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stefhyena 's review for:
My Own Story
by Emmeline Pankhurst
Who would ever have thought that I would enjoy reading an account of a war written by one of its leaders? Soon into the book, it becomes clear that to Mrs Pankhurst this struggle is a war and that she is as committed and self-denying within it as a soldier. I think of myself as a pacifist, and for that reason was glad that within all the strong and stirring arguments that militancy was necessary there were a lot of lines drawn against the actual harming of humans. Pankhurst's constant reference to the fact that property should not be seen as more important than human life and liberty I think is a much needed idea once again for 2016 and much of what she says of suffragettes can be applied in the modern day to refugees.
Much of her idealism about women solving all the worlds problems if only they had the right to vote- history has disproven, nevertheless women's right to vote has transformed society for the better and has also led to women beginning to demand a more equal access to leadership positions and influence so that there is still scope for further reform.
I found the book well written even though it was written in between events of the campaign. Either Pankhurst has an unusually good memory for detail or she was constantly journalling and we get a vivid picture of the struggles, debates and courage of the women involved. Of course there is bias here, nevertheless it all seems pretty plausible from what we know from other accounts. Pankhurst may well be a privileged woman and may have an imperfect understanding of class, but her desire for better education for poor children as well as basics like food and security as well as her outrage at the lack of dignity poor, working-class women have in the eyes of the law persuaded me that if I had lived in England in her time I would have felt I had to support the suffragettes. She must have been a charismatic leader with her intelligent passion and courage I think.
I saw the film, "Suffragette" who didn't? It was alright as a film, many people have pointed out its flaws. If it leads to people actually reading Emmeline Pankhurt's own story then I think that would be a good thing. I think her concern for personhood and dignity and basic rights are ideals we need to re-embrace very firmly in 2016. Her relentless holding to account of a government is also something to think on in a cowardly age where we are bit by bit allowing "austerity" measures to widen gaps between rich and poor!
Much of her idealism about women solving all the worlds problems if only they had the right to vote- history has disproven, nevertheless women's right to vote has transformed society for the better and has also led to women beginning to demand a more equal access to leadership positions and influence so that there is still scope for further reform.
I found the book well written even though it was written in between events of the campaign. Either Pankhurst has an unusually good memory for detail or she was constantly journalling and we get a vivid picture of the struggles, debates and courage of the women involved. Of course there is bias here, nevertheless it all seems pretty plausible from what we know from other accounts. Pankhurst may well be a privileged woman and may have an imperfect understanding of class, but her desire for better education for poor children as well as basics like food and security as well as her outrage at the lack of dignity poor, working-class women have in the eyes of the law persuaded me that if I had lived in England in her time I would have felt I had to support the suffragettes. She must have been a charismatic leader with her intelligent passion and courage I think.
I saw the film, "Suffragette" who didn't? It was alright as a film, many people have pointed out its flaws. If it leads to people actually reading Emmeline Pankhurt's own story then I think that would be a good thing. I think her concern for personhood and dignity and basic rights are ideals we need to re-embrace very firmly in 2016. Her relentless holding to account of a government is also something to think on in a cowardly age where we are bit by bit allowing "austerity" measures to widen gaps between rich and poor!