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wJun 14, 2009 | |
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Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future We read this book for my non-genre book club. In general, this book about Third Wave Feminism promises to analyze what's up with Second vs. Third Waves, criticize popular culture, set an agenda of goals, and essentially do what its title suggests: write a feminist manifesto. While I found most of the book at least relatively interesting, our book club in general (myself included) disliked it because its structure was so disorganized and we felt that it was too broad to really address issues that we wanted it to address. It was also irritating that the authors continuously name-dropped their close friends/acquaintances/former jobs. For a book that's trying to grab people who might not yet refer to themselves as feminists, it seems to almost go out of its way to make it so that readers cannot identify with the authors. On the positive side, reading this book got me to buy my first copies of the magazines Bitch and Bust. I was annoyed because the book constantly made references to (apparently common) feminist texts and people and events who I have never read/heard of. Yeah, it sucks that I was never taught about them in school, but it makes this supposedly introductory text inaccessible to me. The book did an okay job at addressing issues that affect people of color and people who identify as LGBT. The book made a lot of good points, like Gerda Lerner's note that repeatedly throughout history, women keep learning a feminist history, and then losing it - we keep cycling through the same practices over and over, and must learn our own history to propel our progression. What pissed me off the most about this book was that every time the authors discussed a feminist who had said anything even remotely positively pro-life, they wrote the woman off as not being a real feminist at all. This is troubling to me for obvious reasons - I am Catholic and pro-life, and I am also a feminist. To disagree with someone and then tell them that because of their thought process, you have the power to take away their ability to identify as a feminist? Firstly, it's not your power to begin with; secondly, what the hell kind of a feminist are you? I'd like to reference RaceFail here, because it was a huge, sprawling discussion that took place in public. Constantly throughout RaceFail, people were told, "Dude, you said something racist." The accused would freak out, saying, "I'm not racist! I'm not racist!" and the accuser would say, "I'm not calling you racist; I'm not saying you're not anti-racist; I'm saying that you said/did something racist." In that example, people doing the calling out were not trying to steal parts of people's identities, not even labeling them as racist people. They were zeroing in on what was said, dissecting it, and trying to teach. If you want to teach and try to change my mind, go ahead and do that. But slapping me in the face and telling me that I can't be a feminist at all is not going to change my mind: in fact, it'll probably make me hate you just a bit. On the thread of changing minds, what's up with this strategy, anyway? Don't feminists want allies who get it to be infiltrating everywhere? We should want feminists in government, in churches, occupying spaces and making connections with people in places that most feminists don't want to be in/bother with. So for someone to try and rob me of part of my identity because we disagree on one issue? I really don't know what to say, except for, "Well, fuck you, too." I know I had a problem with this in Jessica Valenti's Full Front Feminism, too. One day I'll find current feminist books just for me! :O Sometimes Necessary Abortion Disclaimer This post is not actually about the ethics of abortion! If you would like to participate in such a discussion, please host one in your own blog. This post is about identities and the naming of groups and a book I read. Thanks. Labels: a: baumgardner jennifer, a: richards amy, book clubs, books, books: non-fiction, feminism scribbled mystickeeper at 11:32 PM 
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wFeb 9, 2009 | |
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Set This House in Order - Matt Ruff This was for this month's selection at sci-fi book club. Almost all of the links in this post are courtesy of Jesse_the_K. Andrew Gage is a man who has Dissociative Identity Disorder. Throughout the course of the novel, he [the POV character] usually refers to it as Multiple Personality Disorder, and is snide when encouraged to use the name "DID." Still, I think DID is the generally accepted name for the condition, that's how I will refer to it in this post, despite it not being the normative name in the novel. From the outset, it is clear to the reader that Andrew Gage has DID. Unlike, say, Fight Club, where the existence of other personalities (or the presence of other personalities being a manifestation of an inner fragmentation) is a huge reveal, this novel operates with the understanding that the reader knows what's going on. Andrew explains in great detail the structure of his "house," an imaginary structure in which his multiple personalities reside. [The reader later learns that he keeps a scale model of this house.] In his house, each personality lives in a room. One personality can control "the body" at a time. This is done by standing on "the pulpit," a platform on the second floor balcony of his imaginary house. The body is usually operated by Andrew, a personality who was actually created for the sole purpose of controlling the body. All of the other personalities existed before Andrew's "father" (the original personality) called Andrew from the imaginary lake, which lies right next to his imaginary house. Because Andrew has only existed for a couple of years, other personalities are able to hide