Hey everyone, just a little heads up that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so keep a look out for events in your area. We'll keep you up to date on local Take Back the Night Events. So in honor of April, put on those teal ribbons and show some solidarity with sexual assault victims.
Rebekah
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
"Corrective Rape" in South Africa
South African lesbians are currently facing the very real possibility of trying to be saved from their sexual “deviance” not through religion or social stigma, the usual tools of a homophobic society, but through rape. These cases are being called “corrective rape” and they appear to be on the rise. The Guardian reports that, Triangle, a South African gay rights organization, is seeing up to 10 new cases weekly. Zakhe Sowello who lived through one such attack spoke about her experiences, "Every day I am told that they are going to kill me, that they are going to rape me and after they rape me I'll become a girl."
Read the entire article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/12/eudy-simelane-corrective-rape-south-africa
At the core of any rape culture is strong expectations around gender and sexuality. Within these cultures, women are not only given the label of lesbian when they love other women. They are also called a lesbian when they play sports, don’t look feminine, want to work, or seek empowerment without men. They represent a female centered lifestyle rather than a male centered one. This threatens the social fabric of patriarchal societies. So lesbians of all kinds face the constant demands to conform. We can hear this within the way these male attackers justify their crime. There is a sort of taming of the shrew framework. Look at the words of what Zakhe was told by her attackers, “after they rape me I’ll become a girl,” thus the term corrective rape. However, this term is misleading and gives the rapists the power to define the rape. These attacks are not really meant to cure these women of their desire for other women but rather to punish them. Punish them for having the strength to live their lives outside of what’s expected. These men are using societal beliefs to excuse their violence. In order to hold these offenders accountable and show the link between this violence and culture, the first step needs to be defining these acts for what they are, homophobic rapes.
Rebekah Carrow
Read the entire article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/12/eudy-simelane-corrective-rape-south-africa
At the core of any rape culture is strong expectations around gender and sexuality. Within these cultures, women are not only given the label of lesbian when they love other women. They are also called a lesbian when they play sports, don’t look feminine, want to work, or seek empowerment without men. They represent a female centered lifestyle rather than a male centered one. This threatens the social fabric of patriarchal societies. So lesbians of all kinds face the constant demands to conform. We can hear this within the way these male attackers justify their crime. There is a sort of taming of the shrew framework. Look at the words of what Zakhe was told by her attackers, “after they rape me I’ll become a girl,” thus the term corrective rape. However, this term is misleading and gives the rapists the power to define the rape. These attacks are not really meant to cure these women of their desire for other women but rather to punish them. Punish them for having the strength to live their lives outside of what’s expected. These men are using societal beliefs to excuse their violence. In order to hold these offenders accountable and show the link between this violence and culture, the first step needs to be defining these acts for what they are, homophobic rapes.
Rebekah Carrow
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Please STOP taking your kids to Hooters- it is sad.
So I haven't made a post in a while, but I have a couple of things to rant about so here goes...
What is the deal with people taking their little kids to Hooters? And yes, I have been to Hooters. My husband often gets free coupons for wings at Hooters when the hockey team score 5 or more and the last of the only 2 times I've been there was years ago (and I intend to keep it that way). What shocked me most about the place wasn't the atrocity of uniforms the ladies wear -suntan tights and white tennis shoes and hot orange shorts, anyone? Instead, it was the amount of families who thought it appropriate to bring small children there for family dinners, birthdays, etc.... Sure, dad (or mom) wanted to see some boobies so why not get everything done at once and load up the kids to go to Hooters for a nice family meal? I was even more horrified to find that my own husband's parents thought nothing of carting him down to Hooters as a child.
Nevermind that the waitresses are scantily clad and in demeaning and hideous 80's style outfits- it's their choice to work a job where they have to succumb to establishment policies that force them to wear less and flirt harder than they would in a normal crappy restaurant- and where they'd make about the same. I've seen the people that go to Hooters and I'm sorry, but they are not going out of their way to tip high.
Just the idea of adults raising children by bringing them to eat at a place that teaches such sexism and not thinking that it could potentially impact their ideology of women and their fit into our culture is idiotic. But then, they probably never thought or cared about that in the first place.
