Enemies, Frenemies, Comrades and Exes - Dread and Dreamwork in the Pursuit of Feminism

The book description lays out the challenges before us:

‘In a time of rising fascism, ceaseless attacks on reproductive justice, and violent transphobia, we need to reckon with what Western feminism has wrought if we have any hope of building the feminist world we need. Enemy feminisms exist. Feminism is not an inherent political good. Only when we acknowledge that can we finally reckon with the ways these feminisms have pushed us toward counterproductive and even violent ends. And only then can we finally engage in feminist strategizing that is truly antifascist.’

Europe has its own incarnations of enemy feminisms, perhaps a little more coy about the politics of race, perhaps a little more genteel in the expression of exclusionary ambition. The fantasy of ‘right-wing women’ - mainly American, and maybe Thatcher - diverts attention from the authoritarian interventions of electoral feminisms in office and from the melding of fascistic impulses into the most established of feminist spaces. The call, as they say, is coming from inside the house.

Speakers will include: Sophie Lewis, Sita Balani, Lola Olufemi, Paige Patchin, Gala Rexer, Gargi Bhattacharyya

Provisional programme for the event:

1.00pm - arrival

1.15pm - introduction and panel discussion

2.15pm - A conversation with Sophie Lewis

3.05pm - tea break

3.25pm - A collaborative mapping and analysis activity - how can we chart the challenges, interconnections and points of solidarity in the uncertain arenas of contemporary feminisms

4.05pm - look at what we have made and share thoughts on connections, affinities and traps.

5.00pm - end of event

Enemy Feminisms | HaymarketBooks.org