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"In my heart, I think a woman has two choices: either she's a feminist or a masochist." --Gloria Steinem
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Apr
15
Mother May I?
Filed Under abortion, anti-choice extremism, assholes, cross-post, legislation, misogyny, patriarchy, pregnancy, rape and sexual assault, religious fanaticism, reproductive justice, social conservatives, violence against women and girls, women’s health | 4 Comments
Who remembers the 2005 and 2006 California propositions that tried to instate parental notification rules for minors seeking abortions? You know, the ones that failed? Well, not so fast. Looks like it’s probably going to be on the ballot this year, too. Meet the man you can thank:
Jim Holman, owner of the San Diego Reader, has spent millions trying to persuade Californians to pass a law requiring parents to be notified before their underage daughter has an abortion.
After two failed ballot measure campaigns, Holman said last year that he didn’t want to try again.
But when other anti-abortion advocates, including winemaker Don Sebastiani, launched a third campaign, Holman couldn’t resist opening up his checkbook once again.
“Sebastiani was not deterred. He said, ‘We have to go back again and again,’ ” Holman said. “He led with big donations and I sort of followed.”
The result could make California political history.
The $1.8 million donated by Holman and Sebastiani so far is likely to put a parental-notification initiative before voters for the third time in four years. The measure would require a physician to notify a parent or guardian 48 hours before performing an abortion for a girl under the age of 18.
If the measure qualifies, it would be the first time since the California initiative process was established in 1914 that the state’s voters will consider the same measure so many times in a four-year period.
Planned Parenthood is arguing that Holman, while not doing anything illegal, is abusing the electoral process, and I agree. No, money alone does not get an initiative on a ballot, but if you spend $1.8 on an issue that inspires the kind of passion abortion does and don’t manage to get the just-under 700,000 signatures needed in a very large state, you’d have to be pretty damn inept. Holman is, of course, perfectly within his rights — that doesn’t mean there’s nothing unethical about it.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Nov
25
16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence
Filed Under LGBTQ issues, action alert, activism, cross-post, discrimination, feminism, gender, human rights, misogyny, patriarchy, politics, rape and sexual assault, violence against women and girls | 6 Comments
Today kicks off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (h/t).
The days of action start with The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — which is today — and ends on December 10 with International Human Rights Day. I think that this is an absolutely amazing structure: beginning discussion relatively narrowly and then building up to a broader world view to remind people that gender issues are human rights issues.
This year’s theme is Demanding Implentation, Challenging Obstacles: End Violence Against Women, and you should read more about it.
I very strongly recommend that you check out Sokari at Black Looks for more information about the 16 Days and for information about the Carnival Against Gender Violence, for which submission are due December 6th. Personally, I can’t wait to see it.
If you happen to be in NYC, check out these events. For everyone, here is a great resource for suggested actions (pdf).
And as a blogger, I encourage all others to blog on the topic as much as possible for the next 16 days (and thereafter). Of course, blogging is neither the only nor most effective method of activism, but I also think that it plays an important role. If you read liberal blogs that don’t normally cover “gender issues,” strongly encourage them to participate (and demand answers if they won’t). If you run a non-feminist blog, or read other non-feminist blogs by writers that you know care about women, let them know and encourage them to blog about the issue, too. The issue of gender violence is an absolutely massive one, considering the many forms that violence can and does take and all of the intersections of race, sexual orientation, age, nationality, class, religion, location, etc. It has more dimensions than I imagine the combined efforts of every feminist blogger working diligently for the entire 16 days could fully cover. And that’s why it’s so important to say as much as we can. I will be covering the issue of gender violence as much as possible on my own blog for the 16 Days.
You can also download the 16 Days logo, which I encourage you to put in any posts that you write, in your sidebars, on your myspace page, etc. And don’t hesitate to create a “16 Days” tag so that your posts will be easier to find. Please, participate and let people know that you’re participating.
Popularity: 21% [?]
Nov
24
The Joke That Never Gets Old
Filed Under assholes, cross-post, misogyny, pop culture, rape and sexual assault, videos, violence against women and girls | 4 Comments
Via Melissa at Shakes comes this video from Will Ferrell and some of his moron “comedy” buddies (no, I’m not a fan) that is so bad I couldn’t bring myself to use the “humor” tag. The whole thing is ridiculously stupid, but if you can sit through the first two and a half minutes of non-jokes about people who are eco-friendly, you’ll be rewarded at the end with a completely random and blatant joke about gang rape, and who doesn’t love one of those? Enjoy:
I take back everything I’ve said. Will Ferrell could in fact get less classy.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Nov
23
Forced Miscarriage = Murder?
