Culture - Rennes

Evènements culturels !!!!!!

Les mois de février et mars sont le théâtre, cette année, à Rennes, de plusieurs évènements mettant en scène et en lumière le féminisme. Voici les principaux :

- Université de Rennes II

o Journée d’études, « Pratiques et études féministes : méthodologies plurielles » - vendredi 10 février

o Exposition Martha Rosler, galerie Art et essai de Villejean – du 15 mars au 22 avril

- Centre d’Art Contemporain de la Criée

o Exposition Revolt, She Said !, panorama des pratiques artistiques féministes et lesbiennes depuis la création du Mouvement de Libération des femmes (MLF) en 1970 – jusqu’au 12 mars 2006

- Centre chorégraphique national de Rennes et de Bretagne

o Fameuseaction n°7 : hommage critique à Martha Rosler – jeudi 9 février, 19h

o Fameuseaction n°5 : féminisme et burlesque, conférence décalée de Laurence Louppe – mercredi 15 février, 19h

o Spectacles de Vera Mantero et Manuela Agnesini – vendredi 17 février, 19h

La nouvelle face du monde.

Le monde politique serait-il en train de changer de visage?

En quelques mois, quatre femmes se sont imposées sur le devant de la scène politique internationale. Fin 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirlleaf était élue première Présidente du Libéria, Angela Merkel devenait la première chancelière allemande. Début 2006, Michelle Bachelet est élue présidente du Chili et dans quelques jours, Taija Halonen sera probablement réelue Présidente de Finlande. Non seulement c'est la première fois que des femmes sont élues au plus haut poste dans ces pays, mais ces élections ont eu lieu en très peu de temps et sur trois continents différents. Ce phénomène est donc totallement nouveau et si ces femmes répondent aux espoirs qu'elles ont sucités, cela constituera un précédent qui premettra peut-être de remettre en cause l'hégémonie masculine.

Le question de l'identité des femmes politiques

Jusqu'alors, le pouvoir politique était presque exclusivement accaparé par des hommes et les rares femmes qui avaient su s'imposer avaient dû prouver qu'elles étaient aussi aptes que ceux-ci. Cela passait la majeure partie du temps par l'appropriation du modèle masculin et sa reproduction. 'La dame de fer" avait mis l'accent sur son caractère intransigeant, sa force, l'absence totale de pitié et de compassion dont elle pouvait faire preuve. La question de l'identité est fondamentale: les femmes politiques doivent-elles nécessairement rejeter leur féminité pour percer et gagner la légitimité politique qui leur fait tant défaut? Ces nouvelles présidentes ne semblent rien avoir d'une Margaret Thatcher et paraissent même mettre en valeur leur coté féminin, avec notamment des revendications paritaires de la part de Michelle Bachelet. Serait-il possible pour une femme politique d'utiliser et de valoriser les caractéristiques féminines que les sociétés et la culture leur ont inculquées? Revendiquer le fait d'être une femme attentive, tendre, compréhensive, sensible aux attentes des populations pourrait être un atout non négligeable. Jusqu'alors, ces caractéristiques avaient justifié que l'on confie uniquement aux femmes les ministères tels que la santé, l'éducation, la famille, l'environnement ou la justice, mais jamais l'économie ou l'intérieur. Pourtant ces élections donnent une nouvelle vision du rôle des femmes en politique, il est possible d'être féminine et d'être élue au plus haut poste du pouvoir politique.
A elles maintenant de jouer et de rester dans les annales comme les 'précurseuses' d'un plus vaste mouvement.

Dans les salles mercredi

Les films traitant d'histoires d'amour entre deux hommes susceptibles de passer dans des salles grand public se comptent sur les doigts d'une main. Du moins les sérieux... Les comédies grand public tournant en dérision les homos sont nombreux (La cage aux folles, Pédale douce, etc.), au contraire de films tels que Le secret de Brokeback mountain. Avec Jake Gyllenhaal (Donny Darko et Jarhead, entre autres) et Heath Ledger (Les Frères Grimm, The Patriot), ce long-métrage magnifique dépeint la relation complexe se nouant entre deux cow-boys, dans les années 1960 dans le Sud-ouest des Etats-Unis. Les deux hommes sont séparés par la vie (mariages, éloignement géographique, etc.). Ils réussiront à maintenir une relation chaotique, se voyant à l'occasion jusqu'à ce que l'un deux disparaisse.

Loin des comédies dramatiques à l'eau de rose qu'Hollywood nous assène régulièrement, Le secret de Brokeback mountain se révèle être un film de qualité, profond et terriblement ancré dans les réalités des régions les plus reculées des Etats-Unis d'avant les mouvements de libération gays et lesbiens. Des mouvements essentiellement urbains, laissant les campagnes dans leur intolérance et leur attachement aux valeurs traditionnelles.

