Perfect timing! Two more things this week and, in the same vein as last week, one is an exploration of gender on TV, this time in Scott and Bailey. The second one was inspired by an unpleasant incident in a park, and concerns my feelings about the genderedness of hand-kissing.
Blog posts this week at Femmedia, my blog dedicated to feminism, games, media and smut : Non-Violent Video Games Skyrim has a relationship aspect to it, and I adore this addition to the gameplay. The relationship / romance mods for Morrowind and Oblivion were both incredibly popular – which makes me really wonder. If men are primarily the players of Morrowind and Oblivion, then men must really be looking forward to these aspects to – after all, there’s a good possibility that many of these relationship mods were even created by men! (Role)playing the Victim Rape victims, then, are to have been raped by a stranger, have suffered physical signs of abuse like bruises, while dressed modestly and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, preferably in a good part of town, and afterwards they are to be a husk of what they once were, consumed with sadness and anguish and pain. Societal Vacuum This is something that can add so much enrichment, especially in fantasy worlds. It takes a lot of energy, a lot of effort, to think about how the fantasy cultures might differ from our own, to figure out the external pressures on the characters and on societies as a whole, to figure out what it is that really drives them. Blog Roundup
One small step for a better world: start at the end to get to the beginning: http://humaneconnectionblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/one-small-step-for-better-world-start.html The power of Kony 2012 and what it means for our future: http://humaneconnectionblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/power-of-kony-2012-what-it-means-for.html Mike Daisey’s lies must not make us apathetic or cynical: http://humaneconnectionblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/mike-daiseys-lies-must-not-make-us.html
Learning math is no longer just a feminist act, but an obsession: http://onefemalegaze.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/mathochism-a-full-time-job/ The teacher is unhelpful, the book is worse. How to learn calculus in these circumstances? http://onefemalegaze.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/mathochism-when-the-book-isnt-enough/
Sex, war and boardrooms: Sheryl Sandberg as a modern day Lysistrata (or: Is Lysistrata on Facebook?) My earlier writing on Sheryl S and the Facebook board has led some to ask what would happen if all women would just leave when the conditions aren’t good. When I get that question, my thoughts go to Lysistrata. I explain that on my blog.
Made a video about relationships and sex… Take some time to see what you think! Is your relationship M.I.B. (mutual in bed)?
Fish, feminism, and baseball: http://ablogoftheirown.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/consider-the-fish/ Thanks! Happy Sunday!
“The Fandom Menace” – the first in a series of pieces on fandom, gender politics and cultural snobbery
Trayvon Martin’s shooting has galvanized the movement for civil rights and racial equality for African Americans in the United States. George Zimmerman has been accused of being a racist and targeting Trayvon Martin. But is George Martin really a murderer? I don’t think so. Here’s why: http://wp.me/p1FE65-47 And finally, there’s a Personhood Amendment I can get behind! http://wp.me/p1FE65-4k
My biggest hit this month has been about women in academia, my usual topic. But this one really took off: Why women in science don’t want to work at universities I wonder if those of you at universities think this sounds plausible.
This week I continued to rant about the uses and abuses of the new media, in particular the new phenomenon called “clicktivism” (and yes, I had to mention Kony 2012): http://disciplineandanarchy.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/clicktivism-the-future-of-political-action/
After the latest round of fuckery, I felt the need to commit to digital text a series of apparently radical propositions about trans people. Otherwise known as the bleedin’ obvious. It’s more frothy rage than anything else – I’ve been inspired by this guy. 😀 But there’s also some good links and a call for more.
I’ve written an account of taking my pre-teen daughters to see The Hunger Games which other parents may find useful. I’ve tried to describe how what I thought was the worst of the violence was portrayed on screen, so that you can try it work out whether it’s suitable for any children you might want to take to the movie.
Pinterest, Intention, and Making a Difference: Complications in Social Media Activism– The Belvedere Vodka ad makes me think about how some social media platforms may be better for activism than others. Hunger Games Debate: Is Reading Less Graphic than Viewing?– Some parents are letting their children read The Hunger Games, but not watch them for fear of too much violence. International Anti-Street Harassment Week– I look at my own experiences with street harassment and ponder on what it would take to make a change. Trayvon Martin and the Polarized View of Racism– Want to make someone (particularly a white person) angry? Call him/her a racist. Our very specific connotation of “racism” blinds us to the problems we all need to face. Livestock and Women: Some Reflections on Reproductive Politics– Whenever I think the reproductive politics can’t get any more frustrating, they do.
For the first time in a several weeks there is new content at the Yes Means Yes Blog. I’ve started a series, probably seven parts, about rape and abuse in BDSM communities, titled There’s A War On. Part 1 is Trouble’s Been Brewing.
