and to be critical of liberating the self or the movement. At the same time Status of Women. them in constructive and not organization through giving Lorraine Greaves is an as we are working towards up/taking up power. But most educator, activist and writer on destructive ways. more representative groups, fundamental, those interested women's issues, living in I believe that understanding events and organizations, I in creating feminist precess London, Ontario. the real strength of democratic think we need to understand process is the key to and use leadership more responsible leadership. Real strategically. We need to wisdom comes from a variety of understand the extra stress Woman at Mile Zero experiences. Ten women from and responsibility leadership By LINDA ROGERS different regions, races and creates for individual women, classes will come up with better A comic and surreal vision, this collection MARGARET L.M. BUIST the responsibility of providing of prose poems examines, in a language of solutions to problems than one them with feedback and or two women, however broad extraordinary energy, the multifaceted re- LAW OFFICE support, and the strategic lationships of women. their experience. The creative moments when we need to exchange among women is ISBN 0-88982-IOl-l paperbound $9.95 'PRACTICING LAW FROM A FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE' mobilize the strengths of our critically important to leaders and spokeswomen to oolichan books responsible and accountable make our points heard loud and Box I 0, Lantzvllie, BC, Canada VOR 2HO Phone or Fax (604) 390-4839 leadership. clear. MARGARET LM. BUIST, B.A. (HONS), LLB. "If you move, you're a Sharing leadership skills is target" is a mantra that I have also an important part of PROF. BRUCE FELDTHUSEN, B.A., LLB., LL.M, S.J.D repeated for years. This feminist leadership. Rather applies to groups as well as MS. SHELINA NEALLANI, B.S.W .. LLB. individuals. Women who provide leadership in whatever MS. JUDITH M POTTER, B.A., LL.B. way -- arguing for new ideas and policy, fighting against racism in the women's

Services available In: Engfish, French, Spanish, Greek and Italian movement, speaking publicly ... for an organization -- are •FamUyLaw Immigration putting themselves out on a limb. No matter how we Equality Rights •Employment collectivize our positions, •Human Rights Real Estate those who speak them, or those who push for them most M.P. for West effectively will be identified with them as individuals. No matter Room 245 West Block 73 King Street, London, Ontario NGA 1C1 House of 2571 Avenue Phone (519)642-2960 how strong their organizational Ottawa K1A K2B (613) 996-0984 (613) 990-7720 Spring 1992 page 7 Tory bull 1n• the Canadian china shop by Liz Rowley After six years of suffering the Tory plan. We all were profoundly democratizing developed to overcome the Free Trade Agreement must be the Tory bull in our Canadian captives of the disconnection Canadian life - that is, breaking horrendous economic scrapped and traqing patterns china shop, several key between parliamentary politics the grip of big business on inequalities they have endured. inside Canada augmented while questions remain: who will pick and extra-parliamentary action. government; dealing with These principles have to be new international trade up the pieces? How will they be We all were weakened by the institutionalized sexism and enshrined in a new Canadian patterns are established. put back together? Given the age-old rivalries between racism; dealing with the constitution. The ·situation demands scale of the damage, where do political parties zealously environmental deterioration of approaches that go way we begin? guarding their turf. Canada; and dealing with the A New Democracy beyond traditional electoral The questions which the My own party, the politics of poverty; politics. Already the scenario Conservatives have sought to Communist Party, is going re-establishing Canadian Democracy does very well in is being scripted in Wall Street, answer with their brutal agenda through a very difficult time of independence: scrapping the Canada for the needs of big St. James ·Street and Bay are questions which, in one adjustment. Externally, the Free Trade Agreement, business. When it comes to Street for the next elections. form or another, are being dealt events and revelations in regaining control of the the needs of working people, The Reform Party will replace with in different ways the world Eastern Europe have shaken economy from t h e the poor, the disadvantaged, the Conservatives, in the over. us to the core of our being. transnationals and making our women, minorities, young West. The Bloc Quebecois will No country has been immune Internally, the past form of foreign and military policy in people, democracy does not do help out in Quebec. The Tories from adjusting to the new overcentralized, top down, Canada. as well - not by a long shot will take what they can in economic and social realities. secretive and administrative Unless we move in such a Democracy is more than Ontario and the rest of Canada Economic reality is the form of organization is being direction we will be surely and election, free speech, Habeas and together they will form foundation upon which is built reformed amid quite sharp inexorably absorbed into the Corpus, religious freedom and some kind of coalition the civilization or human debate on the pace, form and United States. other human rights. Important government. culture that gives life its extent of renewal. as these are, democracy With the NOP and the texture and meaning, including should mean much more. Liberals competing for votes in social values, political culture, Democracy includes the right the middle ground, neither can democratic values, attitudes to to work, the right to good win. minorities and women, health, the right to decent An approach that would educational levels and so forth. shelter, the right to equal serve Canada better would be Here in Canada, under the educational opportunity, the for a people's conference to be Tories, restructuring has right to recreation, clean air, convened of all the tracked the Reagan/Thatcher clean earth, clean water, the organizations ·that have an model of privatization, right to food and economic interest in blocking a third term deregulation, regressive dignity, the right to peace and for the Tories and have a taxation and gutted social prosperity, the right to organize genuine interest in a new programs - all steps towards into trade unions, the right to direction for Canada. integration into the United full equality for ,women and Let the trade union States. minorities, the right to security movement, the women's in one's senior years - the list is movement, the youth and How have they very long indeed. students, farmers, ecology and gotten away with it? The point is that these peace movements, Native should be rights not privileges People's organizations and As the saying goes - and the reason they are not is organizations from Quebec, hindsight is 20:20 vision. None that their recognition and the NOP and the Communists of us in the, for want of a better enforcement as rights would and other left political forces term, pro-people movements in curb the "rights" of big convene a meeting to create an Canada had a fully developed business and big business agenda for the nineties and to understanding of the shape or Picking up the A New Constitution runs Canada through its control pledge to work together to scope of the patterns that lay Pieces! of the political-electoral contest the next election in behind the unfolding Tory There are three questions of process. whatever united form can be agenda. The Tories have about one principle involved in making Canada's economy needs to decided upon. Vigorous resistance year left in their term. The Quebec a meaningful part of be repatriated from American Unity is key, not only in campaigns were mounted at recession appears to be Canada. control. There is a place for action but also in the vision of a different times against various slowing and the cyclical start First, Quebec must be foreign investment and there is united program. parts of the agenda. Coalitions up the slope of growth could be recognized as a nation with a place for a vigorous private Several authoritative polls have indicated that people are against different aspects of the imminent. Mulroney will no certain inalienable national sector but its scale and mode Tory agenda came and went, doubt toss out some economic rights. Second, Quebec must of operation and its balance fed up with existing political forms, with politicians and some have stayed alive. tidbits to the electorate to try to have the right to s e If with the public sector must be political structures. Perhaps Cooperation between the buy another term. determination - the right to consistent with the needs of the' wide response to the different movements was Blocking a third term for the choose whether to opt for Canada as a whole. Reform Party's rhetoric is a minimal as none of u s Tories and reversing the independent statehood or to be We need to look at creative misdirected echo of this anger. sufficiently saw the grand disastrous course of a meaningful part of a new ways for an international This might sound like a pattern of linkage between the integration with the United Canadian federation. Third, division of labour between dream - but isn't it a dream parts of the Tory agenda. States is critical if Canada is to Quebec must have the right to states that benefits all of worth fighting for? We all were locked into be preserved. secede or terminate its humanity. Canada's reactive political organising, The big challenges before manufacturing, farming and existence within a Canadian Liz Rowley is the former leader which is by definition Canada are: federation. research and development of the Ontario Communist Party defensive. There was no making' Canada a As women, would any of us sectors need restoring and and is the first woman leader of overall proactive program to confortable home for Quebec enter into a marriage or other expansion, and need to be a political party in Ontario. advance as an alternative to and Native Canadians; relationship if our womanhood balanced with the needs of was not recognized, if we did Canadians and the world. The not have the right to choose that particular relationship and Long term advocate of women's if we did not have the right to TERRI E. DELLER LAW OFFICE rights; dedicated to the creation divorce if the relationship was irretrievably soured? of equal rights, pay equity and TERRI E. DELLER, B.A., LL.B. The Native peoples of the elimination of violence BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, NOT ARY PUBLIC against women and children. Canada will have to be treated as full equals in formulating a new constitution. Their Real Estate Business arid Commercial demand for regional self- and Estates Criminal. Marilyn Churley, MPP Personal Family 517 Pape Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4K 3R3 government must be met, their (416) 461--0223 land rights fully restored, their distinct culture and languages 801 Princess Avenue Telephone respected and a major Brandon, Manitoba R7A OPS (204) 726-0128 affirmative action plan page 8 Spring 1992

Little for immigrant, visible minority women Don't silence Beaudoin - Dobbie Report Aboriginal women by Eunad/e Johnson

Attending the Constitutional multicultural as stated in the Conferences in Toronto and constitutional proposal. Vancouver was a rare Where in the hierarchy does opportunity to participate in the Canada Clause fit? In "When Aboriginal women demand equality, discussions of the history and Section 2 of the Constitution? we are accused of being feminists. We are the future of Canada. Does it supersede the accused of deviding our communities As President of the National Canadian Charter of Rights and Organization of Immigrant and Freedom? along sexist lines. But we are not leaving Minority Women of Canada We clearly voiced concern our men. Our men are at the table. They (N.0.1.M.W.C.), I wondered' at re: the Introduction in the times whether the information I Charter of An Economic Union have been well-funded to participate in this brought, the perspective I but wanted Section 121 (the constitutional debate. They are the ones shared with my group and in common market clause) of the with the seats at the table. They are the plenary was representative of Charter strengthened. One of the target population, but then the concerns we had was the ones with the money, power and control. again my experiences as an grading of Foreign credentials And we are reminding them we are here. immigrant and visible minority and that there be an overall Aboriginal women are equal. woman covered all base~. Federal standard which makes by Cathy Doyle & Fiona I felt excludod in a lot of the cr~enti.als .transfe~ab{e within Muldrew. Aboriginal women .are ready. dfscusslons, not beca.use I. provinces. The Aboriginal Women's Aboriginal women want to participate." was not affowed to have input, Unity Coalition (AWUC) was but because the discussion formed in 1990 by Winnipeg most of the time did not take Aboriginal women and Native Women's Association of Canada, into account the target community groups in response Position Paper, February 2, 1992. populations of which I am a part. The opening speech by a to inaction and silence on the prominent white male lawyer case of Carl Krantz, who totally negated my presence drugged, raped and videotaped and those of other visible 50 Aboriginal girls. minorities in the audience. He The AWUC wanted to ensure used a rose as an analogy to these young women would describe what or w ho receive counselling and represented Can ad a, support from the Aboriginal mentioning each petals community to help in their different size and shape, some healing process and to avoid imperfect but in the end making furtner victimization from police up a beautiful flower. I and non-Aboriginal institutions. immediately saw something The Assembly of Manitoba wrong with the analogy Chiefs, (AMC), with the because the perfect flower was exception of Chief Peter Yellowquill, was unwilling to all one Colour. We recognize that After reviewing the Draft listen and act on the concerns provinces have shared of the AWUC in regard to this Constitutional amendments, I jurisdiction with the Federal felt again the exclusion of case. Government re: Immigration In the fall of 1991, the AWUC multi-racial groups, because but felt there should be no LOOK TO THE FUTURE our voices were not heard of challenged chiefs to address further erosion of the federal alarming rates of violence in course we were told that as struggle you can send letters powers in favour of the their communities. Louis Stevenson who is the "special interest roups we of solidarity to the AWUC, 356A provinces. The AWUC support a woman Chair of the AMC Justice should hold our thoughts and Stella Ave., Winnipeg, MB, The not withstanding clause from Long Plains First Nation committee. Mallett did not identify our needs at another R2W 2T9. Donations towards is obviously going to stay, and who staged a hunger strike at mention specific chiefs nor time. The goal was to keep legal costs can be directed to we are opposed to this clause the Legislature to protest chiefs as a group in her Quebec in Canada." the Aboriginal Women's because it contradicts itself. inaction on the part of statement. The newspaper We fully support the "goal" Freedom Fund. Tax deductible You cannot on one hand say Anishinabe Child and Family that published her statement but we are also part of Canada receipts can be issued for certain rights are guaranteed, Services (ACFS) to protect her has had no statement of claim and Quebec. cheques made out to the then on the other hand say children from alleged abuse by brought against them. In the poem or preamble, lkwewak Justice Society. Both "NOTWITHSTANDING". their father. Their father is a The defamation claim is seen there was no mention of the groups are at the above We supported the proposed chief and also on the board of as part of a continuing Indigenous, Blacks and First amendment to Section 28 of address. Generation visible minorities in ACFS. Instead of addressing harassment campaign to the Charter - that would valid concerns raised by the intimidate and silence any the Canada Clause. What do Cathy Doyle & Fiona Muldrew guarantee the rights of groups AWUC, the Assembly of questioning or criticism of we have? A motherhood are members of CHOICES (a disadvantaged by race, etc. Manitoba Chiefs accused Aboriginal political leadership statement? If so where are the coalition for social justice) and We fully support Quebec's AWUC of dividing the Aboriginal by Aboriginal women. multi-racial groups? Notice I a newly formed women's task need to be recognized as a community. Aboriginal women will not be said multi-racial not force based in Winnipeg distinct society as it relates to Also in 1991, due to the silenced! To support their language, culture and civil law. Chiefs' apparent disregard for We are concerned about the women's issues, the AWUC rights of racial minorities not presented a constitutional brief just within the rest of Canada to the All Native Constitutional but also within Quebec. Committee outlining their Specializing in Literature I am not encouraged by the concerns about being excluded by and about people Beaudoin-Debbie Report, as it from full and equal participation of African descent has negated, not reported on, in self government. and other nor made any recommend- Third World Cultures Recently, Kathy Mallett, an ations relating rights of racial active member of the AWUC minorities within Canada. Eunadie Johnson is and numerous community groups, has been charged with president of the National Kevin 0. Jordan Lisa M. Marshall Organization of Immigrant and defamation of character by one Minority Women of Canada and of the chiefs for her statements 6 Byward Market St. Ottawa, Ont. K1 N 7A1 the Executive Director of concerning suspicious child (613) 567-2734 Thompson Manitoba Women's deaths on reserves. This legal Shelter. action was initiated by Chief Spring 1992 page9 Women and the Social

by: Marlon Boyd Charter On January 17, 1992, overall promotion of the CAP is a longstanding commits governments to Premier Bob Rae said, "It's standard of life in Canada. agreement between Ottawa provide social programs, the important to send a clear signal Let me give specific and the provinces to split the courts would ensure equitable Next issue: that even in the toughest of examples of why an bill down the middle for access to these programs circumstances, we're not going entrenched Social Charter is necessities like child welfare, through the Charter of Rights. Constitutional to forget the social justice overdue. In its latest budget, transition houses and rape In short, the two charters would update agenda." the Federal Conservative crisis centres. Given that work in tandem to promote the High on that agenda is a government ended the almost 60 percent of poor dignity of all Canadians. Social Charter in o u r universality of Family adults in Canada are women, Still, Ontario's vision of the constitution. Along with the Allowance benefits. Last year, CAP has also helped ensure Social Charter can't be Charter of Rights and it also froze Established low and no-income women get complete without the input from hurt. We began with those Freedoms, a Social Charter Programs Financing -- one the social assistance they are the very women whose lives will areas namely, social would reinforce Canadians' source of support for post- entitled to. be most affected by it. As the programs -- that clearly are a sense of themselves as secondary education and But in each of the last two Minister Responsible for part of the unwritten "social members of a community years, social assistance costs Women's Issues, I and Premier contract" in Canada. That based on respect for, and have skyrocketed by 50% in Rae recently met with a cross doesn't mean we shouldn't go responsibility to, each other. Ontario, leaving the province to section of feminists -- including further. The question is, These aren't idle words. It's carry an extra 45% load. The disabled, aboriginal, lesbian, should we do it now? because generations of women immigrant, refugee, racial Recently, the federal and men have fought for the minority and francophone government's all-party principle of universality that women. (There was no (Beaudoin/Debbie) committee today Canadians from coast to shortage of lively discussion!} released its Report of the coast enjoy what should be Many women's groups Special Joint Committee on a basic human rights: a national worried about the impact of the Renewed Canada. In that health care system, an array of Social Charter on federal report, the Committee indicates income support measures, free spending powers. Because its support for Premier Rae's public schooling and affordable federal spending is crucial to proposal for a Social Charter. post-secondary education. develop and maintain social It calls for a "Social Covenant" Taken together, these programs in Canada, Ontario to be constitutjonalized, and programs form something of a doesn't propose that the new proposes that the Covenant "social contract" between Charter in any way replace or protect: comprehensive, health care -- until 1993. added burden has dealt a $1 universal, portable, publicly governments and the people. Meanwhile, the Canada limit Ottawa's ability to spend billion blow to other equity administered and accessible But nowhere is this contract Housing and Mortgage programs and job creation the way it should. written. It's only assumed. Yet On the other hand there's the health care; adequate social Corporation is seeing its social initiatives. Until at least 1995, services and social benefits; recent federal budgets have housing budget shrink by 15%, concern Ontario's Social or the accession of a new high quality education; the right shown what can easily happen dramatically reducing women's Charter proposal isn't broad to contracts which a re n 't government, the cap on CAP is enough. Some groups want of workers to organize and chances of finding safe shelter here to stay. bargain collectively; and the spelled out: they can be in times of emergency. constitutional protection for A Social Charter may make integrity of the environment. breached without recourse. No wonder the Conservative pay equity, employment equity, the difference, not by directly Some insist that there are no That's why the Ontario government has killed women's workers' rights, job training, preventing cuts to social hard and fast rules to fair government is pushing for the hopes (thanks to years of child care and anti-poverty programs, but by making those constitution-building. Here's following principles to be promises) for universally assistance. Groups incorporated into the 1982 cuts more politically one: any constitution that fails accessible child care: that representing doubly Constitution Act: expensive. With a Social to reflect the needs, values service would have had to be disadvantaged women rightly Charter in place, agreements and aspirations of the majority - considered a social right. argued that not every Canadian A Canada-wide health care reached between governments - in this case, women -- must be Instead, Prime Minister could be made legally binding. starts from the same program that's comprehensive, reworked. universal, portable, publicly Mulroney treated child care as Binding governments to their "advantage point". So That's what Ontario's administered and accessible; a special interest charity. So agreements means any immigrants, racial minorities proposal for a Social Charter social services and welfare chop went the axe. legislature which simply ups and the disabled, among aims to do. If fairness, assistance based on need, so An especially painful "breach and leaves its obligation to others, need guarantees of accessJbility and dignity are that all Canadians have access of contract" came in 1990, fund social programs can be policies, programs and women)s' issues, so is the to a minimum level of food, when the federal government taken to task -- without having services which redress the Social Charter. housing and other basic rights; targeted what were then to wait for a ballot box. added discrimination they face daily. high quality public primary considered the three richest So how do you enforce a and secondary education for provinces -- Ontario, Alberta social charter? Ontario It's hard to say how far Marion Boyd is Ontario's every person living in Canada; and B.C. -- by limiting their believes it's through a n Ontario's proposal can go Minfster Responsible for protection and improvement increases in the Canada independent Commission. before the chances of it being Women's Issues and Minister of the environment within a Assistance Plan (CAP) to 5 Then what's the role of the accepted by other for Community and Social sustainable economy; and percent. courts? While a Social Charter governments are seriously Services.

Working together, building a strong women's movement in Canada, and around the world.

DAWN BLACK, M.P. NEW DEMOCRAT STATUS OF WOMEN CRITIC

The Women's Report is a free quarterly publication of my activities and related developments in Parliament. To be on my mailing list, write me at the House of Commons; Ottawa, Ontario; K1 A OA6. page 10 Spring 1992

Highway robbery? Or workplace robbery?

by Nycole Turmel

It's a sickening feeling to actu.a!IY enforcing the approximation of monies owed, Federal Court challenging the know you've been robbed ... prov1s1ons of the Canadian based on the study results and jurisdiction of the Tribunal to Most women who work for Human Rights Act. In spite of Treasury Board's unilateral hear the complaint. Treasury the Federal Government can its equal participation in the wage adjustments, are Board and Justice lawyers also probably relate to this feeling, process, Treasury Board indicated below. The figures argued the questionnaires especially on pay day. They immediately began its attempts speak for themselves! used during the Equal Pay for know this government is to discredit the study. In 1990 a further complaint Work of Equal Value Joint knowingly robbing them of In 1990, as the Alliance was filed with the Canadian Initiative were not admissible about $1 billion. That's on pressed the government to act Human Rights Commission. as evidence at this Tribunal. average, between $7, 100 to on the study results, the The Commission investigated This and subsequent $29,000 per person I Treasury Board unilaterally and found that Treasury government attempts to have Equal Pay for Work of Equal annou need retroactive and Board's wage adjustment the Courts nullify the complaint Value has been part of the ongoing equal pay adjustments calculations we re have all been rejected. Canadian Human Rights Act for __ for three of the female- unacceptable and more money Regardless of the close to fifteen years. This dominated groups in the study, was owed to all female- government's announcement government has, however, -- while ignoring three other that pay equity retroactive consistently demonstrated its dominated groups represented the other complaints were groups represented by PSAC. payments will be limited to intention of disregarding the by the Alliance. Treasury resolved (or partially resolved) These adjustments represent November 1st, 1990, the principle of Equal Pay for Work Board refused to accept these one of the largest complaints approximately one-quarter to Alliance is continuing to pursue of Equal Value for its own findings and, as a result, the on behalf of 50,000 Clerical and one-third of its complaint before the Human workers. They h-a v e the amounts Commission decided to refer Regulatory members of the deemed necessary (by the Rights Tribunal. And it will do demonstrated this with their the complaint to a Human group filed in 1984, remains study) to achieve pay equity all it can to dissuade the constant attempts to derail the Rights Tribunal. outstanding to this day. and were not included in salary government from proceeding Canadian Human Rights The government has The fact that it can take rates. Treasury Board ignored with its planned legislation. Tribunal, their refusal to deal continued to use considerable many years to process 95% of the data collected for Someday, with or without this with Pay Equity at the financial and human resources complaints through the comparison purposes in the government, equal pay for work bargaining table and more to avoid its obligations. When Canadian Human Rights study, and limited their of equal value will be a reality recently, with a federal budget the Alliance attempted to Commission led PSAC to comparison to only four male- negotiate equal pay for work of for women in the federal public that threatens the fundamental participate in a joint union and dominated occupations of the service. integrity of the Canadian equal value in 1991, Treasury management study on equal 53 included in the study. As a Board argued it was unable to Human Rights Commission.~ pay for work of equal value, result women in the The struggle to achieve do so because the issue was Nycole Turmel is PSAC announced by Treasury Board government were effectively before the Human Rights salary justice for 80,000 on March 8, 1985. Executive Vice-President manoeuvred out of their Tribunal. At the same time, members who work in female- This study, the largest of its responsible for women's money. The Alliance's they were appearing before the dominated occupations has kind to date in Canada, was issues. been a long one for the Public conducted jointly by Treasury Service Alliance of Canada Board and 13 federal public (PSAC). The female dominated service unions a n d groups include: Clerical and associations. Over 4,000 Regulatory (CR); Secretarial, employees across the country Stenographic and Typing (Sn; participated by completing - Data Processing (DA); Libiary questionnaires that outlined Science (LS); Hospital their job duties and Services (HS) and Educational responsibilities, as well as the Support (EU). challenges and working Sections 7, 10, and 11 of conditions they face on a daily the Canadian Human Rights basis. Act, which deal specifically Joint committees made up

with the issue of equal pay for of an equal number of union HOLLANDER work of equal value, became and employer representatives BE law in 19n. rated the co m p I et e d ST. MARTIN'S NEW As early as 1979, PSAC questionnaires, using a new began filing complaints with the evaluation system developed Since 1977, equal pay for Canadian Human Rights by Norman D. Willis and work of equal value has Commission for various_groups Associates. The evaluation been law for women in the of its members. One of the process ended in September federal public service. Alliance's first successful 1989 and the results were when its the thoughts that count-give cases was the complaint filed clear. Female-dominated Since the early 1980's, the on behalf of the Library classification groups in the Public Service Alliance has RACE, GENDER & WORK Sciences group in 1978, federal public service were been trying to get Teresa Amott and Julie Matthaei alleging their work was of equal being significantly underpaid the government to A multi-cultural economic history that ties women's work contribu- value in terms of skill, effort, for their work. The release of obey this law. tions, both paid and unpaid, to our economic history. responsibility and working the study results, however, 420pp ISBN: 0-921689-90-X $19.95 conditions to a higher paid marked a turning point in the A joint union-management male-dominated comparison governments attitude, and study clearly showed that FINDING OUR WAY group. While this and some of supposed commitment, to female-dominated groups in Janet Biehl the federal public service Rethinking Eco-Feminist PoliJics-a holistic political philosophy that are being grossly integrates feminist and ecological perspectives. underpaid. 210pp ISBN: 0-921689-78-0 $16.95 support Still, the government refused to act on the study, FIGHTING FOR HOPE The Womanist refused to deal with the Joon Newman Kuyek issue in contract Organizing to Reali.ze Our Dreams documents the best efforts of ordi- nary people in their struggle to build a better life. negotiations, and even 225pp ISBN: 0-921689-86-1 $16.95 MARGARET MITCHELL, MP went to court to stop a NEW DEMOCRAT CRITIC FOR human rights tribunal from hearing the case. A11ailable at a bookstore near you. SECRETARY OF STATE, For a free catalogue of over 200 books write to: MULTICULTURALISM AND 0TIZENSHIP Now, the government has introduced legislation to BLACK ROSE BOOKS allow it to ignore its own 3981 Blvd. St.-Laurent #444 Montreal QC H2W 1Y5 equal pay laws. Spring 1992 page 11

Killing the Court Challenges Program by Kathleen Ruff

Ten year ago women and •denial of employment the Status of Disabled Persons and language minority groups other disempowered groups benefits, social benefits, decided to hold hearings on the across the country are fighting fought very hard to get strongly and human rights Program. It called witnesses to have the government worded equality rights in the protection to lesbians and from every party of the country reverse its decision and constitution. Having these gay men and studied what the Program Court Challenges reinstate the Program. The rights is not much good •discrimination against had done. At the end of 1989 Parliamentary Committee is however, if people are not able persons with disabilities in the committee unanimously is one of many holding hearings on the to access them. the tax system; immigration recommended the Program be programs the devastating impact killing of Half the battle was won system; justice system; in renewed for another ten years federal government the Program would have on when equality rights were transportation; in access to (to the year 2000), that it be women and other written into the constitution; culture and information; in strengthened in a variety of cut in its latest disempowered groups. the next battle was to get the access to employment ways and that educational work budget. The battle for the Court federal government to set up •discrimination against be made a clear part of its Challenges Program is a battle an independent program that aboriginal women in the mandate. for equality rights. It is also a would fund women and other Indian Act The federal government battle for democratic rights. It equality seeking groups taking tried to have the Court is crucial. If we are a test cases to court under Challenges Program fold by As explanation, Gerry democracy and if the section 15 of the Charter of dragging its feet. Twice, staff Weiner, the Minister constitution is to mean Rights & Freedoms. were fired, and only after an responsible for the Prag ram, anything at all, there must be at In September 1985 the emergency Parliamentary said, "there is now a solid base least a opportunity for federal government (apparently Committee meeting, held 1 0 of responsibility." Minister of independent recourse against it was Brian Mulroney's own days before the Program's Justice, Kim Campbell, said government abuse of power. decision) announced that an expiry date, did the she would continue to ensure That abuse of power, almost independent Court Challenges government agree to renew it government laws and policies unfailingly, oppresses women, Program would be set up for the for another five years (to comply with Charter equality persons of colour, persons with _next five years. It would 1995). rights. disabilities, poor people, receive $83 million a year However, the government In fact, the federal lesbians and gay men, towards equality and language also, ordered the program not government is in court over and aboriginal persons, and other minority rights cases. An to do any more community over again fighting against disempowered groups. independent Equality Rights •genocide of aboriginal information work and all equality rights, both under the The Court Challenges Panel and an independent communities by the low meetings bringing together Charter and the Canadian Program is needed so that Language Rights Panel would flight military testing equality seeking groups were Human Rights Act. Very few these violations of rights can decide which cases should get program in Labrador expressly banned. Increasing equality cases h9ve made their be challenged. funding. •racism and sexism in the pressure was put on the way to the Supreme Court of Women and other groups justice system. Program to provide the Canada and by cutting the KATHLEEN Ruff has been who experience discrimination government with more Court Challenges Program the a human rights activist for are often poor and do not have In addition to funding information about cases it was government is making sure many years. She was editor of the means to hire lawyers.and cases, the Program gave funding they never will and that it can the Canadian Human Rights go to court when their rights are disempowered groups the In February of 92, buried in continue violating rights with Advocate and chair of the violated. The Court Challenges chance to come together to budget details, the government impunity. Equality Rights Panel of the Program made a world of develop their ideas and said it was ending the Program. Equality seeking groups Court Challenges Program. difference. strategies on how to fight For the first time, cases important equality cases. were brought to the court Without such help, the most challenging the ways federal disadvantaged groups had the laws and policies violated the least chance to bring forward equality rights of cases. The Program used the disempowered groups. money in its own administrative Here are just a few budget to pay for the costs, but examples of the kinds of cases let the groups control their own funded by the Program: meetings. Activists from across the country met to •discrimination against discuss issues of poverty, immigrant women in the way disability, race and ethnic Mary Clancy,· M.P. the federal government discrimination, prisoners' makes language training rights, and aboriginal Official Opposition Critic available concerns. •discrimination against These meetings proved to for the Status of Women women prisoners, be vital and effective. The fact particularly aboriginal that the Program was women prisoners, by independent and was sending them thousands of challenging the government, miles away from their homes was a new experience that the to one barbaric prison in government did not like at all. Kingston without proper The all-party Parliamentary programs or services Committee on Human Rights &

