(En)Gendering Resistance: Exploring the Possibilities of Gender, Resistance and Militancy

Re-blogged from WPIRG

(En)Gendering Resistance: Exploring the Possibilities of Gender, Resistance and Militancy

WPIRG’s 2013 School of Public Interest Conference

April 19th-21st

engenderingresistance.noblogs.org

Examining the social, political and economic realities of gender, as well as the liberatory possibilities of militant resistance to gender based oppression, WPIRG’s 2013 School of Public Interest will focus on the theme of (en)gendering resistance. A purposeful play on words, the conference theme is intended to encompass reflections on the lived experience of gender, the gendering of activism, and strategies for fostering vibrant resistance movements.

Taking place April 19th-21st at the University of Waterloo, the weekend long conference will bring together community organizers, activists and students, to critically discuss issues related to gender and resistance/resisting gender. Shaping, while simultaneously being shaped by the ways in which we live, love, fuck and resist, the intricacies and potentialities of gender will be explored.

Our vision is to provide an inclusive space to engage in dialogue that challenges the narratives of the mainstream feminist movement, expanding its critique and radicalizing its practice. We dream of a feminism that does not seek the inclusion of marginalized identities within the dominant order, but rather, strives to unapologetically challenge the dominant order itself. How can we develop a movement for gender justice that is necessarily anti-capitalist, anti-colonial and critical of state institutions? How can we foster resistance practices that are firmly rooted in anti-racism and an intersectional analysis of gender?

Patriarchy and gendered oppressions are everyday perpetuated within our communities and movements. Sexism, queer and transphobia permeate social justice groups and organizations. Gender violence and sexual assault occur with tragic frequently within our ‘safe’ spaces. How can we challenge the reproduction of gender oppression within broader social and environmental justice movements? How can we develop non-state responses to issues of sexual violence? What potential exists for the construction of holistic and nurturing communities of resistance? How can we strengthen our ongoing work, and build our collective capacity to resist?

In the spirit of engendering resistance, WPIRG invites community-based activists, those struggling everyday against gender oppression, supporters, and anyone who sees value in gathering to resist and share strategies, to participate!

Labour Day Of Mourning

Sunday, 28 April 2013, 10:30am: LABOUR DAY OF MOURNING
Victoria Park, between the Pavilion and the river (map).
This annual event commemorates those killed or injured on the job.

According to the Ministry of Labour, “every day in Ontario, an average of nearly 50 young workers under age 25 are injured or killed on the job”. Eroding labour standards are a huge issue, that’s not getting nearly enough attention.

Tell Harper: Don’t cut Polio funding!

I just learned of an initiative by Results Canada www.results-resultats.ca to urge the Harper government to maintain Canada’s funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, at the UN on Sept 27.

Here’s the letter I sent, with copies to the appropriate Opposition critics:

———–

To the Hon Julian Fantino, Minister of International Co-operation:

Dear Minister,

   Global Polio Eradication Initiative

On Sept 27 at the United Nations General Assembly, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative will be asking the nations of the world to replenish funding for their work for 2013 and beyond.

I understand that Canada intends to reduce its contribution to the GPEI from $35 million to $14.5 million in 2013.

Such a reduction in funding would be tragic and premature.  Countries previously free of polio are still experiencing re-infections because the vaccination effort is not complete.

Do not let this dreaded disease make a comeback!  I urge you to maintain Canada’s level of funding, and even increase it, until polio is truly gone forever.

Please read more at
www.theendofpolio.com .

Yours sincerely,

Eleanor Grant
Waterloo, Ont.

cc PM Harper

cc Opposition critics: Romeo Saganash MP, Mark Eyking MP, and Elizabeth May MP

cc Peter Braid MP

———-

Here are the politicians’ e-mail addresses in a block, for ease of copying into the To line:

pm@pm.gc.ca, fantino.j@parl.gc.ca, sagana.r@gc.ca, eyking.m@parl.gc.ca, may.e@parl.gc.ca
and add your own MP.

Please also sign the petition on the End of Polio site mentioned in the letter above.

Thanks.