2009 November Archive

Police Brutality Against CA Protesters for Higher Education

A UCLA student being tased last Wednesday for protesting the fee hikes.

From November 17-19, the University of California Board of Regents met to decide whether to raise University of California tuition 32%, to exceed $10,000 for the first time in history, including a $585 mid-year fee increase in January. They decided to approve both hikes, with Student Regent Jesse Bernal casting the only “No” vote.
On the front lines of the fight for public higher education in California, I have been part of a group of faculty, students, and union workers who are organizing against the cuts, which I wrote about on the day of our first system-wide walkout this year. When the UC ...

By Rose • 14 years ago

How Stupak could still make it into the health care reform bill

In the past week, much has been written about Senator Harry Reid and how he rode in on his white horse to save women from the evils of the Stupak Amendment. While it may seem like some of the Stupak-Pitt storm has cleared, women’s rights advocates should keep in mind that the awful amendment that banned federally sponsored insurance plans from covering abortions could be reincarnated during what remains of this never-ending process. One of the perks of studying public policy as a graduate student is that I have access to a lovely network of folks who live for the procedural aspects of policymaking. As such, here are some notes from conversations in the past week about the possible ways Stupak’s ...

In the past week, much has been written about Senator Harry Reid and how he rode in on his white horse to save women from the evils of the Stupak Amendment. While it may seem like some of ...

By Jos Truitt • 14 years ago

It’s OK patriarchy, I understand Adam Lambert made you feel funny

So you may have heard Adam Lambert performed at the American Music Awards on Sunday (the video has been removed from YouTube). And then Good Morning America canceled his appearance on the show scheduled for this morning. Why?
“Given Adam Lambert’s controversial live performance on the AMAs, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning,” a spokesperson for the network said.

Because Adam Lambert doesn’t understand the difference between 11 at night and hour I don’t want to be awake in the morning? The performance was apparently “controversial” because of some (very theatrically) simulated oral sex and a same sex kiss. Hasn’t Janet Jackson incorporated simulated oral sex into her performances for years? ...

By Rose • 14 years ago

Paternity Coverage and Race Stereotypes

This article had the potential to be my song.
The writer should certainly be commended. She penned a fact driven, well-written article that grappled with some of the complex issues that surround paternity. But some things about this piece, and the pictures that complemented the coverage, utterly disappointed me. The root of the problem was the racial stereotypes of black fatherhood that were reinforced.
I knew something was up when I did a mouse-scroll over the pictures of the Dads involved in paternity disputes. I was greeted with white father after white father clutching some paraphernalia that attested to his involvement in his child’s life. Then the lone black man appeared, head facing down, sans stuffed animal. It is ...

By Miriam • 14 years ago

Quick Hit: Melissa Harris-Lacewell on representations of black motherhood

Read it at The Nation.

By Miriam • 14 years ago

Not Oprah’s Book Club: The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You

I was really excited to receive a copy of S. Bear Bergman’s new book, The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You.
Bergman’s writing style is witty, razor sharp and super smart. Ze* also writes about gender with a sensitivity that is hard to find. Bergman tackles the difficult intricacies of the terrain of gender with grace and humor.
I highly recommend this collection of essays. It provides insight into Bergman’s own experience with gender as a self-identified “gender-jammer” and activist. Ze also sheds light onto the world of gender around us and all of our gentle and often challenging attempts to navigate it.
A favorite passage:

When we live in a world that leaves only the tiniest sliver of ...

I was really excited to receive a copy of S. Bear Bergman’s new book, The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You.
Bergman’s writing style is witty, razor sharp and super smart. Ze* also writes about ...

By Miriam • 14 years ago

Today in Feminist History: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It’s been officially celebrated since 1999 when the United Nations general assembly adopted this resolution formally acknowledging the day.
November 25th was picked as the date in commemoration of the murder of three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic. The sisters were assassinated by the Trujillo dictatorship because of their work in opposition to the regime. The assassination led to uprising which forced Trujillo to step down.
Today also marks the first of sixteen days of activism to end violence against women which ends with Human Rights Day.

By Miriam • 14 years ago

What We Missed

Looks like the Bishops might not have a sponsor for the Stupak Amendment in the Senate.
Remember the Washington Post Next Great Pundit Contest? Our Co-Editor Courtney rocked it all the way to the second to last round but the final winner was Kevin Huffman. No offense to Kevin but really does the Washington Post need another white guy pundit?
Smitten Kitten (one of my favorite feminist sex shops in the Twin Cities) is having an awesome end of year sale. Check it out and stock up on toys to spice up your holidays.
The Governor of Rhode Island vetoed a bill that would have allowed domestic partners to make funeral arrangements for one another.