Queen's Park Office Constituency Office Room I Salle 212, N. Wing 156 Huron Street Legislative Assembly I Stratford, Ontario Assemblee Legislative N5A 5S8 Toronto, Ontario (519) 272-0660 M7A 1A2 Fax (519) 272-1064 (416) 965-4726 Fax (416) 965-5948 Karen Haslam, MPP Perth page 12 Spring 1992

Women in Mexico: The cost of free trade

by Lynda Yanz times by violent NAFTA will accelerate and CANADA-U.S.·MEXICO 'FREE' TRADE? WE SAY: repression. lock Mexico into the process of Over the next months we NAFTA will further augment the "continental re- will be hearing a lot about the the changes that have already organization" of almost all North American Free Trade taken place in the Mexican sectors of our various Agreement (NAFTA). economy. The economic economies. Cutting across the Negotiators are currently trying situation has deteriorated and specifics of all industries will be to hammer out a draft treaty, unemployment has a pursuit of flexible low cost expected to be implemented skyrocketed. Families and labour. starting New Year's Day, 1993. whole communities have been As industries reorganize NAFTA will establish a left increasingly dependent on themselves more "efficiently" process and calendar for women's labour as men have along continental lines, we can removing restrictions to the throw awav Canada's future been forced to migrate north expect that women's labour will free flow of goods, investments with another bad deal. looking for work. Women have be "adjusted" to suit the needs and services between Canada, Can vou live on S3.50 been a specific focus of the of profit in a number of key the U.S. and Mexico. Although a day, afford to pay for government's restructuring sectors. One dramatic health care out of nmr strategies. example is the garment there is still controversy over own pockeL~ and. li\'e significant details, there is little without clean air and The maquila program, industry, which has been doubt that within the next year drinking water? designed with women's labour particularly suited to we will witness another historic Mexican workers in specifically in mind, is one continental restructuring. It is step in the U.S. effort to create example. Nearly half a million highly mobile, requires low the world's largest economic Mexicans, the majority women, capital investment, and and political bloc -- largely are currently employed in the depends almost entirely on a under its control. maquiladora (assembly for cheap and abundant work Before looking at the export) plants. The program, force. The restructuring of this specific impact on women, it's first established in 1 9 6 5, industry is already having a important that we understand allowed U.S. companies to major impact on women in our more about NAFTA than most move labour intensive portions three countries. of us do. NAFTA is, at this of their manufacturing to Currently, Mexico provides point, the key tool for Mexico, where they could only 3% of the U.S. garment restructuring the North count on extremely low wages, imports, and less for Canada. American economy. It will docile unions, and little or no However, with the opening of permanently alter local, labour and environment Mexico's borders through the regional and national economic standards. Wages currently free trade agreement, a and political realities. are at about $.56 U.S. per hour. massive relocation of garment In Canada, we've already Until recently, the production from Asia to the witnessed unprecedented job maquiladoras were contained Americas can be expected. losses, close to 450,000 since to a few border cities. Today What this means for women is the free trade agreement was they are being expanded already becoming apparent. signed in January 1989. The throughout the country, held up Textile production and cutting - extension of the deal to include SUPPORT CO-OPERATION NOT COMPETITION by the Salinas administration - tflti most capital intensive and Mexico will exacerbate the as the model for Mexico's proritable aspects of the problem, accelerating the shift as each country tries to protect problem future. industry will remain in the U.S., of manufacturing centres from their labour laws and Recent studies stress that Until recently the mtJ.quilas in the hands of a predominantly central Canada a n d environments and keep jobs job loss will likely outstrip gains depended primarily on women's male work force; sewing is northeastern U.S to and industry within their in employment in Mexico, labour. Now, as the program passed on to women workers in southwestern U:S. and Mexico. borders while at the same time especially with increased expands beyond the garment Third World countries, working Emphasizing the bottom line trying to remain competitive to migration of campesinos forced and electronics industries, at subsistence wages. of "let the market decide", the the transnationals. It's like the to leave their land as transforming auto and other Since the 1980's, workers in agreement ensures that man choosing between his wife multinational agribusiness more traditionally "male" Canada have been transnationals (companies that and mistress and both trying to buys up more of the Mexican industries, that's changing. experiencing steady job losses work in many countries) can outdo one another to win his countryside. The agreement is The percentage of women as the industry opens up to choose between countries for singular attention. likely to lock Mexico into its maquila workers has fallen from imports, primarily from Asia. In the cheapest labour and In contrast to broad based position as a supplier of cheap 85% in 1975 to 66% in 1990. Canada, the garment industry cheapest resources by lifting opposition that still exists in labour. Obviously, the grim is in the midst of its most rules and regulations that a Canada, it appears that most Mexico was chosen to economic realities are making severe crisis. Between 1988 country has in place to protect Mexicans, or at least the follow Canada in Bush's grand men more willing to endure and mid 1990, Toronto suffered their own labour force. It majority of those who plan for continental Free Trade, conditions and wages seen in a loss of approximately one- increases international participate in opinion polls, called Enterprise of the the past as more appropriate third of its garment industry competition, as transnationals currently favour free trade. Americas, partly because of for women. This shift will no jobs. go where the best deal is. It Many Mexicans are willing to geography, but more doubt be consequential for In Mexico, the parent also reduces government gamble on the promise of more importantly because Mexico is vast numbers of women who industry outside of the investment in social programs jobs, quality goods a n d furthest along among Latin have in the past counted on maquiladoras has been and regulations of business as economic stability. American countries in carrying finding work more easily in experiencing a serious decline they are viewed as unfair Unemployment in Mexico has out the "structural adjustment" maquiladora factories. as well. In both countries, subsidies to our population. reached crisis proportions in program that will facilitate a These agreements pit workers the last years and President free trade relationship. (Continued on page 13) and communities in different Salinas holds out Free Trade as Structural adjustment is the countries against each other the carrot that will solve the popular program used by the World Bank where countries, in order to get financial assistance from the Bank, BOLD Up-to date information on have to agree to a development Latin America: human rights, plan that reflects the priorities women, Canadian policy. of the first world (north). Often PRINTINc part of the plan includes: Write for THE WOMEN'S BOOKSTORE subscription •removing trade and investment barriers; 478 River Avenue at Osborne Street information, er1can privatizing key industries; Winnipeg, Man. R3L OC8 cutting back the state's Ph: (204) 452-9682 role in social programs; BOOKS MUSIC PERIODICALS CARDS and CALENDARS GIFTS MAIL ORDER •attempting to break the UNICEF JEWELLRY GIFT CERTIFICATES P.O. Box2207, Stn P, Toronto, Ont. (416) 5334221 strength of independent union organizing, often

The Vllomanist------Spring 1992 page 13

Things you should

CANADIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE know about NAFTA for the ADV ANCEl\llENT of WOl\llEN

excerpts from a draft Canadian government that Not only does the NAFTA announces text by Action Canada wanted to abrogate the deal. indicate a major restructuring 4 NEW PUBLICATIONS. Network, Can a d /an The Americans' single biggest of our rail and trucking and centre for Policy goal in this negotiation is to telecommunications systems Alternatives, a n d entrench intellectual property along a north-south axis, but all Common Frontiers, Apr/I rights; long term monopoly countries agree that non- ON WOMEN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN 1992 protection for patents, trade energy pipelines, including CANADA fresh water, will be included in •The NAFTA will cover 75% of marks etc. of their transnational corporations. the land transportation CRIAW Paper No. 24 - Canadian Women's Canada's international trade. services chapter. Countries NAFTA will extend the Ultimately set aside in the FTA Autobiography in English: An Introductory Guide are required to articulate any economic space within which round, the U.S. intellectual for Researchers and Teachers by Helen M. Buss, domestic provisions in this large corporations can move property proposal represents chapter that are inconsistent 1991. This study surveys a wide range of freely in Canada and elsewhere the largest U.S. part of the with the investments and Canadian women's autobiographical writing in on the continent, unrestrained proposals. It could effectively by public accountability. It will destroy, for example, services provisions of the order to describe the ways in which women have give them enormous new power compulsory licensing for drugs, agreement and to spell out a constructed themselves as female subjects. A timetable for their phase out. and place further constraints and therewith the Canadian selected list of texts on the study of autobiography on the ability of Canadian generic drug industry, and add Additionally. the U.S. is governments to shape an estimated $500 million in proposing full s ca I e is also included. industrial policy, manage consumer costs. deregulation of these services. Together with changes already resources and, indirectly, carry All the performance ON THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT out social policy. For a NAFTA requirements prohibited in the made in the FTA, this appears to come ·into effect, FT A ( w h i ch p rev e n t to be another step along the CRIAW Paper No. 26 - The Women's Movement implementing legislation, new governments from requiring way to the large scale export of and Its Currents of Thought: A Typological Essay laws and a host of amendments that companies fulfill certain Canadian water. by Francine Descarries-Belanger and Shirley Roy, to existing laws and commitments as a condition of • Finally, Canada is proposing regulations, must be passed investing in Canada) are that the NAFTA (which in the 1991. This article examines the different currents both by parliament and the reproduced in the NAFTA event of a conflict w i 11 of thought that have developed within and around provincial legislatures. investment chapter. Moreover, supersede the FTA) come into the women's movement over the past decades. The result of this negotiation Mexico and the U.S. are effect on January 1, 1 9 93. will be as important to the pushing for additional Given that a federal election is' i> future of this country as the prohibitions on the ability of not expected until the spring of ON WOMEN AND POLITICS outcome of the constitutional governments to require 1993, it is clear that Mr. CRIAW Paper No. 28 - Politics and The Hidden negotiations. companies to transfer Mulroney intends to proceed Injuries ofGender: Feminism and The Making of The U.S. wants a "post .technology and establish world with a NAFTA without an termination" provision in the (regional) product mandates as electoral mandate. Indeed, The Welfare State by Thelma McCormack, 1991. investment chapter that a condition of their investment. even if negotiations are This paper examines the development of Political anticipates the eventuality of a Contrary to public promises, concluded in the next weeks, Woman in Canada over the last century with a Canadian cancellation of the the Mulroney government, by there will be very little time for agreement. Under the conceding to tariffication of public debate and discussion view to understanding the sensibility and the nature proposal, investments existing quotas, is preparing to give up of the final text. of gendered political cultures. at the time of termination will the basic tools of supp I y continue to be covered by this managed agriculture, the main chapter, for a further 10 years organizing principle of dairy ON EFFECTING CHANGE IN PUBLIC after the termination date. This and poultry production in POLICY is an attempt to intimidate a Canada. "A Policy Handbook: Strategies For Effecting Change in Public Policy" written by the CAA WS Policy Collective, 1991. This tool will interest any group working to effect change in public policy; the steps and guidelines are not specific to sport and physical activity.

(continued from opposite page) Each of these publications are $4 + $1 postage and handling. To order these and other there has already been a level. B.C., a similar committee has CRIAW publications, please coritact us at 408 - dramatic increase in work done Fuerza Unida, based in San formed to develop links with in the home. Antonio, Texas, was formed Mexican women in order to 151 Slater St., Ottawa, Ont. KlP 5H3. Tel. 613- There is a need for after the closing of the Levi share strategies and struggles. 563-0681 or 0682 (Fax). solidarity, but solidarity of a Plant which employed over There is no doubt that the new type, not from north to 1200 workers. This 650 lives of Mexican, U.S. and south, but among equals. The member strong organization Canadian women are being task ahead is to work together has won broad local and drawn together as never to develop vehicles for this new national support. They have before; the challenge remains kind of solidarity. There are filed a class action suit against to build more permanent, long- already examples emerging. the company, and are leading a term alliances not only to resist Groups such as Mujer boycott against Levi products, the free trade corporate Obrera, which organizes and have initiated a national agenda, but also to develop an women primarily in the garment campaign against U.S. garment alternative, and feminist, vision industry in El Paso, have plant shutdowns. for economic, social and begun to organize on both In Canada, there are political relations. sides of the border. Mujer several new and old initiatives. Evelyn Gigantes Obrera tries to build broad- Action Canada Network is Lynda Yanz works with MPP/DEPUTEE based community and union closely monitoring the new Mujer a Mujer from Toronto. support for their work, which trade agreement talks and U.S./Canada Free Trade Ottawa Centre goes beyond workplace have documentation of the Agreement. In Ontario, a organizing to develop mounting a campaign for coalition of community, (613) 237-0212 alternative economic increased protection of women's and Jabour groups is strategies at the community garment homeworkers. In page 14 Spring 1992

No fish ••• no future

by Rita Psnnsl/ Trepassey is a one-industry The fishery in Newfoundland •control foreign overfishing. town situated on the southern has had problems for hundreds Beginning March 29, our loop of the Avalon Peninsula in of years, but right now it seems fishing fleets will be going Newfoundland. these problems have reached out beyond the 200 mile limit The fishery was the main crisis proportions. to show their opposition to squrce of employment in The fishery as we've come foreign fisherman. Trepassey and in the to know it in Newfoundland no •Implement a cull on seal surrounding areas from longer exists. They tell us herds which are decimating Portugal Cove South to St. there are too m a n y our cod stocks. Seals do a Mary's Bay. We are concerned fisherpersons chasing too few lot of damage to equipment about the impact additional fish; if this is the case, and if and eat large numbers of quota restrictions will have on Newfoundland is to continue its cod. Draggers often pull up our community and the 9 or' 1 O dependence on the fishery, their nets to find half-eaten other communities that depend then we have to look at cod and seals caught in on our fish plant. diversification and expansion their equipment. This industrious and of underutilized or non- •Government can extend prosperous town now shows traditional species of fish. jurisdiction to include the signs of much distress, We have always processed nose and tail of the Grand anxiety, and loss of hope. We cod, flounder and other Banks which is a legitimate are frightened, nervous, and species known and recognized right under the constitution. uncertain of what lies ahead. worldwide. We now have to research and analyze -ways of With existing quotas, our We must ail work together. processing some of the plant sits empty, our future The federal, provincial and unknown, less attractive processing groundfish looks municipal governments, species. We have to learn to pretty bleak, but we are still unions, inshore and offshore lVonien's Studies catch, process, package, and fighting and searching for an fisherpersons, and you my market these species. We operator to take over and fellow Canadians, all have to must create markets where process underutilized species. work together to save the East Woman Abuse none exist; and make people But what happens to our Coast Fishery. Sociological Perspectives aware of the health benefits of people and their way of life if we Walter DeKeseredy I Ronald Hinch eating fish. We also have to cannot find an operator? Do we Rita Pennell is mayor of the Woman Abuse: Sociological Perspectives is a investigate processing turn to the province for social Town of Trepassey, population broad-based analysis of female victimization in methods which are labour Canada. DeKeseredy and Hinch examine not only assistance? Do we rely on the approximately 1500. She is a the common problem of wile-beating, but many intensive so our people can federal government for make- widow and mother of six. Rita other forms of woman abuse. A comprehensive, continue to have meaningful work projects and UIC? works as an Emergency critical overview of four major issues is provided: employment. A black cloud hangs over Medical Attendant with Ryan's wife abuse, premarital woman abuse, rape and Trepassey has been a our town as people discuss sexual assault, and corporate violence. 172 pages. Ambulance providing pre- viable and prosperous region of what they will do. I fear for the 1-55077-032-2 Paper, $16.50 hospital care to patients being our province since our fish livelihood of my family, my transported to 100 miles away plant opened in 1953. For friends and the people I to the nearest hospital in St. Mail and Female almost 40 years unemployment represent. What happens to John's. Rita is also the Women and the Canadian Union of has been virtually non-existent the economic prosperity and Postal Workers Chairperson of the Trepassey and residents of the area have the social fabric of our Community Development Fund Julie White (Author of Women and Unions, continually contributed to the published by the Council on Status of Women in communities? What happens and Secretary/Treasurer on the Canada, 1984) local, provincial and national to the work ethic, the pride and Business Development Centre Mail and Female: Women and the Canadian Union economy in the form of direct self-worth that our people Board. of Postal Workers is a new and important and indirect taxation. possess? contribution to the history of women and the At peak capacity t h e Our people will have to Canadian labour movement. Mail-and Female Trepassey plant employed 800- move, but to where? There are examines in detail why the union changed its 900 people. There are more policies towards organizing women workers and no jobs anywhere. What will we Travelling In than 30 small businesses promoting women's rights. 220 pages. do? How can we stand by and By JEAN RYSSTAD Paper, 1-55077-008-X, $16.50 operating in Trepassey, watch our children go hungry employing dozens of people while the foreigners rape our Stories of women who live on the Hospital Strike whose jobs exist primarily fish stocks and seals eat our edge-on the edge of fear, of loss, Women, Unions, and Public Sector Conflict because of spin-offs from the fish. of the continent-in the fish plant. In addition, there We are begging our federal dangerous world of those who Jerry White, Centre for Administrative and earn their livelihood from fishing. Information Studies, University of Western Ontario are government employees, government to make changes In 1981 the Canadian Union of Public Employees teachers and medical staff, to save our way of life. Three - ISBN 0-88982-098-8 (CUPE) staged a strike in Ontario hospitals. This m.ost of whose jobs can be suggestions would be for paperbound $9.95 book is an exploratory case study of the causes attributed to the fish plant government to: oolichan books and effects of that strike. Hospital Strike is also an operations. Box 10, Lantzvllle, BC, Canada important and original study of union democracy VOR 2HO and the representation of women within the Canadian labour movement 172 pages. Phone or Fax (604) 390-4839 Paper 1-55077-006-3, $14.95 Canadian Social Trends Craig McKie I Keith Thompson, Eds. Freelance Writers and NQtetakers Needed Canadian Social Trends provides the most On occasional basis. Writers and notetakers work as a team to produce reports and summaries of up-to-date information on social change in Canada. It is topical, carefully researched, and meetings and conferences. We are a progressive firm working with social organizations on clearly written. The whole of Unit II is devoted to aboriginal, health, HIV/ AIDS, women, housing and other issues. We need freelancers across Canada, women, marriage and the family in Canada today. primarily in Ontario. It is amply supported with photographs and colourful graphs, charts and tables. No other book provides such a wealth of readable material about Freelancers are paid $20 -$30per hour. We have .an affirmative action hiring policy and are Canadian society. 300 pages. particularly interested in working with women and aboriginal freelancers. Paper, 1-55077-010-1, $19.95 Cloth, 1-55077-009-8, $29.95 Writers should have journalism experience and be familiar with WordPerfect software. Send writing Order from your bookstore or from:. samples, ifpossible, the originals before editing, CV and handwritten Jetter outlining skills, experience, interests and availability. Notetakers should have notetaking experience. Send CV and THOMPSON Educational Publishing hand-written covet letter outling skills, experience and availability. 11 Briarcroft Road TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M6S 1 H3 Contact: Personnel Manager, PO Box 126 Station B, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 6C3 Tel: (416) 766·2763 /Fax: (416) 766-0398

The Womanist ______Spring 1992 page 15 Who will feed Canada?

by Sharon Weitzel

no money, farms are going out product, as well as a modest milk in the first place. If any of business in record numbers profit. Processors must pay business fails to cover its and large corporate farms are the going rate. In return, these production costs, 'it won't be in shifting production to areas of farmers agree to not produce business very long. If we are the country where the input excessive surpluses that forced to produce milk at costs are lowest, where no would add to world chaos for American prices, we will go heated buildings are needed farmers who must accept world broke. It's as simple as that. and where they can grow crops prices. If GAIT kills marketing year round. Once proud, family Dairy and poultry farmers in boards, consumers will not farms are withering and blowing Canada are producing for a save money. Farmers are not away like dust. Bankruptcies domestic market only and they the only people in the dairy are commonplace. The very pay the lion's share of its industry with higher costs than fabric of rural America is being operating costs, advertising, in the United States. If GAIT torn asunder as rural administration, etc. The result opens up our border, American communities are decimated. has been stability for the companies will put the Now many of you might be industry, consistent supply for Canadian family dairy farm out saying, "Well, what's wrong consumers and processors of business. Those same with that? The free market is and control on price increases companies would also become the competition for Canada's These days, it seems animals. We grow most of our based on the best price to the at the farm gate. dairy processors, and everyone is an expert on food. feeds and are both consumer and if family farms That is where GAIT rears its processing costs in Canada Who pays too much, and who management and labour force. can't compete, then get out of ugly head. The outcome of are believed to be a great deal We've put all our resources the way." But in the long run these talks is critical to all not enough? Which farmers higher than in the United and a lot of sweat into its family farms are important to Canadians' future. Canada are fair, which ones not? And States: more jobs lost in success. We work many long the consumer. presently allows the United as the International trade talks Canada. hours caring for our herd and Only some Canadian States access to less than 3% heated up during negotiations More important than this we believe that our supply farmers are found under of our market in dairy products. on the General Agreement on issue, is the spectre of a management system of "supply managed marketing If marketing boards are Tariffs and Trade, (GATT), country who will have lost the more editorials, rhetoric, and marketing milk is the best there boards". They consist of milk, excluded from a new GATT is in the world. Over the last 25 egg and poultry farmers. deal, American milk and milk ability to feed itself! Look at inaccuracies have appeared in Russians! Canadians face the years it has brought stability to These farmers are price products could enter Canada the media. The result, has very real risk of becoming this industry, has ensured fair setters. Canadian dairy and without restriction. Proposed been mass confusion for entirely dependant on imported returns for our product, and poultry farmers can ask for a tariffs would add to the price of Canadian consumers. food. This is a ridiculous state allowed family farms to flourish. fair price, which is based on imported products, but even Part of the problem is the of affairs for a country which The spectre of our future their costs to produce th at the highest tariff would still complexity of the agriculture can be totally self sufficient in industry that most urban without it is frightening to me. Without my marketing board, food production. We already people view as pastoral import a large portion of our simplicity. It is anything but. small individual farmers will have no one to bargain on their food and the amount is ever In today's complex society, I increasing. For example, in can't think of anyone mo re behalf for a decent price. Individual producers will have Ontario in 1981, we imported stressed than Can ad i an $2.5 billion worth of food. In farmers. And sadly, no one to deal with the I a r g e 1991,_ we imported $4.2 billion has been telling that story. processors over price, Once that power is in their hands, we worth, most of which could just As a Canadian dairy farmer. as easily be grown and I am extremely concerned are looking at the end of family processed here. If we remain about GATT. At risk here is a farms in this country. To see slaves to the corporate bottom sys~em of marketing that has, our future, one only has to look line on this issue, we will have at its heart and soul, the south of the border. survival of family farms like For many years now, lost control over our future. mine. My husband, myself and American dairy producers have Who will feed Canada? our children run a farm of some been living with price highs and And if we are relying upon 110 acres, with forty milking lows. The drains on their non-Canadians to feed us, cows, and 45 or so young industry are appalling. There is what co(ltjitions are they going to put on our food? This is the allow American products into question each and every one of Canada at an estimated 12 to us needs to examine. 15 percent lower than our prices now. Tariffs would also Sf1aron Weitzel's family Comparing the costs be reduced over time and farm is Grave/loam Holsteins in eliminated eventually. The social costs of farm Goldschmidt found striking had better community facilities: Ontario. Simply put, cheap American consolidation were exposed 45 differences in the social fabric more schools, more parks, milk and milk products would years ago by an anthropologist of the two communities-- more newspapers, more civic flood the Canadian market and named Walter Goldschmidt differences that made USDA organizations, and more who was then employed by th~ officials so uncomfortable that churches. the American price would U.S. Department of Agriculture they cancelled Goldschmidt's •The small-farm community become the Canadian price. (USDA). He studied two research and refused to had twice as many business As I stated earlier, the awicultural towns, Arvin and publish his study. establishments as the large- American price for milk is well Dinuba, in California's Central Among his findings: farm town and did 61 percent below what it costs the Valley. The two towns were •The small farms supported more retail business Canadian farmer to produce the similar by basic economic about 20% more people and at especially in household good~ measurements, but the nature a higher standard of living. and building equipment. and size of the farms around Dinuba (the small-farm •Physical facilities for Arvin were markedly different community) had more community living - paved from those around Dinuba. institutions for democratic s~reets, sidewalks, garbage Dinuba was surrounded by decision making and broader disposal, and other public participation in such activities many small, independent farms services - were far greater in by its citizenry. worked mainly by families !he small-farm community; •Most residents of the while Arvin lay in the midst of indeed, in the industrial-farm small-farm community were larger farms, where labour was community some of these supplied mainly by seasonal independent entrepreneurs. In the large-farm community, facilities were entirely wanting. workers. Though the total excerpted from dollar volume of agricultural nearly two-thirds were agricultural wage labourers. Craig Canine - production in the two towns Harrowsmith Country Life was nearly the same, •The small-farm community page 16 Spring 1992

The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres

Head Office Niagara RegionSexual Assault P.O. Box 1929 Crisis Centre (Carsa) Peterborough, Ont. 60 James Street, Suite 503 K9J 7X7 St. Catherines, Ontario 705-745-3646 Phone L2R 7E7 705-741-0405 FAX 416-682-7258 Office 416-682-4584 Crisis Centres 416-682-2114 FAX

Barrie and District Rape Crisis Oshawa Durham Rape Crisis Line Centre 80 Bradford Street P.O. Box 2373 Unit #21 Oshawa, Ontario Barrie Ont. L1H7Z6 I.AN 6S7 416-725-2241 Crisis 705-737-0464 office/crisis 416-725-3046 FAX 705-739-7268 FAX Sexual Assault Support Centre Sexual Assault Centre of Guelph P.O. Box 1441, Station E P.O. Box 1451 Ottawa, Ontario Guelph, Ont. KlS 5B4 NlH 6N9 613-725-2160 Office 519-823-5806 Office 613-234-2266 Crisis 519-836-5710 Crisis 613-725-9259 FAX 800-265-7233 Crisis 519-836-1979 FAX Peterborough Rape Crisis Centre P.O. Box 1697 Halton Rape Crisis Centre Peterborough, Ont. 676 Appleby Line, Unit El-12 K9J 7S4 Burlington, Ont. 705-748-5901 Office L7L5Yl 705-876-4444 Crisis 416-847-1588 Office 705-741-0405 FAX 416-875-1555 Crisis 416-847-3145 FAX Sarnia Sexual Assault Support Centre Sexual Assault Centre, Hamilton 785 Exmouth Street, Suite 204 P.O. Box 955, Station A Sarnia, Ontario Hamilton, Ont. N7T 5P7 L8N 3P9 519-337-3154 Office 416-525-4573 Office 519-337-3320 Crisis 416-525-4162 Crisis 519-337-0819 FAX 416-525-7085 FAX Scugog Rape Crisis Centre Kenora Sexual Assault Centre 146-6 Queen Street P.O. Box 687 Port Perry, Ont Kenora, Ont L9L 1B7 P9N 3X6 416-985-8850 Office 807-468-9095 Office 416-985-8006 Crisis 807-468-7233 Crisis 416-985-0852 FAX 807-468-4808 FAX Sudbury Rape Crisis centre Kingston Sexual Assault Crisis 156 Durham Street, 3rd Floor Centre Sudbury, Ont. P.O. Box 1461 P3E 3M7 Kingston, Ont. 705-675-8071 Office K7K5C7 705-675-1323 Crisis 613-545-0762 Office 706-671-0063 FAX (downstairs) 613-544-6424 Crisis No FAX Toronto Rape Crisis Centre 21 Baldwin Street Kitchener Waterloo Sexual Toronto, Ont. Assault Centre MST lLl P.O. Box 2003 416-597-1171 Office Kitchener, Ont. 416-964-8080 Crisis N2H6K8 416-597-9648 FAX 519-571-0121 Office 519-741-8633 crisis The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres and the Canadian Windsor Sexual Assault Crisis 519-658-0551 Association of Sexual Assault Centres remains committed to Centre Crisis .. Cambridge investigating alternatives to the Canadian legal system in order to 1407 Ottawa Street, Unit G 519-571-0522 FAX Windsor, Ont. hold rapists accountable for their actions. N8X2Gl London Sexual Assault Crisis 519-253-3100 Office Centre The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres 519-253-9667 Crisis 700 Richmond Street La Coalition des centres Anti-Viol de /'Ontario 519-253-0175 FAX Suite 210 London, Ont N6A5C7 519-439-0844 Office 519-438-2272 Crisis 519-439-9931 FAX Free and Confidential Crisis Intervention and Counselling Services Spring 1992 page 17 Where did we go wrong? Rethinking the strategies of the "women's" movement