Blogged out how my friend called out this guy in a diner who was gong off about how abortion is evil. After the guy finally left, our server came up to our table & thanked my friend for speaking up; turns out she had an abortion just a few months ago. http://glebocki.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/a-tale-of-pro-choice-badassery/
The truth about the punk rock group in Russia that presents itself as feminist when it’s actually nothing of the kind: http://clarissasblog.com/2012/03/23/more-on-hateful-pseudo-feminists-in-russia-and-elsewhere/ Student protests in Quebec: http://clarissasblog.com/2012/03/23/student-protests-in-quebec/ A student is barred from bringing an actress to the prom because the school authorities don’t approve of her profession: http://clarissasblog.com/2012/03/22/a-student-barred-from-bringing-an-actress-to-a-prom/ “Children of broken families”: http://clarissasblog.com/2012/03/21/children-of-broken-families/
Oh, the consternation caused by a boy’s desire for a dress: http://mistressofboogie.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/boy-in-a-dress/ And a very belated fan letter to Coraline, for she is awesome: http://mistressofboogie.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/awesome-females-ii/
It doesn’t get better, but you’ll make it better (a letter to my younger self) – A letter I wish I’d received years ago Storms beneath her skin – My body is alive with energy Barry and Evie: Obama on Trans Issues – Obama’s “trans nanny” got me thinking about how he measures up on trans issues.
The Liberian midwife gave me these words– that birth control is lifesaving for mothers, and– For the Children Watching the amazing HBO movie, ‘Game Change’ and thinking about what happens to the children as the parents age. Trig Palin, Mary Beck, Bella Santorum and the un-famous children will need an America that takes care of its own…
At Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona’s blog, we posted about the 40th anniversary of Eisenstadt v. Baird, a Supreme Court decision that is no older than Mia Hamm, Dane Cook, and Shaquille O’Neal. Forty years ago last Thursday, it granted unmarried Americans access to contraceptives, such as birth control pills. In today’s political climate, with so many legislators seeking to limit access to contraception, this right is not something we can take for granted! Also, if you can be in Phoenix on Wednesday morning, please join us as we gather at the House of Representatives to put legislators on notice. Arizona is poised to pass some truly awful legislation, but with the help of activists across the state we can put the pressure on lawmakers. We’ve done it before!
Oops! Watching the amazing HBO movie, ‘Game Change’ and thinking about what happens to the children as the parents age. Trig Palin, Mary Beck, Bella Santorum and the un-famous children will need an America that takes care of its own… Special-Needs Adults
“They are so bold as to occupy the sidewalks”: presence as an act of transgression. And they needed a study? Trying to be a supermom is a drag. Who knew?
At Muslimah Media Watch last week: Tasnim wrote about the striking and beautiful work of Iraqi artist Hayv Kahraman, whose art looks at a number of issues related to politics and gender. Samya looked at recent protests by women at King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia, and the ways that media coverage of such protests has shifted. Azra talked about Sarabah, a powerful documentary about Senegalese hip hop artist Sister Fa, and her efforts to end Female Genital Cutting. We had a guest post by Chelby Marie Daigle, who reviewed Miroirs et Mirages, a novel by Canadian activist Monia Mazigh. And on Friday, our weekly list of links.
Mostly posting to thank posters here for their links, some of which I used to create this blog posting on healthy habits vs. fat shaming: http://quipstravailsandbraisedoxtails.blogspot.com/2012/03/policy-point-wednesday-do-we-place-too.html (Shout-out to blogs Body Politic and also Fierce Fatties.)
It’s been a while since I’ve written anything relevant to SPSS…and now these are more than a week old, but hey, I’ve been out of internet range since I posted them. Anyways. I made a brief appeal to my Canadian readers to support Bill C-279, the bill that would grant legal protection from discrimination to trans people in Canada. Then I rambled about how H. P. Lovecraft, one of my favourite authors, turns out to have been a racist PoS and how I don’t really know how to deal with this.
Letting Things Happen [note for victim blaming] — “I love to be doing…. I’m not so great at letting things happen to me.” Barefoot with My Shoes On: Nearly Naked — “And intellectually, I understood that they’d provide even less cushion than my already un-cushy running standards. Practically, though, I had no freaking clue about what it would mean.” Fatness & Fitness [diet/weight loss talk] — “It’s heartbreakingly validating to see a research doctor, let alone in a news article, acknowledge that losing body fat is difficult — maybe to the point of not being very achievable — for many people.” Overreacting [note for street harassment and victim blaming] — “Instantly, I was too aware of my lower cut tank top, my sweaty cleavage, my fitted yoga pants. In class, I hadn’t given them a second thought because they let me move as I wanted. Now, however, I pictured them as a liability.”
