|
CHAPTER REPORT
Estelle Carol, Chicago
(Editor's note: This is the first in a series of reports—on how differant
radical women's groups were formed and what they are doing. It is hoped
these will provide some organizing ideas for women who would like to form
similar groups. The group described below was one the first to grow out
of the original Chicago organization) .
The Women's Radical Action Project is a group of about 40 students and
nonstudents at the University of Chicago formed last fall to discuss radicalism
and women.
At first our discussions were very groping. Altho we wanted to be independent,
we still accepted many of the cliches we had learned about women's proper
role. But, as we gained a group identity and common upderstanding we could
probe more deeply into such questions as the role of women in the radical
movement the conflict between an identity as a women and as a person,
and the relationship between issues of women's liberation and radical
action and education.
We want to build the the self-confidence of our members so that they can
use their intellectual and leadership abilities to the. benefit of the
larger movement. We also want to organize other women around issues that
will make them realize their identify as articulate, intelligent, competent
and political human beings.
To do this we had to come to a better understanding of how society prevents
most women from realizing their full potential. We had to recognize that
this society emphasizes a woman's obligation as mother and housekeeper,
and that, at best, most of us will have to integrate this role with the
intellectual aspirations of our student years.
Exacerbating this is the fact that a woman must be brighter and more persevering
than a man to gain any recognition in the male-dominated professions.
Women are taught that their ultimate fulfillment lies in a man. Socially
their position—
|
|
passive, insecure, unsure of their identity, —is played on by industry
to make them good consumers. Further, the agonizing injustice of abortion
laws do not even allow a woman to control her own body.
As
we began to understand these problems we saw the need to reach other women,
and came up with some exciting ideas. We are sponsoring a course (a privilege
the university gives its students) on the issues of women's liberation
which will require each participant to thoroly research a topie of interest
to her and act as resource person for class discussions. We also-hope
(Continued on page 6)
 (Continued from
page 4)
oppressions and strengths), political analysis of the objective conditions
facing each of us today (corporate power, militarism,poverty, Vietnam,
the 1968 elections), and a strategy for organizing women.
We also made committments to write as much as we can, to talk to people
about our concerns, to begin to make other women-think about their oppressed
status, and to help men- more groups organize.
We also made committments to write as much as we can, to talk to people
about our concerns, to begin to make other women think about their oppressed
status, and to help men- more groups organize. The lesson of the Brigade
was a good one. Women don't have a base in this country. We don't have
clearly defined politics, even tho we are an oppressed group. In order
for women to begin-to develop political consciousness and the power necessary
to act on such a consciousness, we must organize.
One a of the primary reasons the Brigade failed is that it attempted national
action based on a coalition without a base. Federations and coalitions
only work when each group represents troops and each has clearly defined
politics and strategies. When none of the incorporated groups has any,
of these, the entire coalition lacks significance and power.
In order for a coalition of women to ever work in the future we as radical
women have to organize ourselves so we have a clearly defined sense of
who we are and what we represent. Black women are organizing as are white
union women. So must we.
We need power; we need a base; and most of all, we need to develop an
analysis of ourselves in a society that is oppressive to everybody.
|
Return
to main Voice of the Women's Liberation Movement Page