The following resolution was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011:

RESOLUTION:  Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Boston being the ancestral land of the Massachusett people; and

WHEREAS, members of the First Nations have continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and

WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and

As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and to members of First Nations who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Boston” aspires to “Decolonize Boston” with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples; and

Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite members of the First Nations to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent.  We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land; and

We hereby declare that Columbus Day should be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

There’s been a huge point of contention over our use of the word “slut,” and we think it’s time to clear the air. Those of us who organized Slutwalk NYC had long discussions over the word itself, and if we could agree on one thing, it was that the word “slut” has an overwhelming, even unnecessary power in this society. It is because it makes people uncomfortable that we chose to stick with the name—we want to confront the violence of the word by confronting the society that uses it against its own people. We are tired of society telling us what they don’t want us to be. It’s time we feel more comfortable being who we want to be, without fearing the word “slut.” We shouldn’t have to fear it. It’s used to control us, to the point that we hate ourselves. This is only strategic for those who hate women. “Slut” justifies all acts of violence as long as we believe that “sluts” are the bad guys, the enemies. “Slut” is used to distinguish the good ones vs. the bad apples. It’s the line that is drawn between those who are protected and not protected by the system. I’m no longer going to uphold that distinction by using the word, because it is not my judgment to make. But we firmly believe that to reclaim a word for your self is just that—an individual decision that is yours to make, but not ours to uphold for an entire feminist movement.

Read More

1. Feminism really oversimplifies power relations. People are not divided into men/women with all men dominating all women. And once you start really getting into intersectionality a lot of feminist theory falls apart, because: feminism tends to isolate sexist oppression and prioritize it over all other forms of marginalization (without ever acknowledging how different forms of oppression are actually connected, overlapping, and interacting). Just take a look at the most frequently-cited feminist statistics if you don’t believe me. What feminism claims is true for “all women” (whether it’s wages or rape stats) only takes into account the experiences of white women. And that’s just one example.

2. Feminism has a history of being incredibly oppressive and a lot of that history has not been properly acknowledged, so the problems continue. I don’t want to identify as part of a movement that is so openly ableist, frequently racist and imperialist, classist as hell, and cissexist. This movement is not fighting for my rights at all, nor is it interested in truly challenging or dismantling the oppressive hierarchical foundations of society. Claiming that “real” feminists aren’t oppressive is continuing to deny, ignore, and perpetuate the problem.

3. I am forced to identify as a woman in order for feminism to give a shit about me and include me. My gender (or lack thereof) is never acknowledged by feminism (mainstream and otherwise), and neither are my experiences as someone who is not female but is perceived to be female and therefore impacted by misogyny and sexism. 

ETA: Part II.

Native American people are holding cupcakes in a room.

White people enter the room, and each get to take a cupcake from a Native person.  Then, they kill the Native Americans, and corral the remaining empty-handed Native Americans into a corner.

Then, they go into another room and force black people into the white (formerly Native) room.  They make the black people bake more cupcakes, but they can’t eat any of them.  They are also not paid wages for baking the cupcakes.  Further, they are not allowed to buy any cupcakes for themselves.

After some time, the black people are allowed to receive payment for the cupcakes they bake, but only a little, and first they have to request a loan to acquire the necessary ingredients and to use the ovens owned by the white people.  Thus, in reality, black people are now paying to bake the cupcakes, which they still cannot eat.

Meanwhile, some Asian people ask to enter the room, but the white people don’t want to let them in, so they only allow a small number.  If any of them succeed in purchasing cupcakes, the white people resent them.

As time passes, the black people gradually acquire increased freedom in their cupcake-making decisions.  Some of them make enough money to buy a cupcake, but many do not.  Within a very short time, the white people start asking the black people why they don’t have more cupcakes of their own.  They don’t understand why black people don’t have as many cupcakes as them.  After all, everyone now has the equal opportunity to purchase cupcakes.

Then, some Latino/as come into the room, and the white people agree to let them sweep up the cupcake crumbs for low wages.

Some white people think maybe the price of cupcakes should be lowered for the black, asian, latino, and native american groups, but the other whites complain that this isn’t fair, and that cupcakes should cost everyone $1.  They worry that someone will steal their cupcakes.  And if any non-white people manage to purchase cupcakes, they feel deeply that this must represent an injustice.