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==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt;">about</span>== | <p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:60pt; line-height: 60pt; color: orangered; text-align: center;">'''A SLIP OF </br> THE TONGUE'''</p> | ||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">about</span>== | |||
::Despite identifying as an intersectional, queer feminist and actively opposing sexism on a political and ideological level, I became aware that I unconsciously reproduce sexist patterns in the way I speak and think. I noticed that I use expressions in my vernacular that contradict my beliefs, are misogynistic and linguistically undermine women's value. Recognizing that I unknowingly yet actively participate in sustaining sexist norms through everyday speech was a moment of rupture that lead me to think about language in a feminist context and made me approach it as a structural issue that can and should be examined, understood, and addressed collectively. | ::Despite identifying as an intersectional, queer feminist and actively opposing sexism on a political and ideological level, I became aware that I unconsciously reproduce sexist patterns in the way I speak and think. I noticed that I use expressions in my vernacular that contradict my beliefs, are misogynistic and linguistically undermine women's value. Recognizing that I unknowingly yet actively participate in sustaining sexist norms through everyday speech was a moment of rupture that lead me to think about language in a feminist context and made me approach it as a structural issue that can and should be examined, understood, and addressed collectively. | ||
::Feminist linguistic theory has long argued that language is not a neutral medium but a political site in which gendered hierarchies are reflected and sustained. It is through language that experiences are named, categorized, and communicated, and that social norms and power relations are reproduced. The ways in which women* are spoken about, addressed, silenced or made invisible through linguistic practices contribute to broader systems of gendered oppression. At the same time, Feminists argue that language also holds the potential to be reshaped, reclaimed, and used as a tool of resistance. | ::Feminist linguistic theory has long argued that language is not a neutral medium but a political site in which gendered hierarchies are reflected and sustained. It is through language that experiences are named, categorized, and communicated, and that social norms and power relations are reproduced. The ways in which women* are spoken about, addressed, silenced or made invisible through linguistic practices contribute to broader systems of gendered oppression. At the same time, Feminists argue that language also holds the potential to be reshaped, reclaimed, and used as a tool of resistance. | ||
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::It’s not about using the “right” words, or forbidding or silencing speech. It’s about interrogating why we use the words we do, who we’re trying to center, and how our choices either reinforce or challenge the patriarchal norm!! | ::It’s not about using the “right” words, or forbidding or silencing speech. It’s about interrogating why we use the words we do, who we’re trying to center, and how our choices either reinforce or challenge the patriarchal norm!! | ||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">Code of Conduct</span>== | |||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt;">Code of Conduct</span>== | |||
::Speaking about ones language can be a vulnerable subject. Noticing that the way you speak holds sexism and other forms of oppression can be uncomfortable and in order to make these meetings a space where everyone feels safe and heard to learn and reinvent, I came up with a code of conduct. It is not a set of rigid rules, but a shared agreement that can be transformed as we go. | ::Speaking about ones language can be a vulnerable subject. Noticing that the way you speak holds sexism and other forms of oppression can be uncomfortable and in order to make these meetings a space where everyone feels safe and heard to learn and reinvent, I came up with a code of conduct. It is not a set of rigid rules, but a shared agreement that can be transformed as we go. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
::We will read the code of conduct out loud every time we start a meeting to refresh our memory on these agreements. This also opens the space to discuss the code and adjust it accordingly. | ::We will read the code of conduct out loud every time we start a meeting to refresh our memory on these agreements. This also opens the space to discuss the code and adjust it accordingly. | ||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt;">Aftercare</span>== | ==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">Aftercare</span>== | ||
::I'm aware that what comes up in the meetings can be a lot to take in, and it can be really confronting work. If you have realizations that are followed by feelings of discomfort or shame this section is for you. Here I gathered things you can do that might help dealing with such feelings. Cause trust me, I've been through it all! | ::I'm aware that what comes up in the meetings can be a lot to take in, and it can be really confronting work. If you have realizations that are followed by feelings of discomfort or shame this section is for you. Here I gathered things you can do that might help dealing with such feelings. Cause trust me, I've been through it all! | ||
::Here I gathered what I call "The 5 stages after feminist realizations" which of course can differ from person to person and can arise in a different order then mentioned here. | ::Here I gathered what I call "The 5 stages after feminist realizations" which of course can differ from person to person and can arise in a different order then mentioned here. | ||