I’m back to blogging after a brief hiatus to direct my school’s contest play. I talk about the play, and activism, in A Tiny Space. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s list of things to worry about for his daughter, Scottie, I wrote my own list, for my students. And I also wrote a silly post about partnership and toothpaste.
I am cautiously optimistic about diversity in the upcoming Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre awards after seeing the (awesome) Nebula shortlist. And I review Karen Lord’s debut novel, Redemption in Indigo, for the 2012 People of Color Reading Challenge.
Stuff I’ve written lately: The blood footprint: On when a vegetarian diet can cause more animal suffering than eating meat Conservative group to gather, bemoan 40 year old advance in sexual freedom: On the Family Research Council’s symposium to complain about how SCOTUS “attacked” marriage by making birth control available to non-married people
From the past week: A short review of Sandra Gilbert’s Rereading Women, the marginalization of female sports fans, and my thoughts on the Marilyn/Jackie, Betty/Veronica trope.
Three for you: Elitist Republicans Are Now Attacking Lower Income Whites More on the Conservative Demonization of White Men: Prejudice-Based Politics, UR DOIN IT WRONG! For the steampunk fans: And Now For Something Steampunk: The Waterworks Museum
Is your brain wired to make you crave food when you’re sad? New psychological research came out last month describing how the brain reacts to food when women feel sad/down/anxious/etc
On Empowerment – The importance of the women in my life in shaping my feminism, or why I always play for the girls’ team
I make my predictions for the new season of Mad Men and rant a little about the show’s treatment of race.
Photos from our local rally, “Justice for Trayvon Martin” –surprisingly large for our medium-sized town! http://daisysdeadair.blogspot.com/2012/03/rally-photos-i-am-trayvon-martin.html For those who don’t know, South Carolina also has a “Stand Your Ground” law.
This week I wrote an angry post about a sexist joke a friend made and how he would not get that it was offensive: Sexist Jokes are not OK. Shortly after posting this I got a bunch of comments (which I haven’t bothered publishing because they were so obviously missing the point) on how I was very wrong and it was all my fault that I was offended. My favourite one included “but most people think sexism is fine because the genders are different!” and “you think everyone else believes the patriarchy exists – and that’s your problem, because they don’t.” *facepalm* I also wrote a short story for a university feminist zine on a different experience of sexuality and sex, here: Off the Radar
This week I wrote about… Scarlet Road, the documentary about Australian sex worker Rachel Wotten …my responses to what I hear people saying about Rihanna …the …and my thoughts on Katniss Everdeen.
Not much this week – I reblogged Jameelah’ Medina’s description of waking up Muslim on 9/11, and briefly reviewed Barbara Newman’s translation(s) of Hildegard von Bingen’s Symphonia, a beautiful song cycle of praise. I used one of its songs, O Fiery Spirit, in class this week.
I wrote about Russell’s mental breakdown this week. [Kony2012] Mental Health and the White Savior Complex I am almost certain this is my last word on them. I hope.
The best of Doctor Her this week: A Bit Too Fairytale: an analysis of Amy Pond’s character Why I Don’t Cosplay: a personal reflection on cosplay and fat discrimination
The Shelf Life of Clothes Donated to Thrift Stores. The truth about where our clothes go after we drop them off at thrift stores. Some Thoughts on Boudoir Photography. As a Christian feminist, I reflect on my decision to not do boudoir photography for my would-be husband in anticipation to our marriage last year. Note: I do not consider women who do boudoir sessions sexually immoral just as I do not think refraining from such sessions makes me a prude. Ending Mommy Wars. While I am not yet a parent, I am evermore inclined to help end these toxic, lose-lose mommy wars. What I Read. A compilation of some of my favorite articles from the past week.
Corina from the F Collective has posted a little story of F the Sydney feminist collective, and asks what’s next for us? http://fcollective.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/f-for-feminist-the-f-collective/
This week I challenged those who are skeptical about our responses to street harassment. Oh, and last week I wrote about the push to federalize parental consent on RH Reality Check.
I just started a blog this weekend, and here is my first stab at declaring things to exist: Poor People Who Work Harder Than Rich People
A few thoughts and critiques of the film Miss Representation Back in my home state of Texas, Governor Perry screws over 130,000 women. I’m moving to Atlanta! Do you live there? I’d love to connect! Some weekend links
Hey everyone, I’ve got a few new entries this time around. First, The Ethics of Choice, a short entry about the difficult and complex decision to keep or abort a pregnancy. Next, another quick hit about the attacks on women’s reproductive rights in the U.S. and what some politicians are doing to fight back. And finally, my outrage at Belvedere Vodka and their promotion of rape culture. Thanks in advance and please feel free to leave comments!
