Cooperation between Women
from the First and Second Worlds
Led by Gabriella Molnar (Hungary) and Susanne Langer (Denmark)
Gabriella spoke about her nine-year relationship with Susanne and how important it has been to her. It has given her insight about the issues affecting women as they reach out to make friends from East to West. Susanne said that it has changed her life to be friends with Gabriella. She has gotten a better picture of what is wrong in the world and how to fight it. In the First World there are a lot of feelings of powerlessness and guilt about having so many privileges. To make friends across those barriers can change things.
People introduced themselves with their name, where they were from, a lie about the “world” they don’t come from, and one word in their own language.
Lies about the First World (from the Second World women):
•The borders are closed because everybody wants to attack us.
•People are happy to have a lot of things.
•All the feminists in the First World are Lesbians.
•Feminists hit children and hate men.
•People living in the First World don’t care.
Lies about the Second World (from First World women):
•They will take over our jobs.
•People from Eastern Europe are dangerous and cold (don’t feel very much).
•Chinese people don’t have a sense of humor. Since the fall of communism, they have been completely materialistic.
•It is the biggest dream of all Second World people to live in the USA.
•The biggest issue for women is alcohol.
Gabriella told how when people are hurt they do not think well. To build new relationships we must deal with the feelings which are in the way so we can think as well as possible about each other. One woman said that Eastern European women were not visible at the Conference. If a Western woman would speak up for them, then they would be seen as important.
Women broke into First and Second World groups and ended by sharing what they liked about the workshop. People attending were excited to meet women from another “world,” and the workshop showed the importance of making friends from different “worlds.” Women left looking bright.
Wytske Visser
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands