ON her terms
Language is an ever-changing tool of communication, and as such we will seek to share as specific of an understanding as possible for the terms that are common to our work. While shared understanding is the goal, language and the meaning we assign it will remain a tool for communication and connection and not for determining any one singular form of truth
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Originally used by lesbians who are “feminine” rather than “butch”. Her defines femme as any person, straight, gay, trans or non-binary whose appearance and behaviour are seen as “feminine” by society's standards.
Femininity and masculinity are social constructs that are sets of learned behaviours, traits, and roles, rather than innate biological imperatives, that define "proper" behaviour for men and women within a given culture and time. These norms have been maintained through socialization, religion, violence and oppression. These constructs harm people of all genders due to the fact that not all women and men are born or identify with these socially constructed traits.
A femme is a person who expresses their gender in ultra feminine ways. Often, but not exclusively, this refers to a queer woman. -
A reclaimed derogatory term, now commonly used as an umbrella term for people who aren’t exclusively heterosexual and/or cis-gendered.
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We believe that women should choose how to live their own lives and have freedom of individual expression without repercussions. We believe in reshaping society altogether, given that the existing systems (i.e. capitalism, colonialism, white supremacy etc.) are inherently patriarchal and that systemic change (i.e. equitable, non-hierarchal, anti-oppressive, eco-centered, indigenous lead, abolitionist) is required for true liberation. Our feminism draws attention to the multitudes of oppressions that people face, and the inadequacy of a singularly-focused movement to address these issues.
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Intersectional Theory, coined by American Civil Rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989,
who drew attention to the multitudes of oppressions and various social and biological categories (such as race, gender, class, and ability) interact on multiple, simultaneous levels.
These intersections create unique, interlocking systems of oppression and privilege, therefore intersectional theory highlights that experiences of discrimination cannot be understood by looking at one factor alone.“There is no such thing as single-issue struggles because we do not live single issue lives.” - Audre Lorde
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Management
The conducting or supervising of something.
The handling or training of a horse: horsemanship”
https://www.etymonline.com/word/manage#etymonline_v_6769
Scientific Management: “A system of cooperation or democracy that consists of the able person’s taking the lead in giving ‘orders’ in the cases where he is of superior ability, and the others’ submitting: it is the relationship of master and slave, regardless of how otherwise it may be named.” Skudder Klyce, 1911.
For further reading:
https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/caitlin-c-rosenthal-accounting-slavery-excerpt/
Rinaldo Walcott, “On Property: Policing, Prisons and the Call for Abolition.” 2021
Caitlin Rosenthal “Accounting for Slavery: Masters and Management.” 2018.
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A system of power organization that exploits certain populations for the sake of the supremacy of others. Originating from the early Christian church to describe the rankings of authority of clergymen, this term has since been generalized to describe any top-down power structure.
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Hetero/Cis-Patriarchy is a system of oppression that dominates children, women, gender-queer, agender, non-binary, two-spirit and trans people for the supremacy of cis-gender straight men.
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Marginalization refers to the exclusion of certain social groups through harmful policies, practices, and cultural norms embedded in a society's institutions (like government, education, health, and economy) and reinforced over time, creating disadvantages for marginalized groups while benefiting the white dominant narrative.
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Capitalism is an economic and political system in which property, business, and industry are controlled by private owners rather than by the state, with the purpose of making a profit.
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Politics (comes from Greek - of the people / for the people) the activities associated with the governance of an area or group.
In a general sense, it refers to the processes, actions, and policies used to gain and hold power in a government or organization, as well as to influence decisions that affect communities and societies.
From an anti-oppressive practice perspective, politics involves critically examining and transforming the systems, structures, and ideologies that perpetuate inequality, marginalization, and discrimination. It emphasizes collective action, empowerment of marginalized groups, and the creation of inclusive, just, and equitable policies and practices.
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White Supremacy is a system of oppression that dominates Black, Brown and Indigenous people, and all people of colour for the supremacy of white people.
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Governance (comes from Greek - to steer) overseeing the control or direction of something.
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Colonialism is when one country takes control of another place and its people, stealing resources and forcing the colonized people to adopt the colonizer's culture, language, and systems. Decolonization means freeing ourselves from colonial ways of thinking and being—reclaiming indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of life that were suppressed. bell hooks connected this to how we think about race, education, and culture.
-bell hooks
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“Solidarity is not the same as support. To experience solidarity, we must have a community of interests, shared beliefs and goals around which to unite, to build Sisterhood. Support can be occasional. It can be given and just as easily withdrawn. Solidarity requires sustained, ongoing commitment.”
Bell Hooks
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Burn out is a state of severe emotional, physical, mental and/or spiritual exhaustion caused by prolonged, excessive stress.
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Compassion fatigue is a form of traumatic stress resulting from repeated exposure to traumatized individuals and the mental and emotional overwhelm from a constant barrage of traumatic event details and situations.
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Permaculture is a philosophy and set of practices which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fiber and energy for provision of local needs.
Soon to include:
Pro-choice, Permaculture, TERF, Therapy, Oppression, Prejudice, Powerm Supremacism, Discrimination, Dominance, Marginality, Privilege, Positionality, Injustice (distributive injustice, procedural injustice, retributive injustice, cultural imperialism, moral and. cultural exclusion)