“It’s what the suffragettes would have wanted”: the construction of the suffragists and suffragettes on Mumsnet

he image of the historical campaign for votes women is continually reinvigorated and reinvested with meaning by later feminists. An investigation into ways in which framed on UK online parenting forum Mumsnet demonstrates clearly how 21st century use their feminist foremothers to support own political purposes. In particular, gender-critical feminists are able performatively invoke suffragette heritage as militant, radical feminists, imbue cause legitimacy. Use pen names WSPU colours allows posters identify each other both offline. Discussion a good amount knowledge, including distinctions between contributions militant constitutional campaigners. Nonetheless, when discussion turns necessity vote, dominance suffering becomes clear. However, suffragettes can also be used justification not using vote: long this thoughtful decision, made out anger at choices available, it presented “what would have wanted”.