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:: [https://www.mooligirl.com/mooliworld-blog/the-pain-after-feminist-awakening This article] has great advice and [https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/take-care-of-yourself-as-feminist/ here] you might also get some good advice. | :: [https://www.mooligirl.com/mooliworld-blog/the-pain-after-feminist-awakening This article] has great advice and [https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/take-care-of-yourself-as-feminist/ here] you might also get some good advice. | ||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt;">Meetings</span>== | ==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">Meetings</span>== | ||
Structure: | Structure: | ||
::<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:17pt; line-height: 20pt;">1. Are you using this term? If yes, how are you using it? If no, why not?</span> | ::<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:17pt; line-height: 20pt;">1. Are you using this term? If yes, how are you using it? If no, why not?</span> | ||
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===<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:20pt; line-height: 20pt;">25/03/26 – bitch</span>=== | ===<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:20pt; line-height: 20pt;">25/03/26 – bitch</span>=== | ||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt;">process</span>== | ==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">process</span>== | ||
===Feminist documentation=== | ===Feminist documentation=== | ||
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::I learned through my research on consciousness-raising practices, that power dynamics are always at play. Always. So better to acknowledge them and make them visible then let them do damage. | ::I learned through my research on consciousness-raising practices, that power dynamics are always at play. Always. So better to acknowledge them and make them visible then let them do damage. | ||
::Can I, as a white cis-woman, call myself an intersectional feminist? I've been thinking about this for some time now and I think I'm leaning more towards no as an answer. And its not because I don't educate myself on intersecting forms of oppression, I say that because I do. Intersectionality originated in critical race studies and considers the way different forms of oppression (such as racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and so on) can combine and interact to produce multifaceted systems of oppression and privilege that shape the experiences of individuals. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersectionality# []] I believe I can call myself a feminist because I am experiencing gendered oppression. Because I know what that feels like, it is part of my day to day life. I am experiencing the struggles of being a woman in a patriarchal society daily. As a white cis-woman though, I'm only experiencing oppression because of my gender and not because of my race. I do not have the lived experience of what it is like to experience different layers of oppression. That makes me be in a very privileged situation. And because i acknowledge my privilege I especially read from | |||
==<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size:25pt; color: orangered;">bibliography</span>== | |||
BOOKS | |||
::Ahmet, Sara (2023) '''''The Feminist Killjoy Handbook''''' Penguin Random House UK | |||
::Cameron, Daborah (1986) '''''Feminism and Linguistic Theory''''' Macmillian London | |||
::Cameron, Deborah (1990) '''''The Feminist Critique of Language''''' Routledge, Chapman and Hall, Inc. New York | |||
::hooks, bell (2015) '''''Feminist Theory from margin to center''''' Routledge NY, (first and second editions published by South End Press 1984, 2000) | |||
::Lakoff, Robin (1975) '''''Language and Woman's Place''''' Harper and Row Publishers Inc. New York | |||
::Montell, Amanda (2019) '''''Wordslut''''' HarperCollins Publishers New York | |||
::Spencer, Dale (1998) '''''Man Made Language''''' Pandora New York : Distributed in U.S.A. by New York University Press | |||
::Russell, Legacy (2020) '''''Glitch Feminism – A Manifesto''''' Verso, NY | |||
WEBLINKS | |||
::Ahmet, Sara (2013-now) [https://feministkilljoys.com/about/ '''''Feminist Killjoy Blog'''''] | |||
::Freeman, Jo (1972) [https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm '''''THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS '''''] | |||
::Freeman, Jo (1970) [https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/bitch.htm '''''BITCH Manifesto'''''] | |||
::Lorde, Audre (1977) [https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/communication/transformation-silence-language-and-action-dec-28-1977 '''''The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action'''''] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:45, 14 May 2026
A SLIP OF
THE TONGUE
about
- Despite identifying as an intersectional, queer feminist and actively opposing sexism on a political and ideological level, I became aware that I unconsciously reproduce sexist patterns in the way I speak and think. I noticed that I use expressions in my vernacular that contradict my beliefs, are misogynistic and linguistically undermine women's value. Recognizing that I unknowingly yet actively participate in sustaining sexist norms through everyday speech was a moment of rupture that lead me to think about language in a feminist context and made me approach it as a structural issue that can and should be examined, understood, and addressed collectively.
- Feminist linguistic theory has long argued that language is not a neutral medium but a political site in which gendered hierarchies are reflected and sustained. It is through language that experiences are named, categorized, and communicated, and that social norms and power relations are reproduced. The ways in which women* are spoken about, addressed, silenced or made invisible through linguistic practices contribute to broader systems of gendered oppression. At the same time, Feminists argue that language also holds the potential to be reshaped, reclaimed, and used as a tool of resistance.
