In regards to the forthcoming talk by Kajsa Ekis Ekman
On Thursday 20th November there will be an event here at Housmans with Swedish feminist Kajsa Ekis Ekman – the talk has been programmed and facilitated by the RadFem Collective.
Housmans has received some complaints from the public asking for the event to be cancelled, primarily on the grounds that the logical conclusion of Ekman’s arguments result in the promoting of the criminalisation of prostitution, which in turn endangers the lives of sex workers. Several of these complaints have also been backed with a threat to boycott the shop.
Housmans is a bookshop that prides itself on being non-aligned and creating a forum where difficult political ideas can be discussed in a safe and open way. Housmans rarely will take an official line on an issue, although the traditions of the peace movement and libertarianism run strongest through our history. If you look at our event archive you will see that we often have held talks on subject areas where contradictory voices have been given room to express their opinions – this is also reflected in the books that we stock.
The subject of sex work is a complex and emotive one, and the arguments around it have raged since the first wave of feminism. Housmans has in the recent past hosted a whole range of feminist events, including ones that have made the positive case for sex-workers rights and the legalisation of prostitution.
The staff have looked carefully at the calls to cancel the event and at the work of Ekman, but ultimately feel that there is a wider principle at stake here. We feel that it is vital that all elements of the progressive left come together to discuss areas where differences of opinion exist, and do so with open-minds. We have all had different experiences and influences on our thoughts and it is only through hearing one another out that we can move forward.
We therefore urge those that feel strongly against Kajsa’s work to come along to the meeting, allow her to make her case, and then engage passionately in the debate that will follow her formal presentation, but not in a way that makes anyone feel threatened. As people engaged in political thought we will often disagree with one another on a whole variety of issues, but shutting down debate cannot be the way forward – it is only through discussion and interaction that we can progress, and facilitating that is one of the key functions of Housmans as a bookshop.
Thank you,
The Housmans Staff
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A Statement from the RadFem Collective:
“The RadFem Collective is proud to have organised this book launch. We believe the commercialisation of the sexual exploitation of women remains key in the perpetuation of patriarchy, racism and capitalism. We are delighted to work with Housmans to shine a light on the reality of women’s lives and the specific way in which the so called sex industry functions in the sexual oppression of women. We question liberal concepts such as free choice within the context of this harmful industry.
Our radical feminist analysis is informed by women’s lived realities – and we know that the truth is much more complex within such a profitable organized system where the cost to women’s humanity counts less than the profit margin. This is why we think it’s incredibly important that this book launch takes place in line with the democratic principles of open dialogue. We believe unreservedly that the oppressed are best placed to name their oppression and Radical Feminists stand in defiant opposition to the industry that harms the women within in it. We honour the bravery of women such as Kajsa Ekman who dare to speak out, and we invite you to come to the launch.”
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A statement from Kajsa:
“I am so happy to be able to come to London and speak with people there about prostitution and surrogacy. I hope that everyone who is interested in the topic will come and take part in the discussion after the talk. I am looking forward to sharing with you some of the perspectives from Sweden and finding out how the situation is in England! Most welcome everyone.”
“If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
As a person who currently works in prostitution, there is no way i’d feel able to come to this oppressive event in order to protest my further marginalisation by having polite debate. This is my life, for radical feminists it’s only an abstract saviour project.
Would you host a talk by an MRA and expect women to comfortably attend to take part? This is NOT a debate, there is NO debate on this issue between people who are prostitutes NOW. No current sex worker wants their income criminalised.
There won’t be any hookers there because there’s no way we’d be empowered or respected in this space. See sense.
Given the hostility so frequently levelled at sex workers, particularly in feminist spaces, are you going to have a safer space policy to ensure they can participate in this debate without feeling threatened?
And just out of curiosity, which events have made the case for legalisation of sex work?
Hi Nine – just to update you, we are getting in touch with the RadFem Collective who are hosting the event about this, and will confirm with them that they will establish from the start that sex workers can expect to participate without having hostility levelled at them.
Well done Housmans! Don’t give in to fundamentalists of any kind!
Oh my god, just re read that quote from RF collective: “We believe unreservedly that the oppressed are best placed to name their oppression”
Incredible.
SEX WORKERS are the ones oppressed by patriarchy, capitalism but MOSTLY prohibitionism – let us name our oppressions and critique the sex industry, we have plenty to say on the matter, as well as on the matter of abuse. But then, we are so easy to speak over, no? Disgusting.
Gemma:
You’re assuming things you dont know, added to that Ekman is not a radical feminist and she comes from quite a different background. Plus if you think no sex worker supports the swedish model you obviously havent heard of Rachel moran, Tanya Rahm, Shelly Lubben and others.
As a sex worker and therefore the one “oppressed” talked about here, I can name my oppressor which is the abolitionist movement trying to criminalise my work, attacking my source of income and thus my livelihood, putting my life in danger and increasing stigmatisation around my work.
Ekman’s attempts to delegitimise any sex workers’ rights organisation, in particular our attempts to unionise and to be recognised as workers and part of the working class are clearly an attack against sex workers.
This event is neither feminist nor progressive but only part of a massive war made against sex workers, pushing for more criminalisation and denying us any labour rights. Housmans is making itself accomplice of promoting hate against the sex workers’ movement by welcoming someone who defame our organisations as a pimp lobby.
Kajsa Ekman’s book is humane and profound. She argues that there is something wrong with prostitution and surrogacy but this is not a judgement on the women involved – quite the reverse in fact. Just as when socialists criticize capitalism and the employment contract they do not do so because they are contemptuous of workers, but because they are the workers’ champion.
Prostitution and surrogacy are huge issues for everyone and I am glad that Housmans are hosting this event.
As a survivor of sex industry violence, I’m pleased to see that Housmans are refusing to back down to pro sex industry bullies and making space for genuine debate.
As a woman who makes her living on her back, I name my oppressor – these “feminists” who feel entitled to overrule my decisions about my own body and try to take away my means of earning a living to satisfy their beliefs. They cause me more harm and treat me with less respect than my thousands of clients, over more than a decade, ever have.