Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Movie Review
Food Inc. http://www,foodincmovie.com
First of all, I liked the movie. It started to feel a little long about half way through but if it's a good introduction to the idea of food justice, sort of a 101 movie. It has a lot of the same ideas that came out of documentaries such as Super Size Me and King Corn. There's a lot of crediblity behind this film with names like Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food, and Eric Schlosser, Fast
Food Nation. It touches on many different aspects of our food supply and the industralized systems behind them. It was some what revoluntary to see images of factory farming on the big screen though. It's exciting that this movie got this far. Be sure to check out the website for information about the movie, some petitions, etc. The farmer pictured above was a special gem of the film since he's a local guy, from the Shenandoah Valley. He calls himself, beyond organic. There's an interview with him in the out Blue Ridge magazine. Also his farm, Polyface sells meat through Ellwood Thompson in Richmond. I used to be a vegetarian. My reasons for switching had to do with factory farming and the suffering of the animals within that system. I don't have a problem with eating animals. I have a problem with them suffering their entire lives and then being tortured to death. This movie helped remind me that the issue of food justice is more complicated that just not eating animals. Its an important film for any one interested in what goes into their body and how it's produced. So go see it.
Food Nation. It touches on many different aspects of our food supply and the industralized systems behind them. It was some what revoluntary to see images of factory farming on the big screen though. It's exciting that this movie got this far. Be sure to check out the website for information about the movie, some petitions, etc. The farmer pictured above was a special gem of the film since he's a local guy, from the Shenandoah Valley. He calls himself, beyond organic. There's an interview with him in the out Blue Ridge magazine. Also his farm, Polyface sells meat through Ellwood Thompson in Richmond. I used to be a vegetarian. My reasons for switching had to do with factory farming and the suffering of the animals within that system. I don't have a problem with eating animals. I have a problem with them suffering their entire lives and then being tortured to death. This movie helped remind me that the issue of food justice is more complicated that just not eating animals. Its an important film for any one interested in what goes into their body and how it's produced. So go see it.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Take Back the Night Speech
Hey everyone, I attended a bunch of Take Back the Night events in April. If you're not familiar with this event, click here : http://www.takebackthenight.org/.
The following is my speech on the common experiences of women and how that relates to violence against women:
"I would like to take a moment to express heartfelt appreciation to the survivors who chose to speak. Their words have the power to inspire all of us to demand change. As we look out from our perspective as individuals, the urgently of this issue can feel suffocating. But we are not alone.
Preparing for this speech lead me though a process of reflection. I kept coming back to a basic question, how did I end up here? How did I end up standing before you, this evening? My personal call to action finds its roots within a quiet grumbling just below the surface, a quiet nagging dissatisfaction that I wasn’t able to put words to. My development into an activist finds its voice through a series of realizations.
I am not a victim of sexual violence. I do, however, share a basic characteristic with most victims. I am a woman. The way I experience the world is shaped by a continuous fear that my most sacred, feminine space will be brutally stolen from me. I walk quickly to my car with my purse tightly pressing beside me. I make sure my keys are in the classic key fist in case I need to use them to defend myself. I’m careful about who I make eye contact with and for how long. I have trouble trusting male friends. I make sure to wear tennis shoes in the city in case I suddenly need to run. I try to always walk to my car with a friend. I spend an enormous amount of time and energy thinking about how and when to leave my house. And I am not the only one.
Listen to the following scenario.
You’re walking down a busy street with plenty of people milling around. A man is about to walk pass you. You’ve never met this man before and most likely you’ll never see him again. It’s broad daylight outside. As you pass each other, you causally glance over at him. He’s giving you the look. The up and down, ummm I’d like to kick the tires on that ride look. A creepy feeling rises from your gut to rest in the base of your throat. All of a sudden, you’ve shrunk. Your eyes dart away and your pace slightly quickens.
By a show of hands, who can relate to this situation?
Most women have felt that feeling of having their space compromised, violated, or simply ignored. How many times have you watched as a guy put his arm around a female friend and watched her shrink? Watched her jaw set. Saw the uneasiness dance across her face. Watched her shoulders and back grow stiff. How many times have you been that woman? Behind this very general sense of foreboding is a very specific fear that most women share. A fear of sexual assault.
Tonight we come together as a community to address this fear. This night is for all those who understand the feeling of having their space confiscated. This night is for our mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, AND our brothers, fathers, uncles, nephews. Tonight we walk together across all genders, races, ages, social backgrounds, across all the lines that traditionally divide us, to raise our voices as one. One voice to cry out into the darkness, no more. No more violence. No more fear. No more victims. No more silence. Tonight look around into the faces of your fellow comrades in this fight and gather strength. This struggle goes beyond these walls and beyond this night. Tonight, I make a simple request, use the might, the power, of this voice created this night to carry you pass the naysayers, the self doubt, the pain, and the loneliness that this work can bring. Gather the courage to imagine a world where safety is absolute. A world where fear does not guide our decisions. This night, this moment, is about a declaration that comes shamelessly from anger, pain and most of all, hope. Tonight we as a community, announce that we want better. The power to change the world rests in our voices, tonight and every night. We have a responsibility to all those in this room and beyond, to speak.
