Transcript by Gabrielle Dubois of a 1975 television interview #9
Question:
You became involved in direct action with regard to feminism at the very beginning of the abortion issue and as a witness in the Bobigny trial looking back of feminism in France? This specific
issue served as a catalyst for women uniting and becoming aware that they could obtain something. Women mobilised public opinion, which men later ratified. That was the beginning of feminism in
France
Simone de Beauvoir:
Certainly. Women took up an excellent “battle horse”: abortion, and they were willing to fight for it. An essential part of the history of feminism begins in 1968. 1968 gave people the idea that
they had to take care of matters themselves: young people, high school and college students, soldiers (like in Draguignan). Well, women also decided to take matters into their own hands without
resorting to laws or decrees or perhaps by pushing for them. But even more, by fighting in completely new ways. It all started in 1968. Another result of 68 was that many women got involved in
the left wing groups. And they saw that even among their comrades who were supposedly political equals, they were still treated as “women”. Men made speeches, they typed. Men discussed politics,
they served coffee. And that made them realise that even in the most democratic and egalitarian organisations, women were still treated as “women”. So, “let’s get together as women and push for
change to change our status by leading our own fight.”
Question:
In some of your Memoirs you mention the reaction of some men, “left wing males”, who were violently anti-feminist. You have always been on the Left, you’re familiar with its different families of
thought. How do you explain the Left not being any more feminist than the rest of the population whose opinions aren’t progressive?
Simone de Beauvoir:
Because the Left, like any party, is dominated by men. And men aren’t interested in wiping out their own privileges. The privileged ones want to keep their privileges, that’s normal. They’re
privileged in the Communist, the Socialist or any other party and as a result, they act like men and not like progressive men. That’s what is important.
Question:
Ideologically, the Left fights against privileges. So they should be more sympathetic than others?
Simone de Beauvoir:
Well, they are not.
Question:
The election campaign was between (for presidential) two middle-aged men. The issue of feminism was very…
Simone de Beauvoir:
Secondary!
Question:
Even non-existent!
Simone de Beauvoir:
I agree. That’s why we shouldn’t mix up the class struggle ― the left-wing parties are based on the class struggle, that’s their political underpinning ― and the gender struggle. Men who are
progressive on the issue of class struggle may also be completely imbued with the patriarchal and masculine values and decide to impose them on women.
Question:
In the many discussion you’ve had, have you found that some men are openminded? Confronted with what, after all, you only discovered at 40 ― their upbringing may not have made them aware of it
either. They might be able to absorb this issue as they did with the issue of decolonisation, etc.
Simone de Beauvoir:
They may partially absorb it, but it’s rare for a man to understand a woman’s experience (lien), what she goes through, since he hasn’t experienced it. Even little
things, for example: the streets belong to everyone. But in fact, for a young woman, it doesn’t matter if she’s ugly or pretty, walking down the street can be an ordeal after 8 or 9pm or even
during the day. Men will follow her, bother her, to such an extent that she will prefer to go home. If you tell a man that, he’ll smile, act surprised, he’ll say: I don’t do that, I’m not a boor,
not all men are boors. He doesn’t realise what a weight it is for a woman to always feels like she’s in danger. Not violent danger, although it can go that far. When a woman rebuffs a man who is
following her, she may get slapped or punched.
Gabrielle Dubois©
#Simone de #Beauvoir #VAW #violence #against #women #DEVAW #feminism #misogyny
Link
Toward #10 Simone de Beauvoir interview