I have read the engagement on the forum about the vote
regarding Shell and have the following thoughts on the subject.
I am very disappointed that we lost the vote, but heartened
that the vote for the motion was so large. I think that it is
very important that we discuss what we should do next -
but I also think that we have to consider as broad a
constituency as possible in our deliberations -rather than
many of the same 'voices' talking to each other.
If we leavee the RGS/IBG then I think it would be hypocritical
to maintain any participation in the range of activities
associated with the RGS/IBG. This would mean that we
should not attend the annual conference and certainly should
not publish in the RGS/IBG journals. Are people willing to go
this far in their resignation protests? What would
happen to the journals and to the geographical debate held
within them? Yes we could set up an alternative conference,
yes we could set up alternative generic geography journals,
but who will do it? How long will it take to do it?
In many ways I feel caught in an unresolvable dilemma. I have
been a member of the WGSG for over ten years and have always
been firmly committed to getting and keeping gender and women
on the geography agenda. The group has not had an easy ride in
the past and has had to struggle to get to the place it is now -
BUT we struggled within the then IBG, we didn't withdraw
from it. I think it would be fair to say that we did change the
IBG to some extent - feminist geography draws larger and
wider audiences, the work we produce is more widely read and
cited, there are more feminist geographers each year, there
is now a feminist geography journal and feminist geography
publications are everywhere. I think we achieved a great deal
over the past decade - and much of that achievement was through
our own determination and also through the support we received
from other geographers. If I decide, along with others, to
withdraw from the RGS/IBG what might happen to the WGSG and
other study groups? - will the group remain with new members
ready to take office and organise the Group but within the
RGS/IBG? Could we take the WGSG (and other study groups) with
us - what if on a vote the majority of members wish to remain within the RGS/IBG? What will happen to the study groups which so many of us feel strongly about maintaining and working for and with?
What I think I am trying to say is that I dislike much of what the
RGS/IBG stands for and does, (just being in the building
is a constant reminder of its patriarchal and imperial past)
but I do think that change is possible - we have done it
once and I believe that we can do it again. I am now a member
of the RHED and there is important work which the RHED does and
will do in the future, but people who are determined to bring about
change need to be there and to be involved.
If many of my colleagues and friends resign from the RGS/IBG
then clearly I will have to take stock and think about who
remains and whether the struggle to change the Society can be
maintained. If it can't and we have too quiet a voice then I will
give up the fight and resign. However, I would rather stay in
and work to change things, which is a fight I have been part
of alongside the many other feminist geographers.
However, if many of us decide to stay in this would not
preclude others setting up alternatives of which we could also
be part. There are ways of allowing people to maintain a
presence in the study groups without being part of the RGS/IBG
through the associate membership schemes and organising
things which are not held in 1 Kensington Gore. Perhaps
we should actively begin to debate positive ways in which
we can change the RGS/IBG? Perhaps we should plan a schedule
of lectures and talks which expose members to the greater
diversity that exists within geography other than tales from
expeditions? How can we talk of critical geography to other
people in geography rather than just amongst ourselves?
These are my thoughts, confused and troubled, but I think
needing to be expressed. I'd welcome other feminist geographer's
responses to the current situation we find ourselves in.
Tracey Skelton
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