The latest wave of the graduate who hits the g I ass few. These are serious barriers wrong objective, I now believe. by Lynne Tyler women's movement started in ceiling. There are women who which cause pain and hardship I spent the first ten years of my the late SO's and early ?O's. It are denied services because and which deny society full involvement in feminism trying will not tell them what choices made an important contribution they don't speak English. access to the abilities and the to convince the men around me to make, will not condemn to the advancement of women, There are women denied jobs contribution of women, that, apart from biological certain choices. primarily through raising our because they are in a contributions which we sorely reproduction functions, there Also implicit in this is the consciousness (to borrow a wheelchair, or because they need. was effectively no difference view that, however diverse our phrase from that era), both as are lesbians. Aboriginal women Obviously, we need to between men and women. circumstances, no woman is individual women and as a are fighting for the very acknowledge that these Women are as smart as men, completely powerless. Each of society overall. existence of their culture and obstacles exist, and we must as good leaders as men, as us has some degree of The silence was broken their nation. Other women battle them, but we must never physically fit as men, and on resources and power, that around many fundamental have sought their own let them define us. We need to and on. comes from within ourselves. issues: rape and sexual development by joining the identify not only the problems I spent the last five years We need to take what assault, wife battering, armed forces. How can one we face, but also the sources trying to convince people that resources we have, whether discrimination in hiring, sexual men and women are different. movement meet the needs of of women's strength and rich or meagre, and apply them harassment on the job, unequal all these women? As one button puts it, "A to our lives, and to the pursuit pay for the same job (let alone power. woman who seeks equality with It is only in recent years of what we believe in. comparable jobs), child care, Each of us is shaped by men lacks ambition." That is that the women's movement American black feminist non-sexist language, circumstances around us, by not to belittle men, but to has even started t o Audre Lorde once said that contraception and reproductive our origins, and by qualities underline that no one can set acknowledge the diversity of within ourselves. Our cultural energy or power, is the only rights, sexual orientation, pink the standards for anyone else. force in the universe that is collar job ghettoes, housework, You have to have your own ·never wasted; in other words, if the glass ceiling for women in dreams, and you have to you don't use your power, management, and so on. pursue them as you see best. someone else will. These issues are now at You have to live your own life, The empowerment of women least on the public agenda, take responsibility, take risks, is fundamentally the key to the although on many of them we and ultimately face the unleashing of tremendous have a great deal of work to do consequences. human skills and resources, to achieve the concrete results So, the goal of the women's and even more importantly, to a we need. Placing these issues movement, and the goal of all new way of understanding the on the public mind is a huge of us who believe in women in world around us and our accomplishment. We cannot any way, should not, in my responsibility in protecting, underestimate the amount of view, be equality, but nurturing and re-shaping it. It energy and effort required to empowerment. is precisely because women shift societal thinking, and we see the world differently from should congratulate ourselves Implicit in that is a men, that we have so much to on that work. However, that judgement that every woman, offer. particular stage in the women's , given the resources and Lynne is a past president of movement is coming to a close, opportunity, will make sound, the YWCA of/du Canada, where it seems to me, and there is a compassionate and she first tested the basic ideas searching for a wider relevancy responsible decisions about contained in this article. As co- and a further vision and her life, her family, and about publisher of The Womanist, leadership. the society around her. That she is considered the best means the women's movement dressed member of the editorial I think this is happening women's experience. We heritage, our gender, our family because, despite the important certainly haven't begun to background, all can be seen as will not second guess women, team. advances of the feminist discuss the boundaries of that either a liability or an asset. movement, we made some diversity within the movement, Most of these characteristics serious mistakes. "We", in this and the ground rules by which are both a problem, especially case really refers to the we will respect a n d when the world sees them as a organized, visible, "official" accommodate each other's reason to discriminate against women's movement - those differences. us - age,. sex, race, economic groups of women who referred How much diversity is to be background, etc, and a source of/du Canada to themselves as feminist and "allowed" in the women's of strength, when we draw from as part of the w o m en 's movement? Some positions the wisdom of our background movement. are in conflict with each other. and experience. Our first mistake was that How does the women's If the women's movement we assumed the similarities movement absorb this conflict? constantly depicts women as women share were far more Is it just healthy debate? How oppressed and downtrodden, I important than our differences. do we choose which "side" to think we are sending Clearly, all women have much support? Is there a middle ourselves, and other women, in common - there are profound ground? Do we even need to the wrong message. Women similarities that cross agree - or can the women's already know things are wrong boundaries of age, geography, movement sustain co-existing in their lives. What we need to wealth and family situation. and opposing views? Our unity reinforce is that women have However, this continual must be based on more than the resources and the abilities focus on commonality allowed our sameness. It must be to do something about what's us to neatly gloss over some based on respect for each wrong in their lives. important differences among woman's voice, and for each Some changes women can women. In fact, it allowed us to women's experience. make individually - to take ignore issues that are central Somehow, some way, our responsibility for what they to the lives of many women, movement must be a quest for stand up for and what they issues like poverty and racism. the advancement of all women, accept in their work and home. The so-called "women's from their perspective and led Others are changes that movement was for many years by their voices and their women can make collectively, Photography 11y Jim Cochrane a movement that reflected the dreams. We need a much more working with each other. needs and the views of a very complex understanding of what All women have some specific group of women - it means to empower all women, degree of power, some level of primarily middle-class and because not all women are the choices that they can white. same. exercise. The women's Watch us grow! Canada is an increasingly Our second mistake was movement needs to encourage multicultural, . and also multi- seeing women only, or women to use that power. racial society. A single mother The work of your YWCA reaches out to the world, primarily, as victims. Women My final criticism is that raising three children on face very real obstacles: those of us working for the helping women and their families build welfare faces substantially unequal pay, pervasive advancement of women have different choices and problems a strong future. violence, discrimination in essentially focussed on than a skilled business sociat services, to name just a equality with men. This was the

______The Womanist page 18 Spring 1992

In the movement Who is telling my story?

by Nga/rs Gsngs, with a lot of hs/p simply because that's how I "Of course she would! Any to realize that the writer knew a was a lot of journal writing. The envision them. It's part of my thinking person would. The real drunk Indian, not that we're all frustrations will be there until own prejudice. I don't think I question here is, 'What is the drunk all the time. I want that the last barriers to women, should write only about Native writer's intention?'. If I wrote· writer to treat our people with Native Canadians, Matis, and doctors because I'm a Native about that family in Toronto, I'd respect. It's just so frustrating all other ethnic and cultural Canadian. That would make my have a purpose when I did it. because I can't expect every freedoms fall. For the nine work seem phony." I'd want someone to say 'Ah, reader to assume it was a women who spoke to one "But isn't it phony for non - this is this writer's view. I drunk Indian. You're all right. another, the inner tension is Native Canadians to set their wonder if I'd see it that way if I No matter who writes. what, it's turned towards changing those stories in Native communities? were her.'" up to the reader to realize that barriers into memories of the They didn't grow up there!" "Right! We write our vision the finished work is one past. Fiction is fiction, based "Mark Twain wasn't an so someone else can see it writer's vision." on what we've lived and seen, enslaved African, but he wrote from a different perspective. A gentle voice reaches out but many of our new characters about them. He didn't try to That's the whole point. That's like a comforting hand. "So, The phone rings, the pretend he was one." why historians study literature. even if someone gets it wrong, operator connects us all and "Yes, but his books have How could someone tad ay we've gained something. You nine Canadian women, all been pulled out of the schools know what Greek culture was see, every writer who writes Native or Matis, s·ettle in to' now." really like without their from her heart paints part of the answer the question "Should literature? I don't know what it picture. A missed stroke is an women have the right to write is to be white, but, by reading example of a missed stroke. fiction that is not based in their the stories they write, I know It isn't always deliberate. By own cultural/ethnic context?". which of them have met and writing what they see now, right All these women ar~ writers. known Natives. We're in their or wrong, every single writer The silence is tense for a writing." paints part of the picture. In moment or two. It is an "Can I add something? I time, after enough is written, important question, one worthy write a lot of mainstream we'll see what's out of of thought and honest material, it's not very literary proportion all the more clearly because of what is in focus." will talk to one another and answers. Then the questions and I don't think it will be read "It's just hard to see non- what they have to say may be start. "Do you mean 'right' in by historians or anything like Native writers writing our very much like what you've the sense that I have the 'right' that..." "I don't want "Neither did Shakespeare." stories when we could do it so read in this piece. to vote, or the 'right' to have my much better. It's harder for us Women from all cultures, will voice heard? There is a them doing an " ... True. But my point is, I write about non-Natives all the to write them. Last week I continue to write what they difference. Even in this ass up job found out one of my see, feel and experience. society, I have a 'right' to voice time. I don't think they resent telling my it. Why should I resent it if manuscripts was being Some of it will be angry, some an opinion, through fiction or story ... " considered because the of it will be pleasant. For the any other medium I choose." someone who isn't a member of the First Nations writes about a publisher wanted to have some sake of generations to come, it There are murmurs of 'Native content'. It was such a "I know. I think it was wrong. character who is?" should be honest. agreement. slap in the face, especially As writers, we could agree on "Fiction has theme and Even though he wrote about a "Because I don't want someone writing about Natives some points. Censorship is purpose, just like any other time when people of colour had just to make a few cents. I wrong. Anything that removes form of expression. If I voice little respect from whites, I don't feel it was derogatory to don't want them doing an ass- the right to free expression is an opinion through one of my wrong. Censorship is doubly people of color. He wrote about up job telling my story, characters or in a first-person wrong in that it encourages us his time, time that maybe spreading a lot o f essay, it's still my opinion, to stop thinking for ourselves, whites want to forget. Fiction is misinformation, and wiping out nothing more, nothing less." to stop questioning the status "Exactly," says another part of our history. What we the ground we've gained with a few smutty scenes about 'easy quo, to allow someone else to voice, "I write about characters write today tells people a make important decisions for Indian women'! That's why!" from within my culture, but my hundred years from now about us. Women have struggled to "Hang on here. No one can culture includes non-Natives, I us, not about our characters. prove that we can and should can't exclude them. It wouldn't If I read Twain's work today, I make me seem 'easy' just by make our own decisions. To be honest." know I'm reading about Twain's writing a trashy novel." say that writers can, or can't, The issue of honesty in view of his world, not about "That's so idealistic. write in certain areas is when another contributor, a writing sparks more questions. some white kid on a raft with a Propaganda is dangerous, all censorship. Misguided or non-Native had a piece The inevitable resolution is that slave. Whoever decided to pull women know that. That's why I factually incorrect writing tells accepted because it was all writers write what they know. his work off the school library don't want whites writing my us where the stumbling blocks Natives. I asked for my "I grew up on a reserve, all my shelves was ignorant. I don't story. I want it to be right." about are. Once we know where manuscript back. Now, her friends were Native, I wouldn't care what color his skin was "So Twain really did make life misunderstandings are, we can write about non-Native children he knew nothing ab o u i harder for enslaved Africans?" manuscript, mistakes and all, try to write material that will growing up in Toronto. For the literature or history. "No ... I mean ... Spirit. I don't will be printed and no one even clarify those points. first few years of my life, I "So if you were to write about know what I mean. Know what I thought to ask me if it was We nine, as writers and thought you turned white after a non-Native family growing up mean?" Yes. Everyone on that factually correct, never mind women and Natives and you became a doctor. The only in Toronto, you'd expect your line knew what she meant. the quality of writing. I don't everything else that we are, white people I saw were reader to know that this was Across the lines, we cou Id want to judge the quality of refuse to condone the limitation doctors! I still find most of the your vision, not necessarily feel ourselves drawing closer writing in fiction about Natives, of free speech. To do so would doctors in my novels are white, reality?" to o n e a not h e r's but I wish someone would endanger all that we believe understanding. check the facts. Instead, and all that we strive for. "What I meant was, I don't they'll point out that aspirin can want to be exploited on paper. only have a capital "A" if it Ngaire Genge is a feminist If someone writes about a comes after 'Bayer"." living in Labrador City. EVERYWOMANS BOOKS 'drunk Indian', I want the reader After we'd hung up, there In beautiful Victoria, British Columbia Come visit our friendly store or take advantage of our mail order service For over 17 years our many volunteers have been an VANCOUVER WOMEN'S integral part of the women's community BOOKSTORE 641 Johnson St. 315 Cambie Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 1M7 Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2N4 604-388-9411 mon - sat 10:30 - 5 684-0523 Hours: Monday- Saturday 11 :00-5:30 pm

-· ------Spring1992 page 19

In the movement Coming to terms with myself

by Abby Pollonstsky

"Is it true Ms. Pollonetsky, Central America, with women Those were the last when Dr. Rabinovitch ticked off that you have a fatal disease? trade unionists in the historic questions I asked about MS for the box marked "permanently The voters of Ottawa West strike against Eaton, (and most a decade. I did not want to disabled" on the permit form for deserve to know." recently in the Coalition know. I carried on a.s if my handicapped licenses. The question, following an Against Free Trade) given birth candle not only was burning at There is a lot more that I all-candidates debate during to two sons by natural both ends but sometimes was would like to say, but space the Federal election campaign childbirth, while carrying the in danger of igniting the whole and time do not permit. The in 1979, caught me off-guard, knowledge of my disease with house. I thought that if people one thing I can say is that believing, as I had for some me. What a woman! knew about my MS, they would having MS has cured me of my time, that my secret was well All this, and being a good define me in descending order adolescent hypochondria. I do kept. "Well, Ms. Nosey Parder, cook, knowing the latest trends with the MS at the top of the not have Chronic Fatigue yes, in a way it is true ... life, in fashion, movies and theatre, list. And, to be perfectly Sundrome, or Obnoxious after all, is a fatal condition." telling risque stories and honest, I did not have a need to Personality Syndrome, though This silenced her, and no convoluted jokes, whew, it admit the MS to myself until the at times it feels like I do. further personal questions makes me tired just thinking of last two years. It was not Step by step, I am coming were asked during the it. interfering in my daily life. to terms with being a disabled "Yes and no, Ms. Nosey campaign. Flash backwards- , woman. It is difficult, but as the Parker, it is true that I have a For almost fifteen years I "Well Abby, your problems Piet Hein grook says, " what serious condition, but no, it have carried what must be one with your knees do not stem does not kill you outright does not in any way prevent me of the country's worst kept from jogging, we will have to do makes you stronger". I will from standing for Parliament secrets--depending on whether more tests." continue, first, to make my and representing the or not I trusted you, or wanted A summer of CAT scans, feelings clear to myself, and thousands of women and men, to up the ante on self-pity or electro encephelograms, then to the people I love and able-bodied and differently- self-aggrandisement by telling angiography where fluorescent care for around me. I will also. abled who make up this riding". as an advocate for women in you, in the strictest dyes were pumped into my my professional life, work to confidence, about my veins turning my body wastes Abby Pollonetsky is -the psychedelic colours, and make sure that I, in taking care women's co-ordinator tor the condition. of myself, offer an example to I have thought, u nt i I Valium, prescribed to keep an National New Democratic increasingly uneasy Abby on a others in similar Party. recently, that there was circumstances. something shameful about medicated even keel. Finally, that fateful day, With the revolution in when my partner, and my modern technology, there is no mother, sat with me in the reason why I should limit doctor's office to hear the myself from pursuing long held results of all those tests. goals, even up to the point of "Abby," the doctor began, (I running again for Parliament. forget her name, but The next time, however my appreciate her calm manner to response to an avid reporter, would be somewhat different; this day) you have a condition that will be with you for the rest of your life. It will come and go in waves, and will likely not interfere with the normal course of your life. From time to time it will flare up, but we will deal with The "flare ups" have been, Taking Prenons those flare-ups on a case-by- until recently, little more than case basis." inconveniences, The most our notre "O.K., doctor", I remember serious occuring almost ten saying," what is this condition years ago, when a bout of place place admitting the truth, but more called?" double vision meant that I wore than that, admittance would "Multiple sclerosis." a black eye patch for close to mean that I would perforce, There. I said it. I've just four months, a move seen as have to come to terms with written it on the page. nothing more than a fashion being a "disabled" woman. My immediate reaction was statement by some observers I have been struggling, all panic. I asked if I would end up of the Ottawa scene. I was these years, with a dual reality. drooling, in a wheelchair. I was described then as a "striking I define my self as an activist, immediately assured this was young woman in black, sporting a feminist, a mother, a lover, a not the kind of disease that MS a black eye patch" in a review wife and a brave woman living is. of a concert at the National with a disability. Up to this My next question, asked of Arts Centre. moment I have hugged the the neurologist that I have had The pigeons, as they are notion close to me, that I have since that summer, was, "Dr. wont to do, however, have Rabinovitch, will I be able to done all that I have; running for come home to roost. Time Parliament, working in social have children?", the response marches on, and I, in the past being, "that depends on Don". solidarity with the peoples of year, have come to the realisation that when Dr. Rabinovitch says, "You're l3 ~ostcards ~Feminist Stained Gl~s ~ doing quite well, see you in three months, he means, and The Illuminated Series - a always has meant, I am doing re-v1s10ning of illuminated well in relation to other people manuscripts - what could have with MS. And that there is NAME/NOM: been, what is, what will be ... nothing that he, or my husband ADDRESS/ ADRESSE: The 13 cards come in a folder or mother can do to alter that CODE: __ TEL depicting the entire series. hard, sad fact. Send your donation to the New Democratic Party, Agnes Macphail Fund, 8.50 per set, plus 1.00 postage. Small acknowledgments 600~280 Albert St., Ottawa KIP 5G8. Contributions are eligible for tax credit on federal income tax. Please inquire about group or along the way, applying for a Faites parvenir votre don au Fonds Agnes Macphail, Nouveau Parti democra- store orders. disabled bu.s pass, "I cannot tique, 600-280 rue Albert, Ottawa KIP 5G8. Les contributions vous donnent stand on a moving bus", droit a un credit d'imp6t federal. ------Deborah J. Fleming, Black Point, N.S., BOJ IBO / followed a year later with tears page 20 Spring 1992

In the movement Racism: Learning to change by Barbara Findlay quality that lives in other of a woman of colour and a Racists are Bad. I am good. subtly imports the idea of people. And we forget to think white woman. We talk about Ergo I am not racist. Flip that legitimized powerlessness. In about who is doing the thinking. racism, internalized racism, over, it goes: If you say what I a democratic system, after all, What is normal? Normal-cy internalized dominance, and did was racist, you are saying I that's what a minority is. is the absence of the ab- how people of colour and white am a Bad Person. This makes Or take the phrase normal. For example, you people can work as allies. it very difficult for me to hear "outreach". Outreach is a wouldn't· hear co-workers As I began to work on racism that what I did or said was favourite activity of white confiding to each other, "did I paid attention to my own racist. feminist organizations. When you know, she's heterosexual", reactions. In fact, we are all good you do "outreach", where is the or "Charmaine knew her first I noticed that I did not look people. We could no more centre? husband, and he says her peopl€l of colour in the eye. I have avoided the racism of this Or take the phrase "You are family was Christian". But you had few people of colour as society than we could its different from us". Compare it might hear someone say, "did friends. I read mostly books by sexism. As Antoinette Zanda to "We are different from you". you know she's a lesbian?" or, white women. I was ignorant of put it, "It is not our fault we are Notice the shift in who is not "Charmaine knew her first the struggles, the history, the racist. But it is our different. husband, and he says her leadership, the issues of (for responsibility to work on it". White feminists are very family was Jewish". example) Japanese Canadian I am struck by how powerful aware of how many women In referring to people, we people, or disabled people. the fear of mistakes, and the there are in a room, compared speak of the way in which they Because I was afraid of sense that we are Bad People, to how many men. But we do Racism. What does it mean are not part of the norm. So being called racist, I noticed are among white people. This not notice the numbers of white for white feminists? I am is no accident. This is a very people compared to the number looking forward to· the day powerfully structured, and of people of colour. when, in a feminist meeting, socially sanctioned way of Lesbians but not someone can say, "Do you preserving the status quo. It is heterosexual women -- look think that comment was a massive social denial. It is immediately for lesbians in the racist?" and have a discussion like the denial of wife battering, room. We notice when we are which is not charged with anger sexual harassment, child targeted. When we are not, we or judgement. sexual abuse. Only this time, literally do not notice. Just as I was socialized by as white women, we participate Education. We were sexism as I was growing up to in the denial. educated in a system that lied believe women were inferior, Think about language. to us by omitting completely weak, unreliable, hysterical - Take my favourite example both the facts about, and you know the list - and just as I ,"women and visible minorities". perspective of, people who are was socialized as a lesbian to Think about that phrase - a not white men. As a feminist I believe I was (pick one) very common phrase that is have been aware of sexist bias criminal/evil/crazy, I also usually used to refer to some for a long tim9. I automatically learned that as a white person, common experience of look for sexism and correct for as an ablebodied, christian- oppression. Watch closely. it. Yet, I found it very hard to raised anglophone, I was the Where in that phrase are accept that the whole of my norm. Ordinary. women of colour? Are they education was systematically Unremarkable. Normal. among the "women", in which wrong, mistaken, inaccurate Socialization into normalcy is case the phrase means and unreliable. just as powerful, and just as you have white men who write that I tended to treat people of "women, and men of colour and Canadian society is pervasive, as the training I got being called "writers"; white colour with an exaggerated other visible minorities"? Or profoundly racist, just as it is as a woman, and as a lesbian. women who write being called deference. I found that I are women of colour among the profoundly sexist. Fighting I went to my first unlearning "women writers"; black men wanted to "help", so I would do "visible minorities", in which racism means changing laws, racism workshop, given by who write being called "black things like finish the ends of case the phrase really means instituting affirmative action Gloria Yamato, a black woman writers", and black women who sentences begun by a woman "white women and people of programs, redistributing the from Seattle, in 1987. The write being called "black women of colour. I was eager to colour and other visible resources of society experience was very much like writers". display my bona fide intentions minorities"? including the resources which one I had when I read my first The stylistic convention is but terrified that I would get it And what is a "visible we, as white ieminists, have. feminist book, around 1970. that unless someone is noted wrong. I felt awkward: I didn't minority"? Is that really a code But just as we fought sexism in Suddenly whole aspects of the for being different then she/he want to be pushy, but I didn't for people of colour? If not, the bedroom as well as in the world made immediate, and is Norm-al. Think about want to seem · uncaring or does it include, for example, courts and the legislature, we different, sense to me. characters in novels, where the distant. people with disabilites? {In have to recognize racism at Of course I had absorbed writer must give the reader all I knew that my reactions which case all over again you home, where we are. We have the racism of the society, along the relevant details about her were not just "personal" but have the problem of figuring out to change the ethos of silence with its sexism. and characters. It is very very rare were embedded in the racism of where women with disabilities about racism. To do that we homophobia, and so on. Of for a character to be described the society. fit). And where are Jewish have to look at how we have course racism had twisted, as "white";. if she/he is not What I noticed about myself people? Notice too the phrase been silenced about racism, contorted, confused m y though, the fact of their colour and other white people is how is "visible minorities". Insofar and break that silence. thinking in the same ways that is remarked upon. much intense shame, guilt and as the term is used to refer to If we are to work toward the sexism and homophobia had Marilyn Frye, a white writer, denial there is in talking, people of colour, it is simply liberation of all we have to look done. And of course I would says, "it was breathtaking to writing, and admitting to ways I inaccurate as a description of both at the ways we are need to work systematically to discover that in the culture in have learned racism. I did not the world, where people of re-learn the world again. That which I was born and reared, grow up thinking about myself colour are a majority. And it (continued on opposite page) "of course" experience was the word 'woman' means white as racist. I have a deeply very liberating for me. But the w o m a n , just as we embedded Presbyterian scrutiny of myself in the world discovered before that the antipathy towards Bad People ONTARIO IMMIGRANT AND VISIBLE MINORITY as a white person was both word 'man' means male man." who are racist. Racist people WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION painful, and shameful. And the Since 1987, I have been part like the Ku Klux Klan. work of looking at internalized of Alliance of Women Against So although it was libergting dominance is very difficult. Racism Etc (AWARE). "Etc." intellectually to distinguish First of all, nobody talks because racism operates along between myself and racist about internalized dominance with, and not separate from, training and mtsinformation I precisely ' because the other forms of oppression: have been taught, at a gut level dominant place is regarded as sexism, anti-semitism, I was/am still terrified that the normal, ordinary, heterosexism, classism, someone - especially a person TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE EQUALITY unproblematic, unexceptional ablebodiedism, ... etc. It is an of colour - will call me racist, or place. The dominant place is alliance group of women of anti-Semitic.etc. As I thought the place from which all other colour and white women. We about the force of my fear, I For membership information, write to: people are viewed different. facilitate unlearning racism realized how powerful social ONMW0394 Euclid Ave. Suite 302Toronlo0nlarlo M6G 259 Tel (416) 323 9658 We think "difference" is some workshops in teams consisting denial was operating. It goes: Spring 1992 page21

In the movement ''Third wave'' of feminism

by Sara Bal/Inga/I and Kimberly Harkness

Feminists used to be told: read, talk to each other, feel that one is struggling alone framework for their analysis, there's nothing wrong, shut up. examine our lives again but as against unsurmountable odds. but in the nineties nothing has Now we're being told: well, our anger grows we don't know Newspapers like The filled that gap. So many women there was something wrong, what to do with it. Fantasizing Woman/st are our lifeline to believe the distorted view of but .it's been .. fixed, shut up. about reliving Thelma and feminism, but the printed word feminism often portrayed in (And don't try to credit Louise, doesn't provide the is not enough. Young women mainstream media because feminists with changes that long term fulfilment we're like us need the wisdom and they have never heard any have happened. Those searching for. sense of community with the alternative. As feminist changes fell from the sky one The work of feminists women who are struggling with thought and theory becomes day.) seems to be very focused into us. Without this sharing, we more complex, we can't forget As two "third wave" to go back to the beginning feminists, we're often being sometimes. Florence Kennedy told that we've missed our once said, "The women's calling. We do sometimes have movement is any women who is a sadness that we missed the off her ass and moving." After initial women's movement in the writing this article in early seventies for it seems September, we took her advice such a time of discovery and and started a women's issues optimism. Also we always have group involving speakers, We're here, a deep thankfulness that we movies and discussion at our were born after it had begun, listen to us! high school'. for we cannot imagine our lives organizations with specific are in danger of believing the in a time where women weren't goals and agendas. This is "don't get concerned, it can't It is often said that A survey of already struggling to claim their probably the best way to get be changed" attitude that is feminists are unhappy and right to be recognized as work done, but for women just promoted by those boys in angry women, but what could young women human. discovering their potential for suits. be more miserable than simply in Canada Our feminism defines who political change, one is unsure The two of us will probably carrying on in this world as it is. we are, both as individuals and of what one's place in all this go to university and take Feminists are filled with hope, in relation to the world around could be. As the movement women's studies, but this is as they dare to dream a way published March 1992 us. It challenges us and has broken into specific one of the few ways women the world could be. by the Canadian provides us with strength and issues, a larger sense of have of learning about and Advisory Council on the vision, yet sometimes we feel community seems absent. connecting with feminism. In Sara and Kim are two newly on the sidelines of this There is an incredible the seventies women had Status of Women movement which is such an energy in solidarity, and the "consciousness-rai~ing groups graduated Toronto high school (see below) intrinsic part of our lives. We easiest way to burn out is to to provide some beginning students.

