Radical feminist author who wrote the SCUM Manifesto, a provocative and influential feminist text, and gained notoriety for attempting to murder Andy Warhol.
Valerie Solanas is infamous for her attempt to murder Andy Warhol in 1968, but her impact extends far beyond that violent act. As a radical feminist and writer, Solanas shook the foundations of society with her provocative SCUM Manifesto, a call to arms for women to overthrow the government and eliminate the male sex.
Valerie Jean Solanas was born on April 9, 1936, in Ventnor City, New Jersey, to Louis Solanas and Dorothy Marie Biondo. Her childhood was marred by sexual abuse from her father and grandfather, and she experienced a volatile relationship with her mother and stepfather. This tumultuous upbringing would later influence her radical views on gender and society.
In 1967, Solanas self-published the SCUM Manifesto, a 35-page pamphlet that outlined her vision for a female-dominated society. The manifesto advocated for the elimination of money, government, and men, and promoted the idea of complete automation. With its inflammatory language and provocative ideas, the manifesto made Solanas a lightning rod for controversy.
In 1968, Solanas asked Warhol to produce her play, Up Your Ass, but he claimed to have lost the script. In response, Solanas went to The Factory, Warhol's studio, and shot him, along with art critic Mario Amaya. Warhol barely survived the attack, and Solanas was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She served a three-year prison sentence, including treatment in a psychiatric hospital, for reckless assault with intent to harm.
Despite her controversial actions, Solanas' SCUM Manifesto has had a lasting impact on feminist theory and activism. Her ideas about gender, power, and sexuality continue to inspire debate and discussion among scholars and activists today.
Valerie Solanas died on April 25, 1988, of pneumonia in San Francisco. Despite her tumultuous life and controversial actions, Solanas remains an important figure in feminist history, a symbol of the radical and uncompromising spirit of the 1960s.
As we reflect on Solanas' life and legacy, we are reminded that even the most provocative and divisive figures can leave an indelible mark on our society and culture.
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