Feminist Killjoys Reading Group

A growing community of people who identify with Sara Ahmed’s figure of the feminist killjoy 🌟 Based on Darug land

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Dearest killjoys,

It’s been a while! Since our Biennale event at Pari, we’ve been resting and focusing on our separate lives. Time will tell to see if FKRG will continue on, maybe in a different form, or maybe after a prolonged break.

Thank you to everyone who came, witnessed, and engaged with our event. We talked about prison abolition and how carceral ways of thinking restrict the lives and imaginations of many.

Here are some resources that we drew upon:

Carceral Capitalism by Jackie Wang

‘Alternatives to (Disability) Incarceration’ in Disability Incarcerated by L. Ben-Moshe

Belonging to bad: Ambiguity, Parramatta girls and the Parramatta girls home by Corrinne Franklin

Counter-carceral acoustemologies: Sound, permeability and feminist protest at the prison boundary by Emma K. Russell and Bree Carlton

Beyond Prison by Ellen O’Brien

Community Defense: Sarah T. Hamid on Abolishing Carceral Technologies

We’ll keep you posted as we rest and think about how to keep the killjoy spirit alive.

X

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hello all feminist killjoys, we invite you to join us at pari arts this saturday as we think about, feel through, reflect on what an abolitionist future would look like, supported by the biennale of sydney. link to the event sign up is here. more info about the event is here. we’ll post materials here afterwards if you’re not able to make it. wishing you all a careful, caring week 🤎

(photos by nolan murphy)

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(image by Cynthia Florek)

Last week, we were honoured to have Rajni Shah join us to host a session centering on exhaustion and solidarity for BIPOC. The session felt like a big sigh, finally able to be let out. We hope to have Rajni and their grounding presence back soon.

Here are some things that Rajni has been thinking about, and would like to leave with us after the session, as well as some things referenced during the session:

Moving at the Speed of Trust: Disability Justice and Transformative Justice (conversation), Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Elliott Fukui

Imani Perry In Conversation with Kiese Laymon: On the Uprising since George Floyd's Murder and Black Struggles for Freedom in the United States

Take Good Care (Thank you Toni Cade Bambara), Alexis Pauline Gumbs

A Little Patch of Something, Imani Perry

A Nourished Heart (online restorative yoga, free/pay-if-you-can)

Feel Free Yoga: BIPOC flow (Daisy’s class! We truly recommend)

George Floyd: why the sight of these brave, exhausted protesters gives me hope, Akwugo Emejulu

The Future is Now: Why Octavia Butler Is Our Muse, by The Nap Ministry

What if the future were delightful?, by Rebecca Stoner

Black Youth Remade the World in Madison’s Capitol Square Last Night, by James McMaster

Love & Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger, Irresistible Podcast

Wishing all feminist killjoys, especially Bla(c)k killjoys, the space to rest and express. x

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(image by Cynthia Florek)

What does it mean to come together as exhausted ones? How does exhaustion already sit in our bodies as BIPOC activists? What are the relationships between resistance, exhaustion, and structural oppression?

Next Saturday June 6 at 3pm, we’re inviting Rajni Shah to lead a session inspired by Akwugo Emejulu & Leah Bassel’s recent article, ‘The politics of exhaustion’ which proposes, among other things, the notion of ‘structural exhaustion’. Rather than simply discussing these themes, Rajni invites those who are exhausted to come together and experience solidarity, respite, and reflection. There is no required reading for the session, and you will be welcome to participate in any way you need, including remaining camera-off if this is most comfortable for you. Rajni will share the article that inspired the session with everyone after we meet. In order to create a safer space, Rajni has requested that this online gathering is restricted to people who identify as BIPOC* (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour). Please register in advance so that we can send you details nearer to the time. The form to register is here. * These terms can feel clumsy, but are helpful in the work of decentering whiteness. If you self-identify as BIPOC you are welcome here, no questions asked.

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(image by Cynthia Florek)

Hello feminist killjoys,

Last week we took part in a revitalising yoga flow guided by Daisy from Feel Free Yoga, inspired by what the feminist killjoy stands for. It was a unique experience, to take what is normally floating around in theory and words, and to integrate it into embodiment. We hope to bring Daisy back for another session soon!