Filed Under abortion, courts gone crazy, cross-post, feminism, legislation, patriarchy, pregnancy, violence against women and girls, women’s health | 3 Comments
I’ve been musing over this one for a little while and I’m eager to hear what you think. Recently, a Texas Court ruled that a fetus can be murdered, but not by abortion.
Texas laws allow the killing of a fetus to be prosecuted as murder, regardless of the stage of development, but the laws do not apply to abortions, the state’s highest criminal court has ruled.
The Court of Criminal Appeals announced the ruling Wednesday, rejecting an appeal by Terence Lawrence, who said his right to due process was violated when he was prosecuted for two murders in the killings of a woman and her 4- to 6-week-old fetus.
The court ruled unanimously that state laws declaring a fetus an individual with protections do not conflict with the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade that women have a constitutional right to abortion.
Now, I have made my feelings on sentences for the killing of fetuses very clear in the past. In this case, I’m very glad that the court ruled that violently causing the miscarriage of a pregnancy is different from abortion. It is different. But murder?
Popularity: 16% [?]
Nov
23
Transgender Politician Sued for “Fraud”
Filed Under LGBTQ issues, assholes, bigotry, courts gone crazy, cross-post, discrimination, gender, politics | 6 Comments
So this is utterly repulsive: City Councilperson Michelle Bruce is being sued for fraud by her failed opponent. Why? Because Bruce is a transgender woman.
Four years after she won a City Council seat, making her what is believed to be Georgia’s first transgender politician, Michelle Bruce is battling a lawsuit by an unsuccessful opponent who claims she misled voters by running as a woman.
Michelle Bruce, a transgender member of the Riverdale, Ga, City Council, is being sued by a woman she beat in an election.
Ms. Bruce, a tall woman with shoulder-length graying hair, said she has always identified herself as transgender.
“I’ve always been Michelle,” she said. “If someone has a problem with that, I can’t help them. It’s a personal issue.”
Ms. Bruce, 46, who runs an auto repossession business, began her political campaign in 2003. Running unopposed, she landed one of four Council seats and promised to attract more jobs and residents to Riverdale, a town of 12,000 about 12 miles south of Atlanta, lined with rundown strip malls and used car shops.
Three rivals ran against her in the Nov. 6 election. She captured 312 votes, not enough to avoid a Dec. 4 runoff against the second-place finisher, Wayne Hall, who earned 202 votes.
The third-place finisher, Georgia Fuller, who collected 171 votes, filed a lawsuit claiming election fraud.
The complaint, identifying Ms. Bruce as “Michael Bruce,” says she misled voters by identifying herself as female. It asks a judge to rule the November election results invalid and order another general election.
Ms. Fuller did not return calls seeking comment, but her lawyer said voters in Riverdale tended to favor female candidates, particularly if they were incumbents.
“It gives her an unfair advantage,” said the lawyer, Michael King. “It’s not just sour grapes. The people need to know whether the election is fair.”
Popularity: 60% [?]
Nov
22
So You Want To Be A Rock n Roll Star
Filed Under cross-post, media, objectification, pop culture, products, reviews, sexism | 5 Comments
About a month ago, I wrote a post about Guitar Hero III. The main gist was that as a big-time previous fan of the series, I was thoroughly unimpressed with the the changes that have been made to the game, which are quite misogynist, exploitative of women and completely insensitive to the fact that the game has a female audience. To my great surprise, the post became a big hit (and troll target) and was linked to in all kinds of forums and blogs that would normally never give me a second glance. This was also to my slight dismay, because I didn’t spend much time on that post, and frankly, I don’t think that it’s very good. Anyway, lesson learned.
The point is that I now feel compelled if not required to say a few words about Rock Band.
Popularity: 19% [?]
Nov
18
U.S. Immigration Enforcement Finally Preaches What it Practices
Filed Under Republicans, assholes, cross-post, politics, race and racism, social conservatives, stereotypes | 1 Comment
Julie Myers, the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, apparently thinks that blackface is “original.”
Myers, director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ran into trouble earlier this month after she and two other agency managers gave the “most original” costume award to a white employee who came to the agency’s Halloween party dressed as an escaped prisoner with dreadlocks and darkened skin.
The incident drew complaints of racial insensitivity and an apology from Myers. It also cast doubt on whether she’ll get a confirmation vote before the end of the year, when her original appointment expires.
It would be a stunning collapse for Myers, 38, a native of Shawnee, Kan., who worked hard over the past two years to convince skeptical lawmakers that someone with little immigration experience was up to the task of running the government’s second largest investigative force.
With just a few more weeks to go before the end of the session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has not scheduled a vote on Myers. Spokesman Jim Manley said this week that Reid has “serious concerns” with the nomination and is consulting with other lawmakers about how to proceed.
