September
2001
Bluestockings:
Sisters Doing it for Themselves
|
|
|
Founded in 1999, Bluestockings is a women’s
bookstore located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Lara Comstock
is a member of the collective that operates the store. More than just
a bookstore, Bluestockings serves as a community space where, as Comstock
explains, “women, people of transgendered experience and feminist-minded
people can come together and find literature, music, art and activism
from their perspective.” Here, Comstock tells Satya about the
philosophy and communities that keep the store flourishing.
Is there a specific philosophy behind Bluestockings?
Our collective/volunteer structure and day-to-day decisions are
informed by many philosophies and ideas including, but not limited to:
feminism/womanism, anti-white supremacy, equality, shared work, collectivism,
anarchy, anti-hierarchy, empowering and supporting others—rather
than capitalism and competitiveness—and awareness and education
relating to issues concerning women, the environment, and social justice.
How did the community come together to help create the store, and
how are they currently involved?
There are lots of different communities involved in the store collectively
and separately. The founders’ community—basically activists
and feminists of various genders, races and philosophies—donated
time and paint, and scoured the streets for resources—thus the
store’s trash-picked aesthetic, which we are continually trying
to upgrade. The books for sale were all donated. The store was founded
by white women, but the communities that worked to create it and who
use it are diverse ones.
We function as a meeting place on many levels. We host events, such
as poetry readings, open mics, art exhibits and weekly yoga classes.
On a formal level, we provide space for activists and other groups to
meet regularly. Groups such as the Lower East Side Girls’ Club
meet in the store; and we have intern programs for high school and college-aged
kids. On a less formal level, people meet at our vegan café for
coffee, a snack or for an event. On an even less formal level, it is
a hot girl- and boy-cruising space.
How is Bluestockings different from similar stores that didn’t
last?
Many people come here and they find their home, they find a sense
of community that they can’t find anywhere else in New York City.
They become invested in shopping, volunteering, encouraging others to
shop and browse here, and seeing the store stay alive.
However, there are others who don’t find that sense of community
here, and so we strive to deconstruct the dynamics that might be responsible.
This year, we have held diversity trainings for volunteers on topics
like race and cultural differences, sizeism, ableism and disableism,
and others. We are currently exploring applying for not-for-profit status
which will enable us to do more of this kind of work, hopefully for
years to come.
Bluestockings: 172 Allen Street (btwn Rivington and Stanton Streets);
212-777-6028; www.bluestockings.com.
Thanks to Tara Scott, who helped with this interview.
