the bees know

Why isn't New Orleans Mother's Day parade shooting a 'national tragedy'? | David Dennis

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:19:26 -0400

Why isn't New Orleans Mother's Day parade shooting a 'national tragedy'? | David Dennis:

This is so true and so sad. The U.S. needs to start caring about the injury or threat to injury of all its children and people, not just the white middle class folk. The death of an inner city black child is just as heartbreaking to a community as the death of any child, and as a nation, we need to be critical of our media’s eye and demand news coverage absent of discrimination.

More US babies die on their first day than in 68 other countries, report shows

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:25:14 -0400

More US babies die on their first day than in 68 other countries, report shows:

The U.S. is a worse place for newborns than 68 other countries, including Egypt, Turkey and Peru, according to a report released Tuesday by Save the Children. A million babies die every year globally on the same day they were born, including more than 11,000 American &

Interesting women’s health article linking the U.S.’s 11,000 first day baby deaths per year to teenage pregnancy, unplanned pregnancies, and females in politics (the lack thereof).

8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:15:49 -0400

disquietingtruths:

Student-Loan Debt.

Psychopathologizing and Medicating Noncompliance.

Schools That Educate for Compliance and Not for Democracy.

“No Child Left Behind” and “Race to the Top.”

Shaming Young People Who Take Education—But Not Their Schooling—Seriously.

The Normalization of Surveillance.

Television.

Fundamentalist Religion and Fundamentalist Consumerism.

Read More

Bikini body advise.

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:57:50 -0400

Bikini body advise.

What happens when the privilege lose their privilege for 442 hours a year

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:52:00 -0400

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2311098/Peter-Lloyd-Why-Im-suing-gym-sexist-women-hours.html

So here is the story of a man who is suing his gym because for 442 hours out of every year, the gym becomes a “women’s only” gym. The author, Peter Lloyd, is claiming that this practice is sexist, and he is requesting one of the following options: 1. The hours are done away with 2. The same courtesy hours are extended to men 3. That he be allowed to pay a lesser percentage for his gym membership as a result of not being able to use the facility. While I agree on a very surface level that it is not fair that men have to pay the same as women, yet are unable to access the gym’s resources evenly, I think that all issues surrounding privilege and access must be evaluated on deeper level.

1. First I want to look at his third request. I used to work at a private health club that granted access to several gyms and three pools. Many of our club members only used the pool and nothing else. Yet, several times of day, the pool became unavailable either due to specific fitness classes or because a local swim team was renting out the pool for practice. To Mr. Lloyd’s point, ” No customer, male or female, should pay for gym time they’re not allowed to use. It’s that simple” I think one could argue that by abiding by this policy, the gym opens up a Pandora’s box of excuses. Members unable to buy a “pool only” pass could argue that it’s not fair they are paying for the entire gym yet unable to use the one area that they bought their gym membership for whenever the local team comes to practice.

2. We have a common practice in the U.S. called “affirmative action.” Affirmative action was created to ensure that more minorities would have access to higher education. On a surface level, it sounds unfair; why would a black woman get into a University of a white woman who has better grades? But when you dig deeper and look at the systemic history of oppression that has made that white women inherently privileged since the day she was born (and actually beforehand to even consider which hospital, midwives, prenatal care her parents were able to afford), it becomes easier to see that measures like affirmative action actually level the playing ground to some degree.

Affirmative action is allowed because we want all people to have an equal chance at success, yet even with affirmative action we know that this doesn’t fully become a reality. As is, women lag behind men athletically. Men tend to have faster running, jumping, swimming, you name it, times and their sporting events are watched at outrageously more often then women’s. So how is allowing women the extra boost of time to work out any different than affirmative action when we view it as an investment in female athletes?

3. From a sociological and multicultural perspective, we have two ways of labeling groups in the world: A group or B group. The A group is comprised of individuals who are privileged or do not need to ascertain their identify for it is assumed. In the U.S., A group individuals tend to be white, heterosexual, Christian men who have money. On the contrary, the B group is comprised of those who are not of privilege in one identify or another. This includes non-white individuals, those who do not identify as heterosexual, women, those who come from a faith other than Christianity (or no faith at all), and those without access to large amounts of money.