What is the deal with people taking their little kids to Hooters? And yes, I have been to Hooters. My husband often gets free coupons for wings at Hooters when the hockey team score 5 or more and the last of the only 2 times I've been there was years ago (and I intend to keep it that way). What shocked me most about the place wasn't the atrocity of uniforms the ladies wear -suntan tights and white tennis shoes and hot orange shorts, anyone? Instead, it was the amount of families who thought it appropriate to bring small children there for family dinners, birthdays, etc.... Sure, dad (or mom) wanted to see some boobies so why not get everything done at once and load up the kids to go to Hooters for a nice family meal? I was even more horrified to find that my own husband's parents thought nothing of carting him down to Hooters as a child.
Nevermind that the waitresses are scantily clad and in demeaning and hideous 80's style outfits- it's their choice to work a job where they have to succumb to establishment policies that force them to wear less and flirt harder than they would in a normal crappy restaurant- and where they'd make about the same. I've seen the people that go to Hooters and I'm sorry, but they are not going out of their way to tip high.
Just the idea of adults raising children by bringing them to eat at a place that teaches such sexism and not thinking that it could potentially impact their ideology of women and their fit into our culture is idiotic. But then, they probably never thought or cared about that in the first place.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I'm just Not that Into Dating advice
I love romantic comedies. I watch them through my fingers as one might watch a horror film. I giggle and carry on and when they're over, I analyze them. It's how I roll.
I saw "He's Just Not Into You" this weekend. I thought it was cute mainly because I love Justin Long and thought his connection on screen was adorable. The message of the film was interesting. I saw a lot of the same rituals that I play out with my friends depicted on screen and it became very clear how all that build up around "signals" only leads to disappointment. I like the idea of if he's not calling back or giving you what you need and deserve then move on. There are plenty of guys who will provide you all you need and gladly.
The other side of the overall dating advice presented in the movie was, if a guy wants to date you then he will make it happen. Aside from putting women in the submissive role, demand to be persuaded but do not persuade. It's to much pressure on guys and dis empowering to women. I think there's an undercurrent of resistance depicted here as well. Women analyze, sometimes to the point of absurdity men's signals. Should I text him? Should I include a smiley face on the end of the message? When he hugged me, he looked me in the eyes what does that mean? He hung out with me for six hours at a time, he must be in love. I think women do this because they seek to have more control over the dating game. Women don't like simply sitting back and letting the man take the lead. And I doubt that men always like being in the driving seat. There's so much uncertainty, and men and women are asked to play certain roles during the dating. Roles that are based on lies. So how do you get to the truth?
By the way, the only "healthy" relationships I've experienced or seen has been on screen. But that's another post.
Rebekah Carrow
I saw "He's Just Not Into You" this weekend. I thought it was cute mainly because I love Justin Long and thought his connection on screen was adorable. The message of the film was interesting. I saw a lot of the same rituals that I play out with my friends depicted on screen and it became very clear how all that build up around "signals" only leads to disappointment. I like the idea of if he's not calling back or giving you what you need and deserve then move on. There are plenty of guys who will provide you all you need and gladly.
The other side of the overall dating advice presented in the movie was, if a guy wants to date you then he will make it happen. Aside from putting women in the submissive role, demand to be persuaded but do not persuade. It's to much pressure on guys and dis empowering to women. I think there's an undercurrent of resistance depicted here as well. Women analyze, sometimes to the point of absurdity men's signals. Should I text him? Should I include a smiley face on the end of the message? When he hugged me, he looked me in the eyes what does that mean? He hung out with me for six hours at a time, he must be in love. I think women do this because they seek to have more control over the dating game. Women don't like simply sitting back and letting the man take the lead. And I doubt that men always like being in the driving seat. There's so much uncertainty, and men and women are asked to play certain roles during the dating. Roles that are based on lies. So how do you get to the truth?
By the way, the only "healthy" relationships I've experienced or seen has been on screen. But that's another post.
Rebekah Carrow
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Not All Speech is Created Equal
Within the United States of America, we take the freedom of speech very seriously. When critics, comedians, etc yell censorship, they quickly invoke the right to freedom of speech. I can definitively understand how important it is to maintain and foster freedom of speech. However speech is not free if you want to reach people. Thirty minutes of prime time television would probably cost tens of thousands of dollars, something I could never afford. So even though I'm expressing myself without fear of censorship, my three followers who probably rarely check this blog is not the same as an editioral with a major newspaper or a network TV show. What would it truly look like if speech was truly free? Could I walk up to CBS and obtain a 30 minute spot between How I Met Your Mother and CSI? Could I go up to the New York Times and obtain the front page in order to talk about my feminist views? What do you think?