Canadian _... == . _ Conseil consultatif canadien oppressed and the ways we AclvisoryCouncil participate in oppression. on the Status of Women sur la situation de la femme Just as we treated the personal as political in doing a feminist analysis of the world, we must treat the personal as Male Violence Against Women: The Brutal government and inform the public on matters of political in naming and leading Face of Inequality interest and concern to women. The CACSW with our internalized Primed for Power: Women In C8nadlan produces original research on social, economic, dominance. Politics and legal issues affecting women~in Canada, Just as we had to work on including reproductive health, housing, income emotional, intellectual, and The Glass Box: Women Business Owners political levels in exposing and In Csnada security, and violence against women. working against sexism, we will have to do the same to work These are just a few of the titles published by the CACSW research is published as books, booklets, against our own internalized Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of background papers, briefs and fact sheets. For a dominance. In doing that work, Women and available free of charge. complete list of free CACSW publications, contact we must be gentle with each the National Office. (The Council reserves the right other as white people. And we The Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of must work in alliance with to limit quantities.) people of colour. Women (CACSW) is an independent organization, funded by the federal government to. advise the Barbara Findlay is a 42 year old white ablebodied lesbian feminist lawyer, raised anglophone, christian, and National Office: Eastern Regional Office: Western Regional Office: working class, survivor of 110 O'Connor Street, 9th floor 2021 Union Avenue 220-4th Avenue S.E., Room 270 abuse and mental hospitals. P.O. Box 1S41, Station 8 Suite 87S P.O. Box 1390, Station M To inquire about unlearning Ottawa, Ontario K1P SAS Montreal, Quebec H3A 2S9 Calgary, Alberta T2P 2L6 racism workshops call (604) (403} 292-6668 251-4356. Findlay would like to (613} 992-4976 (S14) 283-3123 hear from other feminists working on racism. page22 Spring 1992 Pornography:

by Tracy Adlys

The moment I summoned up enough courage to step behind those ominous black doors was the instant I entangled myself trom from feminist ideology and * gynergy books entered the realm of sexual fantasy. A GROUND-BREAKING ANTHOLOGY... Those heavy dark doors slammed shut behind me, enclosing me in a foreign world Each Small Step of decadence and lust. Men Breaking the chains of abuse and addiction sat immobile, in unnerving edited by Marilyn MacK.innon silence, the blackness abated only by the light of the flesh on screen. The only sound was A.project of the Women's Post Treatment Centre in Winnipeg, the groans of couples writhing Manitoba, this anthology contains personal narratives by naked in front of us. women at various stages of reco\lel)' from the traumas of My foray into the childhood sexual abuse and alcohol and chemical pornographic domain was to be dependency. In compelling prose and poems, survivors an objective observation. But confront their pain, fear, despair and anger-taking us on my radical feminist disgust with each small step toward healing. Articles by professionals pornography - what I saw as active in treatment programs provide insight into the links the mere degradation of women between childhood abuse and substance abuse. for the purpose of sexually ISBN 0-921881-17-7$10.95pbNovember1991 exciting men - eventually waned. My foray became a voyage into the self. Tide Lines: Stories of Change by Lesbians I was one of t h o s e edited by Lee Fleming dictatorial feminists, like anti- porn advocates Andre a The diverse stories in Tide Lines explore the many faces of Dworkin and Catherine change-instantaneous, over-a-lifetime, subtle or McKinnon, who feel justified in cataclysmic. Whatever the circumstances, the lesbians in telling women what is proper for these stories are never quite the same again. Twenty-seven women to enjoy in sex. contributors include: Kathryn Ann, Brenda Brooks, Ann Did that make me one of a general. In February, the Anti-censorship feminists Deeter, Garbo, Lee Fleming, Jyl Lynn Felman, Frances dying breed? Ontario Film Review Board argue that police and white men That evening at the Cinema cannot be trusted to discern Rooney, Betsy Warland, Sarah Louise, Carolyn Gammon decided to allow Triple-X videos L'Amour, I saw some images - penetration, ejaculation, gay the erotic from the vile. Male and Beth Follett. exactly like those I can only porn - into the province. authority is inclined to treat gay ISBN 0-921881-15-0 $10.95pbOctober1991 allow myself to envisage in the Anyone over 18 can go into and lesbian porn as obscene - utmost secrecy - images their local video store, go to the a compelling argument against Fascination and other bar stories submerged in my most private Adult section and pick and allowing the state to set moral world of fantasy - but images standards. And the recent written by Jackie Manthorne choose among a variety of that I allow myself to savour in films that bare it all; so to increase in lesbian moments of extreme privacy. pornography has added more When the sun sets and the heat rises in dim, smoky rooms speak. So am I now one of the first heat to the debate. filled with women intoxicated by each other, anything is Sean Kennedy says since of a new group of women and Triple-X films have been made This division among feminist possible. In this otherworld of lesbian bars, the baby dyke feminists - unashamed to admit circles goes even further. finds her fantasy, the image-proud butch loses her cool, legal, business at his store is to their own true sexual desires "booming". In fact, RIXXX Some of the images in "On Our ex-lovers are reunited and couples break apart. These are and appreciation for 'politically Videos the store he works at is Backs", a popular lesbian satisfying stories of the rituals of seduction and incorrect' sex? planning to open a new store in erotic magazine, depict S&M sexuality-fascinating fiction for lesbians. When the American feminist Ottawa's east end. scenes - an obvious reflection ISBN 0-921881-16-9 $9.95 pb October 1991 Salli Tisdale candidly wrote Triple-X videos actually fit of consumer demands. about her love for pornography the definition of obscenity in Ali Biggs is a lesbian in Harper's magazine recently, the Criminal Code. They feminist who makes no secret she broke the ground. certainly depict images of of her support for pornography. OR Y And, I think I heard a "undue exploitation of sex." She also likes S&M porn. 'Tm collective sigh of relief. Like so But the meaning of "undue" tired of white, middle class For and odd S for book. many feminist issues that have book. makes the definition of the law women telling other women how $.75 for arisen over the years, this new odd to ambiguous. The week the to live their lives. And they're openness might occur when restrictions were lifted, police doing that when they tell a women realize, "Hey, I'm not the in Ottawa said they wo u Id women like me who enjoy the only woman feeling this consider laying charges, but reading "On Our Backs" that I way!" only if they received shouldn't be enjoying porn." Suddenly it might not be as complaints from the public. So When the Supreme Court of taboo to talk about our hidden far, only two charges have Canada upheld the obscenity longings and fantasies. But no been laid in Ottawa. law last February, it was viewed less difficult. If there is a new demand for as a victory by both sides of Patriarchy told us what was pornography by women, it the debate. But what the Court erotic and feminism told us appears to have its limits. The really did was entrench the line what wasn't. But if these pornography I am referring to is that society had already drawn: barriers dissolve, it will only that which depicts non- Censorship was upheld, but probably be revealed that violent, consentual sex only for material that is deemed pornography, at least non- between adults. There is no degrading and dehumanizing to Custom Cabinets violent, consentual sex among significant, demonstrated women and children. The Woodworking adults, holds a strong appetite among mainstream Supreme Court resisted calls to attraction for many lesbian and General Carpentry feminists for kiddy porn or tighten up the definition. heterosexual women - feminist snuff films (movies in which Instead, it prefers to interpret or not. women are killed). the law on a case-by-case Some things point to a LUCY CHAPMAN (613) 231-4347 The whole issue of basis; an acknowledgement of growing acceptance of censorship has divided the ever-changing nature of pornography in society in feminists for over ten years. social tolerance.

------______------Spring 1992 page 23

The uneasy debate

It now seems the feminist subject that is rarely discussed things we'd secretly like to anti-porn camp is advocating openly beyond the realm of experience ourselves. We all the unfashionable viewpoint. theory. She thinks this is simultaneously cried out in Joan Riggs, the editor of The because feminism has only lusty appreciation when the Woman/st newspaper in focussed on women's negative camera showed a real shot of Ottawa, says the movement sexual experiences, like rape. an incredibly beautiful, tanned, has lost its impact. She points out that not all and muscular, male body "For ten years, the woman's sexual experiences moving on top of a woman. And movement has focussed on are about violence, coercion, we all felt envy for the woman censorship, it ignored the dominance and submission. lying underneath that fabulous relationships between what Some of women's sexual pornography means to our male form. experiences are positive and Pornographic magazines sexuality. It stopped relating pornography can be one of to women, and so women lost and movies initiate most young them. men into sex. When I think of interest." "I've had quite a few Riggs says she has been pornographic magazines like heterosexual women say to Playboy, I picture an told by many lesbian and me, 'This is not as awful as it's straight women that they find adolescent boy masturbating made out to be. I've used behind closed doors in a pornography sexually pornography as a tool, it's not arousing. I have heard similar, magazine-inspired ecstasy. something that's been imposed What tools do young girls have yet hesitant, admissions by on me,' Riggs said. several women. The feminist to initiate them into sexual Pornography can offer a fantasy? condemnation of pornography form of sexual liberation for still makes most women The feminine equivalent to women. What society restricts is probably the Harlequin reluctant to tell the truth - even women from doing and feeling Romance novel. Millions of to themselves. in real life, she can live out young girls and women all over The morning after I visited vicariously in the films. the Cinema L'Amour, I lay the world escape into fantasy One of my friends talked with Harlequins. But the erotic tossing and turning in my bed openly to me about her use of with one phrase echoing over fantasy these books offer pornography. She is in her late depict sexual pleasure on and over in my head, "the twenties, and has been married patriarchal terms. First of all, My fatigue was probably magnification of cock, the to the same man for over ten due to my efforts at trying to be magnification of cock ... " It is a the love/sex scene always years. "Porn makes me horny," ends just as it is getting good. unaffected; my sadness from phrase from Dworkin and she confided. "It's like living Secondly, the sex men see in my disappointment for failing. McKinnon's definition of out fantasies, things I'd like to Playboy and other porn is I felt the way some women pornography that I am using in do, but I can't. You imagine purely sex. The sex women might feel the morning after a my radical feminist criticism of yourself in the scene. I put see in Harlequins is always night of unconstrained, Harlequin Romance novels for myself there, and it excites inextricably linked with loveless lust with a stranger. a woman studies class. me." romance. For men the two can Doing the forbidden, living out a I didn't want to have to get She and her husband watch be separate. For women, fantasy, can be such a turn-on. out of bed and fight the battle pornographic videos about never. Just the social defiance in the rANDROGYNE raging within myself between three times a week, as a And it's this ridiculous act can be exciting. It's like ideology and sensuality. I Lesbian prelude to sex. They have a notion that makes us feel guilty watching and enjoying wanted to return from the land fairly large collection of films for sleeping with someone we pornography. No matter how Feminist of lust back to a world of they often exchange with their don't know well or don't 'love'. much we know that it's a pretence, the comfortable Gay Books friends. Occasionally, she will Guilty for enjoying sex just for woman's right to explore her world I had created for myself also watch a video alone and sex's sake. Guilty for being own sexuality in any way she Free Catalogue where fantasy remained masturbate. turned on by images of other chooses, a sense of guilt can unexplored, safely secret and 3636, boul. St-Laurent In fact, she says, some of people having consentual sex. comfortably suppressed. somehow diminish the pleasure Montr6al,Ouebec her single or divorced female One of the videos my friend H2X2V4 Riggs explains that that both the act itself and the friends get their only sexual and I watched was borrowed T01.: 842-4765 feminism has made sexuality a memory of the act provides. pleasure from watching from a male friend. When my As women and as feminists pornographic films alone. room-mate went to pick it up, we can't allow ourselves "They're lonely, but they my male friend said, "If I didn't certain pleasures because don't want to go out to a bar know what you were doing this mainstream porn depicts and pick up some strange guy, for, I'd think it was pretty weird women as objects. It wasn't just to get off. They're scared you girls watching a porno." the sexual objectification of of AIDS. They'd rather go rent He lives in a house with women that turned on me and a movie by themselves and three other young male my friends, it was the masturbate. They're human, students. They own the videos visualization of some of our they're not made of wood. and often watch them together, most intimate, socially They like to be turned on," she sharing beers and laughs and sanctioned sexual longings. GLAD explained. lust. Pornography can be a I've talked to so many different Why should this domain of form of male bonding, but it's women about this issue sexual fantasy belong only to not supposed to provide the recently lawyers, journalists, men? Women can have a lot of same sort of enjoyment for secretaries, university healthy, lusty fun with women. Female sexual desires students and one thing seems pornography. Recently I asked have to remain hidden and particularly clear. LESBIAN & GAY LITERATL'RF. four female friends over to private. There is definitely a market watch some contemporary The forbidden has its for explicit pornography for Triple-X pornography, the kind magnetic pull, but it still straight women. I don't mean 673 BOYLSTON ST, BOSTO"I; you can get at your local video maintains its oppressive the feminine erotica out there store. Along with potato chips MA. 02116 (617) 267-:'1010 capacity for instilling guilt in now that Salli Tisdale calls and diet coke, each woman those who indulge. After "tasteful and discreet." Women brought along her own several days of submersion in don't need anymore Harlequin 598A YONGF. ST. TORll'-:TO particular brand of feminism. TORONTO pornography I was exhausted, Romance-type titillation. Nor Varied as our viewpoints ONT. M4Y1Z3 (416) %J-4lol WOMEN'S BOOKSTORE and inexplicably depressed. am I referring to lesbian porn. I are, we all watched intently. All that cock and cunt. All that 73 HARBORD STREET TORONTO, mean egalitarian, non-violent, We all sat upright in our seats, uninhibited horniness. And but totally raunchy uninhibited ONTARIO, M5S 1G4 (416) 922- red-faced and wide-eyed. 8744 •SATURDAY, MONDAY & despite myself, I could sex. TUESDAY 10:30 to 6:00 • Every one ot us confessed to momentarily be caught up in it, Tracy Adlys is a journalism WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY 10:30 to seeing images in the films of drawn to it against my will. 9:00- WHEELCHAIR ACCESS student at Carleton University. page 24 Spring 1992

In the movement ill the real feminist th

"A feminist therapist" the themselves feminist philosophy of treatment rather feminist therapist is to educate M.D. called herself. The client, therapists. The findings of the than a set of techniques. clients about the inequalities a feminist and an incest Task Force on Sexual Abuse of Feminist therapy which affect them and to survivor, felt that here, at last, Patients, recently recognizes oppressive social facilitate clients' development she'd be understood by a commissioned by the College conditions are often the cause or recovery of personal and professional who shared her of Physicians and Surgeons of rather than the consequence of collective power with which to worldview. She opened herself Ontario has shown that a clients' emotional problems, combat ongoing discrimination. more quickly and completely unethical behaviour by medical as opposed to many traditional While one traditional than she would have dared to professionals is not as rare as psychotherapy systems that therapist might prescribe with a non-feminist therapist. we would like to believe. perpetuate stereotyped roles tranquillizers to a depressed Several months later when her Although therapists of every and beliefs about women. woman in a battering "feminist" therapist touched her theoretical persuasion are Feminist therapy arose out relationship, another sexually, the devastation was likely to engage in unethical of the second wave of the diagnoses her as having a great. conduct with their clients, women's liberation movement personality disorder for staying Th~ v~nette and those those who claim the title in the 1960's in reaction to in the relationship, a feminist which follow are based on true "feminist therapist", do so with traditional, status quo therapist views the woman's case histories of clients whose a particular betrayal. preserving methods - of depression as a logical trust was betrayed b y What exactly is feminist treatments. response to feeling powerless practitioners calling therapy? Essentially, it is a Part of the work of the in an abusive situation, and

THERAPIST AS EARTH The power imbalance SHORT ON POLITICAL MOTHER OR THE GREAT inherent in any therapist/client ANALYSIS: THE QUASI- BREAST "relationship increases with the FEMINIST THERAPIST The therapist said, "I love Earth Mother" therapist; as the The client told the therapist you" to the client at the. end of client feels ever more about her husband's violent the session. The client felt dependent, less powerful and acts and frequent infidelities. obliged to say, "I love you" in less able to express herself The therapist responded that ·return although she wasn't freely in therapy. Such therapy many women in patriarchal always feeling love. may help to maintain clients in shouldn't express; about it. In order to overcome societies are abused by men Eventually, she came to resent the victim role. Clients who feel your relationship with the this difficulty, 'New Age' acting out their feelings of rage what she experienced as dependent or helpless rarely therapist feels like the most feminist therapists do as little and hopelessness; according pressure to respond to the choose to end therapy. important relationship in thinking as possible, relying to the therapist, men are also therapist's avowals in kind; she your life; instead on mysticism and oppressed by patriarchy and a/so felt unable to discuss the you begin to feel entitled to interpretations which spring frequently lash out at women matter. the gifts and that the full-blown from "the gut". By as a result of their oppression. Frenqently, the therapist therapist's job is to meet contrast, good feminist therapy She cautioned that since gave the client feminist books your needs; seeks to de-mystify the the responsibility for and other small gifts. The gifts you've been in therapy therapeutic process for clients relationship difficulties always confused the client: she felt at with th'is therapist for more as a function of reducing the belongs equally to both once grateful, honoured and than two years and you power imbalance between partners, her client would have beholden. She often felt like a don't feel you've made therapist and client. to examine and change her co- little child in relation to the much headway on the dependent behaviour in order therapist powerless and things you came in to work to improve her marriage. The uncertain. Her therapy went for on. Everything which therapist concluded that since many years and ended only transpires between women are more in touch with when the therapist left town. What to do: client and therapist, their emotions than men are, The 'Earth Mother' feminist This therapist is not making including a her client would have to be the therapist celebrates and a simple error that you can one to change first and to show embodies women's capacities encourage her to correct; therapist's personal her husband the way. for nurturance; she attempts to she is labouring under the disclosures, should The Quasi-feminist "re-parent" the neglected child illusion that therapy is about be in the best therapist appears, her client once was. Her .. re-doing your childhood interest of the client. superficially, to have a feminist unstinting "goodness" Warning Signs: properly. Since that's political analysis of patriarchy. encourages the client to view •The therapist repeatedly or impossible, the enterprise is In reality, however, if everyone her as a perfect mother which in a ritualistic way tells you doomed from the outset and Warning Signs: is oppressed, then no one is. discourages expressions of how much she cares for so are your chances of The therapist doesn't The co-dependent label for anger or discomfort. Gifts, you; taking charge of your own appear to be on the same women and the 50/50 thinking protestations of love and an the therapist gives you life if you stay. Difficult as it train with you, let alone in are tip-offs that all is not as over-focus on neglected needs gifts; will be, say good-bye to this the same compartment (the feminist as it may at first in the past (while downplaying you feel beholden to the chimera of the "perfect" therapist's ideas frequently appear. And note how the the simultaneous development therapist mother as soon as you can. seem to bear no relation equality talk suddenly fizzles of survival skills which are of you have angry or whatsoever to your reported when the hard work of therapy ongoing value to the adult disgruntled feelings about LACK OF POLITICAL experience); begins: the victimized woman client) foster a child-like the therapist or the therapy ANALYSIS: THE NEW the therapist engages in is encouraged to change dependency in clients. that you can't or you AGE FEMINIST mystical or magical talk and herself in order to change the THERAPIST seems unable or unwilling to behaviour of the violent man. A client reported a dream in explain her thinking to you; Warning Signs: which she was the owner of an the therapist fails to The therapist talks about EUNADIE JOHNSON enormous, erect black penis. acknowledge that gender "co-dependency", and "male EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Her therapist interpreted the inequality exists or· oppression"; dream to mean that the client proposes a solution to the she fails to recognize was actually a black man problem of gender inequality power imbalances between trapped in a female body who which blames women (e.g., women and men generally; THOMPSON CRISIS CENTRE INC. really didn't want to be a if women stopped behaving she puts most of the onus EMERGENCY & TRANSITION SHELTER woman. like victims, they'd stop for change on the victim This 'New Age' therapist is being victimized); rather than the victimizer; probably a feminist you feel increasingly you feel unheard; frustrated in your efforts to you feel that your BOX1226 COUNSELLING, ADVOCACY AND Essentialist. New Age THOMPSON, MB RBN 1P1 ACCOMPANIMENT FOR humanism and feminist communicate. concerns have been PH. 677·9668 FAX 677-9042 ABUSED WOMEN & THEIR CHILDREN essentialism are downright dismissed; incompatible if you really think What to do: Run! ______Spring 1992 page 25 herapists please stand up? by Alison Kerr

works to empower the client to therapists may include boys the most likely to behave physicians, psycho log is ts, are formally accountable to no make necessary changes in and men as well as women and unethically with clients. nurses and social workers are one. her life. girls. Arguably, the principles What is unethical behaviour accountable to their respective The best protection clients Empower1T1ent involves the of feminist therapy may be by a therapist? Simply put, a provincial organizations. can have against inadequate recognition of a client's employed by therapists of therapist who places her own Formal complaints can usually, practitioners and harmful strengths, the re-framing of either gender. Feminist needs, values or plans for the be made against feminist practices is knowledge about "symptoms" as coping skills, therapists may be found among client ahead of the client's practitioners via these both. Below is a sampling of the transformation of th e the ranks of physicians, needs, values and plans for regulatory bodies. unethical behaviours which client's self-image from victim psychiatrists, psychologists, herself. However, the majority of have been practiced by self- to survivor. It also involves nurses, social workers and Feminist therapy, practiced feminist therapists, frequently styled feminist therapists, both acknowledging the inevitable psychotherapists trained in a well, heals and empowers. by choice, often by necessity, regulated and unregulated, in power imbalance between any variety of disciplines. Poorly practiced, feminist work outside of established Canada. Although nine therapist and client. Unfortunately, some self- institutions and beyond the distinct therapist categories Feminist therapy's therapy does as much harm as styled feminist therapists are any abusive therapy and packs control of regulatory bodies. are identified here according to understanding of the impact of insufficiently skilled as Most take their responsibilities type of unethical practice, oppression on women's lives an additional punch for the clinicians and/or are feminist client in the form of to the client at least a s clients may encounter a variety can readily be applied to the inadequately educated as seriously as the best regulated of therapist-hybrids who lives of other oppressed betrayal by someone who was feminist theorists. These self- supposed to be on her side. therapists do. But, like other engage in more than one type people. Clients of feminist unlicensed practitioners, styled feminist therapists are Currently in Canada, of unethical behaviour. unregulated feminist therapists

Warning Signs: therapy), the attempt to BOUNDARY The therapist is change her mind is likely to be VIOLATIONS: THE consistently angrier than experienced by the client as ACTIVIST you are about the abuse; profoundly disempowering, The therapist was a we/1- the therapist gives particularly if her point of view k now n feminist activist lectures about oppression is less well developed than the frequently quoted in local and justice when you'd therapist's. newspapers. She was also a rather talk about your Political debate, no matter very competent therapist who feelings; how engaging, is not therapy. normally did effective work with the therapist urges you to Warning Signs: her clients. One day, she take action before you feel You and your therapist handed one of her clients, who ready; seem to do more arguing had expressed an interest in you feel uncomfortable than agreeing; feminist activism, a notice because you don't seem to you feel an urgent need to about a fund-raising event at be in control of the process convince her of your point which the therapist would be but you go along with the of view; speaking. She asked the client therapist because you you feel disconnected whether she'd be able to believe that she knows from the therapist and volunteer some time to help out what's best for you; unsupported by her -- at the event. The client didn't you feel a little afraid of her feel that she could say no to anger yourself. the therapist's request even though she'd have to cancel What to do: out of something she'd been If you feel able to tell the looking forward to. you feel that you are being immediately despite the fact therapist what you need from The client agreed to go but railroaded into changing that the client had ambivalent her, do so. She may be able to left the session feeling your behaviour when you're' feelings towards the rein herself in and attend to suddenly and inexplicably not sure that's the problem. perpetrator and had come to your needs. If she can't or if critical of the therapist's What to do: the therapist to work them you don't feel able to ask, look mannerisms and clothing. She Recognize that you're not through. for someone else. felt guilty for not wanting to with a feminist-enough With the 'Avenging' feminist attend the fund-raiser, inferior therapist, resist the therapist, the agenda feels ALL POLITICS, NO to the busy therapist and a little temptation to effect a more like the therapist's than THERAPY: THE PURIST stupid for feeling critical of conversion and get out! the client's. The therapist may The therapist was a Marxist trivial things about her be so angry at the perpetrator feminist and lost no opportunity therapist "all of a sudden". ALL POLITICS, NO that the client doesn't feel able during therapy to interpret THERAPY: THE to talk about any non-angry events from this perspective. AVENGER feelings she may have. The client, a radical feminist, A client who had recently 'Avenging' feminist therapists often saw things differently and recovered incest memories have strong political analyses said so. Sometimes the WONDERFUL WOMEN went to see a therapist at a and are sometimes survivors of therapist allowed the therapy to consequently, you feel feminist clinic. Upon hearing sexual violence themselves NUDES IN STAINED degenerate into a political more and more reluctant to the story of the client's abuse, who have unfinished business GLASS, LIMITED EDITION debate. The client continued to talk about your feelings with the therapist became enraged connected with their own PRINTS AND PORTRAITS. identify with radical feminist her; at the perpetrator and urged trauma. SETS OF GODDESS causes and one day the you think that this whole the client to press charges GREETING CARDS therapist told the client that her situation and the fact that political work was harmful to all your therapy seems to have Please send a SASE to women. The client felt hurt and ground to a halt is your Laurie Bieze misunderstood. Therapy fault. Women's Counselling ground to a halt, replaced 333 Lincoln Ave. entirely by endless rounds of What to do: Eau Claire, WI 54701 Services of Vancouver (715) 834-7342 1 td political debate. This is a no-win situation. If The 'Purist' feminist you refuse to be convinced therapist can brook no Ardelle L. Dudley, M.S., R.C.C. by the Purist, she will find a deviation from the true path way to punish you for your Psychotherapist (which she assumes is her insubordination. The Purist path). Clients who fail to share feminist therapist probably 1662 West 8th Avenue her analysis down to the last needs more therapy than Vancouver, British Columbia V6) !V4 detail must be persuaded to (604) 738-4298 you do and undoubtedly change their minds. Rather won't get it. Don't wait to than empowering the client (a find out; seek help central goal of feminist elsewhere. ------Tbe..Womanist page26 Spring 1992

Feminist therapists (continued)

BOUNDARY Warning Signs: and sexualized touching to are natural and can be a VIOLATIONS: TOUCH Any discomfort with the intercourse, pregnancies and fruitful source of information At the end of evety session, therapist's touch together long-term relationships with if raised for discussion; the therapist automatically with the feeling that you current and former clients. sexual feelings between hugged the client whose can't speak about it or stop The active sexualization of therapist and client should mother had constantly violated it; the therapy relationship in any NEVER be acted upon her personal space when she a sense that you're form whatsoever is always even If the client was a child. The therapist engaging in touch for the unethical; it is always harmful initiates it. never asked the client whether therapist's sake rather than to the client in the long run If your therapist tells you she wanted a hug or how she yours; even if the client eagerly it's all in your head, refuses felt about receiving one. feeling obliged for the sake participates at first. to talk about sexual feelings Sometimes the client liked the of your healing to exchange Feminist therapists are and concerns, continues hug and sometimes she didn't touch with the therapist obviously not immune from doing or saying whatever is but, just as she had with her when she initiates it; violating their clients sexually making you feel intrusive mother, she felt the therapist doesn't give although by far the majority of uncomfortable or proposes The 'Activist' feminis't unable to refuse. She also felt you the option of refusing therapist-abusers are_ non- that you become better therapist only gets into trouble guilty about wanting to rMuse her touch; feminist male practitioners. acquainted by, for example, when she fails to keep her something as apparently the touch feels Feminist therapists who sitting closer than you like, activist and therapist roles benign as a hug from someone inappropriate or scary; sexually abuse their clients seeing one another socially separate. She creates as nice as her therapist. She you're the one who undoubtedly need extensive or becoming actively sexual boundary confusion by inviting was afraid to talk about her initiates touch and the personal therapy to resolve together, RUN! Don't hang clients to participate in her' feelings and felt confirmed in therapist has never helped their own issues concerning around to process this one! projects, talking at length the longstanding belief with you to examine what sexuality and power. about her activism during the which she had entered therapy: meanings touch may have Warning Signs: Further reading: client's time, or by failing to that there was something for you. The therapist leers, makes intrinsically bad and ungrateful sexual comments, touches give clients explicit Power in the Helping about her. you in a way that feels opportunities to talk about any Professions by Adolf Touch can be a useful tool sexual; feelings they may have about Guggenbuhl-Craig in therapy, in the right hands, she proposes that you her dual roles. Sex in the Therapy at the right time, for the right engage in any sexualized Warning Signs: Hour: A Case of reasons. It can also be behaviours (from The therapist invites or Professional Incest by explosive in the hands of masturbating to encourages you to Carolyn Bates and Annette someone inadequately trained. intercourse) during therapy participate in her particular Brodsky activist projects; Most women in this culture sessions; you feel in love with or A New Approach to you feel obliged to have at some time in their lives, Women and Therapy by sexually attracted to your participate; been the recipients of Miriam Greenspan therapist and your therapist you don't feel able to voice unwanted touching; a For further information responds in kind or any disagreements you therapist's touch can re- about therapist sexual abuse, proposes that the two of might have with the traumatize as easily as it can contact you act on these feelings therapist's politics. soothe her. The Canadian Health As a general rule, touch instead of examining them Alliance to Stop Therapist What to do: should be under the client's in therapy; Exploitation Now Tell the therapist about the control at all times. Some you leave or prepare to (CHASTEN) effect that bringing her feminist therapists have a leave your real life partner P.O. Box 73516, activism into therapy is laudable policy of never because your feelings for 509 St. Clair Ave. W., having on you. If she's initiating touch. Touching must What to do: her/him can't compare with Toronto, Ontario, willing to listen and to never be done to satisfy the If you're being touched by a your feelings for the M6C4A7, explore your reactions with therapist's need to comfort or therapist in any way that therapist. (416) 656-5650. you, you've probably nipped to be comforted. And even causes you even mild a problem in the bud. If she when clients initiate touch or discomfort and you don't What to do: Alison Kerr, M.A., M.Ed., is dismisses your concerns, ask for it, it is the therapist's feel able to talk to her about If you feel uncomfortable a feminist therapist and hit the road: such an responsibility to help the client it, you must interrupt the with anything your therapist consultant in private Activist may have some explore the meaning of that therapist's behaviour and is doing or saying, tell practice in Toronto. She Purist tendencies. touch for the client. indicate that something is her/him. Sexual feelings may be reached at (416) wrong. To allow the between therapist and client 516-4563. behaviour to continue is, particularly for the survivors of sexual violence, to re- experience a loss of Quest physical control and the violation of your personal Status of Women Council A Women's Group for Self-Development space. If she takes your concerns seriously, helps of the NWT Work with other women to unfold and value your self. you to express them fully wants to know ... and agrees to change her behaviour, you've just Are you concerned with professional ethics? Learn to take the initiative to create helped to increase the Has the unethical behaviour of a professional what you want in your life. awareness of a good affected your life (eg, doctor, therapist, police therapist. If she dismisses officer, teacher)? Get support and understanding your feelings or touches you when you've asked her from other women in not to, make haste to be This information would be useful to us for research. dealing with the contradictions gone. Address your comments in confidence to: of being a woman in Status of Women Council of the NWT today's society. BOUNDARY VIOLATIONS: SEX Box 1320 The vignette which opens Yellowknife, NWT the article describes what is X1A2L9 undoubtedly the worst ethical Attn: Lynn Brooks, Executive Director violation of all: the sexual exploitation of clients by or phone (403) 920-6177 fax (403) 873-0285 Linda Weck/er Advokaat, M.S.W. (613) 237-6127 therapists. Sexual violations individual and relationship counsellor by therapists run the gamut from leering, sexual innuendo Spring 1992 page27 The breast obsession by Haze/le Palmer

