Feminist Duration Reading Group: Feminisms in China

Tue 5 Sep, 7-9pm
SPACE Mare Street
Free & all welcome

Including the word ‘feminism’ or ‘feminist’ in any social media post in China triggers immediate censorship. LGBT matters are silenced under pornography laws. Grassroots dissent and organisations are feared and consequently silenced and suppressed by thestate. Despite this, several groups of feminist and lesbian activists have operated in China in recent decades.

Hosted by artist Cinzia Cremona, this meeting of the Feminist Duration Reading Group includes a screening and an out-loud reading.

The screening is of the little-seen documentary film, Hooligan Sparrow (2016), directed by Nanfu Wang, which focuses on a specific example of visible grassroots protest, and the reaction of the authorities. The film shows Ye Haiyan travelling to Hainan Province in southern China with a group of activists to support local women and girls in a serious case of sexual violence. It portrays the actions of the activists, and the behaviour of state emissaries.

The text is ‘Fighting Back’ by Leta Hong Fincher, from her 2014 book Leftover Women. It offers an overview of the context in which Chinese female activists operate, and relates the subject of Nanfu Wang's film to other groups and initiatives. Please see here

The Feminist Duration Reading Group focuses on under-known and under-appreciated feminist texts, movements, groups and struggles from outside the Anglo-American feminist tradition. Started at Goldsmiths, University of London, in March 2015, since July 2015 it has met at SPACE, 129 – 131 Mare Street in Hackney.

The group generally meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm and is open to people of all genders. 

If you would like to join the Feminist Duration Reading Group mailing list, or propose a focus for a subsequent session, please email feministduration@gmail.com.