By Jessica • 18 years ago

Sappho poem published after 2,600 years

From Reuters:
A love poem written 2,600 years ago by Sappho, the greatest female poet of ancient Greece, was published Friday for the first time since it was rediscovered last year.
…The 12-line poem, only the fourth to have been recovered, was found on papyrus wrapped around an Egyptian mummy. It was published with an English translation in the Times Literary Supplement.
“She obviously had emotional relationships with women of her circle, quite possibly sexual,” the poem’s translator, Oxford University academic Martin West, told Reuters.
“They seem to have had some sort of society in which they could be in each other’s company quite a lot, rather cut off from men,” he said. “But they were clearly able ...

From Reuters:
A love poem written 2,600 years ago by Sappho, the greatest female poet of ancient Greece, was published Friday for the first time since it was rediscovered last year.
…The 12-line poem, only ...
By Jessica • 18 years ago

Katha Pollitt takes on “reframing”

Go check out Katha Pollitt’s latest column, If the Frame Fits…
Pollitt takes on the whole “reframing” abortion issue with her usual combination of thoughtfulness and smarts:
In the wake of the 2004 election, Democrats have embarked on an orgy of what the linguist George Lakoff calls “reframing”–repositioning their policies linguistically to give them mass moral appeal. Prime candidate for a values makeover? Abortion, of course.
…Perhaps I’m naïve, but I keep thinking that reframing misses the point, which is to speak clearly from a moral center–precisely not to mince words and change the subject and turn the tables.

Much agreed. I’m especially with Pollitt on the problem of discussing abortion in terms of rape, ...

Go check out Katha Pollitt’s latest column, If the Frame Fits…
Pollitt takes on the whole “reframing” abortion issue with her usual combination of thoughtfulness and smarts:
In the wake of the 2004 election, Democrats ...
By Jessica • 18 years ago

Jerusalem bans gay pride parade

Sigh.
Jerusalem authorities have said they are banning a gay pride parade planned for next week, saying the event would be “provocative” and set off unrest.
You know what I think is “provocative?” Assholes.

UPDATE: Never mind.

Sigh.
Jerusalem authorities have said they are banning a gay pride parade planned for next week, saying the event would be “provocative” and set off unrest.
You know what I think is “provocative?” Assholes.
By Jessica • 18 years ago

Chinese government to ban sexual harassment

I had no idea it wasn’t illegal; scary.
The central government wants to ban sexual harassment as a draft amendment to a law protecting the rights of women was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in Beijing yesterday for first deliberation.
According to the draft amendment, no one shall be allowed to subject women to sexual harassment and all work units shall take measures against sexual harassment.
“It is the first time for China to forbid sexual harassment with legislation,” said Wu Changzhen, professor with the China University of Political Science and Law, who was also the head of the draft team of the amendment.
Despite the fact that most women in China have ...

I had no idea it wasn’t illegal; scary.
The central government wants to ban sexual harassment as a draft amendment to a law protecting the rights of women was submitted to the Standing Committee of ...
By Samhita • 18 years ago

Why is the church silent on women’s abuses?

Check out this interesting commentary on Chicago Sun-Times about the lack of attention paid by the Catholic church to the abuses against women.
Rape is a grievous sin, even spousal rape, especially spousal rape. Date rape is a mortal sin. Physical abuse of a spouse is a grievous sin. So is habitual verbal abuse. Incestuous abuse of daughters, sisters and nieces is a mortal sin. Sexual harassment in the workplace or anywhere else is a mortal sin. Vile sexual “locker room” conversation that demeans women is a serious sin. Job discrimination against women is a grave sin. Contempt for women is a serious sin. Treatment of women like they are sex objects is a serious sin. Sexual exploitation of ...

Check out this interesting commentary on Chicago Sun-Times about the lack of attention paid by the Catholic church to the abuses against women.
Rape is a grievous sin, even spousal rape, especially spousal rape. Date rape ...
By Samhita • 18 years ago

Condaleeza SO not a feminist!


She sucks. Rice just got back from the Middle East failing to comment on one of the most volatile and important issues facing the newly developing democracies of the Arab nations–the role of women.
Times online UK reports…
Her admission that there were “boundaries” to the US drive for democratic reform in the region — notably in Saudi Arabia, where she declined to take up the cause of women, who are barred from driving cars — spurred accusations of American hypocrisy.
Because it is hypocritical. But I guess this is how we see democracy develop. By putting the needs of women to the side.
But chatting to reporters as she flew from Riyadh to Brussels, ...


She sucks. Rice just got back from the Middle East failing to comment on one of the most volatile and important issues facing the newly developing democracies of the Arab nations–the role of women.
By Samhita • 18 years ago

New Bill to protect women against DV to pass in Indian Parliment

After fighting for ten years, women’s activists will finally have their bill heard at the monsoon session of Pariliment. Newindiapress discusses…
Women activists had objected to many points in the earlier drafts including the exception given to cases where men resolve to violence in self defence. Most of such exceptions are absent in the new Bill.
As a result of the recommendations of the National Commission of Women, several critical provisions have been included. “It has given a broader definition to domestic violence. According to it, a verbal threat to kill will also be considered an abuse. Moreover, single women can also seek protection, which is a very positive factor. Passing the Bill would mean that what ...

After fighting for ten years, women’s activists will finally have their bill heard at the monsoon session of Pariliment. Newindiapress discusses…
Women activists had objected to many points in the earlier drafts including the ...

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