Hi! I saw your comment about “new radfems” not reading radfem theory and I was wondering if you could list some resources or tell me where to find some? I’ve only recently started to read radfem blogs and I really want to get into it more, and not just read posts about it. Thank you so much, I appreciate your blog!
Hey! I'm really glad you want to do your research, it is heartwarming to know the newbies out there actually want to study the theory.
I think The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is probably one of the most important and complete books in the path to understanding Radical Feminism. It is also super long and daunting, so while I do think it should be a read-in-progress for all of us, I think it's important to have more "beginner friendly" books, in order to avoid burn out. [link to pdf]
I've been into radical feminism since 2017 now, and I'm not a great reader, so for those of us who find it hard to focus for too long, I think Andrea Dworkin is also a good place to start. Her books are filled with rage – and important analysis. I find her language easier to keep up with, more approachable if you will. Woman Hating was my first [pdf]. You can find all of her other works [here] as well.
The book that made me want to really read more and get educated is honestly A Politically Incorrect Feminist: Creating a Movement with Bitches, Lunatics, Dykes, Prodigies, Warriors, and Wonder Women, by Phyllis Chesler. It's an autobiography, and gives some great insight on what it was like to be involved directly in the Second Wave, and also why sisterhood is powerful and needed, but also not easy to achieve. It gave me hope, and helped me to see radical feminism in a new refreshed light. You can get the audiobook for free as an [Audible trial].
[Radfem.org] has some other books handy as well
And [here] is a post with some other feminist books.
My current to-read list, as offered by a dear friend who's been involved with radical feminism for the past 10+ years, is as follows:
> The Second Sex - Simone de Beauvoir (a current read-in-progress for me)
> Lesbian Nation - Jill Johnston [borrow]
> For Lesbians Only: A Separatist Anthology - Sarah Lucia Hoagland, Julia Penelope [borrow]
> Sappho was a Right-on Woman: A Liberated View of Lesbianism [borrow]
> The Lesbian Revolution: Lesbian Feminism in the UK 1970-1990 - Sheila Jeffreys
> The Wanderground - Sally Miller Gearhart [borrow]
> Woman Hating - Andrea Dworkin
> Intercourse - Andrea Dworkin [pdf]
> SCUM Manifesto - Valerie Solanas [pdf]
> Lesbian origins - Susan Cavin [borrow]
> Sisterhood is Powerful - Robin Morgan [pdf]
> Like There's No Tomorrow - Carolyn Cage [pdf]
> The Lesbian Heresy: A Feminist Perspective on the Lesbian Sexual Revolution - Sheila Jeffrey [pdf]
> Gyn/Ecology - Mary Daly [pdf]
Okay so now I flooded you with reading material... What next? How do you even get started, how do you tackle this?
I think first of all it's really important to find community. There are discord servers out there for radical feminists and gender critical women, communities which are open to you, and were made for women just like you. Surround yourself with women, build yourself up with them. Don't just say your politics are woman centric, but actually make your life woman centric. And read up. Study. Trade notes, ask questions, question... Everything. Be critical. Not just of your past beliefs, but of this new information. Where is it coming from? Who wrote it? What do they gain from it? Who loses if they win?
Be aware that radical feminism is a political movement. It can be heavy. Unfortunately, we deal with the knowledge that the world is ugly, especially ugly towards women. Part of radical feminism is addressing borrow such as human trafficking, pedophilia, incest, and the likes. Have positive things to balance this out, take breaks, take your time. Work against overwhelming yourself. You can do this.
Apply the same kindness you'd offer other women to yourself, and treat yourself with respect. Reach out! To me, to others. We're here for you. We have space for you. We'll make time, we'll try our best. I just spent an hour finding these links for you. Not because you owe me anything, or vice versa. But because I care that you have a good experience of it. We are stronger together.
Anyway, take care. Good luck!
