THE ACTIONS of the Greenham women been a focus and an inspiration to the whole peace movement. But not socialists support women-only action. This article was circulated at CND's annual conference in Sheffield last signed DAVID We haven't met David, and we don't know whether he would call himself socialist, but we believe his views will be of interest to our readers.
MOST PEOPLE would that the peace camp at Greenham Common has been far and away the most successful anti-nuclear action that has ever occurred in Britain. It was begun more than two years ago by women and its survival has involved supreme courage and enormous sacrifice by women.
As most people are aware, essential aspect of this peace camp is that the women do not want men to participate actively in it:
women only event. Many men kare felt unhappy about this decision and, in various ways, have tried 1o get women to change their mind: but the women have remained firm — no men at Greenham Common.
This does not seem to be parunreasonable to me and never has done. I cannot see how the action could possibly have been even remotely as successful as it has been if it had been a mixed aclol.
the increased likelihood violence, confrontation and internal mistrust, a mixed action would rob the Greenham peace supremely powerful significance: the juxtaposition women protesters and the ultimate products of sexist society.
Greenham blockade, March 1983 have Greenham all wanted.
SIOll.
There IS on the subject. Many easy such men.
agree that can LECH involve Our acts TV. media or being particular this is so.
Avall of fighting for camp of its symbolic always been and, of Many men do not agree with this view, or find it difficult to accept. They feel excluded and bitter. Wanting to protest against cruise they go hoping the women or initiate a mixed action and they go away deeply hurt when with all their good intentions - ine are told that their presence is un Anti-nuclear men have repeatedly written to the Greenham women complaining about this excluLa long-standing sometimes acrimonious public debate other men, viewing from afar, and with no real wish to participate, nevertheless find condemn no-men policy. This article is addressed to all I would like to stress that I am not coing to say anyining inat women themselves have not said over and over again until they are sick of saying it. The fact is that there is a great deal do to support the women of Greenham Common and that our contribution can be crucial. Unfortunately such sapport does got physical presence Greenham or the drama of appearias being interviened by there arrested for beliefs. Let me explain »hy I think For centuries we men have wanted 'a piece of the action', to be out there what we believe in, strong. …t comes naturally to us. This is the way it has of course, there's certainly nothing wrong with being decisive, active and strong. But can Refleciin? Greertam sou tell me of a single political actor of real importaace that kits exer ax. cared ironing!
side smoo It per cret in att e preserie of Toics leaders. men base not overbed ly dominated leadership and polic!
The only such actions I can think of have involved women struggling for basic rights denied to them by men. Few men wanted to be involved in that sort of action. Apart from these cases, a political action in which women were even equally represented is virtually unknown. If such an event is so rare may it not mean that women hare. for centuries, been manipulated and coerced into taking a role subservient to men. There must be some for this peculiar representation which, despite laws and votes, strangely enough appears still to be with us. doing doing so unintentionally?
wonderfully simple; tremendous relief to discover it and I heartily recommend tormula to all ol you wao alt worry ing about unintentionally women to manipulation cion. All you have to do is: • Ask the women in question what they want of you • Listen carefully to the answer — and most important of all — • Do it and do it gladly Listening is very many men; we are not used to doing under- it. In fact most of us are so unused to listening to women that we don't even realise we're not doing it. However, although hard at first, with practise l have found it is not really difficult after all. I think that any man can do it if he really wants to. I also think that if all men genuinely listened to women with respect, took what they had to say seriously and based their actions on that understanding world would be a different and far happier place.
Remember only the use of your ears but your mind as well, so try and suppress the urge finished and you have thought about what she remember that if a woman says you're not listening to her she is almost certainly right.
mula for supporting women to the women of Greenham Common us remember that a women-controlled political action of this type and of such great success is virtually unique. Let us remember women live in the most atrocious conditions, constantly soldiers, police and journalists great majority of them male.
to realise that the women are under a psychological shouted at them Physical attacks.
Fear of infiltration. The solution to this dilemma is 10 E the following fied i i subjecting Oppresoo and coer- the biend thinkable difficult for equality uniti you not cooking meals, children Listening to women involves not reply until the woman has ABOVI Let us now apply the above forLet also that these them to get it.
harassed by - the more It does not take much imagination Abuse them, day hardly Arbitrary arrest.
Continual MON! Demand Women have a right 1o 28that we listen to them sad we base a duty to stop making excuses 8d 10 hear what they say. There will Berer men do this. After all. women of Greenham Common have been saying the same thing all along. It is time to stop whining, to realise that they're not going to change their minds, and to understand why. Can see that there is a certain degree of justice in it all?
Why don't you go away and start being there for the when they get home from changing nappies, washin! dishes, reading bed-time stories, ing the washing, the shopping and all the other things women do day in, day out year after year? If you volunteer to do it for the right person — well. she could go to Greenham.
We men have vast privilege and — until we are prepared to re nounce it all our efforts for social change can never possibly succeed. Giving money to Greenham women is part of the redistribution of wealth and is a powerful political and symbolic act on the part of men. Don't worry — they need it and will accept it gladiy. If you have access to food or any other articles useful to people living in rough conditions, arrange for None of this may seem particularly glamorous or heroic I'm afraid, but and less hassle could make a very big difference in the campaign to get rid of nuclear weapons. If you do want to get rid of remember struggle has begun and SUPPORT THE WOMEN OF GREENHAM COMSocialist Action 6 January 1984
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