Check out the printable zine here: ANFEM
WHAT IS ANARCHA-FEMINISM AND WHAT’S IT GOT TO DO WITH ME?
Lessons from Latin American
“y si quemo y rompo y hago un pinche despadre en esta ciudadcual es su piunche problemaa mi me mataron a mi hijay yo no soy una colectiva ni necesito un tambor ni necesito un pinche partido politico que me represente”
To talk about gender equality, here or in Latin America, we must first talk about colonization, the process of forcibly taking over an area and controlling its people. Spain’s forced occupation of the Americas brought about racist systems of enslavement, extreme violence, and death. Additionally, with Spain’s many imposed traditions came patriarchy, a system that gives men social dominance. As a result,
those who had long lived in Latin America were simultaneously controlled by a racist system and forced to face dangerous gender expectations that never existed before the colonizer’s arrival. Of course, countless groups have long fought back in a constant search for autonomy, the freedom of self-determination. Today, racial and gender dominance continue to plague the world around us. Thankfully, we can turn to history for inspriation as we consider how we can resist them and find liberation.
WHY FEMINISM?
When we talk about feminism, we talk about movements that aim to create gender equality in a society that prioritizes men’s perspective, voice, and power. This system of social dominance, known as patriarchy, creates impossible circumstances that affect society as a whole. Men are boxed into categories such as “provider” and “protector,” forced to hold back human emotion, prove themselves through violence, and pressured out of learning life skills that are crucial for survival, such as cooking and cleaning. Women are perceived as weaker, less intelligent, and thus given less respect, and often subject to extreme violence at the hands of entitled men. This is why we see countless movements fighting against sexual assault, seeking to end domestic violence, and aiming to provide women with better opportunities. Furthermore, everyone who exists beyond these very strict and unrealistic gender expectations is subject to ridicule, harassment, and even death. Feminism is important because patriarchy limits the freedom of absolutely everyone in society.
WHY ANARCHA-FEMINISM?
Some feminists choose to put their faith in voting and government-funded organizations. The problem, however, is that these solutions are slow and limiting, as they require waiting and hoping that those in power will make noteworthy change. Other feminists, often called anarcha-feminists, prioritize liberation and autonomy. This means that they are interested in complete freedom from the systems in place and take it upon themselves to maintain control over their own lives and decisions. Anarcha-feminists think and act for themselves and their communities, constantly searching for effective ways to solve their own problems and support those around them, without having to bend or adapt to the loopholes set by politicians or leaders. Issues such as justice after an assault, affordable childcare, or homelessness, get resolved because they creatively organize themselves and take responsibility of taking care of each other. They know that there are many issues to be solved and that taking matters into their own hands is more effective and fulfilling.
Putting it into Practice
In response to the patriarchal and colonial system’s attempt to isolate, disempower, and manipulate, anarcha-feminists in Latin America have taken creative and fearless approaches to resistance. Open this document to find examples of how anarcha-feminists in Latin America have created safer spaces, taken power and mobilized through art, published independent newsletters, interrupted the education system, and even taken control over government buildings.
You’ll see examples of movements intended to unite, regain power, and create alternative worlds. You’ll see that many of the actions that these anarcha-feminists have taken could realistically be done with a couple of friends, some discussion about logistics, and a little bit of consistenty and courage. Our region attempts to disempower us every day, by telling us how to act, what to wear, and who to be. Situations of control and violence are commonplace — even here, even now. We can learn from the autonomous projects of anarcha-feminists in Latin America, and we too can create alternative worlds.
Throughout Latin America, we can find examples of how issues of injustice and violence were solved creatively by anarchofeminists.
In 1896, the anarchist-communist newspaper la Voz de La Mujer began circulating in Argentina, providing women with a network of discussion un-censored by patriarchy or the government. La Voz de la Mujer offered working-class women an opportunity to connect and remain informed about their shared struggles as economic changes in the country pushed more women into the workforce. Women were increasingly faced with double labor: that in their homes and that in their jobs. La Voz de La Mujer created a structure in which women could find support in each other rather than remaining in marriages that lacked balance, fulfillment, and were often abusive.
Educacion no sexista (Chile)
https://issuu.com/laalzadaafl/docs/bolet__n_educaci__n_no_sexista
https://issuu.com/laalzadaafl/docs/bolet__n_educaci__n_no_sexista
Frustrated with gender discrimination in their classrooms and textbooks, students across Chile have urged for education that promotes equality and creates a society that values respect and diversity. La Alzada, a collective of anarcho-feminist students, approached the issue directly and organized anti-sexism trainings, declaring that education should be liberatory and secular. Their trainings discussed the creation of an educational model that goes against gender mistreatment and takes into consideration gender diversity and the struggles of the working class.
“Persisten los estereotipos, tabúes y prejuicios sobre como abordar el tema así como la persistencia de actitudes machistas y de sometimiento hacia las mujeres, la exclusión de otros tipos de sexualidad, y el rechazo a abordar el tema desde espacios públicos. Es menester abordar la educación sexual desde una perspectiva laica y liberadora, que abandone la idea -que aún persiste- en cuanto a que el sexo debe tener como principal finalidad la reproducción.”
“Stereotypes, taboos, and prejudice persist regarding how to handle the topic, as well as the persistence of machista* attitudes and the submission of women, the exclusion of other types of sexuality, and the refusal to approach the topic in public spaces. It is necessary to approach sexuality from a secular and liberatory perspective, to abandon the idea -which still exists- regarding the idea that the main objective of sex must be for reproduction” (Anti-Sexist Education Bulletin)
#Niunamenos // #notoneless
This powerful movement sparked in response to the long legacy of femicides, the intentional killing of women and girls motivated by gender, across Latin America. Feminists took to the streets in El Salvador, Brazil, Peru, and many other Latin American countries demanding action against gender-based violence. Mexico saw an immense wave of anarcha-feminists angered by the government’s consistent lack of action. For years they have been uniting to take matters into their own hands, organizing workshops, and creating art, seeking justice for those lost, and prevention of future gender-based violence. The work of anarcha-feminists across Latin America has since furthered the conversation around feminism and resistance tactics. Pictured below is an image of a government building anarcha-feminists took over and turned into a shelter. It reads “We don’t forgive or forget!”
La Virgen de los Deseos (The Virgin of Desires)
Located in Bolivia, this space continues the anarchist tradition of autonomous spaces for unity and exchange of ideas. It is home to the anarcha-feminist artist collective, self-proclaimed street agitators Mujeres Creando (Women Creating), and is also home to their radio project called Radio Deseo, which combines the love for music with social discussion that resists machismo and colonization. The space seeks to create a place free of violence and racism and also functions as a restaurant that preserves and promotes ancestral recipes.