http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#2aa0b060-6eeb-4a34-ab33-fbb544ca5035 Hi! New here, although I've been active on an anarcha-feminist list [on another server] for about three years now. Anyhow, to inform, not too long ago a woman who is long time activist mentioned to me [on her latest trip to Chiapas] that the situation for womyn in the ELZN has deteriorated, drastically. The struggles they fought so long in, well, there has been a reversal and backlash, rapes are common and not just rapes committed by military either. I believe I still have that mail from her, if I do I'll post it here. The reason I am mentioning this is because there are many womyn in the anarcha-feminist community that are teaming up together to confront 'MALE-ARCHY', just as there are a few [small minority] of womyn confronting sexism in far left, e.g., communists, socialists, etc. Actually that is how I started leaning towards a more anarchist philosophy [I am just me, reject labels and long story], but I guess if I was going to label, I would have to say, left anarcha-indivudualist-autonomous-collective by choice--not FORCE--anti-assimilationist including FORCED gender deconstructionist, maternalist with choice feminist person, LOL. And I'm still evolving so ask me in about ten more years. :) Autonomy is extremely important to me, I was constantly dealing with sexism in the left [worked in socialist party for some time, I could tell you some stories that would make your stomach turn]. Lets just say, because I fought for Autonomy, against Male Godism, [setting up one philosophy as god, dogma, I hate dogma in any form, including anti-religion, forced religion, etc] against male polemic supremacy, I was nicely, exiled. That wasn't so bad, what was infuriating, was the womyn in the party that remained silent and tolerant of the blatant chauvinist/misogynist mentality. It was then that I looked further into the power dynamic of the state, etc. I'm not in 100% agreement with Any political philosophy begun by men, I'll just state that now. However, I can relate to much of what Emma Goldman wrote, about Bolshevism, etc. Relate to it on a personal level, not that I believe that everything about socialism/communism is wrong, no, but there is definately some serious flaws in that whole 'vanguard' system. Anyway, blah blah, I do write/research on global issues, womyn's rights and years ago I met this woman, long time activist in anarcha-feminism, indigineous rights, etc., and she was telling me the situation there during her last visit. It isn't good. OF course the situation in Mexico right now is dire -- femicides [rape-murder of womyn, in Juarez and spreading, in Guatamala its one woman a DAY found dead, raped, tortured, multilated and dumped in trash]. So, I am joining this tribe because me, and a couple of other womyn in the area I live are working on forming a collective to assist womyn in escaping trafficking here where we live [30 plus young womyn were arrested last Nov, prostitution, they were Forced into it, trafficked, from Korea, the police let them go right back to the mob/traffickers, I think part of that was due to lack of resources and lack of shelters for these womyn]. Getting resources and womyn who have time to actually do something, on this level, is another issue altogether and the problem is widespread [astronomical really] and there is of course, the economic factor, the RACE factor [why I do not support in any form or way legalized prostitution, normalizing prostitution has proven that demand increases, which then means, womyn and children being trafficked, raped, gang raped, forced and held as slaves to meet that demand so some can get rich and men, can get off on their abuse-power-misogyny fantasies.] [numerous studies - empirical evidence to show this fact, in Netherlands, Australia, Spain and Italy.] So, this would be a good place to post info, I get mails daily... just recent, Nicarauga [spell/wrong] passed, including support by former Sandinista's [so much for male comrades eh, bastards], abortion ban, including When the mother's life is in danger. Will post the info here in bit. We need to be aware, and write letters, in protest and in support of womyn there, and educate womyn in the West. While I don't support the agenda of the population control machinery [because its racist as hell], I don't support forced bearing of children to combat that either. The fact however, that the 'left' actually voted in favor of this ban [recent story on BBC] is extremely alarming and only goes to reveal just how widespread and serious, both left and right politics, the war on womyn is. Peace, love and rage, Modotti Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:41:53 GMT http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#2aa0b060-6eeb-4a34-ab33-fbb544ca5035 ModottiManifesto 2006-11-11T06:41:53Z http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#d1b0867b-e2ff-406f-b74e-9eeb8d11cd77 thank you for posting this information!! totally informative and inspiring! VIVA EZLN! Sat, 06 May 2006 12:03:32 GMT http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#d1b0867b-e2ff-406f-b74e-9eeb8d11cd77 lauraandnigel 2006-05-06T12:03:32Z http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#9fa54418-6a37-457d-af98-42253e870fef Women - the struggle within the struggle The still water in the vessel overflows and turns itself into a wild river of movement .... The women are the spiritual and material support of this army; if we can survive in large numbers, it is thanks to them .... (Subcommandante Marcos) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When EZLN (Zapatista Army of National Liberation) began to organise some years ago, the women understood that they too could and should fight with all their people against the exploitation, discrimination and abuse of power they are victims of because of the fact that they are indigenous . But at the same time they understood that because of the simple fact that they are women, they had another front to fight on. They had to put an end to the discrimination they suffer within their own society, a traditional and extremely macho society in which they are considered inferior beings with no right to a place in public life or to education. After long debates between all the groups of the different communities, the women spoke out through their spokeswoman Ramona, a member of the Indigenous Clandestine Revolutionary Committee (CCRI), to demand that their rights be recognised. Thus, on the eighth of March, 1983, the Womens' Law of the EZLN was passed. The ten points of the law are: 1. Women, regardless of their race, creed, colour or political affiliation, have the right to participate in the revolutionary struggle in ways determined by their desires and ability. 2. Women have the right to work and receive a fair salary. 3. Women have the right to decide the number of children they will bear and care for. 4. Women have the right to participate in the affairs of the community and to hold positions of authority if they are freely and democratically elected. 5. Women and their children have the right to primary attention in matters of health and nutrition. 6. Women have the right to education. 7. Women have the right to choose their partner and are not to be forced into marriage. 8. Women shall not be beaten or physically abused, neither by family nor by strangers. Rape and attempted rape will be severely punished. 9. Women will be able to hold positions of leadership in the organisation and military rank in the revolutionary armed forces. 10. Women will have all the rights and duties laid down in the revolutionary laws and rules. The acceptance of this law has permitted the women to join their people in the struggle against the oppressor. Some decided to join the armed struggle. They are the insurgents, a generation of very young women that the people have sent to war. They joined the EZLN and make up 35% of it. The majority hold some rank. They are in positions of responsibility, organised and possess a great capacity for the struggle, because as they explain themselves: We have nothing to lose because before we did not exist. They were born into rural indigenous communities in Chiapas but they have never lead a normal life, do not live in houses or have children, nor any project for the future other than to put an end to the injustice that has been killing them for many centuries. The Zapatista Army has given them something: they have learnt to read and write, learned about politics, combat tactics and the use of arms. But the most important thing is that they are respected by their male comrades and share the same rights and duties as them: a great cultural leap compared to their mothers, which is the reason it is the latter who urge them to join the EZLN. The others, those who cannot join the army because they have children to look after, fight from their communities. They are members of the CCRI and their work is organisational and ideological. They are busy organising womens' groups so that little by little they teach each other what they learn: mainly Spanish (to be able to defend themselves against the oppressor) and politics (so that they all understand better what they are fighting for and against). They are also busy providing food, clothes etc.. But the struggle is the same for all of them: a struggle to get their rights as women respected by their own people and that the right of this people to live a dignified life in their own land. Tue, 24 Feb 2004 07:58:24 GMT http://anarcha.tribe.net/thread/e481f5ae-2c34-4a31-aed8-ed5d7076511b#9fa54418-6a37-457d-af98-42253e870fef uppercut 2004-02-24T07:58:24Z