While updating the Progressive Directory of Western Michigan yesterday, we came across an exciting new organization called GR Feminists. As a small gesture of solidarity and recognition of the importance of challenging patriarchy, we are reprinting their manifesta:

Grand Rapids Feminists: A Gggrrrrrrrr Manifesta

The Grand Rapids (GR) Feminists exist as an organization to facilitate community, connections, and common ground between the diverse population of feminists residing in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the purpose of promoting solidarity and social change.

As GR Feminists, we believe that feminism upholds the following principles:

* Oppression and inequality directed toward any person or group of persons, including oppression based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, class, or age cannot and will not be tolerated.
* Any social institution that promotes said oppression and inequality should be examined, scrutinized, questioned, and changed.
* All individuals should be free to make their own choices regarding the fate and direction of their own lives.
* These choices should be able to be made in an educated manor.
* The choices of one should not overtly impact the lives of others in a profoundly negative and oppressive way.
* Voice is one of the most powerful tools each of us has. The silencing of voices is one of the biggest tools those in power have to oppress others. Such silencing cannot and will not be tolerated.
* Solidarity is vital to social change. Solidarity and social change are vital to existence.

These feminist principles will be upheld through the GR Feminists organization in all meetings, activities, and personal lives of members.

As GR Feminists, we believe in the inclusive nature of feminism, and this group is open to all those individuals who define themselves as feminists, while recognizing that defining oneself as feminist but being in direct opposition with the above principles is suspect and reason to be asked to leave the group.

We understand that different types of feminism will at times be in direct opposition with each other, but that we will remain respectful of these differences, understand that there are multiple solutions to the same problems, and thrive in the diverse nature of our group.

While GR Feminists do not speak against religion per se, and will not exclude religious feminists from our group or roster of events, we do recognize the sometimes inherent patriarchal nature of religion, and the exclusionary nature of adopting the principles of a specific religion, and thus proclaim that we are a strictly secular organization.

GR Feminists will promote solidarity and social change through activities such as, but not limited to, consciousness raising, book clubs, volunteer and activist projects, and education of both ourselves and our communities.