Documents from the Women's Liberation Movement
An On-line Archival Collection
Special Collections Library, Duke University

DAR II (Dyke for the Second American Revolution)

Minutes from November 24, 1974
(Page images are also available)

Dar II -- 11/24/74 -- 2nd MEETING

PRESENT -- Mickey, Martha, Marcia, Carolyn Bell, Sarah, Peachy, Lorraine, Sally, Jeanna, (NOT SURE WHO ELSE) Virginia, Barbara.

Short summary of the last meeting.  

Things that Opress us as Women:

• men, gay men -- not all men at all time -- some dissension over that.
• straight women
• sexism (sexist society -- cultural)
• homophobia (fear of queers)
• dominant Am. ethic: what's right and wrong, normal, abnormal (Prof ethic, but more than that)
• religious groups
• family -- nuclear, patriarchal structure
• laws
• media -- T.V., radio, mag. newspapers etc.
• educational institutions
• capitalism (as it exists in Y.S.A.)
• medical science (psychology)

Education -- sexism throughout this institution and other inst.  These inst. also maintain the class structure in this society, racism + sexism.

Martha -- sees her job as oppressive -- no say-so pressure to get to work etc.

Peachy -- no man or family to support me -- have to financially support myself.  See this as reality.  Every day -- why do folks have to work in the first place.  I work to get $ to eat, pay bills.  Who benefits from my labor?  Not me.

N. -- The male left -- doesn't want queers, no women except in low positions.

Lorraine -- are we a political, oppressed group/or just lesbians (are these disconnected)

• don't isolate yourself
• it's important to identify with other forms of oppression (race + class)
• sometimes give support above sole lesbian priority
• important that lesbians stand on their own with other groups.

Questions raised:

• Are we gonna take a stand on issues?
• What's our name?
• Do we want to concentrate solely on lesbians or work in allegiance with other groups?
• Since Alfa deals with lesbians, does this group need to work around other organizations?
• What is primary focus: support of other groups? -- (sending 1 rep. to other's meetings, someone to join in march around issues -- expending a lot of energy // little energy?)??

Suggestions for future:

• Work on International Woman's Day Planning
• Susan B. Anthony's birthday
• Southeast Lesbian Conference.

Agenda for next week:

1. talk about actions we can focus on (if we decide to focus on action.)

* A LARGE PORTION OF THE MINUTES VERY UNCLEAR!  HARD TO RECOPY  -- PEACHY

Page images for this date:

• Page 4 [full size] [double size]
• Page 5 [full size] [double size]
• Page 6 [full size] [double size]

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