Mili bittet zum Tanz

Inspired by international solidarity with anti-colonial struggles around the world, a debate on militancy emerged in West Germany in the 1970s. For nearly two decades, the radical feminist group Rote Zora was a forceful participant in this debate.It is hardly surprising that Rote Zora’s texts and militant actions are once again being discussed within the radical left today.

The group’s analyses of racism, sexism, global capitalism, and colonialism were remarkably far-sighted, making it easy to connect the debates of that time to the present day. This book explores the many ways in which Rote Zora translated its analyses into political practice through radical feminist interventions, as well as the impact these interventions have had—some of which continues to this day.In addition to more than 20 statements explaining the group’s attacks, dating from 1975 to 1995, the book includes the 1994 text Mili’s Tanz auf dem Eis (Mili’s Dance on Ice). It also features interview transcripts from the film Frauen bildet Banden – eine Spurensuche zur Geschichte der Roten Zora (Women, Form Gangs – In Search of the History of Rote Zora, 2019), in which two former members of the group reflect on their time as active members, looking back after more than 30 years. Finally, the chapter “Contemporary Voices on Feminist Militancy” brings together feminist activists working today to discuss Rote Zora, its texts and actions, and their own understanding of feminist militancy.