Diversity, discourse, and the mission of the feminist law journal.

• Author: Perry, Twila L.
• Position: Why a Feminist Law Journal?

1. INTRODUCTION

   Why a feminist law journal? In recent years, there has been a proliferation of law school journals. At present many schools have, in addition to the traditional "law review," journals which focus on race, environmental law, gay and lesbian issues, or international law. In such a context, there seems little need to feel that one has to offer a specific justification for a feminist law journal.

   In some ways, all law school journal serve similar functions. The most obvious purpose is to publish articles aimed at advancing legal theory and practice. A second function for these journals is to provide a context in which students can work together on areas of common interest while they enhance their substantive knowledge, improve their research and writing skills, and enhance their resumes. However, while the prestige of traditional law reviews attracts students without regard to political perspectives, special interest journal may be more likely to attract students who have at least some ideological or political commitment to a substantive area. Thus students with an interest in advancing women's interests often join journals that address women's issues. For such students, work on the journal may represent more than an academic exercise or a credential. It can be a context in which the student can act on and affirm a commitment to an area in which he or she hopes to have some long-term involvement. For some women students, the feminist journal may also provide a context that helps them to process gender issues relevant to their law school experience.

   Research conducted by some of the speakers at this symposium indicates that in recent years, mainstream law reviews have become increasingly receptive to articles written from a feminist perspective. (1) In light of this development, the question "why a feminist law journal?" becomes an especially important one. Feminist journals must now compete with many others for interesting and compelling articles. In this brief essay I will discuss what I see as the mission of the feminist law journal and I will offer a few practical suggestions for ways I think feminist law journals might continue to make themselves attractive to authors who now may have many more choices in placing their work.

2. THE MISSION OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST PUBLICATION

   As I began to think about whether feminist law journals have a special mission, I thought about why I often read popular magazines aimed primarily at Black audiences. In addition to the many articles and publications I read in order to stay current in my work as an academic, I also subscribe to magazines such as Black Enterprise, Ebony, and Essence. I read these magazines because they offer me, as a Black person, something different than what mainstream publications provide. Magazines aimed at Black audiences often address issues that I have a personals take in that mainstream magazines often ignore or gloss over. In chronicling, analyzing, and affirming the ongoing struggles and triumphs of Black people in our ongoing struggle for equality, these magazines challenge racism and subordination and have a mission of uplift and equality.

   Feminist law journals serve a specialty audience of women and others who are interested in women's issues. Like magazines aimed at Black audiences, feminist law journals have a mission of critique, analysis, and inspiration for those working toward the common goal of a more just and egalitarian society. Traditional law reviews are generally neutral in terms of values; the articles published often reflect views that span the ideological spectrum. Thus, articles in these journals can be pro-tort reform or anti-tort reform, pro-affirmative action or anti-affirmative action, and pro-reproductive choice or anti-reproductive choice. While law reviews addressed to women's issues also publish articles representing some range of opinions, they tend to publish articles that deconstruct and challenge the subordination of women.

3. FEMINISM AND THE FEMINIST LAW JOURNAL

   It might be helpful at this point to think about whether there is a distinction between a law journal that deals with issues of gender and a...