De par son caractère général et humain, ce film interpelle sur les éléments les plus basiques et supposés acquis de notre vie. Chacun peut s'y retrouver. Hétérosexuels, homosexuels, ces identités ressortent chamboulées : leur caractère relatif et socialement construit est extrêmement bien mis en lumière. Qui n'a jamais eu d'attirance remettant en cause son identité sexuelle, supposée définitive ? L'essentialisme qui est de rigueur ces derniers temps subit une remise en cause plus qu'intéressante.

C'est l'histoire d'une relation amoureuse impossible. C'est une histoire que nombres d'hommes et de femmes ont connus, connaissent et connaîtront vraisemblablement encore. En résumé, c'est une histoire profondément humaine.

Prix :
- 4 Golden Globes
- 1 Lion d'or au Festival de Venise

A simple thank you

I was raised by women. Womyn. Womon. What have you.

There always was a majority of women surrounding me as I grew up. Strong ones. Courageous ones. Single ones, married ones, divorced ones. I can safely say most of them have been role models, in spite of everything classified as 'hurtful' which happens in every families. My mother, grandmother, my cousin, my aunt, some of my high school teachers, my dance teachers, my friends, even new virtual friends. Some of them were part of the first wave feminist movement, some of them are belonging to the second wave, some are apolitical, some are activists. All of them are inspiring in their own personal, unique ways. All of them are role models. All of them impress me and encourage me.

I never had a male father figure to look up to, except for my grandfather who was a great man. My father was absent and I think it's relatively safe to say he's a stranger. While I deeply regret it, and while I am clear minded enough to clearly see it led to major breakdowns and serious incapacity to understand the male psyché at times, I don't feel sorry or bad one second to have been brought up like I was, by women.It gave me freedom, passion, and the audacity to stand up for myself and not through someone else's accomplishments. It turned me into a powerful human being, albeit with its inherent flaws and prejudices which I am always, always trying to work on.
It is hard to try to become a better person day after day, but it is what I long for. It is complicated, and a lot of internal work has yet to be done when it comes to learning how to react to men's ways. Learning how to adjust to a partiarchal and heteronormative society, learning to take the good and the bad, is quite a ride. But I believe it to be worth it in the long run. So I keep on trying.

During my teenage years up until now my mother always invited me to dinners or gathering she was having with her friends.

Because my mother is quite remarkably young in her head (her spirit is more rock n roll than most our age, and I blame the fact that she travelled an awful lots in her life for that), her friends range from 25 years old young teachers to 55 years old university professors, from muslims and catholic women to hardcore atheists. For years and years I would sit at their table in their homes or restaurants and listen to them.

Discussions about men, about marriages, about disapointments, betrayals, children, babies, about learning, grieg and joys.At first I would not talk much, for even if I am a big mouth, I felt I was too young to have a valid opinion about those things. As years went by, I began to find my own 'voice' and use it. Sharing opinions, ideas. Sometimes arguing and fighting. Sometimes smiling from ear to ear in blissful agreement.

Some would vocally regret their marriage, whishing they had the courage to divorce and set themselves free. Some would say they couldn't live without their husbands and were perfectly happy. Some would only find joy in their children, hobbies, or work.

A couple of days ago we were having dinner at my mother's best friend house. We were all talking about M and I's respective future (M being the best friend's daughter, 2 years younger than me, whom I have known my entire life). They were talking about how we both changed throughout the years, becoming the women we are now.'

We are strong, educated, driven women for sure', I said. 'But also slightly desillusioned when it comes to partnership'.

'What do you mean?' asked my mother's friend.

'Well I feel having grown up around you all has been hugely benefiting to me. To us. I learned to never trust anyone but myself. I learned to set goals for myself. And myself only. To not depend on anyone else for my happiness, even if it's hard to do. To make sure I will have a job and be independant, and will not be trapped in a miserable or abusive relationship. To find things outside a husband that will make me feel complete. To give the finger to society's prejudices. To be what I wanted to be. That's more than most of your generation's women have been able to do'.

'And that's a good thing right?'

'Well yes. But the drawback is, preparing us for the worst have, I think, also prepared us to always be let down by men. To always anticipate infidelity, betrayal, lack of trust, sudden dissapearances. I also know a lot of women my generation feel the same way. We're better prepared in terms of independance if ever sh!t hits the fan, but we also lost our illusions'.

'Jessica, you need to have a reality check', she replied very seriously. 'Weddings are great but in the future i predict women will have many partners in their lives, even very serious ones. Because women and men are now given the choice to break off their mutual engagement, instead of having to suffer a lifelong disastrous marriage which often made both parties miserable. What is the divorce rate nowadays? One in four?'

