Weekly Feminist Reader

Improv Everywhere invites New Yorkers to “say something nice.” (Transcript after the jump.)

I hope everyone watched Thelma & Louise again in honor of the 20th anniversary.

Conservative columnist Michael Gerson talking some sense: Family planning as a pro-life cause.

A Latina who converted to Islam faces resistance from her community in Harlem.

What’s the take-away from Dick Cheney’s memoir? Torture is legal.

Amanda Marcotte has a two-part response to Lisa Belkin’s article on social inequalities between men and women on college campuses.

A great exploration of conversation in the age of Gchat.

Gluten-Free Girl speaks out about online harassment: “I’m sorry that your life is so small and sad, but I’m not going to stop saying my story.”

Love this: Tavi Gevinson lip-syncing to Taylor Swift.

From Colorlines, five great comedians of color to watch.

Sarah Seltzer explores Obama’s vacation reading list, the cultural implications of book choices, and the connection between the gender bias and the “seriousness bias.”

“I want to tell you about my rape so you can know who I really am.”

The Economist looks at the trend of Asian women marrying and having children much later in life–or not at all.

Patricia A. Turner points out that the most problematic aspect of The Help is that its suggestion “that bad people were racist implies that good people were not.”

On the Problem of Women in Comics.

Argentina has begun debate on a groundbreaking law that would allow trans people to correct their names and gender on legal documents.

Cord Jefferson breaks down the reality behind the Ivy League’s racial diversity stats.

What have you been reading/writing this week?

Transcript:

[Podium set up]

Man: Have a good day everybody.

Man: You are all wonderful.

Woman to friend: Welcome back to New York, Candice.

Man: I love everybody that is out here. I love you all!

Woman: Hey, you with the umbrella–the blue umbrella! I really like it. It’s pretty. Have a great night.

Two women: We’re from Dallas, Texas and we love New York! Yay New York! [Cheers]

Man: I love you.

Man: [beat-boxing]

Woman to daughter: Ariana, mommy loves you.

Woman: Happy birthday! [Response from crowd: Thank you!]

[Small boy struggles to reach the megaphone]

[Singing guitar duo performs a song]

Little baby: To infinity and beyond!

Woman: What a beautiful day!

Woman with kids: Have a great day everyone. Have a nice one.

Woman: Early 50s isn’t as bad as they said it would be.

[Quartet of women singing “fill it up and let it over flow, let it overflow with love.”]

[Cheers]