- Language is not just a list of words but a system of power that we uphold and reinforce everyday with speaking. I want to create collective speech acts that invite reflection, exchange, and co-creation of meaning. It is not about change in language its more about noticing the sexism in language and using language as a tool to stop the sexist cycles and ways of speaking. Its about stopping the constant shaming and proudly reclaiming or rephrasing terms for self- empowerment.
- It’s not about using the “right” words, or forbidding or silencing speech. It’s about interrogating why we use the words we do, who we’re trying to center, and how our choices either reinforce or challenge the patriarchal norm!!
Code of Conduct
- Speaking about ones language can be a vulnerable subject. Noticing that the way you speak holds sexism and other forms of oppression can be uncomfortable and in order to make these meetings a space where everyone feels safe and heard to learn and reinvent, I came up with a code of conduct. It is not a set of rigid rules, but a shared agreement that can be transformed as we go.
We are here to examine our own speech patterns. We expect to discover internalized sexism. We agree to approach that discovery with curiosity rather than defensiveness. We see this discussion as a method of collective knowledge production, not as a debate that anyone can win.
- We acknowledge that these conversations can touch on painful experiences and leave feelings of discomfort, guilt, shame, confusion, anger and other.
- We prioritize emotional safety, empathy, and mutual respect.
- We know that safety does not necessarily mean comfort.
- We allow discomfort. We do not allow harm or disrespect.
- Discomfort is information. Experiences are a form of knowledge.
- We know that learning requires discomfort, but not humiliation.
We listen to understand, not to respond or shame.
We use “I” statements to describe how we have internalized or witnessed sexist language, and what it means to us.
We speak from our own experience rather than generalizing or assuming.
We critique ideas, not people. We put structural analysis over individual blame.
We allow space for silence and reflection. We don't interrupt each other.
We are responsible for the impact our words might have, even it it was not our intention.
We approach ourselves and each other without judgment. We are all learning to recognize and unlearn internalized sexism.
Mistakes are part of the work. We hold space for repair, reflection, and growth.
- We recognize that language carries structural power.
- We recognize that every person’s relationship with language is different, shaped by culture, gender, race, and class.
- We acknowledge intersecting systems of oppression.
- We value difference and see it as enriching for the conversation.
- There are no “wrong” realizations or levels of awareness.
Even though I , Feline, structure the conversation I’m not an expert and I don’t own the conversation.
Language and meaning are collectively shaped and we credit and respect each other’s contributions.
As the moderator and participants, we continuously reflect on our roles, assumptions, and privileges.
We welcome feedback and are open to revising our methods or language including this code of conduct.
With attending these meetings we agree to the documentation and sharing of the meetings.
Participants have the right to remain anonymous or opt out. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
- We will read the code of conduct out loud every time we start a meeting to refresh our memory on these agreements. This also opens the space to discuss the code and adjust it accordingly.
Aftercare
- I'm aware that what comes up in the meetings can be a lot to take in, and it can be really confronting work. If you have realizations that are followed by feelings of discomfort or shame this section is for you. Here I gathered things you can do that might help dealing with such feelings. Cause trust me, I've been through it all!
- Here I gathered what I call "The 5 stages after feminist realizations" which of course can differ from person to person and can arise in a different order then mentioned here.
- 1.
- Sometimes a conversation opens a door you didn’t realize was there. Please know that clarity comes with discomfort. You may leave the meeting feeling surprised, unsettled, or mentally full. Recognizing there is oppression not only around you but within you can be very challenging. This feeling of shock is often the first step of learning, it means something new has entered your understanding. Give yourself time. Let your nervous system settle. You do not have to process everything immediately. Awareness unfolds in layers. Also know that ambivalence is normal. You will notice sexism and still reproduce it, feel empowered and still insecure, be critical and still desire approval. And that is okay and part of unlearning!
- 2.
- After realizing you reproduce sexist patterns, guilt can arise. About things you have said in the past, roles you have played in unequal systems, privileges you may hold or guilt for falling back into old patterns.
- Guilt can be uncomfortable, but it can also be a sign that your awareness is expanding. Instead of staying stuck in self-blame, ask yourself: What can I do differently now? Learning and adjusting is more powerful than punishing yourself. Remember: you are structurally embedded. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer others who are learning. Awareness creates the possibility for change.
