this. i think BiFests etc do count as more than "just" a social event (not that i'm dissing the existence of social events - they may not be activism but making them happen is still work and worthwhile) because creating bi space in a still largely biphobic world is important. People come out for the first time at bifests (i know at least one person did at Oxford) and that's really precious.
Providing safer sex information and supplies is activism. Encouraging people to question mainstream relationship/lifestyle options and finding what works best for them is activism.
And besides in my more cynical moment i wouldn't put so much work into just social events - i'm not that social!
*nods vigorously* I completely agree with you that organising social events is worthwhile work! That's why I did it for Oxford BiFest and why I am doing it again for a particular Pagan festival in October. I like giving something back to the communities that have been important to me!
Also, if I am going to putting in my precious time and energy, I want things to go well and be meaningful to people, of course! So I was thrilled to see so many new people at Oxford BiFest... and I am utterly delighted to learn that there was at least one coming-out there, too!
I absolutely value these sorts of events... which is why we are already discussing ideas for Oxford BiFest 2011! *grin* I just don't particularly count them as activism. Probably because they are attended overwhelmingly by such a privileged set of people.
When I say that I miss activism, what I am really saying is that I feel I am not doing my share right now to make the world a better place. One and a half billion people do not have easy access to clean water. Forty thousand people die daily of poverty (i.e., hunger and curable diseases). The children of Jerusalem are persecuted and slaughtered and have their houses bulldozed. Sweatshop workers toil in obscene conditions for inhumanly long hours to earn a pittance. Union leaders are assassinated for attempting to organise collective bargaining. Back home, millions of my fellow US citizens rot in jail -- many for victimless crimes -- in the service of the prison-industrial complex. Without fear of consequence, police savagely beat or shoot people for the crime of being non-white. Around the world, bombs fall regularly on civilian populations; old landmines lay uncleared until the moment that they destroy the life of a hapless child.
These stories -- and many more like them -- bring tears to my eyes and passion into my heart. And it is working to bring about a better world -- a world without these horrors -- that truly fuels my desire to be an activist. Does that make sense?
I have been an activist in times past. I have worked to bring about significant change. Right now, however, I am not. And as wonderful and spectacular as Oxford BiFest was, I do not think that organising it gives me the right to call myself one.
P.S. Please excuse if this is less than eloquent. It is just about bedtime... so I may not be at my best when it comes to words right now. Many apologies if that is the case!
it's what motivated me to do a Peace Studies degree. but i'm very limited in what i can manage
when i was younger doing sexuality stuff was probably more radical - thinking about the LOGIC group (Lesbian or Gay in Chelmsford earwigmc started back in the when i was 18 that got thrown out of several pubs that didn't want to be associated with filthy queers . It's generally easier than that now. But there's still plenty of work to do. Something i want to do more is look at widening inclusion in Bi events/groups ...
I did not know that you had done a degree in Peace Studies -- very cool!
I'd like it if we could find time at some point to sit and just chat and get to know each other better. We've done this in fits and starts in the two years that I have known you... and each time I find the conversation to be quite interesting. You are obviously good people... and very important to several folks close to me. So I would just like to know more about you. *smile*
As for what you can manage? Well, have you read Marge Piercy's novel Woman on the Edge of Time? If so, you may understand why the thought that pops into my head is: "Person must not do what person cannot do." I know that you have your limitations... but you also manage to accomplish a lot! You have my respect and admiration on that front!
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anarchist_nomad) wrote2010-04-05 08:43 pm
no subject
i think BiFests etc do count as more than "just" a social event (not that i'm dissing the existence of social events - they may not be activism but making them happen is still work and worthwhile) because creating bi space in a still largely biphobic world is important. People come out for the first time at bifests (i know at least one person did at Oxford) and that's really precious.
Providing safer sex information and supplies is activism.
Encouraging people to question mainstream relationship/lifestyle options and finding what works best for them is activism.
And besides in my more cynical moment i wouldn't put so much work into just social events - i'm not that social!
no subject
Also, if I am going to putting in my precious time and energy, I want things to go well and be meaningful to people, of course! So I was thrilled to see so many new people at Oxford BiFest... and I am utterly delighted to learn that there was at least one coming-out there, too!
I absolutely value these sorts of events... which is why we are already discussing ideas for Oxford BiFest 2011! *grin* I just don't particularly count them as activism. Probably because they are attended overwhelmingly by such a privileged set of people.
When I say that I miss activism, what I am really saying is that I feel I am not doing my share right now to make the world a better place. One and a half billion people do not have easy access to clean water. Forty thousand people die daily of poverty (i.e., hunger and curable diseases). The children of Jerusalem are persecuted and slaughtered and have their houses bulldozed. Sweatshop workers toil in obscene conditions for inhumanly long hours to earn a pittance. Union leaders are assassinated for attempting to organise collective bargaining. Back home, millions of my fellow US citizens rot in jail -- many for victimless crimes -- in the service of the prison-industrial complex. Without fear of consequence, police savagely beat or shoot people for the crime of being non-white. Around the world, bombs fall regularly on civilian populations; old landmines lay uncleared until the moment that they destroy the life of a hapless child.
These stories -- and many more like them -- bring tears to my eyes and passion into my heart. And it is working to bring about a better world -- a world without these horrors -- that truly fuels my desire to be an activist. Does that make sense?
I have been an activist in times past. I have worked to bring about significant change. Right now, however, I am not. And as wonderful and spectacular as Oxford BiFest was, I do not think that organising it gives me the right to call myself one.
P.S. Please excuse if this is less than eloquent. It is just about bedtime... so I may not be at my best when it comes to words right now. Many apologies if that is the case!
no subject
it's what motivated me to do a Peace Studies degree.
but i'm very limited in what i can manage
when i was younger doing sexuality stuff was probably more radical - thinking about the LOGIC group (Lesbian or Gay in Chelmsford
no subject
I'd like it if we could find time at some point to sit and just chat and get to know each other better. We've done this in fits and starts in the two years that I have known you... and each time I find the conversation to be quite interesting. You are obviously good people... and very important to several folks close to me. So I would just like to know more about you. *smile*
As for what you can manage? Well, have you read Marge Piercy's novel Woman on the Edge of Time? If so, you may understand why the thought that pops into my head is: "Person must not do what person cannot do." I know that you have your limitations... but you also manage to accomplish a lot! You have my respect and admiration on that front!
*big hugs*
no subject
and thankyou :)
no subject
...and you're welcome! :-D