Thank you."
The following is my speech on the common experiences of women and how that relates to violence against women:
"I would like to take a moment to express heartfelt appreciation to the survivors who chose to speak. Their words have the power to inspire all of us to demand change. As we look out from our perspective as individuals, the urgently of this issue can feel suffocating. But we are not alone.
Preparing for this speech lead me though a process of reflection. I kept coming back to a basic question, how did I end up here? How did I end up standing before you, this evening? My personal call to action finds its roots within a quiet grumbling just below the surface, a quiet nagging dissatisfaction that I wasn’t able to put words to. My development into an activist finds its voice through a series of realizations.
I am not a victim of sexual violence. I do, however, share a basic characteristic with most victims. I am a woman. The way I experience the world is shaped by a continuous fear that my most sacred, feminine space will be brutally stolen from me. I walk quickly to my car with my purse tightly pressing beside me. I make sure my keys are in the classic key fist in case I need to use them to defend myself. I’m careful about who I make eye contact with and for how long. I have trouble trusting male friends. I make sure to wear tennis shoes in the city in case I suddenly need to run. I try to always walk to my car with a friend. I spend an enormous amount of time and energy thinking about how and when to leave my house. And I am not the only one.
Listen to the following scenario.
You’re walking down a busy street with plenty of people milling around. A man is about to walk pass you. You’ve never met this man before and most likely you’ll never see him again. It’s broad daylight outside. As you pass each other, you causally glance over at him. He’s giving you the look. The up and down, ummm I’d like to kick the tires on that ride look. A creepy feeling rises from your gut to rest in the base of your throat. All of a sudden, you’ve shrunk. Your eyes dart away and your pace slightly quickens.
By a show of hands, who can relate to this situation?
Most women have felt that feeling of having their space compromised, violated, or simply ignored. How many times have you watched as a guy put his arm around a female friend and watched her shrink? Watched her jaw set. Saw the uneasiness dance across her face. Watched her shoulders and back grow stiff. How many times have you been that woman? Behind this very general sense of foreboding is a very specific fear that most women share. A fear of sexual assault.
Tonight we come together as a community to address this fear. This night is for all those who understand the feeling of having their space confiscated. This night is for our mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, AND our brothers, fathers, uncles, nephews. Tonight we walk together across all genders, races, ages, social backgrounds, across all the lines that traditionally divide us, to raise our voices as one. One voice to cry out into the darkness, no more. No more violence. No more fear. No more victims. No more silence. Tonight look around into the faces of your fellow comrades in this fight and gather strength. This struggle goes beyond these walls and beyond this night. Tonight, I make a simple request, use the might, the power, of this voice created this night to carry you pass the naysayers, the self doubt, the pain, and the loneliness that this work can bring. Gather the courage to imagine a world where safety is absolute. A world where fear does not guide our decisions. This night, this moment, is about a declaration that comes shamelessly from anger, pain and most of all, hope. Tonight we as a community, announce that we want better. The power to change the world rests in our voices, tonight and every night. We have a responsibility to all those in this room and beyond, to speak.
Thank you."
Friday, May 8, 2009
Savage Sage
Who is Savage Sage? Where did she come from? Is she a super heroine? Does she fight injustice? Is she a part of my imagination? Perhaps she's one of my many personalities.
Savage Sage came from middle school when I was at my most disempowered. Between my childish confidence and my womanly empowerment. The butt of most jokes between my classmates and at times teachers. (One history professor called me a feminazi, I have not idea where it came from or what it meant at the time.) So I would and at times still do imagine a stronger, braver, more kick ass version of myself conquering the world.
Savage Sage says what i would say if my brain hadn't froze or my job wasn't on the line or feelings couldn't be hurt or compromise wasn't a necessary evil or whatever. Savage Sage is who i am when i'm yelling at the tv, in my car, or at my walls about the bullshit we swim in. She is a part of me, myself at my purest, when I'm the most hurt, angry, fearless, fearful, irritated, etc. She is powerful and she is weakness. Hopefully she's also interesting to read.
Rebekah Carrow
Savage Sage came from middle school when I was at my most disempowered. Between my childish confidence and my womanly empowerment. The butt of most jokes between my classmates and at times teachers. (One history professor called me a feminazi, I have not idea where it came from or what it meant at the time.) So I would and at times still do imagine a stronger, braver, more kick ass version of myself conquering the world.
Savage Sage says what i would say if my brain hadn't froze or my job wasn't on the line or feelings couldn't be hurt or compromise wasn't a necessary evil or whatever. Savage Sage is who i am when i'm yelling at the tv, in my car, or at my walls about the bullshit we swim in. She is a part of me, myself at my purest, when I'm the most hurt, angry, fearless, fearful, irritated, etc. She is powerful and she is weakness. Hopefully she's also interesting to read.
Rebekah Carrow
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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
Rebekah
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.
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