For the B group, life is inherently “unfair.” I am speaking on behalf of a woman, so my examples immediately leap to the fact that it’s unfair women are the sole child bearers and that our insurance costs more because of it, it’s unfair that it’s legal to provide unpaid maternity leave when it’s difficult to work full time and attempt to breast feed your child, it’s unfair that the majority of lawmakers are men in my country yet they are able to make decisions that restricts my reproductive rights, it’s unfair that statistically my gender is more likely to be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, and it’s unfair that I am paid 77 cents to every man’s dollar, amounting to somewhere between $700,000 and $2 million over a lifetime…to name a few.

While as a woman I found these unfair truths to be outrageous, I’m not sure what single act I can do about it. I can fight for policy changes, advocate amongst my community, and educate myself on history and societal oppression. I can change the way I socialize my children and work to encourage awareness, yet at the end of the day, is there a single one person I can sue? Not really, because ultimately, my current position is a product of history, years of discrimination, undervaluing the work women do, policy and laws, systemic oppression, culture, and the socialization we provide to our children.

Back to Mr. Lloyd. I am under the impression he comes from the A group in that, upon first glance, he is white and identifies as a man. While he may have other B group qualities, his disposition and decision to sue suggests he most closely identifies with the A group and the privileges and benefits they receive. Those in the A group tend to walk throughout life receiving privileges without a second thought because they are rarely denied them. Members of the B group, however, are mindful and aware of the many micro-aggressions they face on a daily basis as a result of their identify. They must consciously make a decision to negotiate in which instances they will speak up and in which they will simply “let it go” because they are simply tired. There is no one they can sue, only representatives they can write and lobby to about reform, friends they can educate, and advocacy organizations they can donate to.

Yet when a man like Mr. Lloyd, an A group member, is denied a privilege, it is much easier for him to pinpoint the root cause because his denial is not the result of a systemic problem. Mr. Lloyd has done exactly this and has pinpointed Kentish Town Sports Centre in Northern London as the roadblock to his privilege. His solution: “I’m suing them.”

Please insert Wonka Face.

Now, I applaud Mr. Lloyd for recognizing that the separation of the genders is a form of segregation (though he uses the term discrimination). Just as we don’t segregate whites and blacks, I do not advise the segregation of men and women. But the point I’m trying to make isn’t about the gym’s policy or the way they go about it, it’s about Mr. Lloyd’s sense of entitlement, that the loss of one privilege to him results in his need to sue. EVEN IF B groups could identify the system that is the driving force in maintaining our oppressed status, we would have to have access to the kind of money A group members have. Thus the cycle often repeats itself: A group has a privilege revoked, they become angry, sue, and get it back thus continuing their status of privileged and ensuring that that privileged status often leads to more financial gain. B group has yet ANOTHER privilege revoked (Ie Women’s reproductive rights), they become angry, they are unable to access funds to sue (probably because of that damn unpaid maternity leave), they are not able to make change, they continue to remain at a sub-par financial status to their male counterparts.

I must end by letting Mr. Lloyd know that, no, it is not FAIR that you have to pay 10 cents more of gym time a day for time that you are unable to use so that women can get an hour up of physical activity time. But ultimately, if you dig deeper, Mr. Lloyd, it’s not fair that you have been granted so many undeserved privileges on the basis of your white male status from the time you were conceived. Unless you are willing to forgo all of those privileges, which would be impossible, I suggest you chalk this one up as a minor loss and get on with your life. All those B groupers do every day.

_________________________________________________________________

I would like to add a disclaimer that I am a white, heterosexual, woman and am only speaking on behalf of my B group identity with relation to my woman status and this article relating to female/male gym time and supposed male discrimination. I can only imagine what it is like to live a life where several of your identities fall within a B group identity and how much more these individuals face daily oppression and discrimination. I therefore acknowledge my privilege in this regard and my inability to know these deeper levels of discrimination that more wholly impact one’s life.

Holstee Manifesto

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:14:07 -0500

Holstee Manifesto

Senate Wall O’Shame

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:11:21 -0500

Senate Wall O’Shame

I need feminism because…

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:35:52 -0500

I need feminism because…

Michelle Obama's HOTT ASS

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:19:15 -0500

Dear Bob Grisham, AKA the high school teacher who said “Michelle Obama has a fat butt:”

Does your school engage in anti-bullying programs? Why haven’t they required you to take one? What makes you think you have the RIGHT to say ANYTHING about a woman’s body? Do you not think eating disorders aren’t already enough of an issue in this country for women that now we need to add your juvenile opinion into the pot? FYI, NO MAN, not a single one, has the right to criticize a woman’s appearance. We are not your property, nor are we objects created for your pleasure. We are human beings, with emotions, feelings, and thoughts. And we are unconcerned with your 2 cents. I feel sad for the women in your classrooms who heard your comments, who wondered what their male classmates think about their body. I feel pity for the men in your classroom who heard your comments and thought that it was okay to objectify a woman in front of others. I feel for these students that you pretend to “teach.”

Next. DID SOMEONE ASK FOR YOUR OPINION ON EVERYTHING? You had no right to state your “queer agenda” and make it known to the students in the class who identify as gay that you were not welcoming to their sexual orientation. Your comments are the reason children, CHILDREN, commit suicide. They are bullied and made to think that they are somehow flawed, damaged, or sinful. As a teacher and a leader, you allowed the children in your classroom to think that bullying is okay, which is incorrect and sad. Bullying is responsible the loss of life - precious, creative, motivated, passionate, and beautiful human life.

I hope you feel ashamed for what you did. I hope that your punishment serves as an example to all of our leaders who seek to bully. Use your words to spread kindness, love, and appreciation.

Finally…can we all acknowledge the Michelle Obama does a whole lot of work for this country and talk about that rather that her behind? She rocks it. She is my motivation, inspiration, and role model.

If you can call it news...

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:34:53 -0500

Breaking news! Fox News said something inappropriate, sexist, and inaccurate.

Not that you didn’t already know this…

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/11/24/war-on-men/#ixzz2DD7QS5dZ

Did you miss the 1950s "good housewife" books...?

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:07:00 -0500

Hey ladies, want to read something incredibly stupid? This blogger, Jennifer Flanders, thinks she has 25 tips to give women to help them respect their husbands. So for starters, let me prepare you.

Honor His Wishes
Give weight to what your husband thinks is important. Make those things a priority that matter most to him, whether it’s having dinner ready when he gets home from work or keeping the house tidy or limiting computer time. Don’t make him ask twice.

Here’s the thing. If he thinks cleaning the house is important or having dinner ready is important…here’s the mother offing mop.

Respond Physically
Did you know that the way you respond (or don’t respond) to your husband’s romantic overtures has a profound effect on his self-confidence? Don’t slap him away when he tries to hug you or make excuses when he’s in the mood. Your enthusiastic cooperation and reciprocation will not only assure him of your love, but will make him feel well-respected, too.

Wait. Didn’t we outlaw marital rape for a reason. Let me tell you what ladies, wives, partners: Don’t you EVER, EVER, feel the need to respond physically to someone just because THEY’RE in the mood. You have sexual needs and wants, too, and those should be taken into consideration just as much as your partner’s. End of story.

Prepare His Favorite Foods
Although the rest of the family is not overly-fond of spaghetti, my husband loves it, so I try to make it at least two or three times a month as a way to honor him. Next time you’re planning meals, give special consideration to your husband’s preferences.

He likes spaghetti? Well I’ll let him cook three times a week then so he can cook whatever the hell he wants.

Dress to Please Him
Take care of your appearance. Choose clothes your husband finds flattering, both in public and around the house.

Ha. Okay. Here’s the thing. I’ll dress the way I want because it makes ME feel good about MYSELF. Nobody should feel like they need to dress a certain way around the comfort of their own home to IMPRESS their significant other!

Keep the House Tidy
To the best of your abilities, try to maintain a clean and orderly home. Seek to make it a haven of rest for your entire family

My idea of a haven is one in which all adults living in the home take part in keeping in clean and orderly. Does having a uterus give me an innate toilet cleaning ability? Not last time I checked.