truths about the body's past from him. Andrew does allow other personalities to control the body. For example, Serafis performs a work-out routine of push-ups every morning. Jake, a 5-year-old boy, likes visiting toy stores and eats eggs every morning. Andrew makes his living arrangement work by living in a house with his landlady, Mrs. Winslow. She has grown used to Andrew's DID, and makes him multiple courses of breakfast each morning. Andrew was not able to set up this arrangement by himself. He had help from a psychologist. I don't know if the novel is accurate in describing how the house is arranged, or how the personalities interact, but I certainly find the characters' reflections intriguing, to say the least. As Dr. Whitney, the interplanetary-rape counselor, put it: "Of course you've got to reintegrate! Don't you want to be normal?" Maybe you don't understand that (although, by now, maybe you do). Dominance, in a multiple household, is all about being able to endure more trauma than anybody else. The more a particular soul can resist the impulse to switch, the more it gains power over those that can't. By spiking his hand, my father demonstrated not only that he was able to withstand great pain, but that he had the courage to inflict it on himself if need be. Massive spoilers for the book....and really, the trick is pretty neat, so I recommend not clicking if you intend to read this book. Regarding the massive plot reveal on page 237: I did not see it coming at all, that Andrew's body was female (or, Andrea). Really, I didn't. In the back of my mind, I kept wondering why this book won the Tiptree Award, and figured it was something stupid, like the fact that both Penny and Andrew happened to have personalities of the opposite gender, although I felt like that was a secondary plot thread. But then Andrew and Julie are about to get it on, and Julie is shocked to discover that Andrew is actually a woman. And of course I felt horrible for Andrew here, who completely shuts down when Julie utterly rejects him upon discovering his true biological sex. Not far into the book, Andrew encounters another multiple named Penny. They are at different points in recognizing and coping with their DID, and watching them teach each other and identify each other's various personalities. Matt Ruff maintains a website here. It contains a decent synopsis, as well as the first four chapters, which you can read for free at your leisure. There's also an FAQ, "deleted scenes," the music he listened to while writing the book, and links to other websites about multiplicity. I was surprised to find that his musical tastes overlap my own quite a bit! I might have to check out the stuff on that list that I'm not already familiar with, because I love the rest of it. I find the FAQ particularly useful because he answers questions people have been asking me when I outline the basic premise of the book to them. Ruff says: It's intended to be a believable and internally consistent portrayal of multiple personality disorder. The question of realism is trickier, because MPD is still a very controversial subject: though it's listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (as "Dissociative Identity Disorder"), a lot of psychiatrists still don't believe that it's a real condition, and those who do believe in it don't agree about its nature. He also explains why he uses the term MPD instead of DID in the book. Really...just read the FAQ! Jesse_the_K also linked to this online essay, which is highly relevant to the recent Cultural Appropriation debate on the Internet. The author points out that writers need to be careful when straying into unknown territory just because it seems "cool." You don't go writing books set in China if all you know about it is what you've seen in late night kung fu movies. Or a story about life in the ghetto if you're a middle-class white person who doesn't know anything about life outside the suburbs. You don't go writing books where the main character is Hispanic or American Indian or whatever, if you're of a different ethnic group, without doing at least -some- research on the experience of that group. And not just research; you need to -know- and -talk- to people who would have firsthand experience, people who've -lived- it, and put aside any preconceptions you might have had and listen seriously to what they have to say about their own life. In that same vein, I would also like to plug Tigrin's deviation at DeviantART on DID, which can be found here. There is a review by a person who identifies as having DID here. In the end, I highly recommend the book. It was thought-provoking, to say the least, although I would be interested in knowing what other DID people thought about it. Labels: a: ruff matt, book clubs, books, books: science fiction scribbled mystickeeper at 12:01 PM
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wDec 29, 2008 | |
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Air by Geoff Ryman At this point, I've forgotten a lot of what was discussed when my feminist science fiction book club met to discuss Geoff Ryman's Air. I liked most of this book. Chung Mae was a compelling and competent protagonist, but still severely limited by a patriarchal society that was technologically lagging behind everybody else on the planet. Air is like the Internet, but unstoppable and entering into your mind. It take Chung Mae's community, which barely has any telephones, by surprise. People die from shock. They are given another year to prepare. Chung Mae is illiterate, but the only person who knows how to manipulate the TV. It won the Tiptree Award in 2005. The Award is supposed to recognize literature that pushes the boundaries of gender, but I am not seeing how that happened in this book. I would easily agree that the book is feminist, just like Sarah Hall's Daughters of the North, I am really not seeing what is happening that is gender-bendy. At book club, someone suggested