- Remember: Mistakes are part of learning. You are practicing feminist awareness, not performing feminist perfection! It is okay to fall back into internalized patterns or use words in ways that you're trying to avoid. Allow yourself to learn and make mistakes and try again. It is hard work to get rid of patterns that are so deeply rooted within you. Don't beat yourself up, you're unlearning and rewriting and that takes time. Be proud of yourself for taking back control over your own life. You’re so brave for growing into the person you want to be.
- 3.
- When confronted with the scale of structural inequality, it is common to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. When this happens, it can help to remember that no single person carries the responsibility for change alone. Feminist work has always been collective and ongoing. Reconnect with your friends and community. Share your feelings with others. Change happens slowly, through countless small actions and conversations like the one you just had. Small shifts accumulate!
- 4.
- There may also be grief. Grief for experiences that should not have happened. Grief for opportunities lost, for an old version of yourself, for the realization that certain structures have shaped our lives in ways we cannot undo. Allow grief to exist without rushing it away. Rest, cry if you need to, sit quietly, or write down what you are mourning. Grief is not weakness, it is evidence that you care deeply.
- 5.
- Also anger is a natural and often necessary response. It can arise when you recognize unfairness, harm, or structural injustice. Anger carries information: it tells you that something matters and shows you in what ways you feel mistreated.
- Instead of suppressing it, try to let anger move safely through your body. Write down what you are angry about. Talk to someone you trust. Anger can be a powerful force that motivates action, solidarity, and transformation.
- Becoming aware of the power of language is not always easy, but it is meaningful. Every time we name an experience, question a norm, or listen to someone else’s story, something shifts.
- You do not need to have all the answers. Being curious, attentive, and willing to learn is already powerful. Take what inspired you today and carry it gently forward. Change grows from many voices, many conversations, and many small acts of courage—yours included.
- Awareness can be heavy, but it is also powerful. Feminist consciousness is not only about seeing injustice—it is also about building new forms of care, solidarity, and imagination. Take what nourishes you from the conversation. Leave what you cannot carry today. Trust that understanding grows over time. And remember: the fact that you are thinking, questioning, and engaging already means you are part of the change.
- This article has great advice and here you might also get some good advice.
Meetings
Structure:
- 1. Are you using this term? If yes, how are you using it? If no, why not?
- 2. Describe the feeling(s) the term evokes – "When I say it, I feel..." "When I hear it..."
- INPUT
- 3. Has your perception of the word changed? – over the course of your life? after the input?
- 4. Next steps – How do we want to proceed? Reclaim, avoid or find alternative or ...?
- 5. Open questions, confusions or comments?
- 6. Reflection on meeting
10/11/25 – hey guys
- This was the first prototype of these meetings. It was with XPUB2 only and we talked about 'hey guys' (Here the wiki page). I noticed that some of us (including myself) used that term quite frequently. As time went by and my knowledge on sexist language grew, I became more and more uncomfortable with saying it myself but also being called that way. So I opened the discussion and with that tested a meeting structure that was:
- 1. Are you using this term? If yes, how are you using it?
- 2. describe the feeling the term evokes – "When I say it, I feel...", "When I hear it, I feel..."
- 3. How can we redefine the word to all our liking? How can we make everyone feel included?
- 4. after input: Has your perception of using the term changed? If yes, how?
- This was the first prototype of these meetings. It was with XPUB2 only and we talked about 'hey guys' (Here the wiki page). I noticed that some of us (including myself) used that term quite frequently. As time went by and my knowledge on sexist language grew, I became more and more uncomfortable with saying it myself but also being called that way. So I opened the discussion and with that tested a meeting structure that was:
REFLECTION
- The meeting went so well. I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone was engaging a lot and sharing their opinions. I noticed that an hour was too little time, as I had to rush through the input and it was more a me presenting it rather than a we discover together situation. That I will definitely change in future meetings. It would be much nicer to discover that input together and make it part of the conversation, rather than me being the advocate. I also received feedback that I cannot dictate what words to use or not to use anymore. That is also very much NOT my intention! I just want to make people aware of what is behind words and what they might transport that we're unaware of. So for that I need to come up with some sort of code of conduct that we read at the start to get everyone in that mindset. Language is closely tied to identity and I don't want to slide into that role of the language dictator. I want people to speak the way they want and express themselves freely but I want the words they're using to mach that.
15/12/25 – female
documentation
- 1. Are you using this term? If yes, how are you using it? If no, why not?
