Library, Monday

[faithandscience.livejournal.com]

It being the first official day of the new semester, it seemed as if all the books were on their very best behaviour. There were no indoor thunderstorms, nothing was wrapped in cellophane, none of the books were mysteriously appearing and disappearing, or battling each other...

There was a stack of bridal magazines on the counter when William first arrived, but since they stayed put on the shelf after he put them away, William didn't think much of it as he settled down with the newest issue of Scientific American.

History of American Feminism, Monday, 2nd Period.

[atreideslioness]

Ghanima was seated at the front of the room, on the edge of her desk as the students arrived. Desks had been pushed into a circle for now, instead of rows, although she had debated getting rid of them altogether.

"Good morning," she said, once everyone had claimed a spot. "I am Lady Ghanima Atreides, and this is the History of American Feminism."

"I feel it only fair to tell you now that I approach this subject as a historian with an academic interest, and not as a resident of this country; being from several thousand years in the future, Imperial society is a place where - outwardly - the only value of a woman is in her marriageability. However, the female gender has been running everything for centuries behind the scenes. It's an interesting paradox."

"Unfortunately, humans-in-power have a history of not exactly being willing to share their authority with other groups," she continued wryly. "For the purposes of this class, however, we're going to focus on the American feminist movement, its ups and downs, and the continued fight for all American women for true equality."

"Contrary to popular belief, there has never been a single united feminism, even when speaking of the American feminist movement. There have been multiple feminisms representing the efforts of women to live into their full humanity in a world shaped by and for the male half of the human species."

"That does not mean this class is about male-bashing. There is a difference, and I will not tolerate hate, in any form, in this room."

"Now I'd like to hear who you are and why you're here, and what about the topic interests you."