Rebekah aka Savage Sage
Rebekah aka Savage Sage
Thursday, January 22, 2009
36th Anniversary of Roe v Wade
Today is the 36th Anniversary of Roe v Wade which provided women the legal right to safe abortions. This is the foundation upon which the freedom of reproductive choice in this country is based.
The following is a link which goes over the history of the case which was decided in 1973.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade
Check it out. Know our history.
You can also check out a live blog today about the reproductive rights movement at:
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/01/13/live-blog-prochoice-messagings-new-wave-or-passing-ship
Rebekah
The following is a link which goes over the history of the case which was decided in 1973.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade
Check it out. Know our history.
You can also check out a live blog today about the reproductive rights movement at:
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/01/13/live-blog-prochoice-messagings-new-wave-or-passing-ship
Rebekah
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Before You Vote consider the words of Pope John Paul the second
Hello, I'm bbbbbbback. Did you miss me?
On January 20th, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the first Black president of the United States of America. I know that everyone has already voted and this post will be beating a dead cow to death BUT i must.
Outside of many churches throughout the United States and Virginia, Operation Rescue, a anti-choice organization has placed flyers in how to vote based on your Catholic faith. Or at least how Randall Terry, the founder of operation rescue defines your Catholic faith. Surprise, surprise, the founder is a male who never have to face this choice. How easy to judge. The flyer is in a question and answer format. Here's an example of one of the questions and answers:
"Is voting for a pro-choice candidiate in this election 'cooperating formally with evil' and therefore a morally grave act?
Answer: Yes. Faithful Catholics who vote for a pro-choice candidate in this election will cooperate formally with evil, and will be guilty of committing a morally grave act."
After quoting John Paul the Second, the flyer goes on to say:
"the voter is held directly responsible by God for all evil effects of such an act."
Wow, so according to this flyer, a vote for Obama is a vote for evil. Guess what, I'm evil. This reminds me of when I protested at an Palin rally with my Obama sign and got screamed at that I'm going to hell.
This flyer is fundamentally insulting to members of the Catholic faith, it seems to imply that the faithful can not use their minds to think over the issues and come to their own conclusions. This flyer saids let me tell you what to think and how to think it because you can't be trusted to come to your own conclusions. This is especially manipulative because church goers are working for the salvation of their souls. It goes on to say in no incertain terms that, "you may not in good conscience vote for Barack Obama if you want to be a faithful catholic citizen."
I'm glad that the majority of Americans have said that they will not stand for these tactics that feed on our insecurities, fears, the worst of us.
Savage Sage
On January 20th, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the first Black president of the United States of America. I know that everyone has already voted and this post will be beating a dead cow to death BUT i must.
Outside of many churches throughout the United States and Virginia, Operation Rescue, a anti-choice organization has placed flyers in how to vote based on your Catholic faith. Or at least how Randall Terry, the founder of operation rescue defines your Catholic faith. Surprise, surprise, the founder is a male who never have to face this choice. How easy to judge. The flyer is in a question and answer format. Here's an example of one of the questions and answers:
"Is voting for a pro-choice candidiate in this election 'cooperating formally with evil' and therefore a morally grave act?
Answer: Yes. Faithful Catholics who vote for a pro-choice candidate in this election will cooperate formally with evil, and will be guilty of committing a morally grave act."
After quoting John Paul the Second, the flyer goes on to say:
"the voter is held directly responsible by God for all evil effects of such an act."
Wow, so according to this flyer, a vote for Obama is a vote for evil. Guess what, I'm evil. This reminds me of when I protested at an Palin rally with my Obama sign and got screamed at that I'm going to hell.
This flyer is fundamentally insulting to members of the Catholic faith, it seems to imply that the faithful can not use their minds to think over the issues and come to their own conclusions. This flyer saids let me tell you what to think and how to think it because you can't be trusted to come to your own conclusions. This is especially manipulative because church goers are working for the salvation of their souls. It goes on to say in no incertain terms that, "you may not in good conscience vote for Barack Obama if you want to be a faithful catholic citizen."
I'm glad that the majority of Americans have said that they will not stand for these tactics that feed on our insecurities, fears, the worst of us.
Savage Sage
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