Comments on: Britannica, Sirens, and Sexism

By: kgs

kgs — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:20:51 +0000

Yes, you do indeed quote Sontag, Matthew, and that’s appreciated. Make it two women.

By: Matthew Battles

Matthew Battles — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:14:21 +0000

Dear KG, hold on! In the very same post where I omitted Rebecca MacKinnon’s name (and I’m grateful that you called me on that), I cite Susan Sontag as a rich and profound authority on the politics of knowledge. As long as you’re tallying citations by gender, I should get a *bit* of credit for that one.

That said, I’m glad you’ve pointed out the many ways in which the britannica forum’s deck has been stacked, gender foremost among them.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:47:21 +0000

Definitely not ridiculous — you can keep company with MJ Rose who is tracking Oprah’s book picks (all 8 since 2005 by men):
http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/buzz_balls_hype/2007/06/o.html

As far as FTF outreach, I think they do about as little as any other ALA subgroup…

By: kgs

kgs — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:49:04 +0000

These are great events (though I have conflicts for each one). I was very interested in the one by Ms. … But I’ve been wondering, how well has the FTF done in outreach to younger librarians? What feminist issues can and should be raised in ALA?

By: Kathleen de la Peña McCook

Kathleen de la Peña McCook — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:29:50 +0000

It may seem like you are The Last Surviving Feminist–but there will be a lot going on at ALA to carry on the cause.
Here is the schedule.
=

The Feminist Task Force meeting and program schedule includes meetings, programs and social events for FTF, ACRL Women’s Studies Section (WSS), the Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL), the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT) and the LAMA
Women Administrators Discussion Group. The general SRRT & ALA governance
meetings are also listed.

The schedule may be found at
http://ftfinfo.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/FTF+2007+Programs.doc . I am also
making copies that will be available in the OLOS distribution boxes, near
registration, at FTF, WSS and COSWL meetings and programs.

Below are highlights of the FTF events:

FTF
@
ALA Summer 2007

The Feminist Task Force (FTF) has some great programs planned for the ALA 2007
Conference. We hope that you will join us at the programs and our business
meetings.

Ms. Magazine: A Voice for a Movement
Sunday, June 24, 2007
8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington DC
Grand Ballroom North

This year the Feminist Task Force has the honor of hosting a program with
Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation and Publisher of
Ms. Magazine. Please join us for an exciting discussion about this premier
feminist publication that, for 30 years, has been the voice for a movement.

Ms. is developing a new Committee of Scholars, which is diverse in race,
ethnicity, age, region, and academic discipline. She will discuss with us how
the Committee works with Ms. to increase the reach of women’s studies
scholarship to a wider audience. With this partnership, Ms. serves as the
perfect vehicle to give feminist scholars and activists the voice that they
deserve and to give Ms. readers the information that they need.

Other Programs:

Friday, June 22

Feminists Night Out & WSS Social
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
National Museum of Women in the Arts

We are starting the Conference with a bit of fun. WSS Social & Feminists Night
Out are being held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts from 5:30 – 7:30
p.m on Friday, June 22. Everyone is invited to connect with colleagues and have
some fun. The social is open to everyone, and non-members are always welcome!

Saturday, June 23

Introduction to Women’s Issues at ALA: “I’m not a feminist, but….”
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Renaissance Mayflower
New York Room

SRRT-Feminist Task Force: Introduction to Women’s Issues at ALA, “I’m not a
feminist, but…: Have you ever thought or said, “I’m not a feminist, but..”? If
so, how you finished that sentence could inform the development of agenda in
SRRT Feminist Task Force (FTF), Committee on the Status of Women in
Librarianship (COSWL), ACRL’s Women’s Studies Section (WSS) or the Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT). Representatives from these and
other groups will be there to learn from you what the issues are and they will
be able to tell you about the opportunities to participate in their current
work. The first hour will be the program, the second hour will be set aside for
networking and casual conversation. Co-sponsored by ACRL WSS and COSWL.

Sunday, June 24

Amelia Bloomer Project Breakfast: Who Needs Feminist Books?
7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Renaissance Washington DC
Room 12-14

Join the Amelia Bloomer Project of the Feminist Task Force for a breakfast
presentation looking at literature for children and teens through the lens of
feminism. This event requires registration ($25). Please see the ALA
registration information for details.

Feminist Task Force Business Meetings:

There are lots of interesting projects being headed up by the Feminist Task
Force. Come join our meetings and learn what is happening. If you are looking
for a project within ALA this is the place to start.

Saturday, June 23

Feminist Task Force Meeting
8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Hotel Washington
Parkview

Sunday, June 24

Feminist Task Force Meeting
1:30 – 3:30
J. W. Marriott
State

Remember, go to
http://ftfinfo.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/FTF+2007+Programs.doc for the
complete schedule.

By: joshua m. neff

joshua m. neff — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:40:46 +0000

You are never ridiculous for pointing this stuff out. I also appreciate you fighting the good fight. I’m obviously not a woman, but as long as some people are being excluded–or inclusion means “come into our clubhouse and play by our rules”–this is a crucial fight. Since I don’t have the education to really articulate a lot of what’s going on with this sexism, I really, really love that at least one person does and is willing to shout it out. (I personally try not to be careless, but having grown up a privileged white male, I’m sure it happens. I don’t mind being called on it. It’s part of how I learn.)

By: kgs

kgs — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:48:06 +0000

Susie, thanks to you too (your comment got stuck in my blog’s pipeline). It’s careless male privilege.

By: kgs

kgs — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:50:58 +0000

Thanks so much for saying that, Jennimi; sometimes I feel like The Last Surviving Feminist. I almost feel ridiculous in pointing out this stuff, since it goes so uncommented, like there she goes again whining about sexism. So your comment means a lot.

Maybe we need an anonymous blog or wiki…

By: jennimi

jennimi — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:23:14 +0000

Karen, as a woman trying to “make it” in this profession (librarianship, academic librarianship, emerging technology – ah when we insert the term technology we think men, right?) I REALLY appreciate that you are always fighting the good fight. Seriously, one goal I have is to become less afraid to document, discuss, blog about my experiences as a woman in this world. Starting with the search committee who kept saying ever so innocently at lunch “we really want someone YOUNG.” Like me, right? Sigh. Anyway, I really do thank you for keeping the conversation moving.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:43:58 +0000

Karen,

I’ve been following the posts to. I’m personally waiting for Thomas Mann to get in on the action (who you also noted in a past post is scheduled to contribute)- and of course, I’ll be very interested to see the woman you mentioned – Danah Boyd – post (most of these folks are new to me)

I think most of the posts have been very thoughtful, down-to-earth, educational, well-argued, and… human – even if many of them are more cautious than yourself! Well, I have you to thank for pointing me there when Gorman arrived. In any case, I don’t see anything in these web 2.0 posts per se that should make a woman cringe (but then again, I am one of those straight white males – though I hardly think I’m superior).

When you do find something that you think needs responding to, I hope that you will get in there, even if Britannica currently doesn’t index the “peanut gallery” (hopefully this will change) . Google will capture any of your comments Karen – so I hope that you will get in there and offer your perspective.

Regards,
Nathan