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Most
feminist forums are a combination
of the personal and the political...they
begin with a "why are we all
here" and "who are we." This
helps to break down an otherwise
"stuffy" and impersonal environment--and
encourages an understanding
environment. In the 70s the
model was CR (conciousness raising)
groups, where women sat around
their kitchen tables sharing
stories about their lives. Inevitably
they discovered that they weren't
alone and that what was happening
in their personal lives was
linked to a larger political
context. The issues that arise
the most--discrimination in
the work place, not knowing
our history, sex, disagreements
in the family--are the ones
that then deserve the most discussion
and maybe even should be the
focus of your next forum. (I'm
not sure if this is something
that you want to be continued
or a one-time deal.)
If you have people in the room
that have gathered under the
umbrella heading of "feminist
forum" it is likely that you
will have more allies than enemies
and the evening will take a
life of its own. My one recommendation
would be to spend time collaborating
with those who think mostly
like you...and don't spend too
much time with those who you
clearly will never see eye to
eye with. Good luck.
—Amy
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