Review: SCUM Manifesto, by Valerie Solanas

SCUM Manifesto, by Valerie Solanas
AK Press, 1873176449, 1996

The SCUM Manifesto has been published off and on since 1967; it was written by Valerie Solanas, the woman who, in 1968, shot Andy Warhol. This edition contains the original text, in addition to a short biography of Solanas by Freddie Baer.

It’s essentially a feminist manifesto pointing out the inequalities found in society between men and women, reversing the traditional stereotypes and laying the blame on thick and pointing out the inadequacy of each gender.

It’s hardly a particularly well thought out philosophy, for example, Solanas states that passivity is exclusively a male trait, but that they (actively) force it upon women, who (passively) accept it. The entire Manifesto is filled with similar contradictory generalizations of both sexes, generally male=negative, female=positive – though if you’re not SCUM, she hates you too.

This would make a fun read after a bad breakup, or perhaps if you’re a militant lesbian feminist chauvinistic man-hater (and yet only lesbians experience true love [pg. 23]). Men reading this would likely become annoyed rather quickly. Hell, I found much of it so outrageous I couldn’t help but laugh.

If you can take it lightly, it’s definately worth peeking in on what was going on in that twisted little head of her’s, backed up by the mini-biography. Reading this, you can almost understand why she shot Andy Warhol.

Psyche serves as the editor for Spiral Nature, and has been published in numerous journals, including The Cauldron, PanGaia, Witches & Pagans. “Strategic Magick” appeared in Manifesting Prosperity (Megalithica, 2008).