Class

Journal-Writing as a Creative Feminist Practice

“If I could only keep one type of book to read it would be women’s journals because they contain the world already—poems, philosophy, all the artwork, gossip, visions of the green hills of the sea…”– Anne Boyer

Journal-writing is sometimes dismissed for the very reasons it can empower: it requires intimacy and vulnerability, which might be criticized as “inappropriate,” “unimaginative,” “indulgent,” or “dramatic.” But intimacy created through vulnerability, emotionality, truth-telling, and exploring private and domestic spaces has always been central to feminist creative practices. And this is no easy feat: reckoning with one’s everyday life is often the hardest and most imaginative work there is.

In this class, we will use journal-writing to explore how individuals’ records and dreams are a part of a collective feminist history and network. We will approach journal-writing as a generative process we can use to articulate truths, process the world we live in, and recognize our own experiences, beliefs, and desires as valid and worthy of being shared. We will also use this practice to create a supportive, empathic community that enables enough safety and autonomy for playful risk-taking to happen. Each class will involve generative writing exercises and the opportunity to share work with one another. We will discuss journals as well as poetry and essays by various feminist and queer writers, drawing inspiration from them to explore new ways of observing, inhabiting, and finding pleasure in the world.

There is no class July 5.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at edu@loft.org or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.