- mostly used in bureaucratic or scientific areas
– often encountered in historical contexts (makes sense with etymology as is used to be a very respectful way to refer to a woman, now not anymore)
– can't really pinpoint but feels icky
– we wouldn't say its on its own to refer to a woman ("shes a female.") but good for contextualizing and describing 'female athlete' or 'female college'
– other languages are already gendered, english isn't so there is a need to use female to refer to a woman coworker or friend etc. – other languages don't need the add 'female' as they are already gendered – why do we feel the urge to describe people by their gender? Socially trained? Could we imagine a world where we just refer to a human? Apparently its still useful and important in some contexts
– is very specific to english, maltese, german and dutch don't have the same connotation to the word female or don't even have a different word for woman and female (maltese)
– female we only use to describe gender (definition as well very connected to reproductive organs)
– using female as a description for a woman feels more degrading than describing a man with male – more a feeling can't really say why
– we use it more for animals than for humans – refers to one half of a species, not necessarily humans
– if we include trans people, the term is technically incorrect (as the definition says its people with ova) – but then can we not get rid of the term completely and just say woman? – but then would that not simply just replace female and with that have the same issue?
– do we need a distinction still? Cause what about animals?
- 2. Describe the feeling(s) the term evokes – "When I say it, I feel..." "When I hear it..."
– men calling someone a female (as a noun) feels icky
– female feels more sexualized than male
– calling someone a male is used to refer to a very heteronormative and almost matcho man
– female, has this strong biological connotation, and if you want to call a stereotypical 'wonanly' woman you'd say feminine instead ('She's very feminine.')
– 'feminine' carries very stereotypical connotations tho – and not only used for females/women exclusively
– We're lacking terms to specifically describe sexuality and gender outside the binary system! So we only use male and feminine to describe stereotypical gender roles/expressions and they are reinforcing and upholding the stereotypical system – so we need to come up with and use new words out of the binary system to describe gender expressions
- INPUT
- 3. Has your perception of the word changed? – over the course of your life? after the input?
after input
– makes us angry and frustrated (that women experience so much sexism just for the simple fact that they are women)
– now we know exactly what the word female is NOT but we're still not true how to define it properly
– once was a respectable word maybe - now definitely not anymore
over life
– became a thing when menstruation started – as a teenager 'female hygiene products' became more present or present at all
– 'female to male' cables – wtf why do we make everything about sex? why do we not just call them a jack and a pocket? argh
- 4. Next steps – How do we want to proceed? Reclaim, avoid or find alternative or ...?
– we want to have more conversations about the word – with parents, with friends – interesting to hear what they thing about it
– in the case of the plugs – we don't use it anymore
– ask other people about their usage if it appears in conversations
– reclaiming not needed – only use it in certain contexts and avoid others
– only use 'female' as an specification when it's needed and adds positive connotations to women – We're not using it as a noun!
– woman, as opposed to female, describes the gender identity and includes more than just the body
– If the dictionary says a woman is 'a female human' and 'female' is described as a human with ovaries who can bear offspring, then what about a woman who needs to get her ovaries removed? Does that mean she's not a woman anymore?
– yeah so definition should not be a bodily one!
– still very tricky and hard to distinguish because it's so dependent on the context
- 5. Open questions, confusions or comments?
– female feels more limiting now – very biological
– it should not inherently be about ovaries only but include everyone who describes themselves as a woman
– the dictionary entry makes is problematic – feels really degrading (Merriam-Webster)
– (if a woman needs to remove their ovaries) "congratulations you cannot have children anymore you're a human now!"
– very confusing and actually really hard to define 'woman' without making it about biology
– the focus on offspring feels defensive to woman who don't want to have children or cannot have them
– I feel angry
– there is sooo much attached to it that makes us angryyyy
– men always find ways to make an 'innocent' word be sexist argh
- 6. Feedback
– enjoyed it very much
– ja really nice
– layout of publication is confusing
– liked the small group beginning – nice warm up
– feline guiding the conversation was nice
– the whole thing was very engaging and easy to digest
– nice topic with so much to say, could talk on for hours
– discovering the word together was nice
– have a nice conversation was a great way to unlearn – good environment
– feline created a very nice space
– this made us raise awareness to listen closer in future conversations
REFLECTION
- Okay I tried different methods this time. First we all read the code of conduct. We agreed on it together and then started the meeting. That felt like a nice entry into the conversation. After that we split into groups of two and discussed our first initial thoughts on that word. I was hoping with this method I get everyone involved, everyone is able to share their opinion, but in a smaller scale. Maybe some people are not comfortable sharing their personal stories/opinions with the whole group. After the small groups we came back to the big circle and shared what we had discussed in the groups. We found a lot of similar things but also differences. After that we took turn reading the input that I printed out. It contained excerpts from book and articles. We read chunks of texts and discussed them before reading another chunk. So the texts became another opinion to our conversation and also a starting point for different perspectives that we were lacking.
