Births on April 9

Valerie Solanas, American radical feminist author, attempted murderer (d. 1988)

Valerie Jean Solanas, born on April 9, 1936, and passing on April 25, 1988, was an American radical feminist figure whose life and actions left an indelible, and often controversial, mark on the 1960s counter-culture and feminist movements. She is primarily known for two highly publicized acts: the self-publication of her incendiary polemic, the SCUM Manifesto, in 1967, and her infamous attempt to murder the iconic pop artist Andy Warhol in 1968.

Early Life and Formative Years

Solanas’s early life was marked by profound instability and trauma. Reports indicate she endured sexual abuse at the hands of both her father and grandfather, experiences that undoubtedly shaped her worldview. Her relationship with her mother and stepfather was similarly fraught and volatile, contributing to a turbulent upbringing. These foundational experiences seemingly fueled her later radical perspectives and profound distrust of societal structures. Demonstrating an early intellectual curiosity and independent spirit, Solanas openly identified as a lesbian in the 1950s, a courageous stance in an era that offered little acceptance. Despite the hardships, she pursued higher education, ultimately graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. This academic background in understanding human behavior adds a fascinating layer to her later writings and actions. Following her graduation, Solanas moved to Berkeley, California, a city known for its vibrant intellectual and political activism during that era, where she began to articulate her radical thoughts, culminating in the foundational work of the SCUM Manifesto.

The Provocative SCUM Manifesto

The SCUM Manifesto, a self-published tract from 1967, stands as Solanas's most enduring, albeit divisive, literary contribution. The title itself is often interpreted as an acronym for "Society for Cutting Up Men," though Solanas herself denied this in later interviews, suggesting it simply referred to "scum." Regardless of the intended acronym, the manifesto is a fiercely anti-male, anti-capitalist, and anti-establishment work that called for a radical restructuring of society. In its most extreme passages, it urged women to "overthrow the government, eliminate the money system, institute complete automation and eliminate the male sex." It posited that men were incomplete females, emotionally and intellectually inferior, responsible for all the world's ills, and therefore obsolete. The manifesto, written with a provocative and often sarcastic tone, garnered significant attention for its extreme rhetoric, placing it at the fringes of, yet undeniably within, the burgeoning radical feminist discourse of the late 1960s.

The Collision with Andy Warhol and The Factory

Solanas’s path converged dramatically with that of Andy Warhol in New York City, a hub of artistic experimentation and counter-culture. Warhol’s legendary studio, The Factory, was a melting pot of artists, eccentrics, and performers. Solanas approached Warhol, hoping he would produce her play, Up Your Ass, a daring and explicit work that explored female sexuality and societal repression. However, Warhol, known for his somewhat detached and often chaotic approach to collaborations, claimed to have misplaced or lost her script. As a form of appeasement or compensation, he subsequently offered her a minor role in his experimental film, I, a Man. This professional interaction, however, did little to soothe Solanas’s growing paranoia. At this juncture, Maurice Girodias, a Parisian publisher renowned for releasing censored and avant-garde works, offered Solanas a publishing contract. Yet, rather than seeing this as an opportunity, Solanas interpreted Girodias’s offer, combined with Warhol’s perceived dismissal of her play, as evidence of a sinister conspiracy. She became convinced that Warhol and Girodias were colluding to steal her intellectual property and future writings, fueling a dangerous resentment that would soon erupt.

The Fateful Day at The Factory

The simmering tensions reached a tragic climax on June 3, 1968. Solanas, driven by her escalating paranoia and conviction of being wronged, arrived at The Factory. There, she shot Andy Warhol, critically wounding him, and also fired at art critic Mario Amaya, who sustained minor injuries. She then attempted to shoot Fred Hughes, Warhol's manager, but her gun jammed. Following the chaotic scene, Solanas turned herself in to the police. The incident sent shockwaves through the art world and beyond, dominating headlines and cementing her notoriety. She was subsequently charged with attempted murder, assault, and illegal possession of a firearm. During the legal proceedings, Solanas was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, a severe mental illness characterized by delusions and disordered thinking. She ultimately pleaded guilty to "reckless assault with intent to harm" and was sentenced to a three-year prison term. This sentence included a period of treatment in a psychiatric hospital, acknowledging the significant role of her mental health condition in her actions.

Later Life, Death, and Enduring Legacy

Upon her release from institutional care, Solanas continued to advocate for and promote the SCUM Manifesto, seemingly undeterred by her past actions or the public's perception. She spent her remaining years largely out of the mainstream public eye, struggling with her mental health and often living in poverty. Valerie Solanas died on April 25, 1988, in San Francisco, at the age of 52, succumbing to pneumonia. Her legacy remains complex and deeply contested. While her act of violence against Andy Warhol is often the first thing people remember, the SCUM Manifesto itself has endured as a provocative, if controversial, document within feminist studies. Scholars like Alice Echols have characterized Solanas's views as "unabashed misandry," highlighting the extreme anti-male sentiment that permeates her work. Yet, others view her as a tragic figure, a product of profound trauma and mental illness, whose radicalism, though extreme, critiqued patriarchal systems. Regardless of one's interpretation, Valerie Solanas remains a significant, if dark, figure in the annals of American counter-culture and radical feminist history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Valerie Solanas

What does "SCUM" in the SCUM Manifesto stand for?

While it is widely interpreted as an acronym for "Society for Cutting Up Men," Valerie Solanas herself later denied this, stating that the title simply referred to "scum" as in undesirable elements of society. However, the prevailing interpretation of the acronym often remains.

What was Andy Warhol's relationship with Valerie Solanas?

Solanas initially sought Warhol's help to produce her play, Up Your Ass. Warhol provided her with a small role in his film, I, a Man, but never produced her play. Their relationship was brief, primarily professional, and quickly deteriorated due to Solanas's escalating paranoia about Warhol and a publisher conspiring against her.

Did Andy Warhol survive the shooting?

Yes, Andy Warhol miraculously survived the shooting, although he was severely injured. He underwent extensive surgery and suffered lasting physical and psychological effects from the attack, including wearing a surgical corset for the rest of his life due to internal organ damage.

What is radical feminism?

Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts. Radical feminists view patriarchy as dividing rights, privileges, and power primarily by sex, and as a result, oppressing women and privileging men. Solanas's work is considered an extreme example within this spectrum, particularly due to its calls for the elimination of men.

How is Valerie Solanas remembered today?

Valerie Solanas is remembered as a complex and controversial figure. She is often seen through the lens of her attempted assassination of Andy Warhol and her severe mental illness. Simultaneously, the SCUM Manifesto continues to be studied and debated in academic circles as a foundational, albeit extreme, text in radical feminist thought, prompting ongoing discussions about misandry, violence, and the historical context of women's liberation movements.