Samhita

Posts Written by Samhita

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Because I knew you, I’ve been changed for good

“I am going to write fire until it comes out of my ears, my eyes, my noseholes–everywhere. Until it’s every breath I breathe. I’m going to go out like a fucking meteor!” Audre Lorde

I joined Feministing in February of 2005. At the time I was living in San Francisco, CA, and I was working as a substitute school teacher. I had little direction as to where my career was going, no “bigger plan” for myself or how I was going to weave in what I had been told I should cultivate – a passionate, righteous voice committed to gender justice.

When I started blogging, my writing was rough; it was angry and it was righteous. I have no formal training in public writing, but through the weekly rigor of writing blog posts for Feministing and working with the incredible people that make up this collective, I found my voice as a writer. And I got addicted to expressing myself through writing, to Feministing, and to you – Feministing fans, I wish I knew how to quit you.

This is my last post as the Executive Editor of Feministing, the space that gave me the foundation for who I am in the world today. As I reflect on the last eight years of my life, it is clear to me that my development as a leader is a testament to the power and necessity of online feminism.

The feminist blogosphere brought me a community of brilliant people ...

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Mary Thom dies at 68

Former executive editor of Ms. Magazine and current editor-in-chief at the Women’s Media Center, Mary Thom died suddenly in a motorcycle accident on Saturday April 27th. Julie Burton, president of the Women’s Media Center writes, “Mary was one of the great writers, editors, and visionaries of the women’s movement, and the heart and soul of Women’s Media Center’s feature writing. From her work in the early days of Ms. Magazine right up until this week, hers was a clear, strong voice for equality—and her editorial talents lifted so many other voices as well.”

The NYTimes writes that Thom joined Ms. in 1972 and went on to become executive editor in 1990. While Thom was known within our community, ...

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Can an app stop rapes in India?

*Trigger warning*

It’s been another week of protests in India as the rape of a 5-year old girl is investigated. To suggest, “rape is an epidemic” would be an unjust reduction of the very complex, harrowing and difficult situation faced by sexual assault survivors and their allies in India — as they work against a system that does not have concrete legal pathways to bring perpetrators to justice and a culture that has normalized rape.

On the heels of these high profile, violent rapes in India — the PM of India, Manmohan Singh, has reiterated that women must be protected and it’s of growing concern to the country the “safety of women.” But, suggesting we protect women is a logic that ...

*Trigger warning*

By Samhita • 11 years ago

What can we do about feminism’s brand problem?

According to a new study at the Huffington Post (with YouGov) there is a major disparity between people that believe in equality “between the sexes” and identify as feminist. The study found that only 20% of Americans identify as feminist whereas 82% believe that “men and women should be social, political, and economic equals.” Equality between men and women is the most commonly accepted, mainstream definition of feminism. It’s not the only one — and certainly not the one that we adhere to at Feministing (as it relies too wholeheartedly on the gender binary and ignores all the other forms of difference we think are as important as gender oppression) — but it is what most people ...

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Guantánamo is a grave reminder of the consequences of assuming all “terrorists are Muslims”

In a week marked by tragedy, an important op-ed published in the NY Times reminds us that there are people still suffering from the US’s anti-terrorism efforts. Two Gitmo detainees on hunger strike tell their story through their lawyers for us to read.

I’ve been on a hunger strike since Feb. 10 and have lost well over 30 pounds. I will not eat until they restore my dignity.

I’ve been detained at Guantánamo for 11 years and three months. I have never been charged with any crime. I have never received a trial.

I could have been home years ago — no one seriously thinks I am a threat — but still I ...

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Daily Feminist Cheat Sheet

Flavorwire chronicles some of music’s greatest gender defying fashion statements.

Ann on why female politicians aren’t always pro-woman.

A powerful piece on street harassment.

It’s unfortunate it needs to be said, but Melissa Harris-Perry is not trying to steal your children.

The inhumanity is often unreal.

Shmuel Rabinovich, Western Wall Rabbi, supports mixed gender prayer section

Midwife apologizes for telling miscarrying woman she could not have a termination in Ireland because it was a ‘Catholic thing’

A Missouri man has been arrested at a hospital for refusing to leave his partner’s bedside Man used ax to vandalize Indiana Planned Parenthood facility bc they ‘kill’ and ‘murder’ babies.

Flavorwire chronicles some of music’s greatest gender defying fashion statements.

Ann on why female politicians aren’t always pro-woman.

A powerful piece on street harassment.

It’s unfortunate it needs to be said, but Melissa Harris-Perry is not ...

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Immigration and Women This Week: Mixed Emotions

Ed. note: This is a guest post by Juliana Britto Schwartz. By day, Juliana is a student at University of California, Santa Cruz. By night, she is a Latina feminist blogger at Julianabritto.com, where she writes about reproductive health justice, immigration, and feminist movements in Latin America.

In case you missed it, the news on what it was like to be an immigrant woman this week:

Something to Inspire You

Yesterday the Rally for Citizenship marched on the Capitol in Washington D.C., drawing thousands of protesters and calling for comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. The rally had a diverse array of participants: organizations for Arab immigrants, African immigrants, allies and undocumented as well.

Something To Make You Angry:

The new immigration reform bill might

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Michelle Obama on gun violence, opportunity and possibility

If you thought you couldn’t love Michelle Obama more, listen to her choke back tears as she says important things about gun violence to an audience in Chicago.

Exhibit of awesomeness a) “Resources matter, what it takes to build strong successful young people isn’t genetics, pedigree or good luck — it’s opportunity.” and b) “I started with the same aptitude and intellectual capabilities as so many of my peers and the only thing that separated me from them were a few more advantages.”

The first lady talking about class and opportunity and it’s relationship to violence in low-income communities — never seen that one before.

If you thought you couldn’t love Michelle Obama more, listen to her choke back tears as she says important things about gun violence to an audience in Chicago.

Exhibit of awesomeness a) “Resources matter, what it takes to ...