Some resources and links that inspired the session and inspire Daisy generally:

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Audre Lorde, A Burst of Light

A Killjoy Survival Kit, in Living a Feminist Life by Sara Ahmed

ALTERNATIVE SELF-STUDY PROGRAM FOR A KINDER WORLD  by Naomi Shimada

adrienne maree brown at Global Art Forum 10

The Power of Breathwork by Jennifer Patterson

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Daisy holds two online classes on Sunday, a BIPOC flow and a queer and trans flow, and an open class on Monday. We encourage anyone who took part in our class, or looking for a space to connect to body and heart, to think about joining one of her classes. Sending love killjoys x

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(image by Cynthia Florek)

This month we're collaborating with the incredible Daisy of Feel Free Yoga to spend an hour in a gentle yoga flow, inspired by the energy of the feminist killjoy 🌱 all are welcome to join. The online session will be by donation, all funds going to Daisy to support her yoga practice. If you're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you don't need to pay. If you'd like to join us, please sign up with the form here. You'll be emailed with how to participate afterwards. To learn more about Daisy and Feel Free Yoga, visit her website: https://www.feelfreeyoga.space/

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A zine by Bodhi, created at Kill Joy. Feel Good. 2019.

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feminist killjoys reading group, march 2020

Thank you to everyone who joined in our first online session 🦋this month, amongst current events, we wanted to talk about fragility, joy and hope.

(online conversation starters & gif by Cynthia Florek)

Readings and listenings from this session:

Fragility by Sara Ahmed

The Audre Lorde Questionnaire to Oneself

Developing Self-Compassion, meditation by Tara Brach

Other things:

Wild Geese, Mary Oliver

Touching Peace, meditation by Tara Brach

I'm a Fantastic Wreck, song by Montaigne

Ys, album by Joanna Newsom

Care in Uncertain Times Syllabus

Tending Joy and Practicing Delight, Ross Gay

Falling Together, Rebecca Solnit

A Poem for Keeping Memory Alive, Ali Cobby Eckermann

A Poem for All That Life Brings, Joy Harjo

A Poem for Ritual and Reset, Faisal Mohyuddin

The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action, Audre Lorde

Works by Kader Attia

Care circle, Irresistible Podcast

Healed by the rumbling sound of a cat in the park

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Wishing all killjoys peace, safety, and the space to be kind to themselves in this uncertain moment. x

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Feminist Killjoys Reading Group are inviting you to join us in our first session for 2020, and our first online session, co-hosted by Pari ∞, our new home. We’re thinking about fragility in uncertain times and the ways we stay connected through distance. Through fragility, can we build army?

During the session we will read, think, reflect together on the moment -- normally we would provide food and snacks, but feel free to bring your cup of tea and sit somewhere comfortable. A link to the session will be posted closer to the date.

Hoping to see you there 🐚

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It’s a strange time right now, so we’ve decided to start sharing some nice things from Kill Joy. Feel Good. to make this time somewhat less frightening. Here’s a zine that Ailsa Liu made at the event last December! To see more by Ailsa, follow her here and here.

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(Image thanks to Cynthia Florek ♥)

Moving into 2020, we're currently in a period of transition. Our sessions will no longer be located at UTP Blacktown satellite office, and a couple of our core members have parted (we wish them on fruitful journeys and always welcome them back!). Cynthia, Xiaoran and Tabitha will continue with FKRG — just waiting to see in what shape and form. So much gratitude to everyone who helped us create space for killing (&feeling) joy last year, thank you 🌱

We also have many copies of our zine that we can mail out to anyone who would like one! The form is here. Excited to share one of our big projects from last year with you all.

From the present to the uncertain future, sending love and all the space you need to hold possibilities, feminist killjoys x

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compilation of clips played at the Feminist Killjoys Reading Group end-of-year celebration. extended cut! minus this vimeo clip: https://vimeo.com/167880482 ...

enjoy a compilation of clips played at the FKRG end-of-year celebration Kill Joy. Feel Good. lovingly pulled together by core group member Tabitha, with contributions from us all :-) 

thanks for a beautiful 2019! we’ll keep you posted on how we’ll be continuing our feminist killjoy presence into the future.

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We're excited to begin working on a feminist killjoy sound archive, documenting the oral histories of feminist killjoys across Sydney—but we can't do it alone! We need YOUR contributions, so if you'd like to be interviewed in the next 2 weeks for this project, we'd love to hear from you ✨

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Feminist Killjoys Reading Group - October 2019

This month our feminist killjoys enjoyed some time travel, as we attempted to stop the clock and suspend time by being present in space together. 

(Image thanks to Cynthia Florek ♥)

This month we've been thinking about: the wibbly wobbly timey wimey nature of time, breakdowns/breakthroughs, Sara Ahmed asking "can we give ourselves a break?", emotions as feelings in motion/movement, not existing, feeling alive!, Indigenous futurisms, Afrofuturism, the end of capitalism, spontaneity as a suspension of time/responsibility, being led by our bodies. 

