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Press Release 05-July-2011 on Feminism and SlutWalks PDF Print E-mail

Press release

05-July-2011

SlutWalks: agent provocateurs in the sex war

 

An ill-judged comment by a Canadian police officer to a group of schoolchildren has spawned a worldwide movement of feminists proudly declaring their right to wear what they like in public. 

 

SlutWalks have been taken up with gusto in cities across the UK, with women arguing that the way a woman dresses should never be seen as a defence for rape or sexual assault.

 

The Manchester Salon is leading what promises to be a lively debate on the rise of SlutWalks and what they say about the state of feminism today.

 

Provocatively reclaiming the word ‘slut’, the walks have become colourful, carnivalesque affairs which belie their strong political message.

 

But does there lie a contradiction at the heart of SlutWalks? Feminists have long argued against the oversexualisation of women – and especially young girls and teenagers – and have refused to conform to men’s idea of what sexuality is. But by adopting such outrageously sexual postures and clothes during SlutWalks, are they colluding in the very male oppression they are fighting against?

 

Nina Powell will be the main speaker at the event. Nina is a PhD student in social psychology at the University of Birmingham studying moral condemnation. She is particularly interested in implicit and explicit moral judgments.

 

Also speaking will be journalist Louise Bolotin who co-founded Manchester-based Inside the M60 and has written for a variety of publications including The Guardian and the Observer.

 

Date:  Tuesday, 19 July, 6.45pm (nibbles from 6.30pm)

Venue: Blackwell University Bookshop, The Precinct, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RN. A charge of £5 (£3 concession) to cover costs. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 09:55
 
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