The radical anarchist mom and baby league was announced by a manifesto which circulated widely among anarchist listservs. it served as both a critique of the lack of support for moms in the activist community, as well as a call to arms for radical mamas.
anarchism
anarcho feminism
anti-racist feminism
environmentalism
feminism
green anarchy
groundless solidarity
indigenous feminism
fighting patriarchy
sexuality
guerrilla girls
construction of alternatives
protest
snail mail: RAMBL C/O ARISE! 2441 Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405;
email: rambl@yahoogroups.com find the full text of "allies, who aren't" at:
http://lists.mutualaid.org/pipermail/a-parenting/2003-April/000365.html
http://slash.interactivist.net/analysis/03/04/10/0044200.shtml
http://noleaders.net/anok/news/rambl.htm
rambl is based in minneapolis.
"...We expect to struggle against the world; we don't expect to struggle in our own community. This article is just a baby step in creating a community that is actively pro-family, pro-kid and pro-woman. In turn, we believe that we are crawling toward creating a more humane and just world...
...RAMBL is working to engage our communities in a deep conversation about what it means to build a sustainable and accessible movement. RAMBL strives to be an actively pro-mama, pro-women, pro-kid organization in a world that is decidedly not. A revolutionary movement in a society that pushes down moms and kids should actively build a safe place for mamas...
...We offer workshops and facilitated discussions on creating family-friendly spaces and organizations. We are a political organization fighting for freedom, autonomy and respect for all mothers. Recognizing that our daily survival is critical to our ability to fight for social justice, we are also organizing toy shares, homework and tutoring nights, childcare collectives, family friendly affordable homes and slumber parties. In the future we will be focusing on increasing support for incarcerated mamas..."
(from "Allies, who aren't" by rambl, available online at
http://lists.mutualaid.org/pipermail/a-parenting/2003-April/000365.html
rambl seeks to root out chauvinism withing the anarchist community itself, providing a more open and acceptable space for mammas and kids within activist circles. as such, they are advocating for a more caring, sustainable and inclusive type of activism and world.
In the article "allies, who aren't", no one is cited, but the group obviously self identifies as anarchist.
Besides patriarchy in the world at large, rambl attempts to offer a self-reflexive look at the hypocrisy present in the activist community itself. deadbeat dads, and those who would exclude/undervalue mothers and children are targets, as well as those who dictate 'proper' birth control choices for activist women. in short, rambl is a pointed attack against "allies" within the activist community that overlook the struggle that moms face.
Primarily circulated through internet message boards. rambl does not yet have much of a web presence.
Inclusion and solidarity among activist moms. rambl apparently are meeting in minneapolis, to try to bring mamas and kids together. the major tool used so far seems to be that of criticism - pointing out the issues and calling for solidarity and support.
So far, not much is available. they were slated to participate in the 2003 mama gathering workshop on radical cheerleading (see www.mamagathering.com for more info)
rambl are linked to:
http://www.girlmom.com (a site for teenaged/radical moms)
http://www.mamagathering.com (an annual gathering of radical mamas and speakers)
rambl, and affiliations, are interesting because of their explicitly pro-mama, pro-child (but still pro-choice) stance -- and their incisive critique about the general lack of suvch a stance among the activist community. they are part of a larger effort to make activism relevant to those in multiple situations (rather then just youth), and part od a still strong third wave of feminism.
Another interesting related 'group' is the mother's alliance for militant action. They can be found at either http://www.anarco-nyc.net/mama.html or http://mama-nyc.org
They are particularly involved in anti-war protest, as well as protesting the inclusion of G.i. joes in easter baskets...