'I know, I know! I guess maybe a small part of me just wants to think that sharing 50 years a more of my life with a partner or maybe husband sounds good. Maybe it sounds reassuring, which would make me lazy. Maybe it's just romantic, which I am even if I try very very hard to hide. But I want to believe that love is out there. I'm tired of always anticipating to be let down. Quite frankly it ruins the relationships.'

'Yes, I hear you'

'...Even if most of the times I end up feeling let down. But I'm young and hopeful and people will change. I will change.', I laughed.

And it felt good to be understood, as well as challenged. It is part of what it takes to truly become a woman. The whole learning process. The discussions, the debates, the shared experiences. It is extremely empowering. That's correct the word.

----------------------

I will never forget a night in Vancouver I spent with my ex boyfriend P. (then still a journalism student) and so-called influent journalists. It was a brainstorming meeting concerning the Straight's future, I believe.

One of the journalist/editor, whose work I still greatly respect, told P:

'Hey, who cares, you'll end up with a great carreer if you want to. You have all the right cards in hands. You are a white, tall, good looking middle class man. The world is waiting for you'.

Part of me wanted to spit in his face for having the composure to say something so discriminatory in front of me, but part of me wanted to say 'Hell, you're right, he'll have it easy. You had it easy. But at least I'll know how to fight. And if I fight well, I'll have your job'.

A letter of appreciation

A letter I sent to the woman and activist behind 'Scarleteen':

Hello Heather,

I've been reading your journal @ femme erotic since I'm 18, and for some reason I felt like I had to send you an email today, not even sure if it was the right email adress - but as it is often with words, what matters is to spill it out, not to actually have them read.

I live in France and have been reading blogs for 5 years now - I can't even recall how I found your website in the first place, but surely it was via Scarletletters. In those 5 years lots of changes turned me into the woman I am now, and I welcome those which will come my
way in the next 5. You know them, those changes which mark a woman's life so powerfully - the first sexual experiments, the first broken hearts, the discovery of what it means and entails to be a woman, not only physically, but within a sociological frame.

For personal reasons I felt the need to learn more about feminism these past two years. As a way to get to know myself better, and maybe because I'm a political sciences major, I needed to learn more and gain different perspectives about gender-based issues. And because i've been subjected to sexist remarks more than once in the past years, and naturally felt the need to understand the roots of such behaviours.

I've also lived in Vancouver this year, interning for a Dance festival, and truly discovered a culture which is radically different than Europe in so many manys. The way women are protrayed and treated seemed so radically different. You'd go clubbing and suddenly realise
that those hip hop bling bling videos with naked women 'giving' themselves to men are not fantasies, but that society as a whole helps women to perpertuate this very role. I won't even mention the TV shows about plastic surgery, the yellow press, and all that crap, because as
you say, "you can turn the tv off" - but it's disheartenning to see the impact of it all on women, and young men just the same, mind you.
And even worse, the fact that when you underline those problems, you're being called a prude, or worse.

Anyways - point is, i did listen to lots of voices within the feminism movement this year, took gender studies classes in the past -taught by a fantastic male teacher, no less-, talked about it all with lots of women and girl friends, and came to the conclusion that most feminist
and/or equality for genders speeches are tainted with negation and accusations. It came to my mind while I was reading Germaine Greer's 'The whole woman'. It's a seriously sensational book, written to create reactions, created to be controversial and raise awareness, and one can only be grateful to Greer for her hard work. But finishing her book left a bad taste in my mouth - for she spends lines after lines fiercly accusing others -men, society, the media establishment- of everything you can think of.

It left me thinking, 'Everything she says is true, a lot has yet to be done to really integrate gender equality in people's minds, but she doesn't inspire women to feel pride and happiness, fullfillness and power, and this just because it's great to be a woman, as opposed to a
'bad/incomplete version of men'. It leaves women bitter, angry and maybe even more lost'.

This thought came to me again this morning while I was at the hairdresser reading some Elle magazine. A writer was interviewe'd, and she was quoting saying 'Men are happy women" and "Men don't know the burden of feminity and maternity". Which to some extent is true, they
will never undersand the struggles and the responsabilities attached to these notions, respectively. But how can you just say that and walk away? How can women ever feel content with themselves when such discourses (even if the so called feminist field) are so bloody
negative? We know damn well where the problem originates from, and we
have the progressive tools to try to fix it, even if they are never sufficiant, especially in the USA as it stands now. But what good will it make to give women the same rights as men if deep down they still feel inferior and repressed?

Point is, Heather - yes there is a point to this email- you're just about the only writer who truly knows how to inspire women to take a second look at themselves and start to love what they see for what they are.
Powerful human beings.

Your posts are incredibly truthful and to the point, and they make readers like me want to keep up the fight but this time not with anger, but pride. And that's just about the most important aspect of activism I can think about, may that be in fights against sexism, racism and all kind of discriminations.

Thank you, Heather, and I fucking mean it.

Jessica