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Readings/listenings from the session

Kristin Neff’s Guided Self Compassion Meditations (specifically the Self Compassion/Loving Kindness meditation)

Skawennati - Imagining the next seven generations

Tracy K. Smith - Us & Co (from Life on Mars)

A time travel playlist for movement (of bodies, of emotions)

Other readings

adrienne maree brown and Walidah Imarisha (eds.) - Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories for Social Justice Movements

Ambelin Kwaymullina - Reflecting on Indigenous Worlds, Indigenous Futurisms and Artificial Intelligence

Gabrielle Bellot - Octavia Butler: The Brutalities of the Past Are All Around This

Grace Dillon (ed.) - Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction

Kodwo Eshun - Further Considerations on Afrofuturism

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson - Akiden Boreal (from This Accident of Being Lost)

Mary Oliver - In Blackwater Woods

Octavia Butler - Kindred 

Sara Ahmed - Feminism and Fragility

Videos, songs and recordings

a world of our own playlist by Ellen 

clipping. - Splendor & Misery

Indigenous Futurisms mixtape by RPMfm

Jamila Woods - HEAVN

Jordan Cocker - Indigenous Futurisms: Cultures of Radical Love

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson - How to Steal a Canoe 

Rhayne Fountain - parallel universes voice memo 

Skawennati - She Falls For Ages and TimeTraveller™ 

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We love you feminist killjoys, through every iteration of space and time x 

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Feminist Killjoys Reading Group - September 2019

The theme of September’s session was - AWAKE ARRIVE -

(Image thanks to Cynthia Florek ♥)

Spring has sprung. Pollen is in the air. Together we rung in the new season, moved with flow through changes, and explored arrival and awakening.

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Reading from the session

Sara Ahmed - Feminist Consciousness

Other readings

Audre Lorde - Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power

Joanna Macy and Molly Brown - 12 principles from THE WORK THAT RECONNECTS

Wendy Cope - The Orange

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Sorry that our posts have been a little delayed - life’s many challenges have been slowing us down lately. We hope these readings are of interest to you whenever you see them :-) 

Much love, from our Feminist Killjoys to yours x 

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Feminist Killjoys Reading Group are inviting you to come time travel with us this month, as we attempt to stop the clock and suspend time by being present in space together. This month we've been thinking about: the wibbly wobbly timey wimey nature of time, breakdowns/breakthroughs, Sara Ahmed asking "can we give ourselves a break?", emotions as feelings in motion/movement, not existing, feeling alive!, Indigenous futurisms, Afrofuturism, the end of capitalism, spontaneity as a suspension of time/responsibility, being led by our bodies. The session will involve time for reading and discussion, some creative/reflective activities, and of course, food! __________ Feminist Killjoys Reading Group (FKRG) is a growing community of people who identify as feminist killjoys, or who wish to learn more about the figure of the feminist killjoy in a respectful and inclusive setting. We gather on Darug land on a monthly basis to talk, reflect, create, and simply be together. Inspired by Sara Ahmed’s blog ‘Feminist Killjoys’, we ask what the world would be like if conversations did not begin with assumptions based on masculinity and whiteness, but with queerness, colour, and a deep commitment to listening. 

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Feminist Killjoys Reading Group - July 2019

This month we gathered to experience some rejuvenation and renewal, exploring what brings us comfort in times of shifts and unknowns.

(Image provided by Cynthia Florek ♥)

In our everyday lives, it can be difficult to take some time out and focus on our own needs and desires. We encouraged everyone present to take that time for themselves during the session, surrounded by people and supplied with warming soup and chai.

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Readings/listenings from the session

adrienne maree brown - ‘radical gratitude spell’ from Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good

Healing Justice podcast - 40 Practice: The Perfect Nap with Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry

Other readings and resources

Being Lazy and Slowing Down

Healing Justice - 40 Rest as Reparations with Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry

Izzie Ramirez - Doing Nothing is a Radical Idea for Marginalised People

Rajni Shah - Lying Fallow

Threads of Solidarity: WOC Against Racism - Giving from an empty cup/how not to die

Music and sounds

Akala - Time to Relax

Can’t Help Falling In Love on a Kalimba

Mary Lattimore - At the Dam

Rain Sound and Rainforest Animals Sound - Relaxing Sleep

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In keeping with this theme, FKRG will be taking a break during August, to restore, renew, and plan for the rest of the year. We will be back with another session in September 🍃

Much love for a restful month ahead x