Hello comrades, it’s time for our third discussion thread for The Will to Change, covering Chapters 6 (Work: What’s Love Got To Do With It?) and 7 (Feminist Manhood). Thanks to everyone who participated the last few weeks, I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts again. And if you’re just joining the book club this week, welcome!

Chapter 6 discusses the role of work under patriarchy and how capitalism forces men and women alike to not only work long hours to survive, but to prioritize supporting themselves and their families financially over any sort of healing and growing. Chapter 7 delves into how men can apply feminist thought practically to support the well-being of themselves and the people around them.

If you haven’t read the book yet but would like to, its available free on the Internet Archive in text form, as well as an audiobook on Youtube with content warnings at the start of each chapter, courtesy of the Anarchist Audio Library, and as an audiobook on our very own TankieTube! (note: the YT version is missing the Preface but the Tankietube version has it)

As always let me know if you’d like to be added to the ping list!

Our next discussion will be on Chapters 8 (Popular Culture: Media Masculinity) and 9 (Healing Male Spirit), beginning on 12/25. That thread will likely stay up a little longer than usual as I’m sure many people will be busy around the end of the year and I want to give everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts.

  • woodenghost [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    4·
    1 day ago

    Yes to the first part about the book being old, but, respectfully, no to the second part.

    As someone who is Cis-Het (like bell hooks) I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about trans/NB identities

    I get the sentiment, but as someone with a privileged gender role, you have a special duty to use this privilege to spread awareness about the struggles of trans/NB/agender people. You have less backlash from reactionaries to fear if you do. You can do so as an ally and without assuming their perspectives.

    Cis audiences not having thought about gender only means they have a need to hear about other perspectives all the more. Non-cis people having thought about it in a repressive society means they need affirmation.