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Books

Inflammatory

A Plain Brown Rapper

Rita Mae Brown

Diana Press 1976

The title A Plain Brown Rapper is a term used to describe literature sent through the mail that is either illegal, subversive or inflammatory. The book is not illegal but it is both subversive and inflammatory, it incites revolution; Feminist revolution. It doesn't just question the existing patriarchal society but attacks it; attacks it with calm reasoned fury.

I have read two other books by Rita Mae Brown, Ruby Fruit Jungle and In Her Day, and enjoyed both of them. Ruby Fruit Jungle, the better of the two is already well known in the world of people who enjoy reading books by women about real women (by real I mean something more than the hollow images and stereotypes that are often found). The story of an unashamed unabashed lesbian who makes it on her own terms. Ruby Fruit Jungle is humourous, pointed, angry and realistic. There is no trite happy ending, but the constant statement of a woman who loves life. Parts of the book are so real you know that they have been written from life.

In Her Day is a little less powerful but gives some good insights into the women's movement in New York in the 60's. So I looked forward to reading another of her books. I don't know if I was prepared for what I found.

Both other books were fiction, stimulating, but basically easy reading. Plain Brown Rapper is easy to read but it is not easy reading. Not fiction, it is a collection of essays by Rita Mae Brown, that are copies of articles in various feminist magazines or transcripts of speeches. Some of them are humourous; some of them so realistically true they are sad, all of them are political. I had not thought her other books political but I realize I was wrong. It is political to write about women fighting to be themselves; lesbians and lesbian love; to describe real situations not stylized ideals; to automatically use the female rather than the male pronoun.

The essays range from simple description to complicated analysis; covering sexuality to political tactics. She writes about revelations and discipline and the need for the two to go hand in hand, for one without the other doesn't get you an where.

In particular, Rita Mae Brown does not just theorise. The general is related to the specificand vice versa. In talking revolution she brings it always back to the personal and the practical. When she talks of problems, she either admits she has no answer or gives one; she doesn't pretend anything. She uses real words not political rhetoric; if she wants to say fuck, she says it.

The book stresses the need for women to organise, not just into groups, but themselves; their thinking into clear concise political arguments. It is not going to be easy and in the process something may be lost, but it must be done if feminism is to be validated.

As well as the dangers from outside, feminism, by attacking the patriarchal society and its institutions, opens itself to the forces that wish to maintain the status quo, Rita Mae Brown warns of danger from within; of allowing differences to turn women against each other and the danger of pretending such differences do not exist. There are many differences in the women's movement, all of which must be accommodated if the movement is to survive. In particular, the conflict between the political left, and the political feminist, heterosexual and lesbian, middle class and working class. Plain Brown Rapper is an important book to read — essential if you are a feminist.

Victoria Quade.