in this particularly embattled week, i’ve been spending time gathering (and sharpening) my swords… whether for international anti-street harassment week: ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/this-international-anti/ or the close of women’s history month: ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/erica-renee-7-of-the-most-unrecognized-women-in-black-history/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/combahee-river-collective-the-combahee-river-collective-statement/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/for-it-is-not-the-anger-o/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/favianna-rodriguez-some-open-non-censored-thoughts-about-being-an-artist-slut-and-why-its-important/ mourning trayvon martin: ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/rant-silence/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/the-hoodie-thing-is-a-2/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/derailing-for-dummies-making-discrimination-easier/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/jamilah-king-trayvon-martin-and-the-deadly-legacy-of-vigilantism/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/lurking-haiku/ or using humor to find transgressive joy: ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/la-shea-delaney-and-annabelle-quezada-v/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/kelly-zen-yie-tsai-v-2-2/ ~ http://blkcowrie.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/how-ironic-that-the-folk/ you’re welcome to join me ’round the bonfire. — she’lz
Late to the party, but I just got back from vacation. That’s my excuse. This post called Look, Talk, Touch, about feminism and the male gaze (or maybe feminism versus the male gaze) is hot off the presses.
At my blog I wrote about the Craftcation Conference that was held in Ventura, California this weekend. That link goes to my recap of Day 1. I also blogged about Day 2 of Craftcation and Days 3 and 4 of Craftcation. While it wasn’t an explicitly feminist conference, it was majority women entrepreneurs with a lot of classes geared to helping people start and expand their crafting business.
I’m taking a computer science class this semester and I have a very high A grade so far. I just took the second exam of the term and wrapped up another big programming project this week, and I’m feeling great about both. This is huge for me, because when I just started my career, I was petrified of and intimidated by web development and software design – or anything related to it – so much so, that I dropped out of my post-bac adult learning program mid-semester. My experiences in this class are testimony to how far I’ve come in developing my skills and feeling comfortable in a challenging (and male-dominated) profession.
Speaking of women in STEM, I’d also like to shamelessly self-promote my friend’s new company: http://www.greeneyevisualization.com/. She and her business partner create interactive science learning materials and demos for classrooms across the US. They’re beautiful, engaging, and to quote Steve Jobs, “It just works.”
I wrote about Lisa Taddeo, a.k.a. “Jack Kerouac’s vagina,” a.k.a. the lady who gleefully writes about sleeping with married dudes, because she wants to be a “winner.” I don’t know if the topic deserved a serious response – but I had an excuse to use a Morticia gif.
I am an artist who moved from the prairies to Montréal and after participating in the student protest this past week (one of the largest ever in our city), I wrote a bit about my experience and my thoughts on my blog. I usually post about my art or galleries I’ve seen so this is a bit of a departure for me but I thought it might be interesting to the Canadians out there. Student protests in Montréal. March 22, 2012.
This week I came back from hiatus, like Community did recently, and then I wrote about how awesome Community is. http://canbebitter.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/why-i-am-celebrating-the-return-of-community/
Strip for This is my personal blog about stripping, anarchism, feminism, sex, etc. In Fifteen-Year-Old Sex-Goddesses I reminisce on the sex book my teenaged girlfriends and I studied in hopes of becoming great lays, all the while sleeping with really wack older boyfriends who couldn’t give us the great sex and emotional connection we were entitled to. In another post I report back on my first go-go dancing gig.
Myself exploring blogging as a feminist scientist, with all the ups and downs that may pose while pursuing a PhD degree.
Why women should be seen but not heard is an excellent blog posting on the misogyny aimed at female speakers and bloggers in my city including by those who represent them in government and their “staff” including our chief of police who verbally attacked several women at a recent meeting as “anti-police” and said he “hated” them. I’ve had derogatory and sexist cartoons and had entire blog postings labeling me a “tramp”. And now a male blogger who gets money from city officials running for office as shown by documentation on that posting and by doing so these candidates support misogyny. I was called a “tramp” and subjected to posts calling me a “bitch” who needed to be “got rid of” when I brought up this financial relationship.
In the recent blow-up about KONY, Teju Cole wrote about the White Savior Industrial Complex. I talk about the flip-side of this, which I call “Suffering Porn” in my piece: http://fuzzytheory.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/suffering-porn-the-flip-side-of-the-white-savior-industrial-complex/
ethecofem has a brand-new design, and now includes forums! Hooray! Check it out, and read Danny on <a href="http://www.ethecofem.com/trayvon-martin-and-why-black-males-distrust-cops/"Trayvon Martin and why black males distrust cops.
ethecofem has a brand-new design, and now includes forums! Hooray! Check it out, and read Danny on Trayvon Martin and why black males distrust cops. (this time, with less HTML fail!)