Jessica at Feministing.com posted about the V-Day events happening in New Orleans this weekend, which is great. But then she notes that none of the websites’ regular contributors could make it to the event, so she recruited outside of the area, and outside of the Gret Stet, actually, to liveblog the weekend.
What, are all the local feminists at French Quarter Fest and unavailable?
Did all the New Orleans’ feminists evacuate and not come back after Katrina?
Were there not enough Women’s Studies majors to chose from at Tulane?
What would have been wrong with the words of the thousands of women of New Orleans who will be attending the event?
And for those New Orleans’ women who won’t be attending due to their living in the poverty and isolation V-Day seeks to address, couldn’t feministing.com have offered to sponsor a few… in exchange for some words about the event?
V-Day is celebrated as an International call to the importance of Women’s Health; it is a performance piece that signifies a global movement. However, it is intentionally being done HERE, in NEW ORLEANS, featuring specific new monologues written about real women living HERE, because of the historical significance of our city’s history and what it has meant in the lives of the women of this place. This aspect of the event should not be overshadowed or forgotten. As is the case with any story of poverty and loss, the ones who suffer the most are women and children. New Orleans continues to be the poster child for both of these ills; these monologues have significance to how our city and our people will be remembered. Part of a global movement, yes, but RIGHT NOW signifying an important step in our recovery.
I understand why feministing.com may want to keep writers whom they know and trust to adhere to the kinds of writing the website wants to reflect (I love feministing.com, learn from the posts, and enjoy reading it … but yes, there was some criticism in that last sentence) — but within this context, I am disappointed that the website authors determined that bringing in an outsider was more important than finding someone local. Someone who could truly talk about the new monologues using both a feminist (or maybe ‘feministing’) lens AND the understanding of what it means for those pieces to be performed HERE.
No offense to the friendly youth coming in for the weekend to cover it. I’m sure her reflections will be thoughtful. But will she be able to comprehend what it means for the hundreds of women who have not yet returned and were brought back for the weekend’s events? Will she be able to capture the frustration, heartache, and loss that we in this place have come to recognize as daily aspects of life? Will she be able to contextualize how a monologue about ‘a woman in New Orleans’ can symbolize an entire city’s struggle for rebirth? No offense, but no. And if you can’t get that, well, you’re missing a HUGE part of what this weekend means.
UPDATE: Jessica has offered to include reflections from local women regarding the event on her website (see comments). Thanks!
Anonymous | 13-Apr-08 at 6:54 am | Permalink
Hey there, this is Jessica. I didn’t deliberately seek an “outsider” to blog about V-Day for us. I was speaking at SMU and a student was telling me about her school project going down there – so I just offered. I thought it was a good opportunity to offer a student and young woman who doesn’t have a blog a space to write about her experience.
But I’m certainly open to hearing stories from NOLA locals, so please send your stories on to me as well! (jessica@feministing.com)
thanks!
Leigh C. | 13-Apr-08 at 2:53 pm | Permalink
A big problem that could have been addressed at the V-Day celebrations, conferences, and events is the state of child care in these parts.
I wish, wish, wish that this could be addressed and provided for in this day and age. Fewer child care options = fewer people in the workforce generating income, unless one wants to do the revolutionary thing and start paying stay-at-home moms for their time. Half a potential workforce is hampered by the lack of options. Fewer workers = hampering of the local economy and serious setbacks in the Gulf Coast’s recovery. Then this place becomes less of a good area in which to raise a family and more of a place that could be washed into the sea with the next big storm and no one would raise a peep over it.
There could be V-Day festivities and workshops taking over French Quarter Fest, and it still wouldn’t mean a thing – because most women these days who would LOVE to attend something like the Superlove events most likely have to work or stay at home. And though I do consider myself to be a feminist, I’m finding more and more that the celebrations just aren’t enough. Raise awareness. Stimulate concrete action on these issues. Please…help us all to RISE.
Cold Spaghetti | 13-Apr-08 at 6:04 pm | Permalink
Thanks, Jessica, for coming over and clarifying; I truly appreciate the comment. I’m posting an Update to reflect your comments — and offers — and will spread the word for locals. I have contacts that covered the event in several venues and will strongly encourage them to write to you. Issues of voice are so important here, an issue I feel certain you are sensitive to, particularly because so many others have come here and spoken for this city… often incorrectly, usually without proper context, and with a result that simplifies our experience into whatever story will sell — even if it slows our recovery and gives fuel to those who wish us harm. Whatever positive light you can shed on the lives of women in New Orleans is deeply, deeply appreciated.
Leigh: WORD.
There is so much more to say, but I think that sums it up until I can put it all into a more worthy full post.