Feminists Writing History: Cherríe Moraga and adrienne maree brown

Summary

The video script explores the intersection of activism, community-building, and personal empowerment, with a focus on Blue Stockings, a feminist bookstore and activist center. The speakers discuss the importance of self-pleasure and emotional fulfillment as key elements of activism, especially for marginalized communities. The bookstore serves as a hub for diverse activist groups, offering a safe space for various communities. The discussion highlights the significance of grassroots support, sustainability, and dreaming big for the future of activist spaces, especially in a world where marginalized voices are increasingly censored.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of personal satisfaction and self-care as a political act, especially for marginalized groups, is emphasized. A satisfied life is a radical act of liberation.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for Black women to experience and express pleasure, seeing this as an essential part of their liberation and resistance against patriarchal structures.
• 😀 Blue Stockings bookstore is more than just a retail space—it’s a community hub and activist center that serves marginalized communities, including sex workers, trans people, and people of color.
• 😀 The bookstore's role in offering diverse resources, from radical thought to practical support, is key to its mission of fostering collective empowerment and knowledge sharing.
• 😀 Zines are highlighted as a popular and effective way to spread radical ideas and practical information, offering a mix of humor, art, and activism.
• 😀 Blue Stockings refuses to be labeled simply as a feminist bookstore, embracing its broader activist role, supporting various marginalized groups, and rejecting homogenization of its identity.
• 😀 The bookstore’s survival and growth over the past 20 years is a testament to its ability to adapt and maintain relevance in a gentrifying neighborhood.
• 😀 Community support is critical to the bookstore’s continued success, relying on grassroots funding rather than commercial sales of products like tote bags and coffee.
• 😀 The bookstore is committed to dreaming big for its future, striving to not remain static but to constantly evolve to meet the changing needs of its community.
• 😀 In a world where online spaces are increasingly being censored and marginalized, physical spaces like Blue Stockings provide a sense of safety and belonging for oppressed groups.

Q & A

What role does pleasure play in the speaker's political work?

Pleasure plays a central role in the speaker's political work as a Black woman. They emphasize that experiencing personal satisfaction and pleasure is an essential act of resistance and empowerment. By prioritizing their own well-being and joy, they aim to challenge societal expectations and show that Black women deserve to experience the full range of emotions, including happiness and satisfaction.

How does the speaker describe their current emotional state?

The speaker describes themselves as being in a deeply satisfied and fulfilled emotional state. They feel content with their life, having found the right community and avoided being ensnared by patriarchal structures. Despite experiencing various emotions like anger and sadness, they fundamentally feel 'good' because they have cultivated this personal satisfaction.

What does the speaker mean by 'echo chambers of transformation'?

The speaker refers to 'echo chambers of transformation' as a concept where individual changes in mindset and behavior inspire others to do the same. They see it as a ripple effect—once one person becomes empowered and experiences positive change, it can set off a chain reaction in others, creating a broader collective movement of transformation.

What is the significance of Blue Stockings in the Lower East Side?

Blue Stockings serves as a critical community hub for radical thought and activism on the Lower East Side. It functions as both a bookstore and an activist center, supporting marginalized communities such as sex workers, trans people, Black and Brown individuals, and disabled folks. The space has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community, especially as the neighborhood around it has gentrified.

How does Blue Stockings view its role beyond being a bookstore?

Blue Stockings sees itself as more than just a bookstore; it is a collective-run activist space that provides resources, support, and a sense of belonging for various marginalized groups. While feminism is central to their work, they emphasize their broader commitment to various forms of activism, including supporting sex workers, trans communities, and disabled individuals.

Why does the volunteer mention the importance of having community-funded spaces?

The volunteer stresses the importance of community funding as a way to ensure Blue Stockings remains independent and accountable to its local community. Community funding helps provide a safety net, enabling the space to continue its work without relying on external corporate interests. This grassroots support is essential for maintaining the store's mission and flexibility in times of crisis.

What are some of the specific activist groups that Blue Stockings supports?

Blue Stockings supports a wide range of activist groups, including those advocating for sex workers, trans people, Black and Brown communities, and disabled individuals. The bookstore is a space for people from diverse backgrounds and struggles, providing a supportive environment for marginalized groups to organize, learn, and grow.

What role do zines play in the activities of Blue Stockings?

Zines play an important role in Blue Stockings by providing an accessible and creative form of expression. They are popular among the bookstore's visitors and cover a wide range of topics, from poetry and jokes to practical information about health and activism. Zines reflect the store's commitment to offering a diverse range of resources and ideas.

How does Blue Stockings aim to adapt to future challenges?

Blue Stockings aims to adapt to future challenges by dreaming big and thinking creatively about how to grow and evolve. The store's leaders are committed to not staying static but to continually seeking new ways to serve their community, especially in response to external pressures like gentrification and the rise of online censorship.

What does the volunteer see as the importance of physical spaces like Blue Stockings in the current social climate?

The volunteer highlights the importance of physical spaces like Blue Stockings in providing marginalized communities with a safe and supportive environment, especially as online spaces become increasingly hostile or censored. These physical spaces offer people a sense of belonging, solidarity, and protection, which is crucial for the continued strength of social movements.