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Should feminists attend Yearly Kos?

Jill

I am going to Yearly Kos. So are several other feminist and feminist-friendly bloggers, writers and activists, including Amanda, Jen, Lindsay, Barbara , Jessica, Atrios, Joan Blades, Donna Brazile, Gwen Cassidy, Garance Franke-Ruta, Lorelei Kelley, Dahlia Lithwick, Amanda Michel, Karen Nussbaum, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Anthony Romero, Liza Sabater, Bill Scher, Nancy Scola, Pam Spaulding, and Aimee Thorne-Thomsen. But some members of a feminist listserve I’m a part of have taken issue with feminists attending YK, or asked questions about why we’re attending. In other threads here, commenters have expressed concern about feminist bloggers supporting the event. So I thought I’d open it up for discussion.

My take: Yearly Kos is an important media, political and networking event that feminists should absolutely partake in. Of course, I can understand the desire to forgo more mainstream political participation, and to stick to more feminist-friendly and feminist-focused spaces. If feminists choose not to go, that’s totally understandable. But I take issue with the idea that feminists who are attending are selling out, or don’t know what they’re doing, or are aiding the patriarchy.

Yearly Kos is not about Markos. Markos has very little to do with the event. Markos has a limited role in the Daily Kos community these days. DK has turned into a thriving liberal space where people post diaries, discuss issues, and come at politicking from all different angles. Yes, there are some anti-feminists and some ignoramuses who post and comment there. There are some anti-feminists and ignoramuses who comment here. Yes, Markos can be a dick. I don’t agree with a lot of what he says. I certainly take issue with his view of electoral politics. He was a jerk during the pie fight incident and he was a jerk in his response to the Kathy Sierra/internet harassment issue. I am not a Markos apologist or a Markos fan. But Daily Kos isn’t about Markos anymore. Yearly Kos is even less so. And it’s a huge mistake to write off an important grassroots political conference just because the guy it’s associated with is an unsympathetic character.

There have also been questions about why some feminist bloggers didn’t attend BlogHer, but are attending YK. Short answer: I wasn’t invited to BlogHer. I was invited to Yearly Kos. I wasn’t able to take more than two days off of work, and BlogHer and YK were held on different weekends. I went to the one that invited me. Had I been invited to BlogHer, I would have considered going there instead.

Yearly Kos is not a feminist conference. But it is a conference that has been organized by people who have shown a commitment to inviting feminist speakers, hosting feminist panels, and including feminists on panels that are about issues beyond feminism. It’s also an opportunity to make connections with like-minded progressives, and maybe even to raise awareness about gender equality and nudge feminist issues into more generalized political conversations.

It’s also a chance for the feminist blogosphere to be represented. Yearly Kos isn’t a mainstream conference, because blogging is hardly mainstream. But as far as blogging goes, YK is the big kahuna. The feminist blogosphere should be represented at Yearly Kos, and I’d certainly be braying if we hadn’t been invited. But many of us have been invited, and several prominent feminist bloggers are speaking. YK is a great opportunity to make connections, promote feminist ideas in politics and media, and support progressive media and activists.

I guess I just really don’t see the point — or the productiveness — of turning that opportunity down.

30 thoughts on Should feminists attend Yearly Kos?

  1. It seems to me that suggesting a feminist shouldn’t attend YearlyKos is almost exactly equivalent to Bill O’Reilly attacking JetBlue for providing sponsorship.

    Now, if you wanted to attack them for “not inviting Auguste”, I’d be more open to the idea.

  2. Just a clarifying question – when you mean you were/weren’t’ invited, was it as a speaker or as a participant?

    I’m particularly interested in how “invitation” (formal/informal) triggers how we do or do not participate!

    Thanks

  3. I think it’s a fantastic forum for everyone who associates with the progressive movement. I don’t really follow the personalities behind many websites, so I don’t know what went on with DailyKos’ founder, but I think the site itself deserves everyone support. And there are a lot of other great people coming, like the folks from thinkprogress, and that would be a good enough reason for me to attend.

    Although, sadly I didnt get tickets to attend, so….:(

  4. Pingback: University Update - Nancy Pelosi - Should feminists attend Yearly Kos?

  5. Kos (or for that matter free republic) ain’t my cup of tea b/c it’s too vitrolic and srtrident.

    But as far as feminists avoiding anti-feminist venues, this doesn’t make sense. Perhaps feminist should go…for the same reason the preacherman goes to brothels. (Yeah, I know that can be read 2 ways).

