PAT MASTERS argues (Socialis Challenge.
January 1978) that represent entice men to hary various brands of beer, cars, newspapets, etc.
People who argue in this way often overlook an obvious point. Pin-ups also entice women to buy cosmetics, clothing, household furnishings and durables, andso on. A glance at almost an) wide circulation women's magazine will confirm this simple fact. The reason for mentioning this is to insist that the more overtly sexual manifestations of wonien's oppression as a sex are widely accepted by women too.
You would soon lose your readers if you noderu women's magazine, but an avalanche sE stereotyped sex roles in both editorial and advertising matter seems to be necessary to sell consider it an exaggeration, then just scan the covers!
The Yorkshire Miner's sexism stands beside the awful 'personality" spots to be found in some of the journals of trade unions with mainly women members, although it should be said that most of the latter are also written and edited by mnen.
BRYNLEY HEADEN, Hull fragmented and women in the audience were hassled, and in some cases attacked (verbally and physically) the usual anti-wonsen, anti-aboction, machismo crap, Through Rock against Racism and the Tom Oppression die ein sonenle oppression getting recognition. Women's bands and the issue o sexism in music are still very much ignored The choice for women seems to be either total exclusion from mixed gigs, and therefore a repetition powerlessness, or a political campaign to force audiences and musicians to controat womens oppression.
'Machisme Up Yours!"
CLARE CERI WILLIAMS [N, London] mented by the trade unions and taken out into the broad labour movement. Ir was the support of particular trade union bodies - COC. 100 federation of Shinbuilding and Engineering Unions and the NUM, for example - ATILI Influenced the Government, not the CA Pations minalement Your reference to the Carter demonstration that march took place because the trade unions were resolate in the face of immense pressure from all sorts of bodies that it should be cancelled — from Government level right dowi to CA Parsons management. You fail lo mention the second march which Parsons management did everything they could to sabotage. This involved wives husbands and children (who were kept off school) of Parsons workers and contingents from a number of factories in to what it was four years ago and you l see the difference. Cliff stated that: 'Our andienoe is largely madeupofyoung workers with very little political tradition and quite often with very little trade union experience *SW had to be popular ised to appeal to this audience!
Since these changes, SW bas inereasingly serious politient analysis and comment and is Filed instead with horror stories and fighting talk. Despite thisand much frantic campaigning besides, the IS/SWP hasnotinereased either the quality or quantity of its membership. Il has managed to altract only a politically inex pericuced and frequently clanging membership, whilst at the same time Josing many of its Jeading militanrs, To conclude: the debate around Socialist Challenge and the Conference must be thor-