SCUM Manifesto

SCUM Manifesto is a radical feminist manifesto by Valerie Solanas, published in 1967. It argues that men have ruined the world, and that it is up to women to fix it. To achieve this goal, it suggests the formation of SCUM, an organization dedicated to overthrowing society and eliminating the male sex. The Manifesto has been described as a satire or parody, especially due to its parallels with Freud's theory of femininity, though this is disputed.The term "SCUM" appeared on the cover of the first edition from Olympia Press as "S.C.U.M." and was said to stand for "Society for Cutting Up Men". Solanas objected, insisting that it was not an acronym, although the expanded term appeared in a Village Voice ad she had written in 1967.The Manifesto was little-known until Solanas attempted to murder Andy Warhol in 1968. This event brought significant public attention to the Manifesto and Solanas herself. While feminist Ti-Grace Atkinson defended Solanas and considered the Manifesto a valid criticism of patriarchy, others, such as Betty Friedan, considered Solanas's views to be too radical and polarizing.