Is big better? Most men What is represented in our same foam that is used in air officially withdrew it from the cosmetic surgery keeps would say yes, if we're talking culture are breasts that are filters, mattresses and aircraft market), and in September women's sexuality tied to about women's breasts. Why? firm, pert and large (but not too parts." The foam covering is stopped manufacturing all beauty, and erodes the Because they are told women large), falsely creating for then fixed to the prosthesis breast implants. However confidence women have with larger breasts are women the mythical ideal with a bathtub sealant. Meme there is nothing to prevent achieved in themselves and in somehow sexier, more breast, and for men, a tangible is produced by the American- doctors from using Me me their sexuality. desirable. picture to feed their fixation. based company Surgitek, a implants they still have in their Women must continue Some women believe it too. In the quest for larger, more subsidiary of Bristol-Myers- possession. (Montreal challenging the images men And who can blame them? shapely breasts a woman will Squibb, which defines the foam Gazette, 30/9/91 ). have of them. These images From early on, women learn pay upwards of $5,000 for as medical grade, despite the In a society which judges reduce us to nothing more than their attractiveness to men is breast implantation surgery, Federal Drug Administration's how women look and fears the objects of beauty and force us directly related to their value in ·depending on the kind used. claim that there is no such aging process, surgery offers to be insecure and vulnerable society. While the women's There are actually about 50 thing as "medical grade" foam. to a medical establishment movement has done much to different implants on the What's even more disturbing which is profiting hugely by break down this stereotype, market in North America . And about the Meme implant is that fitting us with plastic parts. We what we read and the dominant the implant will have to be after implantation, the foam need to encourage our society images we see, continue to replaced in about five years for breaks down and releases into to portray realistic images of all characterize women as sexual another $5,000. the bloodstream tiny amounts women and not one ideal. objects, measuring our value The most common implants of toluene diamines (TDAs), a according to how we look. are silicone gel. There are also substance suspected of Haze/le Palmer is a freelance These images are largely saltwater or saline-filled causing cancer. writer and editor and part-time based on male fantasies, and implants and silicone-filled Canadian women have been artist. She is currently the perpetuate what American implants covered . complaining for years about the managing editor of author Naomi Wolf calls the side effects of implants, citing Healthsharing Magazine. "beauty myth". arthritic pain, migraines, How thin we are, the colour numbness of the arms and a and texture of our hair, our total lack of feeling around the features, and the colour of our breasts. But as Naomi Wolf eyes, are all taken into account reconstruction and a taste from to determine how attractive we points out in her book, The the fountain of youth. Because are and if we meet the Beauty Myth, there are other our society has created a expectations of the myth. For problems which are direct MY weaving service beauty myth by which a 11 those who don't, there are results of the surgery itself. can RECYCLE "solutions" - from hair dyes and "The surgery leads to a women are measured, we are coloured contact lenses to hardening of scar tissue held hostage - trapped between your old jeans, liquid diet plans. For more around the implants in up to feeling good about our bodies blankets, curtains ... complicated adjustments, such seven out of ten cases, when and ourselves and what as breast enlargements, there the breasts become rock hard society judges as acceptable. into a durable new is surgery. and must be re-opened and the Cosmetic surgery does not RUG with design It is estimated that 10,000 to implants removed, or the lumps make women more desirable. 15,000 Canadian women torn apart by the full weight of However, it does expose us to distinction. undergo breast implantation the surgeon, using his bare a number of health concerns, surgery each year. While some hands." not just those related to breast of these cases include Between 13,000 and 17,000 implantation surgery, but those -Rural studio open house on reconstructive surgery women in Canada have associated with face-lifts, Sundays. Design liposuction, etc. Cosmetic following a mastectomy, a good received the Meme implant and consultation by proportion of these women (photo: front cover, Vogue, May 1992) a growing number of these surgery perpetuates the myth women are reporting health that women's bodies need mail. Write: Susan Noakes, undergo the procedure simply Box 45, Delta, Ontario to "beautify" their bodies, to be complications. Pressure is fixing or reconstructing to meet The latter is said to last now building for Health and more desirable to men. the male's ideal of what women KOE lGO longer than other types, but Welfare Canada to compensate should look like. Futhermore, Women's breasts have been has far more damaging effects these women, and those who a fixation in our society for for women. These silicone- wish to have the implant(s) generations. "Our culture", filled, foam-covered devices removed. Only recently has writes Wolf in The Beauty are marketed in North America Health and Welfare admitted Myth. "screens breasts with under the names Meme and they were negligent in allowing impeccable thoroughness, Rep!ican and are simply the Meme to be marketed in almost never ·representing unsuitable for hum an Canada. those that are soft, or implantation. The manufacturer stopped asymmetrical, or mature, or "The Meme device", reports distributing the Me me in that have gone through the Susan Syment (Klnesls, April Canada in April 1991 (just National· changes of pregnancy." 1990) "is ... covered with the before Health and Welfare Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women softball basketball · volleyball of Canada

Women & Sport National.Office: 251 Bank Steet, Suite 506 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1X3 (613) 232-0689 c: CD c: "Everyone gets to play!" 0 E Organisation nationale des (tj c: _femmes immigrantes et -(tj Call us: .... CD :::J femmes appartenant .... 0 0 564-1096 a une minorite visible ....CD - TDD 564-4400

touch football get fit beach volleyball page 28 Spring 1992 Breast These are excerpts from the Standing Committee on Health and Welfare, Social Affairs, Seniors The statistics and the Status of Women looking at the---lssue-ol- cancer. rest of Canada. This might also factors for breast cancer - and somewhat controversial in- the.- breast cancer June The burden of the disease is be explained by differences in many have· been described, sense that the studies are not November 199/ relatively heavier on younger fertility in the past. The such as having fewer children, definite yet. women than for many other incidence of breast cancer is having the first child late, early To turn finally to a few cancers. Breast cancer low among Canadian Inuit and menarche, late menopause, words about the control of Breast Cancer: The Statistics actually accounts for 14% of all Indians compared with other family history of breast cancer breast cancer, in the aosen-ce· Breast cancer is the most deaths in women between the Canadians. Similar trends are are not really easily of known modifiable risk important type of cancer in ages of 25 and 49. Over the found in the mortality rates of modifiable. The major risk factors, there is presently no women. We estimate there will past two decades the these groups. factor that is potentially practical method of preventing be 14 400 new cases of breast incidence of breast cancer in Again, some of the modifiable is dietary fat; breast cancer in the general canc~r among Canadian Canada increased slightly. difference may be attributable however, it is by no means population. Current dietary women this year. There will be Of all the factors which to the relatively high fertility of certain that this relationship is guide-lines may help in terms of approximately 5, 100 deaths influence breast cancer, when these ethnic groups, but other truly casual in nature. There reducing fat, (which) may help from breast cancer and 89,000 looking at statistics of this cultural factors may also be are statistical associations to reduce the risk of this women-years will be lost. type, fertility is probably the involved - diet, for example. only at this stage. Seme large disease, but this is not certain. Close to 10% of women wilt most important. Low fertility is There is some indication from ex~ ~m studies to The most promising way of develop breast cancer at some associated with higher rates of Saskatchewan data that address this question have reducing mortality, at least in time during their life, and 4% breast cancer. As the women incidence amongst Indians been started in Canada and the the short term, is through early will die of it. who experienced low fertility may be recently increasing United States. detection. As with most types of since 1960 enter middle age, rapidly, narrowing the Other known or suspected cancer, the incidence of breast Dr. George Hill the incidence of breast cancer difference between Indians and risk factors include ionizing Epidemiologist, cancer increases with age. is likely to increase further. Canadians of European radiation exposure, such as Labratory Centre for Only 1% of breast cancer The incidence of the descent. from the atomic bomb or from, Disease Control from occurs in males. So these disease is slightly lower in the Turning now to the risk in the past, the use of chest X- flaa/th and Welfare figures are on female breast Atlantic provinces than in the factors, most of the known risk rays and alcohol, which is still Canada. The dangers of Meme breast implants by Linda Wilson It has been reported that From my own experiences home-care nursing visits for that no doctor would use any strict requirements from both TOA (2-4 Toulene Diamine) has with Meme implants, I can say weeks at a time. All of this at thing before it had been proven manufacturers and distributors been found in the polyurethane there was and still is nothing the cost to our health care safe by the appropriate had to be met before devices, covering on Meme implants. beneficial. These implants, in system. authorities. Also, like most any devices, were made This is a substance known to less than three weeks, eroded All of this happened to me people, I believed that we had available for sale. cause liver cancer in rats and through my skin, causing because of Meme implants. departments within the Instead, I've learned that is suspected of causing cancer infections, tissue death, and When the problem started structure of Health and Welfare manufacturers, especially in in humans. resulting in large holes. The and the Meme implant had to be controlling and protecting us this case, come first and The cancer causing infection continued to run removed, the polyurethane from possible health hazards foremost. Women certainly do properties of TOA .have been rampant even after I had them covering, because of its break- brought about by medical r.ot, especially when dealing known for many years, and removed. This required one down abilities, was completely products and devices, and that with the Meme implants. One brought about the banning of hospitalization after another. left behind, hence it continued can get very hurt through TOA from such products as hair I lived almost a month in and its destructive course. nothing more than believing in dyes, nail polishes and some out of one type of intravenous I had never been informed this system and the people cosmetics. However, because or antibiotic, even after they that the implant's materials entrusted with its rules. of the so-called small amounts had been removed. This in turn have the ability to disintegrate, I am a woman, who, under of TOA in Meme implants, we caused my body to react and that it's toxins produced advisement and with trust, are being asked to believe it is against the antibiotics, and I TOA and could lead to cancer. believed in the medical insignificant. had the most incredible rash. was never told that the profession. My trust was I would like to ask if anyone This required further company manufacturing this abused. In turn, I believed in would feel, upon being told that medication. Also, for some product was doing so in they had only a small amount of another system that I thought reason (still unknown to me), violation of many good in many ways advanced what is cancer, that it was perfectly all one of my nipples began to manufacturing standards, the right, that it was insignificant expected not only from the bleed almost constantly, main one being sterility, and medical community but also the because it was small? I am causing a lot of pain and that because of this I would go manufacturing sector. I sure I speak for a lot of women, resulting in the loss of part of it. on to suffer the invasion of my especially those who have trusted government. When I It basically was eaten away. body by a fungus that was asked for help, however, it already faced breast cancer, I endured nine operations present on these implants could not be given. Instead, when I say that none of us and five I e n g t h y before they left the factory. wants it in our bodies, officials viewed me as a threat hospitalizations for chronic I was also never told that because I had lodged a civil especially because of infections, resulting in the silicone gel used in action against the doctors in someone's innovative and approximately 180 days spent implants had the ability to bleed court. They took it upon untested idea, an idea we are in one hospital or the other, and through it's shell and find it's themselves to step in and on top of that I often required also being told in some ways is way into my system, and could ensure that no court-room beneficial. contribute to other serious and would ever hear the true facts debilitating diseases involving surrounding this implant. one's immune system. During the first three days of Information, referral and I have already h a d what was to be an eleven-day counseJJJng on: polyurethane, silicone, and the ordeal in the court-room, it * Birth Control became very clear to me that a * Pregnancy silicone glue (used to adhere * Reproductive Health the polyurethane to the political odour was present. It * Abortion implant) removed from one of had no place there. My action Association Group Educational Presentations Available my breasts. was against the doctors and My initial surgery was in their treatment of me, but the CALGARY BIRTH CONTROL ASSOCIATION March 1985, and the doctor did government was present, and I 301. 1220 Kensington Rd. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 3P5 not even tell me that he was knew then that I would not walk Please call for Appointment going to use Meme implants. I away with justice served. Over never questioned him because, eight months later judgment Contact------283-5580 first, I trusted him and believed was finally given, and I was For medical referral contact: Family Planning Clinic 264.3454

- ---- .. Spring 1992 page 291 Breast The experience

First, I want to tell you about When a mass is present, exhausted. It was like having The cost in terms of human program a research project, the demands that women don't let a negative or an the flu for 18 months. Losing suffering, families devastated, because it will not prevent one experience in their daily lives equivocal mammogram my breast was just a part of the loss of fertility, and the loss of cancer and it will not identify as a result of being diagnosed dissuade you from saga. our ability to work and one cancer in a woman under with breast cancer. Because recommending a more Women can bear this contribute to our communities the age of 50 . . . That project women's health concerns are definitive test such as a suffering from chemotherapy, is intolerable. The price of was funded for $17 million for often dismissed and biopsy. We have frequently they can bear the suffering doing nothing, of being seven years. That was their unattended by physicians, heard from women that from surgery, and they can passive, far exceeds the answer to research funding in women frequently experience although they had a lump - it bear the suffering from burden of choosing to speak Ontario for breast cancer. delay in having breast lumps was palpable, their physician radiation. But what is out and to act. When I was diagnosed with investigated. We estimate that could feel it - a mammogram did unbearable is that this disease We strongly recommend to breast cancer four and a half years ago, I was consumed among our group members, not have any suspicious will kill many of us. this committee a systematic with the work of' staying alive approximately 25% were finding. Mammograms can Most survivors learn to focused campaign to broaden and with living whatever life I advised upon initially reporting frequently report a false accept breast cancer as a part and move forward our a suspicious breast lump to a negative result; I believe it is had left with dignity and of life's experience and will understanding and treatment oi purpose. The need to learn physician that it was "probably as high as 15%. Not until a often come to view it as a breast cancer and its not serious". These were biopsy is done will you truly about my disease and to help turning point in their lives. The survivors. What we have other women cope with their women who went to a doctor for know what the lump is. shock and sense of isolation learned from the AIDS activists medical diagnosis, not glib diagnosis became my focus assurances. Yet these women and iny way of healing. I am were observed for periods grateful to be alive. I am ranging from three months to thankful that you have asked one year before a pathological me to come here and tell you finding confirmed breast about my story today. I am cancer in all of them. Some also grateful to be able to raise have since died of metastatic my daughters and to do this cancer. It is probable that work. some would still be alive had , But an evolution has taken their cancers been detected place in those four and a half earlier. years. I am angry. I am very Of note here is a recent mad that more progress has U.S. study by the Physicians not been made. In the time it Insurers of America which has taken me to speak to you, found that delay in diagnosis of two women have died of breast breast lumps is a leading cancer in North America. If grounds for malpractice suits breast cancer research and that these suits produce continues at its present rate, the most expensive my daughters may well suffer settlements. The most Halla Hammid, TREE, 1979 the same fate. frequently sited reasons for Breast cancer treatments and loneliness that accompany is that money is available for - I no longer beam with pride delay in diagnosis were failure often have severe effects on a a cancer diagnosis will research when there is a when people tell me how much to be impressed by a patient's woman's health. Physical eventually give way to focused, well-organized, vocal my little girls resemble me. own finding or by the changes and the magnitude of acceptance and integration. support campaign. Breast Those same genes that gave physician's own physical suffering was best summarized This difficult process is cancer, which will strike 15 000 them my freckles have also finding. by this statement from a emotional and lengthy and Canadian women this year and given them a sixfold increase in Ninety percent of lumps, woman in active treatment for frequently can be helped with kill almost one-third of them their risk for breast cancer. and I am talking about lumps her cancer: the compassionate within five years, is no less an It is not enough to emphasize that ultimately turn out to be I didn't know I would be sick, understanding of family, epidemic than AIDS. public education and early breast cancer, are detected by nauseated, frightened, unable caregivers, friends and support I do have, of note here, a detection of breast cancer, women, so although it is a very to sleep, irritable, have strange groups. All of us are changed letter I received some time ago although these have prolonged poor early detection method mood swings which have by a cancer diagnosis. from Benoit Bouchard. In 1989 many lives. What is needed is and very primitive, it is one that alienated my family, get terrible Dismissing a woman's the number of deaths from a cure. If allocation of obviously many women use as hot flashes, lose my hair on my concerns about her mortality, breast cancer in Ontario was research funding to find a cure their first line of self-defence. head and other places, and feel her sexuality and physical 1814. In 1989 the number of for breast cancer is a purely changes in strength and ability deaths due to AIDS was 122. political process, then I want to are cruel. Again, they Research funding in support of be a part of that process. undermine a woman's control AIDS just from the Ministry of Because I too believe in over these demands of illness. Health in Ontario for that year miracles, but I want a cure for Women talk about the need was $37 million. The only 'breast cancer. to change the future legacy of research project to support Ms Pat Kelly (Co- this disease, because today breast cancer - and I do not call fou nder, Burlington the best treatments available the Ontario breast screening Breast Cancer Support (continued from opposite page) still fail thousands of women Services Inc.): every year. Prevention is just a dream. We believe women must assume individual and right. for this type of device to be collective responsibility for You ask what legal redress available for women. This I their own health. Despite And Then She Said: women have. If anyone follows know. I want this type of thing decades of researJ:h, experts Quotations by Women my case, they really don't have for myself. We need to know if still don't know why we get for Every Occasion what is available is truly safe breast cancer and there is only much hope. Unless successful $6.95vd.1er2; $12.~2vd.set at appeal, my case sits as and, if not, urge new research a vague notion of who is at risk. reference to any other lawyer and development of breast Because we are women, we Wrke for Oii' new free catalog defending a doctor or this implants to bring about devices are all at risk for breast cancer of femitist~ books and gits from that won't have the ability to Two-thirds of women diagnosed product and its legal standing. more than 30 US and Canadian plblishers. I really hope I'm not giving deform, debilitate, or expose with breast cancer have no risk anybody the impression that I women to any form of cancer, factors for the disease. Many Cafflech Press, Catalog Center am, for want of a better way of however small. of the known risk factors are PO Box 333, Bayport MN 55003 putting it, anti-breast implant. I Linda Wiison ls a beyond our ability to control. USA wear implants. There will member, Je Sais/I Know, always be a tremendous need British Columbia. -- page30 Spring 1992 The great breast debate: How do we protect the integrity of our bodies? by Allison Nyiri On July 18th, 1991 in women's bodies, Judge Bruce vaginas and buttocks. We are invite, violence upon Either way, we all recognize Guelph, Ontario Canada, Gwen Payne found her guilty. Gwen dismembered and ourselves. Nevertheless, we that Gwen Jacob has pushed Jacob and a friend walked Jacob now has a criminal disempowered by the dominant cannot ignore the attitudes of against the patriarchal wall of home from the University of record for public indecency. group who are in a position to the dominant group towards dictated behaviour for women. Guelph. ft was a hot day so Jacob is appealing the decide what we can and can't women. We have to think carefully Gwen took her shirt off. She ruling. She is seeking to do with our parts. Gwen's fight In North American society it about the ways our bodies are and her friend walked home appeal the case on a broader is to control over our is dangerous for women to walk controlled by the dominant without incident. basis: that it is bodies, to claim the right to the streets, regardless of group, and about how we are Several days later, Gwen unconstitutional to charge choose when and where we will whether or not we are wearing going to act and can support was walking on her own when women for removing their shirts remove some of our clothes. clothes. 'Take Back the Night' each other in this fight. she removed her shirt. This in public. Jacob wants the right The sneaky, scary glitch marches are still going on and Finally, we can ask time the police stopped and to go topless recognized by the here is even if we are accorded women still lobby for proper ourselves several questions: informed her that if they, government. (or demand) the right to remove lighting, increased pol ice how do I feel about my body? ff received a complaint they our shirts, will the legal system patrol, safer building designs I am uncomfortable with my would charge her. They left it guarantee our personal safety? and much more. In short, body, why is that? What at that. But someone did What would happen if a woman women are still trying to knock messages has society given phone in and the police came is assaulted while walking with the patriarchy awake and make me about the integrity of my back. them see that more than half Six men in blue arrived to her shirt off? We may know nakedness? What can I do to the population live in constant increase my comfort and subdue the radical fire- that we have the right to be free fear both inside and outside of respect of my own body? breathing feminist. from violation and that their homes. Gwen Jacob has her own Of course you need 'six attitudes must change but how Jacob's story highlights the reasons for doing what she did. grown men to subdue a topless do we ensure personal safety tension between feminist woman, she might get and integrity while our breasts Her actions are political theory and practice. Feminists hysterical or suddenly develop are bared when we are not even because society responded guaranteed safety with our agree women are oppressed using rules that apply to all superhuman strength, or draw and fighting this oppression is out a semi-automatic weapon clothes on?! women. Empowerment for the core of feminism. How we women is personal as well as from behind her back, or she Empowering ourselves as conceive of, discuss and political. may even have a posse of women is the principle which dismantle this oppression Gwen Jacob has received semi-nude women hiding in the ties together much, if not all feminist discourse and national and international bushes. practice. Struggling to achieve attention. Her story has been Alas, Gwen did none of tile the right to go bare-chested is printed in Paris, Australia, above. But she absolutely Gwen Jacob (photo: GP) one aspect of such South Africa, Japan, China and refused to put her t-shirt on. empowerment. Jacob is very in parts of the United States Consequently she was Her fight will not be an easy concerned with investing and she was interviewed by the arrested and put in jail, then one. Our society does not see women's bodies with positive BBC in Ireland. released. During her first court women's breasts as part of a associations, free from But a price is being paid for appearance in August Gwen whole woman. Gwen was told harassment and violence. her fight. She receives horrible requested legal aid from Judge by Judge Bruce Payne that Very few of us would disagree letters from men from around Bruce Payne. Three more "the public has the right not to with her objective. the world. A 61 years old man court appearances followed: be exposed to women's However, as feminists and from South Africa thought October 30, November 15 and breasts." He argued that you as women, we must carefully Gwen was a flasher like himself December 20. On January t?. can't take an explicit picture of examine the motives of not and gave explicit details of how 1992 Gwen Jacob was found a nude woman and put it on the only the patriarchy but of other he enjoys sex with young guilty of public indecency and street. But the woman in the feminists as well. This is not to children. The hardest to bear, was fined. picture, argued Gwen Jacob, say that we should dismiss however, is the harassment She could have been walked to work and is a three- other women's choices or ideas ARGETS Gwen receives on campus. On granted a conditional discharge dimensionaf person. when they don't fit ours, but one campus wall someone because she had no previous The issue here is that rather to develop a critical eye D spray-painted: "hey G.J. tits record, but because Gwen women in our society are not for seeing the underlying are for kids, show us your refused to remain silent and seen as whole persons but as structures around us. It is at hole." A friend immediately talked to the media and parts readily available for male this point when theory and tried to paint over the sick questioned the right of the consumption. Women are practice meet that the task of varies. Ideally, all feminists comment, but another was court to rule on the use of reduced to breasts, mouths, critical analysis begins. work toward a common end: to painted on before the paint was Gwen Jacob is quite clear emancipate and empower all dry. on her theory and her practice women. But each woman's While Gwen Jacob wants follows it closely. She is reality is different and is other women to join in her comfortable in her body and shaped by race, culture, struggled to go topless, she feels that other like-minded economic status and religion. does not encourage women to women have the right to While Gwen Jacob works to go topless alone. She exercise control over how they achieve the right to go topless recommends walking in groups want to exhibit their comfort. other women would not see that of two or three and preferably Her focus is clearly on women as emancipation. with men. With men? Her having the right to exist as On the other hand, why argument is if a man and a something other than sexual should any woman be forced to woman are topless who do you objects. She does not believe cover her body because the arrest and what constitutional women's breasts should be patriarchy has decided our reason do the police cite if they covered up because men have bodies are the source of sin, arrest one and not the other? invested breasts with sexual shame and temptation? Gwen plans to go topless again desire. Leg ally e nfo rci ng There are no simple this summer and is working to women to keep covered only answers. Nor is there one organize a national day of perpetuates the objectification branch of feminism that suits Action and march on Ottawa. of women. all women. But there is a single She encourages women to Yet for some women fighting thread that binds us: love and march with her or to organize for the right to go bare-chested respect for who we are and the your own rallies. at any time and anywhere is not belief we are deserving of love You can send letters of part of their reality. The threat and respect from others. How inquiry to Gwen Jacob, c/o of violence toward women is an we realize this is what makes University of Guelph, Box 48- - everyday reality and to go feminism a dynamic force. 27-20, Guelph, Ontario, topless appears to invite even We as women all have our Canada, N1G 2W1. more violence. Feminists own thoughts and feelings on acknowledge that women are this story. Some of us will Allison lives in Waterloo, just not responsible for, nor do we agree and some of us won't. Ontario, and is interested in writing about women, language and sexuality.

.. ------= Spring 1992 page 311 'til death do us part by Andree Cote One thousand thirty-two by "harpies, sluts or nags". It usually committed with a great self-defense. In roughly 70% In a patriarchal society, this (1,032) women were killed by is always presumed that these deal of violence. of cases they are acting in creates a political dimension thie spouses between 1974 to men loved their wife, lover or It took me years to erase defense of an actual or that transcends individual 1986 in Canada. girlfriend. Be it in from my mind the memory of impending life-threatening experience. Male violence Spousal homicide accounts Shakespeare's Othello or Jocelynne Gregoire's mutilated attack. Whether it is a woman against women is systemic, for almost one. fifth of al I Bizet's Carmen, the local body. This young woman lived or a man committing spousal rampant and mostly homicides committed in this paper or late-night reruns, men on a reserve near Sept-lies. homicide, it is more likely than unchecked. Despite the country (18%). who kill their wives are looked She had been seeking police not the result of male violence. occasional exemplary This represents 43% of all upon with compassion and protection for years, and had A team of American sentence boosting the criminal the women murdered in that sympathy, if not outright filed three complaints against psychiatrists have determined justice system's image in the thirteen year period. Contrary complicity by other men. her boyfriend for assault and that most men kill their wives eyes of those who are satisfied to popular myth, women are When Louis Althusser, hero aggravated assault. After because they feel a "sex-role with symbolic solutions, these most at risk of being killed, just of the Marxist intelligencia of many months of delay, he plea- threat", caused by "a potential men are not being stopped from as they are most likely to be the 70s', killed his wife in the bargained and was sentenced or an actual desertion. The committing their crimes. victims of physical and sexual early 80s' the trench press to a month in prison for each threat relates to the denial of Every time a woman is killed, abuse, by the men they are focussed on her "difficult" accusation, to be served the right the killer believed he hundreds fear for their lives. When the coordinator of Baie- intimately involved with. character and "stubbornness" concurrently (a few months had to dominate his wife and to Comeau's battered women's During that same period in defending her ideas. earlier, he had been sentenced exercise control over her (1974-1986), 312 men were actions". shelter was assassinated by killed by their spouses, 6.4% of Another research team her husband, many women men murdered. Can you concludes, that "domestic abandoned their divorce imagine if 43% of all male homicides, with women as proceedings and returned murder victims were killed by victims, tend to be motivated home. Men would tell their criminals belonging to an by a desire for a system spouses "if you don't behave, identifiable group? I wo u Id maintenance, ie. the you will suffer the same fate as suggest this would b e maintenance of the gender Ginette Desjardins". The shelter emptied itself. recognized as a major social based status quo". These men Spousal femicides are problem, but when women are want to have control over their crimes committed to maintain the victims it is not.. women and if they lose control, the socio-sexual status quo, in When the expression they are willing to kill them. a society that has formally spousal homicide is used, These men will resort to abandoned it. These men act it s h o u Id be g e n e r a II y violence for many reasons: to as individual agents for a understood as male violence restore a diminished self-image collective interest. In their own against women. Spousal or for sexual pleasure. But way, they are terrorists, trying homicides are committed by mostly, this violence is to save the old order by the men in 77% of the recorded instrumental: a conscious, best way they know how: cases in Canada: higher in goal-oriented strategy for Quebec (86%) and higher again obtaining a specific result; the violence. There is a civil war in Montreal (91 %). Most restoration of their male going on, and only one side is spousal homicides are spousal strength and power. Contrary suffering the casualties. femlcldes. to the usual interpretation, their Between 1974 and 1986, an violence is not the result of a average of 78 women died loss of self-control or of an annually as a result of "family" In the cases that I have to three months for having individual psychopathology. violence. In 1975, studied in the judicial district of stolen a color T.V .... ). On the On the contrary, it is a prise Andree Cote is the author of International Women's Year, 91 Montreal, and on the Quebec day that he was released from de controle. By interpreting a study on the judicial women were killed by their North-Shore, lawyers, crown prison, he stabbed her a women's autonomy as treatment of spousal hamicides spouses. prosecutors and judges often repeatedly, mutilating her rebellion against their authority in Quebec, entitled: La rage Recent statistics indicate interpret these crimes as acts horribly. She was eighteen or an insult to their masculinity, au coeur: etude sur le that 90 to 100 women are killed of love, committed out of years old. these men justify their violence traitement judlc/a/re de by their spouses each year. desperation or provocation. Another man, angered when as a legitimate means of /'homicide conjugal au This represents an increase in This representation of his lover decided to leave him, reclaiming power. Quebec. A copy of her report spousal femicide compared to spousal femicide continues to harassed and threatened her, Spousal femicide is an can be obtained by writing to the preceeding thirteen year be used to excuse the but she would not give in. expression of male dominance. the Regroupement des femmes period. murderer and to lessen his Finally he asked her to meet It is a crime committed by men de la Cote-Nord, 767 rue My own study of spousal criminal liability. However, it him to talk. When she arrived against women, for the Puyjalon, Baie-Comeau, homicide in Montreal leads me does not reflect reality. In fact, for the appointment, J:i e maintenance of male power Quebec, G5C 1M9, (418-589- to believe that official statistics most of these crimes are strangled her. over women. 6171) grossly underestimate· the committed out of hate, not Another man killed his wife number of women killed by their love. These men seek ultimate when she told him that she had mates, by a margin of 30%. control. They kill to have the found a job, after years of Shirley E. Greenberg The data provided by the last word. being a housewife. The Canadian Centre for Justice In half the cases of spousal psychologist who examined Statistics establishes that 41 femicide studied in Montreal, him said that this had spousal homicides we re women were murdered while exacerbated his feelings of committed in Montreal between attempting to leave their insecurity. GREENBERG & 1982 to 1986. I documented 58 spouse. In other cases, Yet another killed his wife cases of spousal homicide in sexual posses- siveness, when he found out she had not ASSOCIATES Montreal during that period. (51 sexual frustration, domestic been a virgin upon marriage. 440 Laurier Avenue West crimes committed by men, and "disputes" or more simply a Having paid a bride-price to his Suite 330 7 by women). Official statistics wish to get rid of a woman for wife's family, he felt cheated do not take into account whom the man no longer had and strangled her with a scarf. Ottawa K1 R 7X6 homicides committed by any use, (because he had One man shot his wife when lovers, boyfriends and ex- another lover or because she she told him that she was going common law spouses, since was old, sick or complained too away on a two week vacation, the object of their interest is much), were reasons men without him. "Who will cook for Family Law, Will and Estates "family" violence. murdered their spouses. me?" he asked. She told him Real Estate Spousal femicides have These crimes are often that he'd figure something out. typically been represented as committed after repeated death She was shot in the back as crimes of "passion", an threats and years of physical she was leaving the apartment. irresistible impulse by men who abuse. The murders are When women kill their have been unjustly provoked sometimes premeditated, and spouses, they usually do so in (613) 235-7774 (613) 230-7356 page 32 Spring 1992 Victory for Pandora