Myers met resistance in 2005, the first time President Bush tried to appoint her to the Homeland Security Department post, after Democrats and Republicans said she had weak credentials for the high-profile job. To avoid a fight, Bush installed her during a Senate recess and her position expires at year’s end unless the Senate votes to confirm her.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Nov
17
International Day of Action Against the Northern Territory Intervention
Filed Under Australia, International, WOC issues, activism, bigotry, blogswarm, class and economics, cross-post, discrimination, human rights, legislation, politics, race and racism | 2 Comments
Via Laurelhel and BFP, today is the International Day of Action Against the Northern Territory Intervention. The Northern Territory is a territory in Australia that is sparsely populated and largely made up by Aboriginal people, whose ancestors were the original inhabitants of Australia and the victims of white colonization.
The Day of Action is based around a hugely racist and imperialistic “intervention” on behalf of the Australian government in Aboriginal communities, purportedly designed to combat child abuse, but instead resulting in gross human rights violations.
I wouldn’t expect most people who have not lived in Australia to be familiar with the history of Australian Aboriginals — many Australians themselves aren’t, and though I lived there three years I’m not nearly as knowledgeable as I should be. But I have put together a very brief, very simplified overview of the negative “highlights,” because the current actions cannot be divorced from historical oppression. I invite anyone who is more knowledgeable to fill in the blanks and, though I have taken care with accuracy, to correct me if and where I am wrong.
Popularity: 20% [?]
Nov
16
Your Daily Dose of Hate
Filed Under assholes, beauty myths, cross-post, fat-shaming, misogyny, patriarchy, pop culture, race and racism, sexism, slut-shaming | 2 Comments
Here’s a beautiful example of male college students who think that being offensive is the same thing as being funny: The Sentinal “humor” piece “Mock of Love.” It’s a set of “spoof” suggestions for the second season of the VH1 Bret Michaels dating show Rock of Love. The irony is that if you’ve ever watched Rock of Love (you won’t admit to it, so I’ll do it for you), you’ll know that no one could mock the show better than its mere existence does. The jokes write themselves — including the incredibly misogynist ones.Now, I can’t say that we should expect much from a publication whose poll in the sidebar looks like this (the options are bad enough, but what people actually chose is even worse). But Antonio Ciaccia takes things to a whole new level of douchery, managing to insult everyone on pretty much the most vile terms possible, and miserably failing to actually be funny.
Popularity: 19% [?]
Nov
15
Bad Ass Women’s Activist of the Week: Gutsy Abortion Provider Edition
Filed Under abortion, activism, bad ass women’s activist of the week, cross-post, feminism, human rights, legislation, patriarchy, pregnancy, women’s health | Leave a Comment
The Bad Ass Women’s Activist of the Week is a semi-regular segment that I do over at The Curvature whenever I come across a really kick ass person who deserves some praise and recognition. With all of the bad news out there in the feminist blogosphere, I figure that news about the people who are doing good things is much needed.
This week, the bad ass activist is Rebecca Gomperts. She’s the founder of the amazing Women on Waves organization. [Warning: I'm not nuts about the tactic of showing the bodies of women who have died from illegal abortions. If you don't want to see such an image, do not go to their "facts" page]. Many of you have probably heard of them already, but for those who haven’t, Women on Waves is a Dutch group that charters a boat into the international waters outside of countries where abortion is illegal and provides them safely (and legally) to women in need. Which, if you ask me, is really fucking cool.
The Guardian has a really great profile of Gomperts this week, and so I thought that it would be a great time to celebrate WoW’s accomplishments.
Popularity: 20% [?]
Nov
15
Sex shouldn’t matter in politics. Let’s all be gender-blind!
Filed Under 2008 election, cross-post, discrimination, feminism, gender, media, patriarchy, politics, race and racism, sexism, work | Leave a Comment
Here’s what happens when USA Today tries to write from a feminist point of view: you end up with a headache.
Women are more kind and nurturing than men. They are natural altruists, placing the common good — including education, health and the environment — ahead of their narrow personal interests. And that’s why we need a woman president. Right?
Wrong. We don’t need a female president, any more than we need a male one. Instead, we need to jettison the gender stereotypes that block half the population — the female half, that is — from participating equally in our politics.
Oh boy.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Aug
10
Pro-Choice Poetry Slam
Filed Under abortion, cross-post, feminism, media, reproductive justice, videos | 5 Comments
[Cross-posted from Feministing]
. . . I’m going to leave you with a stunningly excellent pro-choice poetry slam called “What We Deserve.” It’s from the 2006 International World Poetry Slam Finals and by Sonya “The Drama” Boom Renee. I had to watch it twice, and was almost in tears towards the end, the second time around. For those of you who have been commenting today that all the recent bad news is getting you down, know that you’re not the only one who’s angry!
[Thanks to KaeLyn for the video]
Popularity: 7% [?]