- I was moderating the meeting and taking notes at the same time. That was way too much at the same time. I need to think about ways to document the meeting differently. As we were only 6 people we didn't really need me as a moderator that much, the conversation had a nice flow on its own. Yet I was the one introducing the new questions that we were answering and guiding us back to the topic when an anecdote went a little off road.
- All in all that meeting went very well in my opinion. The atmosphere felt encouraging and I had a feeling of togetherness. Things to work on are: documentation
27/01/26 – witch
check out the entry in my IDIOTICON
REFLECTION
- So this time I tried new methods again. First and foremost, the documentation. I choose a method where not one single person was responsible for the note taking but everyone. I put a A3 sheet of paper in the middle of the table and brought colorful makers. Every time someone said something that was worthy of writing it down it advised them to do so. This way everyone would also feel how difficult it can be to write down what has just been said. That was something I struggled with during taking notes. Now the note taking was a moment of interruption but also a group effort. But I was a bit struggling to make people write stuff down.
- All in all very interesting meeting again. So many interesting perspectives and new things to learn. Things to work on are: documentation yet again
09/02/26 – Mistress
check out the entry in my IDIOTICON
This was a workshop I did with XPUB2. It was a very big group and we also only had 1,5 hours. That felt rushed, but I knew this already before. So I decided to only answer 2 questions. First, Are you using this term, yes - no? And what feelings does it evoke? and secondly, after the input, Has your perception changed? and What are next steps?
FEEDBACK
- I had a lot of feedback on that meeting: Because of the big group it was hard to engage. Would be better to split. / Maybe it would be nice to reveal all the questions at the beginning. Like an agenda for the meeting. / First part of initial thoughts can be shorter. / Again topic of documentation, how can the notes be meaningful and understandable? How can I motivate people to take notes? Voice recording? No cause it is also not entirely about what we say, it is about that we do talk about it! also people might feel v uncomfortable sharing personal stories on tape / How to methodologically create an environment, where this can really thrive? Maybe the methodology itself can be a work? This seems to be a very central part of your project. Maybe this itself is a work. / What about exercises? recording as putting something intentionally on the table; writing is recording too; and where do the recordings go? / maybe make a zine while the meeting as a form of documentation? / Maybe it really is more about the speech acts and not so much about a rigid dictionary
REFLECTION
- Veeeery interesting feedback! Very detailed as well, which was very nice. I have a lot of thoughts. So I think it really isn't about making a glossary. The more meetings I host the more I struggle with the documentation, cause it really isn't about what we write down, what we say during the meeting. That is our definition and I don't want to make another closed dictionary that literally dictates meaning. I want to animate people to have discussions about words and think about the words they're using and why! So I really should look more into the methodology behind it. But how do I make this into a grad project? That is still a thing that Im concerned with. Furthermore, making a zine as the documentation is brilliant. I really like that idea. A zine made of one A3 sheet folded gave me 3 spreads to fill with whatever the group finds necessary to share and take away. Creating zines makes the process of documentation a collective one. We’re actively taking time to make the zine and come up with the content together. This method also allowed me to reproduce it in a fast and easy way. I can easily copy the sheet and fold a new zine out of it, which makes it easy to distribute. After each meeting participants get one or more copies to take something away from the meeting that they were part of. My hopes are that they then talk to their friends about it. I hope the message spreads from there. Zines are also a fun way of documenting something. Taking notes can be annoying and distract from the talking. The collective zine making enables that people can freely express themselves during the meeting while simultaneously having control over what gets written down and what stays in the circle. Furthermore it’s analog. It helps staying in the moment and creating a space without digital distractions and or a divide because of technical skills or ownership on technical devices. Translating the said into written words adds another layer of understanding and of asking oneself how to communicate the idea to people who were not part of the meeting. The physical act of writing things down helps slowing down the process and helps better remembering the subject matter.
25/02/26 – pussy
check out the entry in my IDIOTICON
REFLECTION
- This was fun! A short but fun meeting. We had a native english speaking person with us and they gave some very interesting slang inputs that I personally never heard of before. That was so cool and interesting.