and all of us by a member of the Pandora collective It was the best win we could The complainant proceeded case would proceed in this have hoped for as it stated with filing a complaint of sex- fashion. It is ironic and emphatically that women as a discrimination with the Nova disturbing to note that the Nova disadvantaged group are Scotia Human Rights Scotia Human Rights legally entitled to engage in Commission. As procedural Commission agreed to defend activities which seek to rules dictate, the Commission the rights of a white, redress inequality. responded with an heterosexual, highly educated In June 1990, a sex- investigation into the male. It is also ironic that discrimination complaint was complaint. During this Pandora has fought so hard to filed by a man who claimed he investigation, we argued our help secure the rights of was the subject of sex- position by trying to women through its pages and discrimination when Pandora demonstrate the importance of now finds itself at odds with the refused to print a letter he had Pandora as a forum which Human Rights Commission. written. The letter was written responds to the disadvantaged An independent Halifax in response to an article which' position of women in society. lawyer, David Miller, was Pandora had printed in a appointed by the Human Rights previous issue. Commission to adjudicate the On March 17, 1992 the proceedings. The case is now adjudicator rendered his 47 page decision in the case'. 'In outside the jurisdiction of the his decision he stated: "I am Human Rights Commission and satisfied on the evidence lies solely on the judgement of before me that women as a the adjudicator based on the group have been and are information he was given at the detailed complaint against the The coercion of women-only disadvantaged and unequal in inquiry by attending lawyers Nova Scotia Human Rights groups into applying for our society by the reason of and complainant. Commission on March 26, sex." He continued, "the The Board of Inquiry began exemptions leaves all 1992. In this complaint we remaining groups, functions promotion of equality in the during the week of January 13- 17, 1992. It was a hellish week outlined three solutions which and/or events vulnerable t prohibition against we felt would redress our discrimination has a more- for the women of Pandora. attack from angry men who feel complaint against the specific goal than the mere During the final arguments the their rights have been violated. lawyer for the Human Rights Commission: a public apology; If Pandora had applied for an elimination of distinctions and regular workshopsfor that identical treatment may Commission presented a brief exemption but was denied, the This investigation led to a which was highly charged with Commissioners; and the costs consequence would be that we produce inequality." In associated with the outcome of summary he stated, "I am also conciliation meeting at the offensive and derogatory would have no protection Human Rights office with the comments about the women of the case. What we received against this claim or further satisfied that Pandora's policy was an "apology" construed as of maintaining Pandora as a complainant, which ultimately Pandora and our witnesses. claims of sex-discrimination. failed. a newsrelease. single sex newspaper is For example the brief contained Similarly, all other women's Pandora then discussed the This case, and our victory reasonable for the purpose of the following quotes: "the groups would be unprotected possibility of applying for an hysteria of extremism", "verbal on March 17, 1992, has radical and vulnerable to claims of ameliorating disadvantage." exemption from the Human implications for every other Finally, Pandora's original gymnastics reached the sex-discrimination. Rights Commission, to be heights of ridiculousness," " ... women-only organization We hope the position we position had been vindicated iii legally recognized as an across Canada. Pandora took a court ruling that was clear is so ludicrous that it far have taken will help secure the equality-promoting outreaches the furthermost a strong position that women- rights of women's groups and concise: Pandora had the organization. After much only organizations should not right to be women only! boundaries of reason and across the country to be and discussion, we decided not to sanity," and reference to be required to apply for Pandora is a newspaper remain who and what you/we pursue being considered a Pandora as "a special interest exemptions to carry out legally are. written and produced for, by 'special interest group' which group providing a space to the functions it already and about women, exclusively. During the inquiry, Pandora requires permission to promote promote their own special performs by virtue of its women were permitted to It is a policy which has been equality, when we do so by interest" existence. Women constitute testify using a pseudonym for part of Pandora since its virtue of our existence. The i n a pp r op r i ate the majority of the population, security. To be consistent with inception six years ago. The The Commissioner's characterization of women in and feminist organizations this ruling, we decided not to complainant was told of this recommendation was to the final arguments brief by the which work to improve the living publicly disclose our identities. policy immediately and that his proceed with a full-blown board Human Rights Commission and social conditions of women This is why names are absent letter would not be printed of inquiry and in June 1991, prompted the women of should not be considered from this article. because he was a man. Pandora was notified that the . Pandora to file a formal and special interest groups! WEN-DO WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENCE COURSE FEAR IS NOT THE ANSWER

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The· Wo111Bnist -- Spring 1992 page 33 Walked into a toy store

by: Hana Hruska and lately? Tracsy E/senbsrg Walked into a toy store (as if every toy didn't teach entire range of male-generated lately? No? Well, let us something) hidden away in violence, from spouse beating describe what you'll find. every toy store. These toys to war as a first option in You'll find several aisles of aren't heavily advertised on TV international relations. "action" figures. "Action", in and don't, for the most part, When girls learn only case you're not familiar with have TV shows based on them. passivity and nurturing, they toyspeak, doesn't mean These, however, are the toys are unlikely to grow up athletics and it has nothing to parents like. Most parents. assertive enough to stand up do with any fast-paced don't like the other toys. to men, and to take their childhood games like tag. Long before our children go rightful place as equals in "Action" basically means to school and are exposed to society. violence. unisex curricula, non-sexist Girls' toys and boys' toys Action figures are based on textbooks and (hopefully) have always differed. This isn't violent TV shows for kids. Or, teachers who believe in gender surprising since they are a more accurately, TV shows are equality, our kids spend many reflection of how men's and produced to sell the toys. hours with toys and TV. Kids' women's roles have differed. advertised directly to children. goes, "the people united will Action figures hold weapons in toys and TV shows engage the Women are struggling for These toys engage the never be defeated." We invite their upraised fists. They imagination. They help the equality and winning at least children's imagination in a way you to join us in devising grimace. They come in green, child to develop a sense of some measure of it in more and that blots out the messages strategies to protest violent black, brown and other military identity. people with the child's best children's media and playthings fatigue-inspired colours. They interests in mind are trying to and to promote positive and also come in sets, like the impart. non-sexist toys and TV Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, As a parent, educator or as a programs. each Turtle (Turtle! That slow, child's friend, one's power is passive animal. .. ) with a limited. Junior can't watch the Hana Hruska and Tracey different weapon and a few Turtles at home? That's ok - Eisenberg are the co-founders other distinguishing he'll go to his friend's house to of Towards a Gentler Society characteristics. If you have a watch them, or he'll apprentice (TAGS), a group that was son, he'll probably want the himself to some child in the recently formed to raise public whole slew of them. If you schoolyard who's only too awareness, on the issues of have a daughter, she won't be willing to teach him martial-arts violent children's toys and interested. These are the and conflict-resolution media, and to work for the boys' toys. techniques. He'd better learn elimination of violent children's This isn't to say that girls are them quick, or he'll be labelled playthings. TAGS can be forgotten. Just think pink. a sissy. contacted clo 737 Mooney's Girls' toys are, above all, pink. (photo: Jerry Berndt, Mother Jones, May/June 1992) Individually, it's an uphill Bay Place, Ottawa, K1 V BW4. Barbies with pink and frilly struggle, but as the old saying clothes and pink doll's houses; In the preschool years, more areas of life. children struggle with gender little pretend make-up sets with Differences between the roles, and try to model the pink lipstick, sold in pink sexes that a few years ago "appropriate" one. Some cardboard packaging; little pink most considered innate, are children's experience is not plastic tea sets. Interesting; now being challenged and are much different than the narrow Discover Canada's leading caJalogue of cruelty-free one assumes boys will also decreasing, to the point that (and harmful) range of and environmentally safe products drink tea when they grow up, they are now seen as being "appropriate" behaviour for socially-induced. Witness the but maybe they don't need to males and females the toys practice. Experts say these spectacular improvement in the promote. Other, luckier performance of women track Perfect gifts for people who care toys help little g iris work out children receive messages of relationships. Could it be boys' and field athletes in recent sexual equality from elsewhere years, or the rise in female toys, also, help boys work out - from family and friends. But * Personal and baby care * B.W.C. Cosmetics relationships - just a bit students' math scores relative the positive messages can get to men's. *Famous Rainforest Crunch *Pet Stuff differently? diluted or even lost within the At the same time, and in Of course, this isn't all you'll *Gift bags, Chit Chat·~· ,and more! flood of commercially-promoted inverse proportion, the toys find in a toy store. You'll also violence that occupies much of and television programs find video games, with names a child's imagination. produced for young children like "Punchout" and "Skate or When the world of are becoming more, rather than Die". They are supposed to imagination that little girls and less, sex-typed. A s teach hand-eye coordination. little boys inhabit, are s o educators, storybook writers, They're for the older boys. radically different from each and parents become more Older girls just get more other, our children risk never conscious of sending the Barbies. They don't need to playing with or learning to "right" messages to children, learn hand-eye coordination or understand the other sex. many toy manufacturers and the underlying message of Little boys learn violence, children's TV producers violence. and may grow up to see bypass adults altogether, There are aisles of stuffed violence as natural. And in producing glitzy, limiting and animals and "educational toys" some cases to perpetuate, the negative toys that are

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Northern women's health at risk

Depo Provera in the NWT

by Lynn Brooks Some NWT nurses who had also worked in the Third World Last fall the Status of articulated some disturbing Women Council of the N.W.T. parallels in physicians' received a complaint regarding attitudes. The nurses had the controversial drug De po deep misgivings about Depo Provera. The complaint was and about doctors in the Third received during a time when we World using the convenient were conducting research into periodic Depo injections for professional ethics in the what they called, "rural N.W.T. Research that revealed populations with low education an alarming number of and low compliance levels". questionable situations and Some of the NWT doctors we incidents regarding a variety of talked to seemed to have N.W.T. professionals and similar attitudes. professionals who visit the It needs to be stated that a N.W.T. number of doctors from foreign One of the most disturbing complaints was also one of the best documented. An educated, articulate women in her 30's, who had been through two successful planned pregnancies, was offered Depo Provera as a desirable birth Because wife assault usually For emergency assistance or control option by an Iqaluit happens at home, people tend referral, call the Wife Assault physician. The woman was surprised to to think of it as a family affair. Helpline, listed in the white say the least and more than a But wife assault is not a private pages of your telephone little concerned. Th e matter. It is a crime. directory or call the police. complainant knew research had been done on Depa, which As a community we should Ontario Women's Directorate alleged the drug has very countries practise in the NWT serious side effects. and while nurses coming north all be concerned. Extensive research done in are required to take cross- the '70s and '80s revealed that cultural training before they ®Ontario Depa Provera had caused begin working, doctors are not cancer of the mammary glands required to undergo the cultural in lab animals. In humans the education. research alleged the After our complaint to the development of uterine then Minister of Health now abnormalities, huge weight Government Leader, Nellie gains, interruption of Cournoyea, an informed menstruation and great consent form was instituted. WIFE ASSAULT difficulty conceiving post use. The problem is - What is For these reasons, De po "informed consent" if the Provera has been banned for patient does not have English use in a number of countries as a first language and does including the U.S. not know about the research In needs to be stated that done on Depa Provera? IS AGAINST all the medical people we Another problem is when the consulted told us that Depa doctor is from another culture has great potential in treating and in some cases also not some forms of cancer, and fluent in English. were upset at the idea that the During our investigation, drug be banned. numerous other concerns THE LAW Depa has not been licensed about doctor-patient for use as birth control in relationships and patients' Canada although doctors can rights came up. The semi- prescribe it. Depo also cannot silvered lining of this cloud is be advertised or promoted in that the Status of Women any way. Council is now working with the In the course of investigating Department of Health in the the original complaint, our NWT to develop some materials board members interviewed which will inform and educate women in their regions to see if women regarding their rights the Iqaluit incident was isolated around many physical and or if indeed numbers of women mental health issues. throughout the NWT were being Women need to become Agnes McPhail The Famous Five Nellie Mcclung offered Depa as a birth control assertive consumers when it The first woman who won for women who, with her sister suffragists, method. comes to their own and their elected to Parliament. the right to be persons. won the vote for women. The results were disturbing. children's mental and physical These women deserve their place in the schools, offices, homes and official corridors of the A number of women, and, in health. national. An ideal gift. Posters are 16 X 20, in sepia tones, particularly attractive when framed. some cases girls as young as 13, were being offered this $10.00 each or package of all three for $25.00, plus $3.00 (postage/packaging) for 1 poster controversial medication as a Lynn Brooks is th e (.50 for each additional poster). L:aminated copies are an additional $6.00 each. first line option. The more Executive Director of the Women of Vision Series, Box 1402, Station C, St. John's, Nfld. A1C SNS upsetting stories were, Status of Women Council of the however, coming out of Iqaluit. N.WT. Spring 1992 page 35 Does the Charter apply

to the poor? by Lise Corbell The rural County of Hastings acting on the resolution. The power to make life miserable for Rights and Freedoms to opposing the Federated Anti- in southeastern Ontario is not a Council retaliated November 22 welfare recipients by ask that the resolution be Poverty Groups of British comfortable place to live if you by passing a second resolution denouncing them to the local declared illegal by the courts. Columbia and the Attorney- happen to be out of work and in re-affirming its original position. welfare administrator on the Section 7 of the Charter General of British Columbia, need of welfare. The legal clinic then tried basis of his or her personal and states: "Everyone has the said it was clear that persons On September 5, 1990, the working through the Ministry of biased opinion of what people right to life, liberty and security receiving income assistance Hastings County Council Community and Social on welfare should be able to of the person and the right not constitute a discrete and decided their general welfare Services and the provincial afford or what work they should to be deprived thereof except insular minority within the rolls were getting out of hand, Privacy Commissioner to stop be willing to do. in accordance with th e meaning of Ss. 15. and that the and concluded that people the council from accessing the A coalition of anti-poverty principles of fund~:nent~I Charter protects them from were abusing the system and welfare lists. The clinic was organizations was quickly justice." The coalition. 1s discrimination. committing welfare fraud. They told this situation is not illegal. formed and asked the court for arguing that the Hastings The coalition of intervenors chose to ignore that Ontario's County resolution violates the is arguing that the County economy is in the midst of a social assistance recipients' resolution is discriminatory and major recession and jobs are right to security of the person is based on false assumptions disappearing at a critical rate. because it is an invasion of and stereotypes that recipients In Ontario, the General their personal privacy and don't want to work, are Welfare Act provides social inconsistent with the principles dishonest, are immoral, etc. assistance to those classified of fundamental justice. The resolution violates their as "employable" and is funded Welfare recipients are saying right of equality before the law by federal, provincial and they are fearful Council because the General Welfare municipal governments but members will try to reduce the Assistance Act (G.W.A. Act - administered by the number of welfare recipients in the law in question) would be municipalities. the county. A leak in the administered and applied Hastings County Council information may lead to public differently with respect to passed a resolution instructing and private humiliation for recipients of general welfare in the local welfare administrator themselves and their families; Hastings County than it is to release the names of general that their elected throughout the rest of the welfare assistance (GWA) representatives will be less province. recipients in Hastings County receptive to their particular The anti-poverty movement to them. Some Councillors problems; and that they may be considers the action of the wanted to use the list to coerced into doing work for Hastings County Councillors as "police" welfare rolls by which they are unsuited. one more incidence of welfare identifying welfare "cheats" and Section 14 (1) of the bashing and is fighting it both reporting them to the Welfare Charter states: "Every at the political level and Administrator. individual is equal before and through the courts. The court The resolution was quickly under the law and has the right case is seen as crucial condemned by poverty action to equal protection and equal because a victory would groups who fought back by benefit of the law without provide a clear signal to all organizing public forums and discrimination and, in municipalities that this type of contacting the local media. Hastings County Council's intervenor status. The particular, without action is not only unethnical, it The Honourable Zen an a resolution is very threatening coalition is comprised of: the discrimination based on race, is also illegal. Akande, then Minister of to welfare recipients. It National Anti-Poverty national or ethnic origin, colour, Community and Social creates a "Big Brother" system Organization, the Ontario religion, sex, age or mental or Services for Ontario, wrote to of surveillance and intimidation Coalition Against Poverty, the physical disability." In June Lise Corbeil is the Executive the Council expressing her operated by those very people Centre for Equality Rights in 1991, the Supreme Court of Director of the National Anti- disapproval of the resolution. who are elected to represent all Accommodation and the local British Columbia, in a case Poverty Organization. In November, 1990, the local county residents. It gives the anti-poverty group, Citizens for community legal clinic, local Reeve access to highly Action. The Canadian Civil representing some welfare personal information. This Liberties Association and the recipients, obtained a person may also be the welfare Ontario Government also temporary injunction recipient's landlord or the received intervenor status. restraining the Council and the owrer of the local grocery The case is presently before Welfare Administrator from store. The Reeve then has the the Ontario Court -(General Division). Among other arguments, the TEl.l. TALE SIGNS coalition of intervenors is using the Canadian Charter of An easy-to-read EXPERIMENTAL FEMINIST FICTION 12-page resource for education A New Work by Janice Williamson and action.

This first book by It makes $ense... Janice Williamson is Trading In Domestic Work Women of colour an experiment in who are domestic workers in Canada voice-melding speak out about: poetry, prose and Why, every year, thousands of women from the theory, juxtaposing When you give your hard- Third World leave their homelands and families to genres and visual earned money to a financial come to Canada under the federal government's images, defying pat institution, you e_xpect Foreign Domestic Movement Program. answers, interrupting customer service. Right? How gender, race and class shape their lives. What kinds of changes they are working for. the status quo. How you can support their struggles for equality. ISBN 0-88801- 159-8 Ways that educators can use this resource. TO ORDER S12. 95pb., illustrated. Send your name and complete mailing address to: Dlscoyer the D!Fference Distributed by University Onawa Women's Credit Union The Moment, 947 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON M4M 1J9 210 BankS~ Please send full payment with your order. ofToronto Press Ottaw&, K2P IWB 233-7711 $3/copy. Payable to 'The Moment'. For bulk rates call (416)469-1123. Biuiness Houn: Tues. to Fri. 10:00 to 6:00 PUBLISHED BY TURNSTONE PRESS Saturday 10:00 to 2:00 page 36 Spring 1992 Fostering dependency What has been the long term effect of welfare on women? by Dar/ens McBain This question is not the basis of them on weifare. I -have their home would be put in the Housing. If the woman has left for a lengthy article. It can be seen the effect dependency on tax sale. When I discussed the a violent or abusive answered quite simply - the government has on people. It possibility of getting a crisis relationship, she has to go to a welfare system is part of robs them of their self respect grant, their worker said the Family Maintenance Worker women's dependency on men. and dignity. It makes people government would pay the and plead her case. She may The system has been set up by frustrated and angry and taxes this time but would start not want to seek maintenance men and is controlled by them. isolated from the mainstream of to administer their client's payments because she does When women have to worry society. funds, as they were not not want any further contact about how to pay the rent, buy For middle class people who capable of doing s o with an abusive ex-partner. their food for their children and often adopt blame-the-victim themselves. Not only do they She has to convince a simply survive on a day-to-day attitude, amnesia develops and not have enough money to bureaucrat that her own safety basis, they don't have the time they forget welfare rates are .survive on, but the government and that of her children is best or energy to fight back. What almost 50% lower than the will now decide what is a priority for the welfare system. better way for men to control us poverty income guidelines set for the limited dollars they do When women receive than to keep the majority of us by Statistics Canada. dental visit? New shoes for receive. welfare, what are we telling poor? Women still earn 65 In British Columbia a family their kids? Meals? Telephone Mothers on social them? That other people now cents for every dollar men of three gets $1,033 a month Service? assistance in British Columbia have the right to make earn. 84% of women in Canada on welfare. Statistics Canada I recently assisted a family are automatically enrolled in decisions for them about their can expect to be single' estimates the monthly poverty that had been unable ta save the Family Maintenance safety and financial priorities? parents. line income for a family of three enough money from their Program by the welfare I always knew poverty was a I have worked for the Legal is $1,620. What goods and monthly shelter allowance to system. The decision to seek women's issue but until this Services Society of British services are people on welfare pay their in-house taxes. They maintenance from an ex- year I didn't realize poverty is a Columbia for seven years. "choosing" to give up each received a notice from the city spouse or father of their form of violence against During that time I have month to compensate for not that if they did not pay the children is controlled by the women. interviewed many women, most having that needed $600? A taxes by the end of September Ministry of Social Services and Violence is defined as excessive force being exerted against something. Poverty is a very effective form of violence because, like mental abuse, it is systematically Dece111ber 6th engrained into our culture: often we don't even see it and when we do it's not recognized for what it is. Happens Every Poverty affects mental and Canada, an act of male physical health. The Canadian t violence against women Council on Social Development - occurs six minutes." n U es (CCSD) reports that poor people have considerably 6 M fewer disability-free years than others, and have the highest incidence of some health CONNECTING MEN'S VIOLENCE WITH WOMEN'S INEQUALITIES conditions. The Alberta Status of Women Action Committee report states infant mortality rate among poor women is twice the national average. A PROGRAM OF FILM AND VIDEO CCSD reported there is an 82% higher rate of infant morality FROM THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA and low birthweight babies among the poor. Still Killing Us Softly For Richer, For Poorer After the Montreal We will continue to need a "The first thing the advertisers do A of one woman's fight for Massacre welfare system, as there will is surround us with the image of economic and emotional survival Selectively choosing women as his continue to be people who are female beauty... based on absolute after her divorce. victims in the December 6, 1989 unable to work. But the system flawlessness. n - from the film. ( 29 min. 53 sec.) massacre, Marc Lepine left a clear needs improvements. More American feminist Jean Kilbourne ORDER NUMBER 0188 050 and lucid message. "The impact affordable housing and more exposes the power behind sexist hit right away; something was advertising. ( 30 min.) going on here ... the dead were money are just two areas to address. OOOER NUMBER 0187145 To a Safer Place women. n - from the video "Through the frank disclosures of ( 25 min. 40 sec.) Poor people have the right to Shirley and her siblings, (the film) ORDER NUMBER 9190 097 live in dignity and with self- No Way! Not Me shows how deep psychic wounds respect. The system must Canadian activist Rosemary inflicted on victims of incest can be allow women to make their own Brown addresses high school healed. n - NOW Magazine The Burning Times decisions. These changes will students with a chilling view of ( 58 min. 20 sec.) "Part of my commitment to only come about when women, women's poverty. ORDER NUMBER 0187 067 women's spirituality has also been who make up the majority of the ( 29 min. 39 sec.) a very active political commitment. poor, get together to form ORDER NUMBER 0187 104 You have to act in this world to Sandra's Garden strong lobby groups to bring about changes that you pressure the governments in A testament to the courage and want." - from the film Loved, Honoured and hopefulness of incest survivors. their province and federally to ( 57 min. 20 sec.) legislate for welfare laws. Bruised (34min.) ORDER NUMBER 0190 008 "I never told a soul because of the ORDER NUMBER 0190 059 Considering the federal shame and I began to think that government has recently made because I was treated like that I a decision to reduce transfer deseNed it." - from the film payments to the three ( 25 min. 23 sec.) Available from NFB libraries or by calling toll free: provinces considered to be ORDER NUMBER 0180 030 "have n provinces - British Atlantic Canada ...... 1-800-561-7104 Columbia, Alberta and Ontario - Quebec ...... 1-800-363-0328 this task is going to be even Ontario ...... 1-800-267- 771 O Board du more difficult. of Canada du = Western and Northern Canada ...... 1-800-661-9867 Darlene McBain works as a paralegal at The Legal Services Society of British Columbia in Kam/oops, and is active as a PROMOTING CHANGE THROUGH DIALOGUE Board member of the Kam/oops Women's Resource Centre. Spring 1992 page 37 One-third of all women can't

read this article by Jiii Uhrich

She overdosed her child - disabilities and were never you in the change to Clear she could not read the given the chance to learn. Language ·and Design. directions. They had to drop out to support Hire learners as consultants. She drank Drano thinking the family. They learned recommend the book; Clear she read Brome. differently than most. Writing and Literacy b¥ ·She stays on welfare Again, I emphasize, there Ruth Baldwin, prepared for the because she can't fill out are exceptions, but what I have Ontario Literacy Coalition. Do job application forms. described is all too common. these things and you will be ·She was handed a They were kids in a system. taking a step to w a rd pamphlet about wife Now they are adults. Has empowerment. assault it went, unable to anything changed? We still Empowerment gives people a be read, in the next have a 30% high school drop- chance to make choices. The garbage bin she passed. out rate and the need for food Woman/st ended that same •She was ripped off banks have tripled over the last article with "Women can make because she couldn't' five years in Metro Toronto. change, personally and make change. Awareness is acknowledging politically. Each of us must ·She didn't vote because there is a problem. We have The list goes on . . .To wants to change women's accept and use the power we she couldn't read the done that quite well. We are change from within is to include circumstances. We know have in order to empower all candidates' pamphlets or aware people have difficulty the millions of people with low many women are poor. We women." Make your change the ballot. reading. literacy skills. Clear Language know there is a direct within. Write for all women. How can we change things? and Design is -a tool for relationship between poverty Become sensitive and make inclusion, and inclusion is a and low literacy skills. Jill Uhrich coordinates a changes from within. You are tool for empowerment. Therefore, we must write in literacy program in Toronto society, you are social change. A request from The clear language or we will Don't wait for the infamous Woman/st, in the Summer exclude the very people we society to change, you are it! 1991 asked for a critical look at want to reach. There are many ways to be the women's movement. It To adopt the principles of part of the solution: tutoring, asked, "are there some things Clear Language a n d fundraising and prevention that need to change? any Design is to learn a new way ·She missed er work. But what is often missed assumptions?" The piece of writing and print appointment because she is how everyone, in their own ended, "At The Woman/st, presentation. Believe me, it's couldn't read a map. area of work, can make a we believe that inclusiveness not easy to do. I'm still ·Grocery shopping is a difference. Be part of the is the foundation of an learning! First of all you have to hassle because she can't solution and write based on the effective women's movement". come to terms with what I call read the labels. guide Ii n es of C I e a r Therefore, we must consider "literary snobbery" the "I like She feels alone. Language and Design. who we exclude: in terms of using big words" attitude. A 1990 Statistics Can ad a Clear Language and literacy, we exclude at least Impress your peers when you survey shows that 38% of Design is a style of writing 1/3 of all women because we write as them, but be inclusive Canadian adults have some and print presentation which assume they can easily read when you write for the public. difficulty reading everyday reaches the largest possible what we write. Seek out a community print. audience. It is not simple, The women's movement literacy group that can guide The scope of the literacy boring or childlike. If you issue includes poverty, health, produce written material for the safety, security and self- general public it makes sense esteem. to write in order to include as But primarily literacy and many people as possible. poverty can not be separated. Go back and read the few It's a vicious circle. opening paragraphs. Are there Although there are any that relate to your area of exceptions, most people with work? Consider all of your print low literacy skills are poor, material. Ask, "in what undereducated and situations have I assumed (or underemployed. When they not considered) literacy were kids, they came to school ability?" You may have hungry and found it hard to identified areas for change A concentrate. People would such as the readability of: THAT WILL then make assumptions about Make a donation for planting in - standard forms name of someone you about. their behaviour. Yes, they They will a beautiful x 23 went through our school - dosages for medication Continuing the dialogue ... poster designed by Barbara Klunder. systems. They had parents - labels and instructions on The poster will have their name and a conference the number of you sponsoring who couldn't help them consumer items inscribed on it. because the same thing - signs in your workplace * celebrating identity NAME ______happened to them. They had - advertising *moving towards alliance physical or developmental - pamphlets ___ POSTAL ___