So ladies. Stop reading 1950s housewives books…and blogs from 2012 on how to be a “good wife” for that matter.

Want to let this blogger know it’s the 21st century? Read the entire blog here and post your comments —> http://lovinglifeathome.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/25-ways-to-communicate-respect/

Facebook and Politics

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:25:38 -0500

I’m really annoyed. I’m annoyed whenever someone says (insert whiny, nasal voice), “Not another political Facebook post…” “Can’t wait for all the political Facebook rants to be over” and “All these people talking politics on Facebook like they know what they’re talking about.” It’s become common nature in this country to hate politics. “Don’t talk about politics. It just upsets people.” “It’s not dinner table conversation” etc.

Well let me tell you something. Politics matter to me. And if people don’t know what they’re talking about, that’s probably a better reason for us to talk - to learn and educate. Why is it okay for us all to learn about your babies every move and shitty haircut, but not talk about gay rights? Why is it appropriate for you to post every picture in your bathroom of you making a duck face, but not for me to discuss why I think it’s important to vote in legislators who are pro-women’s rights? Why must I see every Pinterest meal you’ve cooked in the past week on Facebook, but I’m condemned for posting a picture in my Obama shirt and told “Don’t make your political views known?” Why? Why would I not want to educate and share? Why are politics so taboo?

You know what else is taboo? Sex. Sex and politics. And strangely, they go hand in hand. So guess what? I’m going to talk about it. And if you don’t like it, delete me. Because I probably don’t want to be your friend anyway.

Said it.

"Why I Am Pro-Life"

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:45:00 -0400

Check out this really good article exposing the hypocrisy of the pro-life movement.

“In my world, you don’t get to call yourself “pro-life” and be against common-sense gun control — like banning public access to the kind of semiautomatic assault rifle, designed for warfare, that was used recently in a Colorado theater. You don’t get to call yourself “pro-life” and want to shut down the Environmental Protection Agency, which ensures clean air and clean water, prevents childhood asthma, preserves biodiversity and combats climate change that could disrupt every life on the planet. You don’t get to call yourself “pro-life” and oppose programs like Head Start that provide basic education, health and nutrition for the most disadvantaged children.”

"I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney..."

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:15:01 -0400

““I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say, ‘My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.’ It’s like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You’re still complicit. You’re still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you ‘disagree’ with your candidate on these issues.””

- Pulitzer and Tony winning playwright Doug Wright

Police

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:16:28 -0400

Yesterday a police office told me that in his spare time, he “cruises around cheap hotels, just running random license plates. It’s a pretty good way to catch some people.” Oh? You mean you don’t go to the rich neighborhoods and run their license plates to see who might be white and wealthy and also be a criminal?

FYI. Some of the biggest thieves this country has ever seen are rich, white men who live in wealthy neighborhoods and have day jobs on Wall St. Not the men and women at cheap hotels.

We wonder why some of the neighborhoods in our cities are labeled as having high crime rates. I dare you to ask if they are also the neighborhoods that are patrolled by police in their spare time, LOOKING to catch someone.

Guns

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:32:26 -0400

People keep saying “it’s too soon after the tragedy to talk about gun laws.” FYI THERE ISN’T TIME IN BETWEEN THESE TRAGEDIES ANYMORE!

Guns for "Safety?"

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:22:41 -0400

Guns for "Safety?":

So for all the gun nuts who say, “I only keep one in the house for protection” may I ask, protection from who? Your own son?

Victim Blaming

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:04:32 -0400

Victim Blaming:

Great article, well actually it’s sad, but I’m proud of this victim and survivor for standing up to the judge and demanding an apology. I’m glad people are standing behind her to let her know that it’s never okay for anyone to say “If you hadn’t have been there, this wouldn’t have happened.” The victim is completely right in saying that if it wouldn’t have been her, it would like have been someone else. This police officer deserves jail time and should be required to register as a sex offender.

Photo

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:47:10 -0400

Met Obama today in Colorado!!

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 22:05:42 -0400

Met Obama today in Colorado!!