- This meeting was the first one where we encountered different non-agreeing opinions and discussions around that. One participant was not understanding on why I had a problem with that word. They said it is already completely disconnected to its history so it is not being harmful the way im presenting it as. That was an interesting moment, that, in retrospect, I could've handled better. It took me by surprise, swept me off my feed and I could also sense myself getting defensive. The whole concept of the workshops felt attacked and misunderstood. While the other person probably also felt attacked by the workshop. Which is something that I was aware could happen, but I wasn't really prepared on how to react when it actually happens. So that created a rather unstable atmosphere in the room, that I felt but I din't acknowledge openly. This was the first moment I felt unprepared and I din't know what to do. I obviously tried to handle it in the best way I could! So to work on: the code of conduct, make it more precise. Maybe I need an aftercare help advice for dealing with these emotions that can come up during the meetings.
09/03/26 – Diva
check out the entry in my IDIOTICON
25/03/26 – bitch
process
Feminist documentation
- How does one document feminist consciousness-raising meetings? The question of feminist documentation came up a lot. It was a tricky one that needed a little bit of figuring it out. In my first meeting I tried to take notes myself. I quickly found that that’s nearly impossible. I didn’t wanted to disrupt the ongoing conversation but following the speed of the conversation felt impossible. Adding onto that putting the points into words that made sense was a struggle. The concepts we talked about are rather complex and hard to phrase into a short bullet point. So for the next meeting I brought paper and pencils. I put the questions we answered on them and invited the participants to take notes themselves of the point they were trying to make. The struggle to put some things into written words stayed, but I was not alone in it anymore. This method disrupted the flow of the conversation in a different way, as we now thought collectively about how to write it down. But then the question remained what do I do with these pieces of paper? The more meetings I hosted the more it became clear to me, that I don’t want to build a glossary out of the words. For me the power lays not in the definition but in the speaking. It is in the questioning the language we use and what we’re actually saying. So then I wanted to make the documentation more part of the meeting in a fun way. The idea of zine making arose.
- Why zines?
- A zine made of one A3 sheet folded gave me 3 spreads to fill with whatever the group finds necessary to share and take away. Creating zines makes the process of documentation a collective one. We’re actively taking time to make the zine and come up with the content together. This method also allowed me to reproduce it in a fast and easy way. I can easily copy the sheet and fold a new zine out of it, which makes it easy to distribute. After each meeting participants get one or more copies to take something away from the meeting that they were part of. My hopes are that they then talk to their friends about it. I hope the message spreads from there.
- Zines are also a fun way of documenting something. Taking notes can be annoying and distract from the talking. The collective zine making enables that people can freely express themselves during the meeting while simultaneously having control over what gets written down and what stays in the circle.
- Furthermore it’s analog. It helps staying in the moment and creating a space without digital distractions and or a divide because of technical skills or ownership on technical devices.
- Translating the said into written words adds another layer of understanding and of asking oneself how to communicate the idea to people who were not part of the meeting. The physical act of writing things down helps slowing down the process and helps better remembering the subject matter.
Open questions
- How do we make contradiction a part of the zine? How do we show more than one side to the topic?
- What about people who consider themselves as not creative enough to make a zine? (Maybe put a „how to make your own zine“ instructions on the website)
limitations
[EN] Only when we relinquish our claim to absoluteness and become aware of our own limitations; only when we recognise the fundamental interdependence in which we live as we strive to fathom and make sense of the world, to be in it and to live within it; when we understand that we are responsible for one another, sometimes indirectly, sometimes directly; when we learn to view the world through the eyes of others and summon the courage to use our own eyes, not to dominate and oppress, but to make the effort to bring these perspectives together; when we dare to try out a different world together; only then, perhaps then, will we have unlearned what was, and learnt what might be.
[DE] Erst wenn wir uns von unserem Absolutheitsanspruch verabschieden und uns unserer Begrenztheit bewusst werden, wenn wir erkennen, in welch fundamentaler Abhängigkeit wir voneinander leben im Bemühen, die Welt zu ergründen und zu erschließen, in ihr zu sein und zu leben; wenn wir begreifen, dass wir füreinander verantwortlich sind, mal auf Umwegen, mal auf direktem Wege; wenn wir lernen die Welt durch die Augen anderer zu betrachten und den Mut aufbringen, uns unserer eigenen Augen zu bedienen, nicht um zu herrschen und zu unterdrücken, sondern die Anstrengung aufzubringen, diese Perspektiven zusammenzuführen; wenn wir es wagen, gemeinsam eine andere Welt zu erproben; erst dann, vielleicht dann, werden wir verlernt haben, was war, und erlernen, was sein könnte.