* creating feminist community TELEPHONE ( l----- to of: ror ror for 1,000 for - MAB - October 23 and 24, 1992 add to and handlina original designs Hospitality Inn, Calgary Alberta silkscreened on * Keynote Speaker: bell hooks Q SHIRTS Adults & Chlldrens --- POSTALCODE __ - - *Celebrations with: Kate Clinton Note Cards Lana Skauge - ______For a Brochure send to Dreamtime Organized by Calgary Status of Women AND Box 39 Rehoboth MA 64 Action Committee Toronto Onwio !Tl - BRtGET - FAIRY - LILITH - For more information: (403)262-1873 416/961-6786 page 38 Spring 1992 Women study class: by Eunice Lavell

I too "begin from a position of situation in patriarchy, and in adopted by "nice (non-poor) On Family and more power, as a group than love of women" and believe that its radical sense - a deeply felt couples." Native women in Mothering women. But children have less "inclusiveness is a foundation respect for women and particular have lost their Feminists identify "the power as a group than women. of an effective women's yearning for the Female, has children to adoption, residential family" as one of the most So wife by definition is a movement" (Womanist, been one of the most schools, and white foster oppressive institutions. This subordinate role for women, Summer 1991). My own empowering experiences of my homes. Denial of freedom for analysis is based on the while mother is a role of greater definition of love .is broad and life. poor women has been denial of experience of many feminists, power. And although our includes constructive criticism I write to give voice to the our right to have children. women who grew up in families society demands these roles and loving confrontations. In often-unheard perspective of a in which the needs of female appear together, they are not this paper, I want to share my feminist poor woman and to My paternal aunt Beatrice,. family members were always necessarily interdependent understanding of the relevance promote an understanding that at the age of fifteen, was secondary to those of males, roles. of social class for feminists. the women's movement can sexually abused by two adult especially fathers. In these Third, this interpretation This view is based on my own never be a dynamic force for all men and contacted venereal families, women are required to fails to challenge the deeply- analysis, which grows out of women unless it accepts the be passive, ornamental held and sexist belief that a my experience, I describe my views of poor women, validates servants to men and children. woman cannot properly care for process in gaining this our experiences, and includes In these families, women have a child without a man in the understanding as gleaning: our analysis. Many poor all the responsibilities while family. Once again, this leads gathering together bits of women have a very different men make decisions. Women to circular thinking: mothering knowledge into an organized perspective from that of other- take care of everyone else but disempowers women because whole. I share with you those class women. We have our men have power. These are it puts them in the service of little subversive gems of own experience of being the families which feminist husbands, but a mother without knowledge. woman. Our own view of what family therapist Deborah Anna a husband is not a proper I identify myself as both a has to change, and how. Luepnitz has identified as mother. At the risk of being poor woman and a feminist, a indelicate (not a particularly joint identity which is not Capitalist society is by patriarchal (father-dominated) definition classist. Many but father-absent. frightening risk for me), I would always comfortable to point out that when it comes to maintain. The majority of poor feminists fail to recognize their Again, my sense is that this own deeply embedded classist depiction of the "family" making children, a man is only assumptions, while others structure is more necessary for a brief moment! understand issues of social representative of middle-class It is true that most female- class only theoretically, basing families than of ours. I am not headed families experience their analysis on the works of saying poor women are not dire financial problems. But Karl Marx. You don't have to abused within families or that mothers of any class are better read Marx to learn about social poor people's families are served by the supportive of class, classism and poor unaffected by male privilege other women and groups than women. You need only listen to under patriarchy. I am saying by the often unacknowledged poor women. the above description of family demand to "get a man" or else Some key areas in which is not accurate for many poor forfeit our ability to be a poor women's experience women. It certainly is foreign mother. differs from those of non-poor to me. In my parental family, my women are: disease. She was "Treated" Much of the popular mother was an essential and Reproductive Freedom with confinement to a Home interpretation of feminist theory powerful person, independent, For many feminists, for Delinquent Girls, and a on "motherhood" follows this capable and resourceful. And reproductive freedom is about hysterectomy. class-biased view of family. so were other adult females in having the freedom to choose My paternal aunt Eileen, This interpretation first the neighbourhood in which I not to become pregnant, not to at the age of seventeen, was assumes, a 'family' as one grew up. This was a community continue a pregnancy, not to given an involuntary abortion which is father-controlled, of strong women, their various mother a child. This springs by a doctor-friend of her woman-as-servant. Not only children and grandchildren, and from the fact that for centuries, abusive employer. She died of does this analysis not follow sometimes husbands. non-poor white women in this a hemorrhage. poor women's experience in Actually, the families which country have been struggling My maternal aunt Madilla, families, but it also fails to better resemble my own are to have access to birth control at the age of twenty, became account for the experiences of those I read about in fiction of information and to abortions. "hysterical" while being important groups such as black women, particularly Toni Denial of freedom for these "disciplined" by her abusive divorced mothers, lesbian Morrison. women has taken the form of husband and was admitted to mothers and the growing For myself, have forced reproduction. But this is a mental hospital. She population of unmarried experienced great learning and women I know don't identify not poor women's history. "miscarried" and was then heterosexual women who empowerment in the process of themselves as feminist. But Poor women have been the given a hysterectomy choose to procreate without becoming a mother, a process more to the point, most of the subjects of campaigns, to, because of her husband's the permission or sponsorship which continues to unfold as self-identified feminists I know "keep the unfit from agreement with the hospital to of any man. my first-born daughter, are unaware of the relevance of reproducing", programs which "limit family size." Second, it assumes that reaches her eleventh birthday. social class. In my were often endorsed by the "mother" equals "wife". To "Mother" is as essential a part experience, feminists are just upper-class white women now These incidents are not make a very simple of my self-definition as as likely to accept a n d revered as First Wave confined to the past. Many of observation, mother is in perpetuate the negative and feminists. the poor women I know who are relation to child, while wife is in disempowering sterotypes of Poor women have been against abortion are against it relation to man. Men have poor people as non-feminists. victims of involuntary abortion because of their own, or a Feminism in its basic sense - and sterilization. Our babies family member's experience of an understanding of women's have been stolen from us and being forced to have a n abortion or sterilization. It is the very young poor women in this country as well as poor Feminist training, consulting, research, WliOLE EAllTli women of Third World countries program evaluation and careorcounselling who, even now are guinea pigs UNIQUE QIFTS FllOM AROUNO THE WORLD for untested and dangerous Twelve associates with diverse INOONESIAN SlLVER JEWELLERY fertility control drugs. In educational/cultural backgrounds CRYSTAL PRISMS PHONE addition, many poor women on BEYERL Y SUEK OIL BURNING CANDLES 652·CMm welfare have have h ad GUATEMALAN TOTE BAGS abortions and "tubals" because (204)452-4925 GLASS FFK>M ISRAEL of the threat of withdrawal of KASHMIR BOXES funds. ("Why should we pay INDIAN OHURRIES (CARPETS) just because you can't keep TLS Creative Enterprises For You or Someone S~l•I your legs together", one woman 235 Oakwood Ave. Winnepeg, Manitoba R3L 1ES was told by her social worker.) Spring 1992 page 39

Gleanings of a white poor woman

"woman" or "feminist". But, women want to work-for-pay Poor women can only be challenge yourself to recognize although I have sometimes because of the "personal served by radically changing the classism you have been been married, "wife" has never satisfaction" we get from our the system. As long as you taught all your life. been an important role for me "careers". accept the capitalist system, Sisters, listen to the voices (as I believe my ex-husbands I am not saying that pay you perpetuate the oppression of poor women and learn from would agree). level is unimportant to us. of poor people, because poor them. Poor women, this is your What has been most Obviously, for those of us who people are what makes invitation to know that your disheartening for me is live in poverty, every extra capitalism work. And a large experience as a poor woman is encountering the same dollar is of vital importance. I proportion of poor people will essential to your self as a negative judgements, am saying that an exclusive always be women. feminist. Remember feminism disapproval and assumptions careers-for-women focus does Finally, I want to point out must ring true to your life. about the inferiority of my not truly serve poor women. the relationship between the These are some of the main Liberation begins with learning family form among feminists as particular institutions that we areas in which poor women to honour those aspects of I do from anyone else. as feminists choose to criticize often have differing yourself which you have been Work-for-Pay. and our own beliefs and values. experiences, and thus very taught to value the least. One of the most visible If feminists want to question all different perspectives, from I believe the women's accomplishments of the institutions which oppress women of other classes. The movement hovers at the women's movement has been women, they must begin by longer these differences moment of decision. Will we its effort to make room in the looking long and hard at the remain unaddressed, the more strive for inclusiveness, paid work force and get better institution of paid work. To me divisive they become. Non- challenge ourselves to listen to pay for women. Unfortunately, there is a glaring inconsistency poor feminists become more all women, flower out in diverse for some feminists this one in the willingness of many convinced of the universality of directions? Or do we go the area of effort is often seen as feminists to unquestioningly their perspective, while poor linear, hierarchical, ultimately the focus for the women's endorse women's greater women continue to assume destructive route of the movement. For me this participation in the paid work they don't qualify to be machines before us? It is our emphasis is problematic. The force, but to approach every feminists. Not only does this choice. majority of poor women haven't aspect of our participation in rob the women's movement of a hope of a "career" which is families with suspicion. I am the rich contribution of poor personally satisfying, not saying women should not women, but is also makes poor Eunice Lavell is a white, financially rewarding or even work for pay. I am saying we women vulnerable to the poor woman, mother of three pleasant. Mostly, we get jobs. need to examine the whole propaganda of anti-feminists children, friend. She is And our jobs give us no system. Paid work is an and right-wing currently completing her prestige or power, very little essential component of a "fundamentalists". Masters Degree in Educational pay and often are very bad for system which oppresses poor Think of this as an Psychology at the University of our health. Yet feminist theory women more than it does non- invitation. For non-poor Manitoba and plans to work for continues to assume that all poor women. women, it is an invitation to pay as a feminist counsellor. Daughrers ofMother Earth In Lilies of the Hearth, Harrowsmith gardening editor Jennifer Bennett travels "the sweetly scented, dangerous, romantic path women share with plants" and discovers a world rich in myth, magic scientific curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. Bennett traces the mercurial por- trayal of women and their relationship with the earth through history. Celebrated as symbols of fertility and burned as witches, women have nevertheless continued to soothe, heal, paint, plant, weed and, most importantly, endure. Lilies of the Hearth is a lively, thought-provoking celebration of that endurance. 192 pages paperback· $14.95.

published by Camden House distributed by FIREFLY BoOKS LID. page 40 Spring 1992

1884 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development {UNCED) by Alison Gale

Ethiopia, once 60% together to present their Bank -- are the harbingers of forested, has only 3% left. position on the environment death and ecological Women from Tibet urged and development) is calling on destruction. They must action to stop the Chinese from the North to come up with its change for any environmental dumping nuclear waste in own sustainable development plan to succeed. Tibetian headwaters. plan. And why not? Who knows, maybe the Magda Renner, an activist Unfortunately, the North is process at UNCED can begin a from Brazil, spoke of the "age doing all it can to control the process of change, but it will of global homelessness, where whole agenda, and along with take the concerted efforts of 75% of the world's 14 million that control, women's women everywhere to build refugees are women and perspectives get marginalized community participation and children." or ignored altogether. have their say. In the face of such stark The South wants the North Over 85% of t h e evidence, it is clear that until to "stop sacrificing h!,Jman participants in the official society truly values women and development at the altar of UNCED process until now have nature, their joint degradation economic growth." The been male. Women at the will continue unabated. For too long, environmental issues have been seen as gender neutral, as if the In 1991, the entire continent of Africa will get $800 subjugation of the Earth had no million in U.S. developmental aid. consequences. Women, as the world's primary nurturers The world's largest ever discussing the fate of the North Americans spend $5 billion a year on special summit of governmental Earth, and it became painfully and food producers, bear the leaders will take place this apparent early on that no brunt of radiation leaks, diets. June in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, governments -- especially desertification of the land, Mother Earth magazine Sept/Oct '91 at the United Nations those from overdeveloped crops dying and deformed Conference on Environment industrialized countries' -- are babies. They are on the and Development (UNCED). prepared to alter the minimalist frontlines of poverty -- North Representatives from over 150 tactics being taken on these transformation into Congress made it clear that we countries have been preparing issues. commodities (wood, water, must be involved in the for UNCED for almost two years Fifteen hundred women -- 1994 fuel) of nature continues formulation and implementation and, as the June deadline over half from developing unabated based on the of policies for environmental approaches, there are serious countries (like Canada)-- met in economic assumption of protection and development. A doubts about whether the Miami in November 1991 (World sustained growth. Marilyn society that fails to consult half process will make any Women's Congress for a Waring, author of a n its population, while expecting fundamental moves towards Healthy Planet) to find common economics book, If Women it to quietly acquiesce, cannot ecological sustainability and ground and lend their voices to Counted, dissected the World call itself democratic o r justice. the d e c'i s i o n - ma k i n g . Bank model of "development", sustainable. Organized by the Women's where a dollar amount is Women everywhere must Some big decisions are Environment and Development ascribed to all it deems has seize every opportunity to 'being made at UNCED, Organization (WEDO), women value. This so that we can impart our vision of an ethical decisions that will guide from 83 countries put together weigh the value of one million and harmonious world, without national and international Women's Action Agenda 21, (in "misplaced" indigenous people distorted "development" and environment and development direct response to UNCED's along India's Narmada River, callous disregard for social agendas for years to come. At own Agenda 21 ). In 15 pages against the "benefits" of the justice. Bella Abzug asked us least, this is the hope. the Women's Agenda makes and South and this mega-dams currently under to "look forward to the day ... when a majority of the With so many minds more sense of our global crisis consideration must take a front construction there. "Economic heads of state gathering for the gathered in one place, one than the 'official' action agenda seat at UNCED negotiations. growth" gets commodified and next United Nations would think chances are that of governments does in over Starving people in developing accounted for under national Conference on Environment fundamental issues will be 700 pages! countries will not preserve their income accounting systems. and Development will appear in discussed, and our good The Women's Agenda was environment. They will chose What gets left out is their silk and cotton dresses, governments will get down to the result of five intense days to destroy rainforests in order "environmental degradation, the task at hand of stopping to produce food for their family. the free gifts of nature and all robes and saris, to report to an of alarming testimony about the assembly composed of no less the destruction of the earth and consequences of the Rarely do we in the North unpaid work of women." The instituting equality and social acknowledge our own multinational agenda, apparent than 40% and no more than destructive policies of 60% of either sex." We can all justice. patriarchal governments and culpability for the unimaginable in UNCED, is effectively But this would be putting too poverty in most developing keeping these issues in the work towards,- celebrating the corporations the world over. wisdom of women and of much faith in a process that In the Marshall Islands of nations. shadows. has proven itself to be not only Leonor Briones, of the Indeed, one wonders where indigenous people, w hi I e the South Pacific, women nurturing a respect for all life. alienating, but disempowering poisoned with radioactive Freedom From Debt Coalition the UNCED process will lead. and destructive. More than a based in the Philippines, told Issues affecting all humanity UNCED may prove itself a fallout are giving birth to complete farce, but not if the year and a half has passed "jellyfish babies - living blobs of how her country paid $2 billion are left off the agenda since government a year interest on loans from altogether. It's clear from the Women's Agenda has any flesh with no limbs, eyes or influence: representatives began brains." lenders in the North, while glaring omission of militarism receiving a pitiful $236 million in that neither Northern or "We come together to Aid. "It's foreign aid in reverse, Southern nation-states a re pledge our commitment to and we are only one of 50 willing to deal up front with real women, the central and oppression. The price tag put powerful force in the search for IN ADDITION TO FLOATING countries that annually pay the North $50 billion more than we on saving the planet is $125 equity between and among the CRYST AL SEAS OFFERS: got." billion, a mere 20% of yearly peoples of the Earth, and for a Voracious consumption in military expenditures, but balance between them and the Registered Massage Therapy CRYSTAL the North fuels this slave trade Northern nations are feeling life-support systems that economic machine, and no real stingy after last year's binge in sustains us all." Helpful BookS SEAS If only UNCED could aspire New Age Music i- n \ acknowledgement of this is the Gulf. It's as if the world's 24 rue Clarence St. happening at UNCED. biggest polluter and destroyer to such goals. Crystal Stones and Jewellery Ottawa, KlN 5P3 The North wants the South of life is merely an Aromatherapy Products Alison Gale is a community (613) 563-7001 to draw up sustainability plans afterthought. In women's to qualify for increased aid. eyes, the capitalists and multi- activist committed to social change and works within the Open 10:30 a.m. 7 daJS And the G77 (77 developed nationals, the military and countries that have banded institutions -- chiefly the World environmental movement. Spring 1992 page 41 Women in a "democratic" Czechoslovakia by Jveta Jusova

The Velvet Revolution in some things have no place in exercise more control over Czechoslovakia looks to the Considering feminism is still Czechoslovakia was brought our new state only because people's lives. Nowadays, in west for its new model. Many treated as marginal even in about by men and women who they existed before the the process of privatization people accept without criticism western countries (and longed to liberate themselves revolution is sometimes (that will hopefully strengthen anything coming from western particularly those with the most from the grip of the ever misused, often to the detriment our economic situation), the countries. I wish this was true influence on Czechoslovakia), present party. Both men and of women. state support is being of feminism. Unfortunately the I can hardly expect feminism to women were fighting for Unfortunately women in withdrawn in many fields. main model for Czechoslovakia be regarded as a very serious freedom. Czechoslovakia have been Nevertheless, I still believe it is is Germany, a country that has matter in my country. The enthusiasm and deprived of raising their voices in women's interest not to give remained quite conseNative as There are many challenges ecstasy of the revolution has on their own behalf. There is no up all the above mentioned far as the role of women is before the women in my been followed by a natural bridge between women achievements too quickly. concerned. As people in country. It is necessary to hangover of disillusionment. activists of the past (before the Unfortunately, women in Czechoslovakia try to find their draw women's attention to all People have gradually come to state socialist transformation) Czechoslovakia are neither place in Europe, they take only the traditional sexual understand that the rebirth of and contemporary women. encouraged nor used to the established views and fail stereotypes at work in our democracy in Czechoslovakia During the socialist regime, speaking on their own behalf. to see that the established, is society. Unequal pay, a small will cause much more pain than women were systematically The existence of state-aided not necessarily the best and first assumed. Enthusiasm silenced, as were all other child care was used in the past only possibility. cont'd on page 42 has been replaced by lethargy, potential harmful groups. It as an argument against women particularly for the most was claimed that in socialist activists. As a -result, in traditionally llUlnerab~ Of9Ups cmintries wh8f9 Wt~ w-. contemp0rary Czec~~aj<~ like women and the elderly. equal, women's concerns did there 1e no fem~ discourse: New concepts are now Wti ~J.acklng both ffle \'JOmen being introduced and accepted activists who wouid raise in Czechoslovakia, as well as women's issues, and the other new paradigms of behaviour. side of the potential debate - Once th1:1 meaning of a new those who would listen and thing has been shaped in respond. people's minds it will be difficult We are also lacking the or impossible to change it. language - there are no ready- Democracy is emphasized as made concepts, no vocabulary meaning consumerism. As a available- for questions young Czech woman I a m feminists would be concerned highly concerned about the about. The term 'feminism' has way the very concept of a pejorative meaning in democracy is being presented Czechoslovakia not only and understood in my country. among men but also among Meet my Hopefully things will get better women. Even young women and we will achieve our main with university education goal - democracy for all people. remain suspicious and extended family. So far, however, it looks as approach feminism with either if our country is turning into a rejection or indifference. The I met them in Asia. They taught me a lot. bastion of sexism and myth of a fussy, militant, hairy, patriarchy. I know we will have ugly feminist (blue stocking) CUSO offered me a challenge. Two years to be very patient, that the who hates all men and living in another culture and an opportunity transformation of society will therefore takes on feminism, is take a lot of time, but I also not exist. In reality, however, very powerful and the only one to work with others who are striving to believe this patience should these countries remained available. This oicture. of improve their lives. It was hard work, but not become as apathy. Women strongly puritan. The course, cannot work as a role rewarding. should not be so "patient" as to traditional sexual division of model. put up with sexist ads and Nowadays everyone's labour was (and still is) taken CUSO needs special people. People who jokes that are now being for granted, sex u a I primary concern is their jobs. tolerated by society. They stereotypes were (and still are) Nobody has time or energy to want more than 9 to 5. People willing to try should not put up with only regarded as normal, "natural". really care about politics. The something different. three women in government, Nevertheless, not all things economic situation in an with politicians trying to send introduced in the republic average household is There are CUSO placeme~ts available in women back to the prison of unbearable. Who is affected during state socialism were healthcare, business, trades, engineering, households. It should be altogether bad. As the state most? Women, of course. ft is purely a matter of choice badly needed the women's women who struggle to make forestry, fisheries, farming and formal and whether a woman decides to labour force, it introduced ends meet every month and to non-formal education. Particularly in de-. stay at home with children of some changes to ease the keep members of families fed. mand are people with an interest in women's not. housework burden, although Men must work hard in the issues who can work in community develop- workplace and the threat of Peep shows and this was accepted as a purely ment and with women's groups. pornographic magazines were feminine concern. Networks of losing their jobs is very heavy, among the first things to be nurseries and kindergardens but this applies also to women. introduced in Czechoslovakia were cheap and provided Because of their double U you can't consider working overseas at this after the revolution. Feminism relatively good services - burden, pressure on women is tim.e, you can help in other ways: join the is ridiculed. Incest, sexual including eating facilities for also double. No wonder more CUSO committee in your area and get assaults and harassment school children. Tax and more women insist they involved in fundraising, recruitment and tabooed and anorexia and deductions for families with should stay home. bulimia among young women is several children, family Traditionally, a woman's development education. Or send a donation ignored or treated as an allowances, cheap children's position is in the household. towards CUSO's many projects with Third individual deviation rather than products, maternity allowances Many conservative male World women. a problem of the whole society. (to permit mothers to stay at politicians insist that only by I understand this is the home up to three years without returning to traditional families For further information please send your heritage from our past but I see losing jobs), the right of with traditional male and female no reason why it should be abortion - all these things were roles can we regain lost moral resume to: CUSO EI-I, 135 Rideau tolerated any longer. a substantial help to young values. For many that simply Street, Ottawa, Ontario KIN 9K7. families, particularly mothers. means jumping 40 years The present trend to reject However, most of these backwards without taking into everything connected with the achievements also had consideration any progress last regime is understandable; negative sides. They were made within these years. nevertheless the argument that introduced by the state to Contemporary page 42 Spring 1992 Hope in El Salvador: The signing of the Peace Accords by Margaret Sumadh

In El Salvador, the Peace In the 1970's people began bombing and troop carriers experience, there will be provide a variety as well as Accords were signed January to organize again, particularly through the night. They were qualified women included in raising livestock more 16th, 1992 by the Christiani in rural areas with workers and not the target of repression and government security forces. safely. government and the Farabundo students. During this period, could still be educated, eat and Until now, women were only Finally, verification of Marti Liberation National the Salvadoran government, clothe themselves and their brought in for 'hearts and human rights by the United (FMLN) rebels. backed by massive U.S. families. Even after 11 years minds' programs such as, Nations through ONUSAL is The ceasefire came into financing, military intelligence, of war, these families are vaccinations and food key to enforcing the Peace effect on February 1st, after and training, supported the usually intact, as few saw distribution to try and 'win over' Accords. almost two years o f capitalist economy of the combat. The government army the people. negotiations and 11 years of landowners. The police force is made up primarily of Four pluralist commissions There are those who are cruel civil war. El Salvador is a became a security force, forcefully conscripted youth. have been set up to implement against the Accords: those country decimated by war. linking with the army, to protect the agreements. who will lose power and Such destruction needs a new the interests and property of a) COPAZ: (National sources of wealth, notably and fundamentally different the rich and powerful, while Commission for the officers from the Army and approach to democratize the restricting the rights of the poor Consolidation of Peace) will Security Forces and members country and create a functiori,al to farm their land, travel freely supervise the of the ruling families. They have launched propaganda to political, economic and social and have access to education implementation of all the try to convince the people of society. and health services. political agreemer1ts with things that were not in the El Salvador is a small and In the late 1970's the FMLN representatives from beautiful, mountainous country brought together groups who agreements. There are those government, opposition who are trained for repression, dotted with volcanoes. It had been organising separately parties, the army and the borders Honduras· 'and as trade unions, cooperatives, who know no other life; the elite FMLN, and prepare draft battalions dedicated mainly to Nicaragua and a Pacific coast. etc, under one umbrella. They legislation to implement the Its people, with their history of terrorizing the civilian turned to an armed struggle to peace agreements. These struggle, poverty and population and attacking civil protect the rights of include providing state repression over the last targets and the Death Squads approximately 25% of the benefits for war-disabled, decades, are striking in their that will have to change. country. The civil war that their families plus victims warmth, generosity and love of The other city women are The struggle is far from ensued has resulted in more from both armies. life. A population of low wage factory workers and over. Members of the military, than 75,000 deaths and many domestics who fled the b) Truth Commission: to approximately 5.5 million live in disabled and exiled. Twelve assisted by ongoing U.S. an area like Nova Scotia countryside to seek safety, investigate cases of gross intervention, will continue to do years of war dislocated rural violation of rights. beyond the capital city, San employment or a family what they can to limit popular and urban communities. c) Ad-hoc Commission: Salvador, there are a few member. They live in poor participation in Salvadoran Families have been torn apart to approve all armed forces provincial towns and many tiny housing, often cardboard politics and maintain their by different ideologies. members. communities dot the shanty towns on the outskirts economic privileges. The role of ordinary men and d) Forum of Socio- mountains. of the city with plastic sheeting However, the Salvadoran women changes during a civil for protection. Their food and Economic Plans: to create Wealth has accumulated in people are hopeful. Women of war. Often, only men do clothing is often bought from permanent dialogue the hands of a few families who all ages and talents have combat fighting; however, the money their children earn between government, have grown export crops, e.g. approximately 45% of the become stronger through the coffee, sugar. This was made washing car windows at stop unions and private FMLN combatants are women, lights, directing traffic when the enterprise. This should war in a way that might not possible by forcing peasants taking an equal share, have been available to them off any small plots of good land power is off, selling create better working including combat unit newspapers and watching conditions, job security, without these struggles. They and into cheap labour. leadership. have created opportunity in a In 1932, an uprising led' by cars. and fair bargaining. In rural communities, men There are countless Socio-economic agree- seemingly hopeless situation Farabundo Marti against the have gone to the front and and become leaders in a coffee plantation owners (to vendors on the street of ments are to implement have been singled out by markets selling iced drinks, agrarian reform, limiting situation where there seemed protest deplorable wages and "death squads" as suspected no way to go. They will not look conditions) led· to a mass acre magazines, fruit, tortillas, property to 245 hectares. FMLN supporters or as leaders Government land will go to back now. of over 30,000 (2% of the cheap bric-a-brac, but there in the community. Women landless peasants and population) in a few weeks. are very few beggars. Even have taken over the the disabled find some service small farmers and Margaret Sumadh a There has also been extensive agricultural work, fuel- to offer. Many women, girls agricultural credit policy is member of the Salvadoran slaughter of the Indian gathering, community and young men resort to selling to be revised. International Women's Association in population, reducing their leadership, etc., as well as the their bodies and suffer greatly aid must go directly to the Toronto. In El Salvador, this numbers and severely group supports women's grass traditional roles. The women as a result from abuse and communities. This will allow suppressing their culture and roots community projects, became empowered to make disease. for the poor to .have a language. changes in their lives. steady crop production and including literacy, health, What difference has the nutrition, agriculture. Government troops would visit signing of the Peace Accords longer season crops to the village and these "visits" made? The most immediate is resulted in livestock being the relief of no aerial bombing killed, houses burned and and government troops. In cont'd from page 41 crops destroyed. It was the addition there is hope for women who decided that they percentage of women in reconstruction of family life. were no longer going to flee into Though the war lasted 11 Voices of Women in El Salvador positions of authority, poor the mountains. The initial cost years, the lack of control most public services, double was high - death, rape, Salvadoran women discuss economic and domestic p0ople experienced over their burdens and heavy pollution terrorism, but eventually the li\•es has been beyond living violence, sexual assault, men's attitudes and the threatening our children's army stopped coming. knowledge. atmosphere of violence in which they live. Filmed health are the main issues that There are no government The Accords most affecting in the streets of El Salvador with the sounds of will be effective in raising social services, health, birth women include: children playing while helicopters fly overhead these women's consciousness in control or pre-natal care and The Reform of the government women reach across nations to speak from their hearts Czechoslovakia. Women have many mothers and babies die in Armed Forces which puts them about their struggles and hopes for the future. to realize that if they do not childbirth. Children are denied under civilian authority and raise their voices, no one else education (except where a reduces their size by 50%. The Produced by Eva Manly, Jan Bulman and Sara Tores will do it for them. After all, it community can organize), illegal paramilitary groups this video is offered as a tribute to their strength and was not only men but also vaccination programsand basic (death squads) will be determination. women who went striking during dietary needs. Because of this eliminated and there will be no the revolution for their rights, children still die of simple forced military recruitment. This 30 minute video is available for through democracy and dignity. dehydration, measles and The FMLN armed forces are to Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW). pneumonia. be demobilised by October lveta Jusova was recently For many middle and upper 31st , 1992 and can apply far in Canada at Carleton class city women, the war has the New National Civilian Police Send cheque payable to ESPERANZA C/O CRlAW University doing some work been a 'nuisance', the troops in Force. This also means that 151 Slater St. Suite 408 Ottawa Ontario KIP 5H3 and returned to the street, the rationing of because the FMLN has a high Czechoslovakia in March. electricity, the sound of percentage of women with l Spring 1992 page 43

FACES OF FEMINISM "A book, like our lives, to share."