that because Chung Mae's society is so patriarchal, it might be that women taking charge of the community was gender-bendy, but that's a pretty weak argument in my opinion. Also, our book club spent the most amount of time talking about a specific thing that is spoiler, but also does not ruin the plot of the book. I'll still put it behind a cut just in case. But in the end, Chung Mae gets pregnant in her stomach. It's revealed that she gets pregnant in this way by giving a man a blow job and then tasting her own fluids, stuff mixes in her belly, and that's where she gets pregnant! This was shocking to all of us, especially in a book so feminist in every other respect. Still, this seemed like an old wive's tale, meant to scare little girls away from sexual activity of any kind. And yet, here it is in this book coming true. Most people at book club laughed it off, agreeing that the author is simply massively uninformed (when Chung Mae menstruates, Ryman says that she "shoves a rag" up inside of herself, and I'm sorry, but that is not what we do with rags, sir!). And maybe that's it! But still, the book essentially ends with Chung Mae giving birth to this stomach-baby....by literally puking it up. I am convinced that Ryman is trying to make a huge point here, but none of us got it. ETA: An LJ friend has insightful thoughts here! He is going to be one of the two guests of honor at 2009's Wiscon, and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to ask him. Spoiler-event aside, I highly recommend this book! I loved his writing. Labels: a: ryman geoff, book clubs, books, books: science fiction scribbled mystickeeper at 10:48 AM
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wOct 20, 2008 | |
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Literary Update Okay, so Sarah Palin is a good sport. Y/Y? Poehler's rap was bad-ass, and watching Alec Baldwin say what he actually thought was amusing. For Wiscon Book Club this path month, we read Octavia Butler's Lilith's Brood, which is actually a trilogy comprised of the titles Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago. I made it through the first two books, and about 20 pages of the third. I enjoy Butler's writing in terms of imagery and storytelling. The books revolve around the intersectionality of many topics: gender, sexuality, power struggles, humanity, and horror in encountering and loving an "Other" (in this case, aliens). And yet, while I sailed through the first book, book two was pretty stagnant, and from the bit I read of the third book, it seemed like it would be the same. The latter two set up really interesting premises, but then nothing happened. I think I like a bit more character development with my stories, or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for them. I should point out that these are some of Gretchen's favorite books, and many people enjoyed them thoroughly. For my "regular" book club, we read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. I actually really love this book, but have only read about a third of it. Unlike Butler's Imago, though I do intend to finish it. As for books I've actually finished? It's mostly been manga lately. I finished the first volume of the Batman Chronicles today. So much LOL! Hey, is there Batman/Robin slash out there? There must be. I just got the inkling when they took their little oath to fight crime and get each other's backs. I really love the ominous narration in these comics. Already an almost legendary figure, the cowled shadow of the Batman prowls through the night preying upon the criminal parasite, like the winged creature whose name he has adopted. A bit more creepily....after Robin was introduced, there was a sidebar for young readers to join "Robin's Regulars." No buttons or badges are needed....one must simply exemplify "Readiness, Obedience, Brotherhood, Industriousness, and (of course) Nationalism." Yesterday I bought Tim Wise's Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male, and it's pretty damn amazing so far. But Tim Wise is always amazing. There will be a "real life" update soonish. Books always come first, right? Labels: a: butler octavia, a: connolly john, a: finger bill, a: fox gardner, book clubs, comics, comics: batman scribbled mystickeeper at 2:30 PM
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wSep 29, 2008 | |
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Please enjoy my beautimous new LJ layout. I tried to make a custom mood theme last night, but it didn't work, :/ I uploaded the pictures to my LJ gallery....can you not link to LJ images? Even from within LJ? That seems pretty silly to me! I need a new image-hosting service anyway, though. I've been using my University's for the last four years, but I'm obviously not a student any more. I still have follow-up Geek.Kon posts to make. For now, I have a few hobby-related goals: 1) Read more novels. It's been scientifically proven that nothing will impair my manga-reading habits, so I think I'm just going to spend more time focusing on novels while at work, and not worry that I "won't have time for" manga. Today, I've been tearing through Octavia Butler's Dawn, first in the Xenogenesis trilogy, which we are reading this month for Wiscon book club. I also have piles of unread books, now including the books recommended by Sarah Monette, not to mention Sarah Monette's own books! 2) Watch more anime. I kind of miss it, and I think I've now figured out that I can get TV shows like Arrested Development from the library, and should use my Netflix account for watching anime series. Last night, I watched the first three episodes of Veronica Mars. It was pretty good, I think I'll enjoy watching this show. Please don't spoil me! I'm sure I've picked up a few spoilers through LJ-osmosis, but overall, I know nothing. I'll be glad to watch this series for fun, and don't really feel the need to blog extensively about it, as most have you have either seen it or already heard of it. For now.....LOL to the Paris Hilton guest role in episode two. Isn't the canon couple from this series Veronica/Logan? He's such an asshole! So far, the only redeemable quality they've established is the way he's stood up to the biker gang. For now, I really appreciate the biker gang vs. preppy Orange County boys. And, of course, Veronica herself. WIN. Labels: book clubs, goals, internet, livejournal, tv: veronica mars scribbled mystickeeper at 11:24 AM