– unlearn sprache Kübra Gümüşay
- The original assumption was: If we speak about language we must go where language happens – conversation. We have to speak about it. And if we speak about sexism in language with one another we can all learn and unlearn problematic ways of speaking.
- The breaking point was: the moment where I got critiqued on how open and accessible the space of the meetings actually is. Then also to see that language is used so widely different. But mostly the inclusion. The problem with consciousness-raising meetings is that white feminists declare it a „space where we all learn from one another“ yet who is actually learning from who? It is marginalized people having to educate white people on their realities. As much as I don’t want to do that with men, marginalized people don’t want to do that for white people. And now that I see that, I can’t unsee that. Additionally, to hold a space where people can be vulnerable and discuss this topic is a difficult task to fullfill. This requires a lot of skills in workshop hosting and in dealing with emotions. I have too many emotions myself and I cannot free myself from them, as I am also still unlearning and not having an insane amount of knowledge about this topic. So the method of consciousness-raising has failed me in a way. So I need to redirect.
- Oh what a painful realization to know that even inside the feminist movement oppressive structures are at play. The spaces that claim to dismantle these structures are the same spaces that reproduce them in other ways. The damage women are doing on other women hurts me. It is urgently necessary that we question ourselves and the ways we uphold the exact dynamics that we're fighting. This endeavour can be extremely painful. It was for me. Being a feminist and fighting for what you believe is the right cause, is something that you are proud of. Feminism is part of identity, you say: I AM a feminist and not I DO feminism. (Even though it actually is about what you're doing, but on such a fundamental level that it becomes part of your personality.) To then identify that this doing is harmful against other women was a hard pill to swallow. I was so sure i was doing something good. But i guess this world is not that easy. You can do something that is good for some and at the same time hurting others. The ambiguity of life. I was made aware of my privilege that was gifted to be since birth and was therefore invisible to me. Privilege is rose-colored glasses. It enables me to not have the necessity to look at certain areas of life. It means that I do not experience friction in certain areas of life.
- As feminists who are concerned with fighting inequality we should not only fight the things that are directed at us but also look at the hurtful behavior we are inhabiting and reproducing. We should be so concerned with doing it better than the people we're critiquing.
- I learned through my research on consciousness-raising practices, that power dynamics are always at play. Always. So better to acknowledge them and make them visible then let them do damage.
- Can I, as a white cis-woman, call myself an intersectional feminist? I've been thinking about this for some time now and I think I'm leaning more towards no as an answer. And its not because I don't educate myself on intersecting forms of oppression, I say that because I do. Intersectionality originated in critical race studies and considers the way different forms of oppression (such as racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and so on) can combine and interact to produce multifaceted systems of oppression and privilege that shape the experiences of individuals. [] I believe I can call myself a feminist because I am experiencing gendered oppression. Because I know what that feels like, it is part of my day to day life. I am experiencing the struggles of being a woman in a patriarchal society daily. As a white cis-woman though, I'm only experiencing oppression because of my gender and not because of my race. I do not have the lived experience of what it is like to experience different layers of oppression. That makes me be in a very privileged situation. And because i acknowledge my privilege I especially read from
bibliography
BOOKS
- Ahmet, Sara (2023) The Feminist Killjoy Handbook Penguin Random House UK
- Cameron, Daborah (1986) Feminism and Linguistic Theory Macmillian London
- Cameron, Deborah (1990) The Feminist Critique of Language Routledge, Chapman and Hall, Inc. New York
- hooks, bell (2015) Feminist Theory from margin to center Routledge NY, (first and second editions published by South End Press 1984, 2000)
- Lakoff, Robin (1975) Language and Woman's Place Harper and Row Publishers Inc. New York
- Montell, Amanda (2019) Wordslut HarperCollins Publishers New York
- Spencer, Dale (1998) Man Made Language Pandora New York : Distributed in U.S.A. by New York University Press
- Russell, Legacy (2020) Glitch Feminism – A Manifesto Verso, NY
WEBLINKS
- Ahmet, Sara (2013-now) Feminist Killjoy Blog
- Freeman, Jo (1972) THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS
- Freeman, Jo (1970) BITCH Manifesto
- Lorde, Audre (1977) The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action