Phew…. just did my talk on women’s suffrage and trade unionism. Majority of the people attending it were women (very few men!) and it went really well.
Good discussion on the tactics of direct action/civil disobedience versus building alliances and mass support through non-violent methods (Suffragists/Suffragettes).
While re-visiting this subject, it made me think of the parallels today with the issue of feminism/class. The arguments against supporting women’s suffrage by many in the labour movement was that it was about ‘not the case to place sex first; we have to put Labour first in every class’ (Harry Quelch, SDF member and Trade Council delegate to LRC conference 1905).
Therefore the belief that adult suffrage for the whole working class was much more of an important demand than women’s suffrage as it was seen as a distraction. As I argued today, socialist feminism (which many of these working class radical suffragists were) is integral to the class struggle, not separate and not a distraction. I can understand (though not support) why many women distanced themselves from the labour movement during the early 20th century as not only did they face hostility and oppression from society but friction and disappointment from the labour movement, TUC congress rejected support for women’s suffrage when the motion was put twice (1901, 1902). A committed show of strength and unity from the labour movement overall didn’t happen, support for women’s suffrage was fragmented (loyal male supporters came from Keir Hardie, George Lansbury and Allan Gee (Sec. of Wool Workers’ Union and on the executive of the LRC), supporter of the motions put TUC conference on women’s suffrage).
And history does repeat itself as tragedy and high farce especially when you are confronted with the same arguments about feminism and how it is a ‘distraction’ from the class struggle.
But overall, it was positive to be able to resurrect and to raise political consciousness these working class trade unionists and Suffragists as their collective histories have vanished and been hidden over the years.
I’ll formulate a better post about it, these are just my initial thoughts.
July 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm |
Congrats, Louise. I don’t suppose anyone videoed it.
July 10, 2009 at 9:53 pm |
Given that almost half of workers are women, I’m amazed that people still suggest feminism is a distraction from the class struggle.
Btw, did you catch the First Cut programme on C4 about kids that grew up in radical feminist communes and shared the surname Wild? ‘Twas a very interesting half-hour…
July 10, 2009 at 10:04 pm |
Madam Miaow: Wasn’t videoed but the union branch is hoping to do more talks come Autumn and there will be discussion about how to improve the talks etc etc.
Indeed Charlie! I have experienced those discussions about feminism being a distraction!! I missed that programme, saw it advertised but missed it …!!!!! Will have a look whether it is on the net.
July 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm |
Should be on 4od, but god knows how you get that to work…
July 10, 2009 at 10:42 pm |
Cheers for that Charlie..