Spring Break
Authors reflect on past 40 years of feminism
MICHAEL PROCHASKA
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Variety
Just half a century ago, it was almost taboo for a woman to seek work in white collar America.
These days, things are rather different.
A quick look at the University's demographics - majority female - shows how far society has come, even if it still has a way to go. Still, for one writer, feminists must look both directions along the path: where women are going and where they have been.
Poet and playwright Aralee Strange and author Laurie Stone will reflect on the history behind the women's rights movement tonight at Flicker Theatre and Bar.
Rather than using a blatant and brazen style of speech, Stone approaches feminism with an intent to be more creative than political.
"Feminism should be about performing this understanding rather than just declaring it," she said. "People become more interested when you tell a story."
Stone will recite segments of a collective memoir called "The Face in the Mirror." The memoir draws on personal stories of female authors over the age of 50 that reflect on life-changing events from when they were young adults.
One account from the Vietnam War era follows Stone as she finds friendship among a group of protesters on a snowy night in a Lower East Side restaurant in New York City.
While attending New York's Barnard College, a women's liberal arts school affiliated with Columbia University, Stone learned of the prestigious writer Joyce Johnson's exposure to discrimination.
Johnson struggled academically because male professors were bitter about teaching female students at Barnard during that time, Stone said. Real life examples of oppression such as Johnson's often inspired Stone to fight for social change.
As a feminist writer, Stone likes to tell the stories that someone else wouldn't bother to recount. She said an anecdote has the ability to be interpreted in multiple respects, allowing people to truly think for themselves when finding a moral stance on a particular issue, especially women's rights.
These days, things are rather different.
A quick look at the University's demographics - majority female - shows how far society has come, even if it still has a way to go. Still, for one writer, feminists must look both directions along the path: where women are going and where they have been.
Poet and playwright Aralee Strange and author Laurie Stone will reflect on the history behind the women's rights movement tonight at Flicker Theatre and Bar.
Rather than using a blatant and brazen style of speech, Stone approaches feminism with an intent to be more creative than political.
"Feminism should be about performing this understanding rather than just declaring it," she said. "People become more interested when you tell a story."
Stone will recite segments of a collective memoir called "The Face in the Mirror." The memoir draws on personal stories of female authors over the age of 50 that reflect on life-changing events from when they were young adults.
One account from the Vietnam War era follows Stone as she finds friendship among a group of protesters on a snowy night in a Lower East Side restaurant in New York City.
While attending New York's Barnard College, a women's liberal arts school affiliated with Columbia University, Stone learned of the prestigious writer Joyce Johnson's exposure to discrimination.
Johnson struggled academically because male professors were bitter about teaching female students at Barnard during that time, Stone said. Real life examples of oppression such as Johnson's often inspired Stone to fight for social change.
As a feminist writer, Stone likes to tell the stories that someone else wouldn't bother to recount. She said an anecdote has the ability to be interpreted in multiple respects, allowing people to truly think for themselves when finding a moral stance on a particular issue, especially women's rights.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Jennifer
posted 3/03/09 @ 11:54 AM EST
After 40 years of promoting the feminist agenda, here's what we have to show for it: http://torontorealmen.com
I love women too
posted 3/03/09 @ 2:39 PM EST
Prochaska-
Could you take time from crying about how mean online posts are to tell me WHAT TIME to see her speak in your freaking story?
Michael Prochaska
posted 3/03/09 @ 3:24 PM EST
Sorry, the text box didn't show up on the online version for some reason.
It's 7:30 at Flicker
StopArrestingMe
posted 3/03/09 @ 3:32 PM EST
We dont not need to promote feminism because we need to promte equalism in that all people are equal. If we promote feminism then it will be a role reversal of society and women will make mre money than men and its just the same song with a differnt tune. (Continued…)
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