  6. “Yearly Kos is not a feminist conference.”

    I know its possibly nitpicking, but shouldn’t any left/progressive forum be a feminist forum? I mean feminist in the sense that progressive politics should include women as having equal standing and therefore their issues, feminist issues, become a part of the core program? Why would anything be different? Is Kos a representive of the patriarchal system that is kind enough to think of us women at times?

    I also don’t agree with the view that women should boycott events that involve the progressive community; if the progressive community to overly male oriented, then women should attend in huge numbers and demand different.

    We are working against a culture that routinely shuts women out of the discourse and decision making, what on earth is gained by volunteering to isolate ourselves? I don’t get it.

  7. on a totally unrelated note:

    jill, are you going to Lollapalooza? you’ll be fairly close to the shows, but if you dont want to get tickets, you should listen by the gates or hang from some trees.

    it might be worth it.

  8. I would think that the less feminist-by-design an event, the more important it would be to have feminists there, making noise and raising awareness. You don’t gain any converts preaching to the choir, if I may be pardoned a religious cliche. If YearlyKos is feminist-friendly in organization but has ties to people who are anti-feminist or just oblivious, all the more reason for feminists to attend.

  9. I’ll admit I was a bit disoriented when there were YK this and YK that postings; they had me thinking, “Wait, I thought we’d just all decided that Kos is an asshole?”

    Being European and never even having heard of Kos before he put his foot in it that time, I figured the reasoning might be something like what you posted, but it’s good to know for sure, so thanks. 🙂

  10. Don’t mean to change the topic, but is there a feministe meet-up in Chi-town this week? Will details be posted on this site?

  11. Go, and make a big fuss. Be a loud, obnoxious feminist. Invade the precious man-space. Don’t cower in “feminist friendly” spaces and events. Insist that the other “half” (51%) of the population be represented in EVERYTHING.

    In other words, keep stirring up the pot. Thank you for your good work.

  13. Don’t mean to change the topic, but is there a feministe meet-up in Chi-town this week? Will details be posted on this site?

    Seconded.

  14. Elaine, I’ve been trying to find MJ’s source for that statistic and come up empty so far. Any ideas? (I also have to wonder what Mother Jones’ demo looks like.)

  16. Part of the problem is that I don’t see that Kos is a liberal space or even a progressive space. It is a space for advancing Democratic electoral politics and, well, when push comes to shove, it will be feminists, queers, and leftists who are told to sit down and shut up when the electoral desires of the blue conflict with progressive politics.

    The fact of the matter is, I’m frustrated with how much mindshare is being spent on democratic electoral politics, and how little is being spent on the multitude of activism needs that are not being met.

  17. And I think my negative reaction in regards to YK comes from the fact that it’s phrased as “YK woo, isn’t this wonderful!” Acknowledging that there are some issues with the Kos community is a nice step forward.

  18. CB, I hear you, but I think participation in those venues is the only way to pull them to the left.

    That’s the way the right succeeded so admirably, BTW.

  19. Two words Jill…critical mass. Damn straight feminists should be there; critical mass makes a difference. No sense in leaving others to either (mis)speak for us, or continue to ignore us.

  20. Some issues with the Kos community that I think are worthy of criticism:
    1: Prioritizing Democratic electoral success at the Federal level.
    2: A tendency to demonize the left as well as the right (consider the way in which peace activists and supporters of Kucinich have been marginalized.)
    3: How effective is blogging as a form of activism?
    4: A reflexive tendency to demonize media that is not blogs, while depending on big consolidated MSM for content.

  21. I’m reading Shulamith Firestone at the moment and I think what she’d say about women attending YearlyKos would depend a great deal on whether they meant to subsume their own interests on behalf of a “greater good” (as 19th Century feminists did for abolitionishm or early 20th Century feminists did for the labor movement) or if they’re going intending to engage *as feminists* as well as more generally participating as progressives.

    As for the more general case of whether women should go I couldn’t say whether Firestone would be impressed or dismissive of the fact that Gina Cooper is the executive director of the conference, that Carolyn Dulchinos is her “right-hand woman,” that Shanna Ingalsbee is the director of volunteer coordination and special projects, that Linda Lee is the fundraising director, that Robyn McMillin is the exhibit hall director or that Mary Rickles is the director of marketing and media. (For the record there are three men on the organizing committee: Steve Stearns, IT director; Jon Pontificator, strategic director; and Raven Brooks; director of operations and finance.)