FACES OF FEMINISM IS: For six years Pamela Harris researched and photographed the Canadian women's movement. Now her --A series of 75 black-and-white photographic portraits by Pamela empowering collection of portraits, each paired with a text written Harris, each paired with text written by the woman or group by the woman or group portrayed, is ready for publication, and portrayed,with an Introduction by Angela Miles and an Afterword you are invited to be part of the process. In order to produce by the artist. Faces of Feminism, Second Story Press needs to pre-sell a --Voices and faces of women from all the provinces and many limited first edition. Join us in making this possible, walks of life: rural and urban women, individuals and collectives, become a sponsor! women of different races, ages, and lifestyles. --An empowering reflection of the diversity and energy of the For your support you will receive an autographed grass-roots Canadian women's movement. copy of the limited, cloth-bound edition and acknowledgement --A research tool for women's studies programmes. by name on the special page of Faces of Feminism honouring --An elegantly designed book with duotone reproduction on our publication sponsors. quality stock. For each order: send a cheque for $50 made payable --An important historical document. to Second Story Press. Or make a donation: Send a separate cheque payable to the CR/AW Faces of Feminism Project. You will Faces of Feminism, Second Story Press, 760 receive a charltable tax receipt for this amount from CRIAW, a Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2R6 feminist organization co-publishing Faces of Feminism. Tel/Fax : (416) 537-7850 MaxineTynes,poet, NovaScotia

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W 0 M. E N Business: (416)597-1171 you are physically, emotionally sexually abused, cal/ 1·800-265-7233 ~ for support. and information. Crisis: (416)597-8809 For general information and education materials Vancouver Rape Relief and about violence against women and children contact: T.D.D.: (416)597-1214 Women's Shelter 872-8212 GUELPH-WELLINGTON WOMEN IN CRISIS 836·1110 or one of our programmes: 24 hour crisis line MARIANNE'S PLACE 836·6831 emergency shelter for women & their children SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE 823·5806 •women's organizing centre RURAL WOMEN'S SHELTER PROGRAMME 836·1110 page 44 Spring 1992

Review: Naomi Wolf: author of Fried Green The Beauty Myth Tomatoes by Gillian Burnett by Lorna Drew

Naomi Wolf, author of The democracy and everyone is Action will achieve this. from the University, or that we First the good news. Fried Beauty Myth, spoke to a equal (one of the essential Consciousness-raising alone petition the alumni and demand Green Tomatoes has some crowd of 400 March 6, at pillars of democracy) then will not achieve any concrete that they refuse to give more nice moments. Kathy Bates Carleton University in Ottawa. feminism should not have to economic, social or political money to the University until and Mary Stuart Masterson are She was invited to speak as exist, let alone be fought for - it advancements for women. better lighting is installed. certainly two of them. Bates, in part of the celebration of· should be inherent. Lastly, I was astounded Give me a break . . . In her role as Evelyn, the wife of International Women's Week. Naomi Wolf has, to a limited when Wolf claimed to have reality Conrad Black, our couch potato Ed Couch, does a Wolf was certainly in her extent, joined the ranks of given us a Marxist analysis of infamously rich alumni, does hilarious job of trying to inject element. She is a very fluid prominint feminist writers, like why women are oppressed by not give a damn whether or not romance into their hum-drum speaker who easily grasped Gloria Steinem. By classing "beauty" and the "beauty female graduate students have middle-aged marriage. The and held the attention of the Wolf as such, I am simply industry". The talk given by phones in their offices (or shot of Bates swathed in saran audience. Wolf was not trying to say that she, like Naomi Wolf was in no way a whatever the case might be). wrap and palpitating is almost addressing a critical audience Steinem, has moved away from Marxist analysis. She did not In reality, if I, or 400 other worth the price of admission. however and I am rather critical collective action and has address the question of the students withheld our tuition And Masterson gives a fine, of parts of her presentation. cheques we'd be out on our wiry edge to her performance She gave an empirically ear. No questions asked. Wolf as the tomboyish ldgie charged talk - all interesting of also suggested that women get Threadgood. course - but seriously lacking together, stop nit-picking each in theoretical analysis. 'I was other and the world would quite astonished when one become a better place. This is woman spoke on the all too individualistic and inaccessibility of the language passive. used by Wolf. I, for one, felt Passivity is exceptionally the language was in no way dangerous in times like these. overly difficult, as there was Abortion rights are being very limited theory in her talk. challenged across North That is not to say that she did America and Europe. Violence not present ideas : but the against women is epidemic. ideas presented carried very Racism is reaching new little theoretical "weight". heights. Lesbophobia and Wolf was justified when she homophobia are rampant. claimed that feminism, like Passivity, ind iv id ua I is tic democracy, must b e initiatives and consciousness- Then there's the presence of rejuvenated every generation. raising will not solve these Cicely Tyson and Jessica Reactionary elements within problems. Tandy as welcome reminders society are always more than Yes, women are oppressed that older women are still willing to withdraw the by the beauty myth; yes, this capable of acting. Director Jon advances made by previous must be acknowledged and Avnet has his bases covered. generations, and to put addressed, as Wolf has done. With women black and white, regressive forces in place of What I question are her old and young driving the plot, progressive ones., However, I proposed methods of ending what can go wrong? question Wolf for invoking this retreated, in a sense, to 'good need for change relation to the the oppression. Yes, Well, at the risk of sounding analogy between feminism and ale' consciousness raising. means of production - a empowerment is vital, but like a kvetcher in the wry, I democracy. I have lived in Wolf even offered her Friday classic Marxist tenent. She did keeping it within ourselves will have to tell you that the movie Canada all my life and I have night speech as her address the fact that big not accomplish anything - disappointed me in a number of yet to live in a truly democratic consciousness-raising gift to decision makers are all male direct aggressive collective ways. It's not that I'm naive; I society. It should be taken for us. I do not have a problem and that the beauty myth is action will. learned from the Steel granted that democracy with this except that it is economically based, etc .. but Magnolias school of soft includes all the objectives of inactive. Women are she did not provide a Marxist Gillian Burnett is a 4th year slaps (the southern equivalent feminism - one should not be constantly being told to "get solution. women's history student at of hard knocks) that several able to exist without the other - together"; "remember and Furthermore, she very Carleton University. strong women do not a feminist however, this is not how Wolf thank the feminists who lightly addressed the question movie make. Thelma and sees it. preceeded you"; "talk to your of class - another essential Louise notwithstanding, Wolf appears to accept that fellow women, do not let Marxist consideration. My Hollywood is not given to democracy and feminism can society divide and conquer" or point can be made more clearly patriarchy-bashing. Still, I'd be two mutually exclusive "be together as one". if we look at the solutions Wolf read Fannie Flagg's slyly phenomena. I think her All these recommendations did offer to women caught in radical novel, Fried Green parallels were unclear. She are needed but they have a the beauty myth. Her Tomatoes at the Whistle- claims that America is a time and a place. Talking to solutions, with the exclusion of Stop Cafe and hoped for the democracy, and in lhe strictest each other will not get us, say, one, were exceptionally best. sense it is, but if America is a free abortion on demand. individualistic; reminiscent of What I saw, however, was a pure liberalism, which is the film structured on absences. type of analysis I w o u Id Lacking Flagg's feminism, the suggest Wolf used. movie characters stay Wolf suggested that all 400 stranded at the level of of us storm the Admin Office stereotypes. Id g i e and demand better lighting on Thraadgoode is just the latest campus. Sounds good to me - in a series of southern tomboys Smokefree but, there was no sign-up sheet better represented in print by Teaches Women to Quit Smoking passed around for anyone author Carson McCullers' wiling to partake in such an Member of the Wedding. action and we will never meet Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Phyllis Marie Jensen, RN., PhD. again, to participate in any Parker) is ldgie's opposite, the collective action to better the familiar southern belle with the lives of women. This was her soul of steel. Evelyn Couch 183 Munro Street. Torooto, Ontario M4M 288 most active solution. becomes another She also, insultingly in my discontented, over-weight 14161 465-1323 opinion, suggested our parents housewife and Ninny withhold our tuition cheques Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) an elder lady dispensing cont'd on page 45

The. Womanist ----- Spring 1992 page 45 Brides from Hell: The Womanist infiltrates the bridal preview

by Joanne Steven

wisdom in the form of stories. A Bridal Fair is surely one of might do to me for breaking clitoral ones ("He was a genius matter how elusive or how Missing is the reason for the most obvious of targets for some kind of cultural code. but he didn't know anything temporary. Evelyn's transformation,; a a feminist en. Tacky gowns, At one booth I was given a about women"), and broke the When I got home, I went hilarious monologue in which Marabel Morgan (the latest hefty magazine entitled crowd up with her story about through all the brochures and Evelyn realizes female model to reflect womanly "Wedding Bells" which the woman who liked to toss samples I had stashed in my powerlessness is equated with perfection) clones hawking consisted almost entirely of onion rings onto her lover's handy little shopping bag. the absence of balls. cosmetics, surreal multi- ads for dresses and services. erection (I'll bet the Among the price lists for "No wonder," Evelyn muses layered cakes decked with Ads in which anorexic brides consumption of onion rings in catering, ads for photographic in the novel, "(she) had always miniature plastic brides and and GO grooms were Ottawa tonight will increase!"). studios and coupons for felt like a car in traffic without a grooms, and gaudy plastic photographed laughing and A few absurd moments: Dr. discount leg waxing were two horn." flower arrangements all in lounging around gardens Ruth, blithely chatting to her curious little pamphlets. Missing also is the love affair celebration of women's festooned with flowers and squirming but delighted I remember being handed between ldgie and Ruth. historical slavery to men, and striped tent canopies, sipping audience about orgasms and these by two smiling women as Positive lesbian relationships the oppressive myth of champagne from silver goblets clitorises while a man on the I entered Lansdowne Park. are conspicuously absent from romance. and eyeing each other as outskirts of the crowd, One pamphlets was a slick little most Hollywood movies, and Not that all feminists are lustfully as one can when sweating in his rented tux, number with attractive graphics Fried Green Tomatoes is against rituals celebrating which at first I took to be no exception. I understood unions between two people. In information on AIDS and safe from the film that ldgie's love a revealing conversation the sex. It turned out to be a for Ruth was unreciprocated, other day with a friend, we both diatribe against pre-marital permitting them only a admitted that we had thought sex, and stated that to avoid friendship devoid of sexual about what kind of wedding we getting AIDS, one should "rule expression. The novel allows would like to have. We both out sex before marriage, them a sex life. hastened to tell each other remain faithful in marriage, and Meanwhile, back in the that, of course, it would be a choose a life-long marriage cotton fields, life among the small, intimate, politically partner who shares your moral blacks is centered on the correct ceremony none of this whites. Sipsey (Cicely Tyson) convictions". love, honour and obey crap and her son George risk their ·Not one mention of nasty and not a white dress in sight (I lives to save the baby of the condoms, I. V. use or, (horrors) personally favor flaming red white mistress. In the novel, -dental dams. silk). blacks had lives of their own. The other handout was a How many other women, pocket-sized card extolling the Finally, and also AWOL, is good feminists all, also dream Eva Bates, the owner/madame virtues of chastity. Both were about their wedding day? A published by Human Life of "The Wagon Wheel Club and lesbian couple I know are Camp", who initiates ldgie in International, an American anti- debating what kind of music to abortion group with a local the joys of lesbian sex before play at their "commitment the coming of Ruth. In case branch here in Ottawa. ceremony" (I've suggested. from National Enquirer Special issue on Weddings Gee, maybe I'm stretching it you missed her in the movie, Annie Lennox's, "Sisters are she's the woman who stalks he.re, but could there be some Doing It For Themselves", but dressed so uncomfortably and earnestly shows a young the club like some misplaced connection between a they're leaning towards so much in debt. Interspersed couple the inside of a stretch fundamentalist anti-sexuality, hooker without a cause. We're Phronc's, "I Enjoy Being a here and there were a few limousine, his high-heeled pro-(hetero) marriage not even told her name. Girl"). It's not weddings per se, articles such as, "How to plan sidekick handing out free organization and the whole Then there is the musical but rather the commodification your wedding" which read, chocolates to passers-by. wedding industry?? Hmmmm. score. For a moment, during of the wedding ritual which interestingly,_.Jike.. a .. mlli.tai:y ---Satisfying sex is clearly as Clearly more than just dresses the opening credits, I had nauseates us, and the unreal campaign, and was about as much of a commodity as limo and veils are being flogged at hope. There was the sound of expectations such cognizant of collateral damage rentals, a message these bridal fairs, a whole a blues harmonica. Women's commodification generates. as George Bush. emphasized by t h e fundamentalist right wing voices sang gospel a capella. I Not to mention the glorification As for Dr. Ruth, her hour strategically-located booth hetewsexist agenda is present heard a twang. Then, just as of good old heterosexual long talk was a big hit with the selling Dr. Ruth's various how- as well. I'd decided to buy the sound gender roles at the expense of c ro wd. She trotted to books. think I'll stick to my track, a thousand and one gay and lesbian relationships. e~ergetically. up to the ft would truly be a cheap politically correct red silk strings took over and spritzed The recent Bridal Preview microphone, a tiny woman who shot to criticize the women and fantasy for now. the music Qn like Cool Whip. held at Lansdowne Park was a looks like everyperson's men who attended this affair. And the costumes! I couldn't perfect example. This event mother, wearing a Chanel suit Ranging in age from late teens Joanne Steven is in social take my eyes off ldgie's comprised of a variety of with the u~iquit?us maternal to early thirties, these people work graduate studies at swamp-girl denims. For a poor booths devoted to the selling of handbag aangling from her had clearly bought into the Carleton University. back-woods southern gal, she wedding-services ranging from forearm. dream that they too, could be made a great fashion catering and custom-made Dr. Ruth knew her audience. rich for a day. statement. I have several dresses to varicose vein Her talk was heterocentric, The dresses, the cakes, the Mrs. Diana friends who, even as I write, treatment and life insurance, phallocentric, and simplistic, limos, the glamour; a 11 are trying to copy her overalls plus several fashion shows and laced with humour, and filled trappings of luxury, a fantasy and t-shirt chic. a keynote talk by sex populist, with practical advice. "Tell him stoked by the capitalist ard Let me add that none of this Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Dr. Ruth says it's okay not to manufacturers and purveyors Palm Reading is Fannie Flagg's fault. Even For two hours I meandered have sex on your wedding of romance, and rented for one T arrot Card Reading when the author works on the among the various booths night!". day at an exorbitant price. The Do you screenplay, a novel is still at picking up numerous brochures Without patronizing the rich can take this kind of personal in the mercy of Hollywood's and samples of chocolates and crowd, she translated sex fantasy for granted, especially Love revisionary editing. Fried perfume, stashing them into therapy lingo and since they are the ones who Marriage Happiness Green Tomatoes at the the shopping bag oh-so- psychological research jargon control the industries which Family Business For a and rewarding Whistle-Stop Cafe remains conveniently provided. I even into simple terms: have fun with generate them; but for the reading. Mrs. Diana a wonderful novel, in spite of entered a few contests, except sex, don't try too hard, women working classes, it means a answer your questions and anything the movie moguls do. the one which obliged me to put need and deserve lots of great· deal of economic give you guidance in That alone is reason enough for down the name of my foreplay (before the "main struggle. After a lifetime's your Flagg waving. visit convince you prospective groom and the event", of course}. barrage of media ads pushing that she is a gifted reader. wedding date. I thought about She debunked (does the message, "rich=good, Everyone Lorna Drew is a womanist putting down "Svend anyone still believe this?) poor=bad", it's no wonder so For living and writing in Fredericton, Robinson", but then became Freud's myths of matu~e much debt is incurred. !n the 613-235-9697 New Brunswick. She spends afraid of what the Bridal Police vaginal orgasms vs. immature search for upward mob1l1ty, no her spare time eating popcorn Ottawa, in the dark.

---. -. -. page 46 Spring 1992 How the well are you? Surviving urban cycling by Cathy Beaumont A few years ago, I figured had rusted or otherwise frozen need is a working bike, a good happens every spring. The (like most people) that a bike in place. I also bought a helmet sturdy lock, and a helmet. Plus temperature rises, the roads was good, basic transportation and a Kryptonite Jock. And I a couple of road skills and a dry up, the breeze becomes for kids and people who started to have fun! I loved the sharp eye for cars. Sure, softer and much less icy, and couldn't afford a car. I had a feeling of moving fast, yet commuting by bike has its become possessed. wait Raleigh ten speed as a staying in control. I found I hazards, but so does using eagerly for the end of the teenager (earning the money to could get a good workout, yet your car or taking transit. Like working day. race home in buy it the summer I was never feel stiff the next day. I most things in life, it gets order to catch the last light of sixteen). It was a quick way to could get around the city faster easier with a little practice. the day. run up my stairs two get around, but as soon as I than pedestrians, buses, even In my comm u ting a time and shed my clothes earned my driver's license the cars during rush hour! And I experience, I've learned a lot, swiftly. can't wait for it to bike became a second-class paid no transit fares, cursed at most of it the hard way. It took happen. vehicle. Even when I was out in no parking tickets, fed n 0 me weeks to map out the best The object of my passion? the working world full time, I parking meters. I even started route to my office -- and then She's white, but also red. She's walked everywhere, preferring commuting to and from work. we moved. I felt smug sailing During the spring and fall, I've found a very large wool scarf sleek, beautiful, and the safety of the sidewalk to One of the easiest ways for through traffic snarls on my (you know, the kind they drape remarkably light for all. her the unknown horrors of urban people to get into cycling is to bike, and longed for the over suit jackets and winter strength. She responds quickly traffic. commute by bike. It's easy dryness of a car when I got to my every wish. Even so, It took the beginning of the because the pressure is off. caught in sudden rainshowers. coats in fashion magazines) she's very quiet. Her name 'is cycling boom to get me to even You're going to work so you In reflecting on these and other handy: it can keep you warm Fuji Club: she's my bike, an~ on look at my old bike again. A wear sensible clothes, not experiences, five main points around the neck and shoulders a nice spring day can't wait to cyclist friend showed me how those skin-tight Lycra outfits. come through. Here are, in my and protect your hair in sudden get home, change, and go for a to clean and oil the old Raleigh, You don't want to work up a opinion, the Five Secrets to showers. All year round, 'd A d I' ome a really and I started to take it out for a . though, wear a helmet. n e. n . ve c . . sweat, so there's no need to Successful Cycle Commuting: long way in my love for bikes few short spins. I bought a few set a breakneck pace. All you 1. Slow down. Commuting 4. Wear rubber-soled and cycling. parts to replace the ones that is not training. Nor is it touring. shoes. This is the only exception to rule no. 3. Try This is not a workout. Getting cycling in high heels or slippery to and from work should be a leather soles and you'll see cruise, not a sweat-producing what I mean. Any shoe that Information adventure. Get used to riding doesn't give you a firm grip on at half the speed you think you the pedals is unsafe for ought to be going. Never mind if commuting. You can either slip other cyclists pass you. Going your "good" shoes into your slower also means you have knapsack or stash them in a The first book to Canadian feminist more time to react if you get examine the Reform closet or spare filing cabinet at scholars and activists into a tricky traffic situation. Party and its leader describe their your workplace. Preston Manning. activities and reflect 2. Get a co mm u t In g 5. Be assertive In "Anyone who wants to on their successes and bike. A solid, heavy, traffic. By all means, plan know more about the failures. Chapters inexpensive, rust-resistant, your route to avoid busy rni1 Manning .. .should include Saskatchewan th row-it-out-a-ten-storey- read Murray Dobbin's streets if at all possible. Rush women who opposed window-and-you-won 't-eve n- hour traffic can be noisy and new book. - David funding cutbacks; Crane, Toronto Star native women who dent-it crate of a bike. You intimidating, so when you must $16.95 paper forced changes to the probably have one of these face it, concentrate on what 1-55028-357-X Indian Act; and a languishing in your basement, you're doing. When in doubt at Toronto-based activist storage locker, or garage. Get an intersection, wait for things who set up a disabled women's network. fenders to.put over the tires so to clear up a bit -- they often do $24.95 paper you don't get splashed up the in a matter of seconds. Try to Ideas 1-55028-345-6 back of your work clothes. If make eye contact with drivers you're buying a new bike, make who don't appear to be sure you get fitted for the right concentrating or sure of where size frame. Too many women they're going -- if they know get stuck with bikes that are A brief, readable For several years you're there, they'll usually let introduction to the David Cayley has too big for them because that's you go first. Watch out for New Democratic Party explored ideas about what the dealer wants to sell. drivers' side doors of parked today. Brief biographies the environment with Get a knapsack to carry your cars opening suddenly. Most of the founders, many of the world's purse, papers, and stuff you traffic problems can be avoided accounts of party thinkers and activists. organizing in every He shared this pick up on the way home. if you slow down and stay alert. province and territory, experience with (This may sound like it's And l've discovered that, with and credos by Audrey thousands of people running into money, but experience, you can anticipate McLaughlin, Ed who have heard his compare it with the price of a most traffic situations Broadbent and Shirley programmes on CBC tank of gas. Or a month of successfully. Carr. Radio's Ideas, and he $6.95paper now draws together the downtown parking. Or a month Cycling is pure liberation. 1-55028-353-7 most revealing and of transit fare. Spend a little Going where you want to, challenging of these now and save a lot in the long quickly, under your own power. conversations in a new run.) Seeing places and things you book. $16.95 paper 3. Dress normally. When I never saw before, or never 1-55028-349-9 started commuting, my biggest really noticed from inside the fear was that I'd have to buy cocoon of a car or bus. You two of everything and keep one may start out nervous, but Zuhair Kashmeri New proposals on wardrobe at work and one at you'll gradually gain confidence examines a neglected key Canadian issues home. Plus I'd have to shower and self-assurance. It's never aspect of the Gulf War: are presented through when I got to work, redo my too late to discover the joy of its impact on Canadian lively debates by · Arabs and Muslims democrats and hair, fix my makeup, etc. But riding. And what your mom said within Canada. socialists. Among them thanks to following rule no.1 was right: you never really do "Kashmeri has unearthed are Desmond Morton (Slow down), none of these forget how. what amounted to a system and Ernie Regehr on fears have been realized. I've of unprovoked psychological national defence, internment for Arab- Manfred Bienefeld and cycled in suits, skirts, silks, Cathy Beaumont is a former Canadians. David Wolfe on trade, wool trousers, and jeans and Torontonian who recently -Globe and Mail and J.P. Hamey and Reg never ruined anything. (Tight arrived in Vancouver, and is $16.95 paper Whitaka- on Quebec. skirts, however, are out.) Use using all her stress- 1-55028-345-6 $19.95 paper whatever works best to keep management skills to handle 1-55028-344-8 your pant legs under control the chaos of moving. She is a (I've seen some male dedicated recreational cyclist, Available at better bookstores across Canada. commuters wearing cross- and plans to indulge her (until cou ntry skiing gaiters to In case of difficulty, order by telephone toll free with Visa or now) secret passi6ns for hiking LORIMER protect their suit trousers). and downhill skiing. Independent Publishing since 1970 Mastercard. Monday to Friday 8-4 eas~ern time 1-800-565-1975 Spring 1992 page 47

Take a holiday in one of Women at these great places work by Jane E. Foy

There is no question women Seventeen comfort- are revolutionizing the workplace. The question is: able and well appointed (508) 487-1911 can women change the "Women can transform the rooms all with Cable TV and workplace for the better before workplace by expressing, not air conditioning. Home made it changes us for the worse? by giving up, their personal goodies are offered for your values," write futurist gurus complimentary continental FIRST, THE BAD NEWS John Naisbitt and Patricia Some say the women's Aburdene in 'Re-inventing the breakfast. There are flower movement has unwittingly sold Corporation'. "The reality of gardens, patio, sun deck and ample free parking all for your women down the economic working women has forced the staying pleasure. river by encouraging them to go humanization of the to work in droves just when the Innkeepers - Mary Taylor & Maureen Doneathy workforce." economy needed a cheap 6 Conwell Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 University of California source of labour. researcher Judy Rosener "The real revolution in found that women's style of women's lives would have leadership fits in with the occurred whether or not there participative and interactive had been a feminist movement wave of the future. with its crusade for equal "Women encourage rights. The real revolution has participation, share power and been an economic revolution information, enhance other that requires women to work to people's self-worth and get maintain a family in the face of others excited about their declining living wages," writes work. All these things reflect Mary Ann Mason in The their belief that allowing of Quietness for Equality Trap. "Without employees to. contribute and to realizing it women supplied an "Far From The Madding Crowd" feel powerful and important is a ideology which suited the win-win situation - good for the economy's new need for employees and t h e Proprietor - L. Shelby Toderel women workers. The crusade organization." for equal rights both glorified Anita Roddick, founder of 613 Horton Bay Road, Mayne Island, B.C. Von 210 the experience of work and Ph.(604)539-3476 Fax:{604)539-5148 The Body Shop, is a star of new gave women equal success nurturing a responsibility for supporting multinational corporation while Be pampered as you atop the family. Men were and a maintaining personal integrity, fasting. conveniently relieved of the employee well-being and whirlpool. sole responsibility for 100 Acres• Pool Innkeeper: Grace Newman and racquet sports. environmental consciousness. supporting the family at a time "I think all business Hot Tub• Trails A tun spa 1 from when it became impossible for Gift practices would improve them to do so." immeasurable if they were (416) 468-3452 Statistics do indicate that guided by 'feminine' principles - the shift from the o Id qualities like love and care and exhausted industrial economy intuition. to the new, and profitable, "I am mystified by the fact service and information that the business world is Box 118 WO economy has bee n Bethlehem, NH 03574 apparently proud to be seen as accomplished largely on the hard and uncaring and (603) 869-3978 backs of women. While men detached from human values ... A LESBIAN PARADISE continue to compete for the I personally don't know how the well-paid, secure, unionized hell anybody can survive Villa de Herrnanas jobs in industry, women have All women's Caribbean running a successful business been soaked up by the new in the nineties without caring. I Beachfront Guesthouse ranks of lower-paying, non- don't know how they keep their Beautiful, spacious unionized, often temporary or role within the community. I villa on long, secluded part-time jobs in the service don't know how they keep their & ast beach in the Dominican and information sectors. soul intact." The bottom line is that Roddick has done an end- Republic. Private grounds Canadian women average 66% for women sumptuous meals, crystal run around the male business the wages men do for full-time establishment. "The big healings, pool, massage work. That's economic abuse mistake they make is to equate 3974 Laval Ave. $330 sgl $440 dbl/week and that's got to stop. our feminine values with Montreat, Canada Call our Toronto friend: weakness and inefficiency. H2W2J2 Susan (416)463-6138 MORE BAD NEWS We are not a bunch of bleeding 514-843-4869 between 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Women are essentially hearts who have somehow putting down a double shift - at stumbled into a successful the workplace and in the home. business. We know how to run A major American study business. OK, we do it Female Researcher shows that, when housework differently, but we do it well." interested in the question and childcare are added to paid As trend setters Naishitt labour, women work more than and Aburdene optimistically EXPEDmONS RADISSON of surrogacy. I am interested men on average throughout in contacting women who conclude: "Market forces will Gatineau River and Mountain Excursions their lives. In peak childrearing do what habit, tradition and One Hourto One Week have been or who are, years, women toil almost 90 mind-set have not done: surrogate mothers. Contact:. hours a week, 24 hours more a acknowledge and reward Fiona Green (204)786-9295 week than men. women for their contribution to C!O University of Winnipeg AND NOW FOR THE GOOD the enterprise." 174 RIVER ROAD NEWS Women's Studies. Women are the key to WAKEFIELD. QUEBEC 515 Portage Ave. Jane Foy has a column for JOX 3GO 18191 459-3860 creating a new work ethic and, the London Free Press and has Winnipeg, Manitoba if we hang tough and act smart, her own. consulting firm working R3B 2E9 we'll get there. with newspapers. page 48 Spring 1992

jaw we work lw Iha we work with IH Five key principles guide our work Catalyst has completed over 50 empowerment projects for women's groups, participation international development agencies, •accountability environmental groups, unions, •gender and cultural sensitivity aboriginal organizations, and integrity government agencies. lwlhatwedo

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