[Reader-list] Re: Feminists and Porn

[Yazad Jal]

Off list conversation between Shohini and me on pornography, free-speech and feminism! Would love to have the viewpoints of others on the sarai list.
-yazad

Shohini: 
To critique and ask for counter-speech is not to ask for censorship. This is the critical difference between the libertarian position and the anti-censorship feminist one.


Yazad:
I'm not sure if I got this right. Are you saying that the libertarian position is pro-censorship and the feminist position is anti-censorship?

Shohini: 
No. I am not saying that. The feminist position fights for free speech while maintaining a critique of discriminatory speech. The feminist project does not end with just saying that all speech has a right to exist.
 
Yazad: 
I'm not sure that there is a coherent "feminist" position. I recollect feminist positions calling for a ban on pornography. That to me is against free speech. What is your view on this? We're having this discussion off-list. Would you like to put it back on the sarai list?


Shohini: 
Feminists Against Censorship began their movement against Feminists who wanted to ban pornography. This is probably the most contested issue among feminists. Since feminists are not a monolithic block they have different positions which I think is desirable.  I can suggest many readings but you will have to wait till I get my email at home working as I have moved house. I am not sure this is getting onto the Readers List. I'd be grateful if you could post it. 


Yazad:
There is a very interesting feminist-libertarian site : www.ifeminists.com run by Wendy McElroy. Would love to read more about Feminists Against Censorship
 
 
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