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wMay 22, 2008 | |
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One day, I'll be clever at coming up with titles Last night was Wiscon Book Club at Brocach, which was a good time. In addition to Book Club, I managed to get to Walgreen's (once I was much more sober), wash a load of laundry, and read a little bit. I don't know if I can finish Tamora Pierce's Lioness Rampant, but I'm a third of the way in. It will depend on how busy we are at work today. Today, I intend to eat lunch at a new food cart on the Square, that sells Indian food. I'm pretty excited for Wiscon, and everything else. :D Today's Schedule, as related to Wiscon Work The Capitol! ♦ 8:00am - 5:00pm Registration Packet Stuffing Special ♦ Thursday, 5:00 P.M.-6:30 P.M. ♦ 2nd Floor Lobby, Concourse Hotel A Room of One's Own Reception Special ♦ Thursday, 6:00 P.M. ♦ 307 W. Johnson Street, Madison Madison's feminist bookstore, A Room of One's Own, will host its annual reception honoring authors attending WisCon. Both Guests of Honor, L. Timmel Duchamp and Maureen McHugh, will give readings. Nerd Karaoke Thursday, 8:30pm, Karaoke Kid Unofficial gathering planned by I'm not sure where dinner fits into that yet, and my boyfriend might show up for Nerd Karaoke (he did not purchase a Wiscon ticket). Labels: book clubs, wiscon scribbled mystickeeper at 8:53 AM
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wApr 7, 2008 | |
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Moar Yes, I just blogged less than an hour ago, but there are new things to say, and some that I had meant to say, but forgot. Last night was Book Club. I'm going to have to name the book clubs somehow, because I belong to two of them. Maybe last night's will be "Book Club," and the other one will be "Wiscon Book Club," as it will focus on feminist science fiction and fantasy. Anyway, Book Club is a club I found through Sandy and my TA from Women's Studies last semester, who is now my friend. I think most of the people in this book club are at least five years older than me, but after hanging around Antoine's friends so much, this isn't very weird to me any more. Anyway, Book Club is a lot of fun - it is nice to read things that I wouldn't otherwise read, and most of all I love looking at other people's houses and bookshelves. I want a tastefully decorated apartment. I'm not sure how well this will work out, given my Fullmetal Alchemist wallscroll, Horatio Hornblower poster, Frodo Baggins poster, various Harry Potter and Final Fantasy pictures, and my Buffy the Vampire Slayer calendar. I do have some artistically tasteful pieces for walls, but they are pretty small. WTF, being a grown-up. There were lots of little things I wanted to accomplish tonight - practical things, like homework, or picking up the random dirty clothing on my floor....putting my space heater away in the closet. But I am not interested enough in any of these things. You know, winning at life. Doesn't interest me at the moment. I hope that a fair amount of sleep tonight will make me feel better tomorrow. I can't afford another day of not getting shit one. Labels: book clubs scribbled mystickeeper at 11:57 PM
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wMar 18, 2008 | |
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Mildly Spastic Yesterday, there was more shopping with my mom and my sister. We went to an outlet mall, so I acquired more things. Among them are some clothing, some lotion (OMF lotion!) and cosmetic things, as well as a Fruits Basket bookmark with Shigure on it! I wore my new skirt to work today. Walking out of Bath & Body Works, this exchange occurred. ME: Thanks, Mom! MOM: You're welcome. That can be from the Easter Bunny, now. ME: And the skirt? MOM: Yes. And those bras, the Easter Bunny bought those, too. So make sure you write about that in your stupid blog thing, so people know. I think she's still upset after hearing about this entry. A Wiscon Book Club! So, Gretchen is pretty awesome, and she is starting this idea for a Wiscon book club. You need not attend Wiscon to join the book club, but the focus will be on feminist science fiction novels. Our first book will be China Mountain Zhang by Maureen H. McHugh, who will be one of the Guests of Honor at this year's Wiscon. Our tentative first meeting is Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00pm, at the Argus (right off of Capitol Square; a bar with good deals and delicious food). If you want to check out who's coming, check out Gretchen's thread here. Some Links I Enjoyed! 1) Because I am a total nerd, an article that focuses mainly on the Wisconsin State Senate. Even if I don't get a job in politics or government, I'm so glad that my job has made me much more aware of the goings-on of state government. 2) This article by Answerman, of Anime News Network. I like reading his articles, because I really feel like he has a foot in both worlds - that of the anime fan, and that of a still-fully-functional member of society. [I]t's a formula that has proven successful. "Nerdy spineless milquetoast surrounded by hot women who are inexplicably attracted to him" has been done again and again and it usually rakes in viewers and merchandise sales. 3) OMG!!!! Joss Whedon wrote a musical! NATHAN FILLION! OMG! Labels: a: whedon joss, anime, book clubs, family, politics, spring break, wiscon scribbled mystickeeper at 9:25 PM
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