    (As to the allegation that “…98% of Daily Kos readers are white.” Funny if true since by Census Bureau standards Kos himself, an 80’s-era Salvadorian refugee, isn’t considered white.)

  22. 1: Prioritizing Democratic electoral success at the Federal level.

    CB, I agree with most of your points, I even kind of agree with point #1, except in the way that I don’t, which is: someone should prioritize Democratic electoral success at the Federal level, especially President, if for no other reason than the Supreme Court.

  23. Auguste: Well, certainly. I think that other people though are welcome to do the cost benefit analysis and come to different conclusions as to where to spend their activism time, energy and money. And this is where some of the Kos folks get really nasty. For example, when the New Jersey court decision on gay marriage came down, gay rights activists were attacked for bad timing (as if plaintifs have much control over court calendars,) for pushing gay rights during a tight election, and for criticizing Democrats who pandered to the anti-gay vote. This is the kind of thing that makes me reach for MLK’s statement that he considered well-meaning white folk who suggested that his protests should be saved for a more convienent time were more frustrating than the KKK.

  24. I just read in Mother Jones that 98% of Daily Kos readers are white.

    How would they know (Mother Jones, DKos, or anyone)? Race isn’t even indicated on your driver’s license anymore.

    I think participation in those venues is the only way to pull them to the left.

    Could feminists pull the DKos crew “left”, or would the DKos crew pull feminists in their direction?

  26. I am not going to DKos out of conscientious objection to Kos’ recidivist bad conduct, but this is the best statement of the counterargument I have ever read – well argued.

  27. I get what you’re saying about BlogHer/Kos, in that Kos invited you specifically and you had to pick one, so you went there. That said, Blogher is superfun and amazing, and it would have been so great if you had come!

    I’m going to speak up for a feminist blogging panel next year; I think that would be a well-attended session.

  28. I am a 53 year old woman…I prefer not to corner myself with titles like feminist, liberal, etc. I have many beliefs and passions that perhaps don’t fit into neat niches. I want to share my “wisdom” that took me 53 years to achieve. Listen to all sides, go to any and all conferences that interest you…not always the ones you “believe in” or agree with (how boring and non stimulating)! Listen to all radio, tv, blog, etc. Not just your beliefs. It is very easy to just have one straight line opinion. Whether you look at it as knowing your enemy or being open to others perspectives – it will only make you a more knowledgeable and better person and how do you get your word out and beliefs heard? You don’t need to convince the members at your friendly conferences! Open yourself to getting to know people who share opposite views. My friends consist of religious zealots, atheists, spiritual, pro rights, pro life, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Republican, Democrats, no voters, etc, etc. I love and respect them all! Listen to their perspective and share yours. There are enough wars and hatred in our world! My daughter back in the 80’s when I spoke ever so lightly of equality -shot back – “gee Mom are you going to burn your bra”. She thought it was humorous and was somewhat embarrassed by me. I am proud of my daughters for embracing their beliefs so strongly…passion for a belief, but wish for both my wonderful daughters the wisdom to LISTEN, have a variety of friends and experiences, and not to corner themselves to only one belief. Otherwise you are no better than O’Reilly. This is the difference between Followers and Leaders! Go young men & women of the world!! Go see the world, make it better. Hi to Jill – from a surprise commentor!!!

  29. Yearly Kos is not a feminist conference.

    In some ways, it’s more feminist than BlogHer, which has a lot more political diversity and therefore a huge group of women who are hostile to feminism.

  30. Part of the problem is that I don’t see that Kos is a liberal space or even a progressive space.

    Actually, Kos is a person. Daily Kos is a website that is a combination of advancing Democrats and pushing a liberal/progressive agenda. Yearly Kos is a gathering of liberal bloggers.

    I was extremely happy with the red carpet treatment that the feminist attendees were given. The supposed bias against feminists was not in view. Markos has some weird political ideas, but he’s smart enough to grasp that the decentralized, diverse nature of the blogosphere is its appeal and was personally supportive of the heavily non-Kos presence on the panels, etc. The explicitly feminist-minded panels were in abundance, but there was a strong and successful effort not to treat feminism like a ghetto concern and the feminist bloggers who were invited were not treated differently than the guys from the wonk-o-sphere.

    The bias was in favor of high traffic/high influence blogs, which is a far different thing. I felt that the high feminist presence on panels also was a huge value-add to the panels in terms of raising the quality of the discussion. Just talking feminism or just talking electoral strategy can be a rehashing, but put those voices together and new ideas emerge.

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