Shutting Down Feminist Frequency – Feminist Frequency
With my coronary heart stuffed filled with 1,000,000 completely different feelings, as we speak I share the information with you that Feminist Frequency is closing. Our employees and Board members have carried out a lot to assist me put together to make this announcement as we speak, however it nonetheless appears like taking a deep breath and leaping off a diving board to speak this message to the numerous individuals who have turned to Feminist Frequency, supported our work, and buoyed me up over the previous fourteen years. Beneath, you possibly can learn extra particulars about our packages and the plan for operations coming to a detailed, however first I need to simply share extra personally about how this determination was made.
After I made the conclusive determination that the time had come to shut Feminist Frequency, my first fully-formed thought was: “Holy fuck!” We—that’s all of us who’ve been on this journey collectively—have carried out a lot. We made adjustments to an trade that have been desperately wanted, shaking up the established order and distributing content material within the early days of video punditry. Whereas we weren’t the primary voices within the dialog about inclusion in gaming, we have been a part of constructing a neighborhood that meant extra to its members than we might ever have anticipated. Seeing much more folks take up this mantle and proceed the work has been heartening; many individuals working inside the trade, even folks I’ve been essential of up to now, have supported and labored to create actual change. So I do know you’re asking: why now?
The very best reply I can provide is the trustworthy reality: I’m exhausted. I do know that it’s common for nonprofits to have a life cycle shorter than lots of people would love, however there are distinctive challenges after they’re so entwined with a person (me) who has turn into an emblem (oops), for higher and for worse. I’m hoping that it is going to be invaluable to share the truth of the bone-deep burnout that comes from persistently saying sure to the expansion of Feminist Frequency, usually on the expense of defending my private boundaries, and the workload of our group. Whereas I’ve already mentioned my piece in regards to the harassment that myself and others have skilled over time, reflecting on it now I can specific each a way of pleasure that conversations about on-line abuse have turn into a part of our lexicon, and a actuality that it has come at the price of my well being and wellbeing. And so, whereas there was a lot worth to this undertaking, and its completely different iterations over time, there’s additionally worth to initiatives coming to an finish after they can not be greatest served.
And to you, the human being studying this letter to the very finish, who’s been alongside for the trip and supported me, and the employees, and the mission of all this work… thanks. I’ve written so much right here about a company, but phrases fail me relating to speaking about each single person that made great issues come out of the final fourteen years of Feminist Frequency. SO MANY PEOPLE have been each impacted by and made tangible impressions on me as a person and on this work, rippling all through the neighborhood. You’ve given me energy when being the face of this factor took its toll, and also you’ve been there for one another in a rapidly-changing on-line panorama. So please, bear in mind to face up for these in want of an ally, and preserve being essential of the media that you just love. And crucially: be sort to your self; we’re no good to others if we don’t maintain ourselves.
So what does this imply going ahead? Learn on for particulars…
- For me, it means prioritizing relaxation and taking time away from the direct accountability of being the face of a mission, for the primary time in a decade and a half. You possibly can keep in contact with me at my website or on varied social media @anitasarkeesian.
- For Feminist Frequency, it means a gradual ceasing of operations, shutting down utterly in early 2024.
- The Games and Online Harassment Hotline will likely be obtainable by September 30, after which period its unbelievable chief Jae Lin will proceed to function its accountability help house ReSpec, and the website will keep dwell with essential assets for constructing a safer video games tradition.
- Our podcast, Feminist Frequency Radio, will proceed to be helmed by its co-host Kat Spada. “Tropes v. Girls” and our full video archive will stay on-line, obtainable as a free media criticism useful resource indefinitely.
- And we are going to make sure that our neighborhood is stored knowledgeable of all closing particulars as a ultimate annual report will likely be printed and a celebration for neighborhood and trade companions will likely be held in early 2024.
We’re within the strategy of canceling all recurring donations and can cease accepting new donations as of as we speak. Tax receipts will likely be issued in January of 2024 as common. Donations already acquired this 12 months will proceed for use to help the Video games Hotline and Feminist Frequency operations and for the various duties required to close down a non-profit. If now we have any funds left after finishing these duties, we are going to donate them to mission aligned non-profits.
The work that our neighborhood has carried out to impact change within the video games trade and communities made a distinction, and all of us at Feminist Frequency and the Video games and On-line Harassment Hotline are hopeful to see enhancements proceed to be made. We’ll be taking a extra thorough look again at every program’s accomplishments within the forthcoming annual report. If you happen to’re moved to help different mission aligned organizations, we advocate studying extra about Take This, Interrupting Criminalization, and the orgs that make up the Coalition Against Online Violence.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
Anita Sarkeesian
Government Director
To obtain the press launch, click on right here.