2008 June Archive | Feministing

Supreme Court Silences Murdered DV Victim

A Supreme Court ruling made on Wednesday may make it easier for murders from intimate partner violence to go unpunished.
In Giles v. California, victim Brenda Avie called the police three weeks prior to her death, reporting that her boyfriend Dwayne Giles choked her and threatened her life. A trial court convicted Giles for murder which the California Supreme Court upheld, but the Supreme Court justices threw out the conviction in a 6-3 ruling. And it was because Avie wasn’t available to be a witness:

The case revolved around the Sixth Amendment, which affords people the bedrock right to confront and cross-examine witnesses who give testimony against them. At issue is whether defendants forfeit their confrontation rights by doing harm ...

By Courtney • 15 years ago

Quick Hit: Sadie Magazine Strikes Again

Check out issue two of Sadie Magazine. It includes an interview with Jenny Block, author of the controversial new book Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage, and another with cartoonist Lauren Weinstein. Sweet job Sadie ladies.

By Courtney • 15 years ago

Thank You Thursdays: All-Women Family Reunions

I had a really incredible experience a few weeks back and I wanted to write something about it for the feministing community because I hope it inspires others to do the same.
For many years my extended family on my mom’s side, which is mostly located in Colorado—with some outliers on the east and west coasts—has had a hard time getting everyone together. When I was growing up our Thanksgiving celebrations were legendary—kids everywhere playing board games and falling in the snow during touch football, parents laughing and reminiscing about old times, my grandmother pulling out her amazing pumpkin pie and drinking scotch on the rocks. But since we’ve all become adults, it’s gotten harder and harder ...

I had a really incredible experience a few weeks back and I wanted to write something about it for the feministing community because I hope it inspires others to do the same.
For many ...

By Ann • 15 years ago

The other Niagara Falls

Renee of womanist musings, guest-blogging at Feministe:

When you think of the Niagara region immediately the mind turns to the majestic falls. Some who have spent more than an afternoon here will think of places like the Welland Canal, The Skylon Tower, Fallsview Casino, Clifton Hill, and maybe even the dearth of reasonably priced hotels, and restaurants. The aforementioned sites are the Niagara region you are supposed to think about. It is what you will find printed in all of those handy little pamphlets, that the tour guides like to give out. Yes the safe family destination, where everything is bright and sunny.What you will not hear about are the women that have been killed ...

Renee of womanist musings, guest-blogging at Feministe:

When you think of the Niagara region immediately the mind turns to the majestic falls. Some who have spent more than an afternoon here will think of places ...

By Courtney • 15 years ago

Flirting is Not Professional Development

Betsy Perry has a vacuous rant about flirting in the workplace up over at TheStreet.com that will make your feminist head spin. It’s not only misogynistic (apparently all women talk about is “anorexia, the latest under eye concealer, and J. Sisters bikini wax techniques”), but grossly reinforces traditional definitions of beauty (“The overweight young woman whose bra straps always showed, and who had the unfortunate habit of burping out loud, lasted minutes before being moved quickly to another floor”), and basically suggests that “the male gaze”—that great women’s studies term for feeling watched and judged constantly—is women’s only source of pleasure in their own appearance: “What’s the fun in getting dressed up for work if no one’s around to ...

By Jessica • 15 years ago

Quit Hit: Liveblogging congressional hearing on trans issues

Quench Zine is liveblogging the first-ever congressional hearing on trans issues, “An Examination of Discrimination Against Trangender Americans in the Workplace.”

By Courtney • 15 years ago

Not Oprah’s Book Club: The She Spot

Check out Lisa Chen and Lisa Witter talking about their new book, The She Spot: Why Women Are the Market for Changing the World–And How to Reach Them above.
When I first heard Lisa W. speak this winter at the Women’s Media Center I was absolutely smitten with her (she’s clear, smart, inventive, and managed to be all that while a GIANT baby (hers) hung out on her hip). But I have to say that I was immediately worried about the thesis of The She Spot, which is that marketing to women (for both nonprofits and political campaigns) requires essentially different principles than marketing to men (i.e. men are from Mars, women are from Venus–the social justice ...

Check out Lisa Chen and Lisa Witter talking about their new book, The She Spot: Why Women Are the Market for Changing the World–And How to Reach Them above.
When I first heard Lisa W. ...

By Jessica • 15 years ago

Thanks Toronto and Miss G Project!

I’m about to head back home from the very cool city of Toronto, and I just wanted to say a huge thanks to the Miss G Project for bringing me out here (especially Anne-Marie for her general fierceness). Not only did this feminist organization put together an amazing panel, they also hooked me up with the most hilarious hotel room of all time. (A young Ralph Macchio watched over me while I slept…)
So thanks, gals – and thanks to all the folks who came out (I’m talking to you nerdalert!). I had a great time.

I’m about to head back home from the very cool city of Toronto, and I just wanted to say a huge thanks to the Miss G Project for bringing me out here (especially Anne-Marie for her ...