Ken,
First let me say that this whole activity which you started has the opportunity
to foster deep thought and a consideration of how it affects design research.
Let's see if we can move the dialog in the direction of a discussion of voice,
ethics in design research, participatory research, consent, etc.
I would however, like to ask one small question related to the action itself.
If it wasn't an experiment (which in some circles can be considered research)
what was it?
To pick up on your respect and admiration for feminists of the 40s-60s, let me
say I appreciate you views. Let's, however talk about the issue of voice, an
issues which can be seen to be most important today to research and in life.
Any stereotyping can prevent people's willingness to examine the diversity of
human characteristics in a particular context. Your description of the
feminists of the 40s-60s, as admirable as you have found those you know or have
known is not a full description of diversity in the feminist movements of that
time or any time, women in politics, business, academic life and church life
included. You description is one that reflects your perceptions about certain
women you know or knew. I would like to know who they were and what they might
have done.
Harkening back to an even earlier time, there is a big difference between the
persona of the feminists of the 1800, not only do their lives differ but their
individual characteristics are diverse and no matter how difficult they may
have found it to work together because of their differences they agreed on
certain issues, particularly suffrage, and did work together. Have a look at
the lives of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Abigail Adams, Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth
Blackwell, Amelia Jenks Bloomer, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Mary Lyon, Leonora
O'Reily, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth, and Victoria Woodhull.
Regards,
Jan
Jan Coker
C3-10 Underdale
University of South Australia
+61 8 8302 6919
fax +61 8 8302 6239
Relativity teaches us the connection between the different descriptions of one
and the same reality
Albert Einstein
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