The Feminist Book Club
Having access to Feminist literature is a fundamental part of the liberation of Women and Girls - books, pamphlets, magazines … immersing ourselves in the words of our Sisters leads to awakening, questioning, challenging and participating. Feminist books dissipate cognitive dissonance and make sense of our lives, drawing us into the world of Feminism, hand-holding us as we create changes in our own lives and engage in creating positive change for others. At our annual FiLiA conference, we hold space for Women to meet Feminist writers and the News From Nowhere stall (a not-for-profit radical and community bookshop collectively by a women workers' co-operative) is always extremely popular! Feminists always have more books than they have time to read … !
Hibo Wardere signs her book.
Out of discussions with local Portsmouth Women came the idea of a Feminist Book Club; one with a difference. We decided that we would read a book a month and then meet the author for a discussion about her work. FiLiA is able to buy 20 copies of each book to gift to local Women who otherwise would not be able to participate - a huge thank you to the funders of the FiLiA Legacy Project for enabling that to happen. Where possible we ask the authors to sign their books too, adding a personal touch to the gift. Community groups ensure that as many Women as possible participate by supporting them with learning how to join online meetings and raising awareness about the opportunity to join the book club - thank you so much for all your hard work.
Our first book was Cut by Hibo Wardere. Twenty books were lugged in a backpack to London to meet Hibo at Pl84U, a food bank initiative set up by incredible Women in Walthamstow. Hibo volunteers there on top of her tireless work to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
As a six-year-old child in Somalia, Hibo was subjected to FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia. FGM is a violation of a girl’s human rights that enforces sex inequality. Hibo introduced her memoir detailing her life in Somalia and the UK and shed light on this practice as well as her tireless activism. We encountered some technical hitches (it was our first webinar!) but a lively discussion ensued and from this initial discussion, one local community group has organised a session to raise awareness of FGM and Hibo has been asked to speak at a local event on International Women’s Day.
“Thank you for organising and thank you so much for doing what you do Hibo!”
Listen to our discussion with Hibo here: #116 Hibo Wardere: One Woman's Fight Against FGM.
Next, we read The Space Between Black and White by Esua Jane Goldsmith. ‘Raised in 1950s South London and Norfolk with a white, working-class family, Esua’s education in racial politics was immediate and personal. A tale of love, comradeship, and identity crises, Esua’s rise to be the first Black woman president of Leicester University Students’ Union and Queen Mother of her village, is inspiring, honest, and full of heart.’ There was lots of laughter and some tears as we listened intently to Esua’s incredible journey; an hour really wasn’t enough time with each other and we wondered whether we should extend the sessions to an hour and a half … what’s the perfect length of time for these discussions? We never have enough time!
“Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading about your life. As a mixed-race Indo-Caribbean/White woman, I felt seen. The talk was so interesting - you are fantastic to listen too. Thanks!’”
Listen to our discussion with Esua here: #119 Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith: The Space Between Black and White
Why Women are Blamed for Everything by Jessica Taylor was our third book.
“She asked for it. She was flirting. She was drinking. She was wearing a revealing dress. She was too confident. She walked home alone. She stayed in that relationship. She was naïve. She didn’t report soon enough. She didn’t fight back. She wanted it. She lied about it. She comes from a bad area. She was vulnerable. She should have known. She should have seen it coming. She should have protected herself.”
Jessica talked about her new book in which she explores the many reasons that society blames women for male violence committed against them.
“Thanks, that was fantastic. Dr Jess Taylor was great!”
Listen to our discussion with Jessica here: #123 Dr Jessica Taylor: Why Women are Blamed for Everything
The next four books are ready and lined up. If you live in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, or anywhere in Hampshire and you want to join the Book Club, email us on info@filia.org.uk or click the posters below to register for the next sessions.
“Well done FiLiA Legacy Project Book Club!”
We’ve also created ‘How To Start A Feminist Book Club’ posters - ask us for copies to share with friends and start your own Feminist book club. Inspired by the FiLiA Legacy Project, one has already sprung up in Manchester and we would be thrilled to share book suggestions - 400 recommendations came out of the recent #OurFeministLibrary action and we will happily pass that list on to you which should keep you going for a while!