I’m in the process of getting a mortgage for the second time, and something tells me this time I’ll be more attuned to the sexism that happens when you buy something with your husband than I was last time. It has already been suggested that I legally change my name to make the process simpler (a suggestion I soundly rebuffed) and I have been called Mrs. Husband’s Name a few times already. I’ll update when we actually do the closing…
Texas charges rape survivors for their own rape kits
May 11, 2009 - Leave a Response
This is appaling.
http://www.feministing.com/archives/015357.html
As if a rape survivor doesn’t have enough strife to deal with…Apparently rape victims in Houston (and likely other Texas cities) are being denied funding from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and are being called on by bill collectors to pay for the evidence taken in crimes against them. FYI, a rape kit can cost up to $1,800. Like rape victims needed another reason to not report their rapes.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/19400415/detail.html#-
UPDATE: Maybe not after all? http://jezebel.com/5259454/texas-attorney-general-is-not-charging-victims-for-rape-kits
New local blog
May 7, 2009 - Leave a Response
My friend Jess started a blog (at which I will be guest posting from time to time) called “Perpetually Temporary.” It’s hilarious and will discuss in detail her fantastic facebook app called “Why I’m Bitter.” Check it out:
Because I couldn’t say it better myself…
May 6, 2009 - One Response
Garfunkel and Oates (search them on youtube) are freakin hilarious. Most of their songs skew towards dating problems, but this one is a real gem and totally embodies how I feel about pregnancy…except I would add the smugness of all the people around the pregnant women as well.
Funny search term of the day…
May 5, 2009 - Leave a Response
Ok, I do not know what these people were searching for or why it brought them to Fort Worth Feminism, but here it is: “naked women mud.” Ok, so I do probably know what they were searching for … I guess naked women in the mud or naked mudwrestling? But how they got here I do not know. I am always a little bit amused when such an obvious non-feminist search term brings people here…
Beauty pageants are stupid
April 24, 2009 - Leave a Response
It’s always been kind of hard for me to articulate why I think beauty pageants are so ridiculous. On one hand, I think they are exploitative, sexist, and reward women for living up to misogynistic societal standards of beauty. On the other hand, these women obviously have a right to choose to participate so who am I to judge them? Then I saw this video by Jay Smooth on Feministing.com and he put it just right.
Groundbreaking DV psa
April 8, 2009 - 2 Responses
This is one of the best PSA’s on domestic violence I have ever seen. It shows us that women in any socio-economic group are at risk of being abused.
http://jezebel.com/5195435/keira-knightley-beaten-in-domestic-violence-ad
Yikes! public speaking!
March 16, 2009 - One Response
I’ve been asked to participate in a panel on the “Power of Choice” as a feminist blogger at this weekend’s Whole Woman Festival. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to interpret that for the 3 to 5 minute slot I get but I am supernervous and I have no idea how large the crowd will be. The event is at Casa Manana on March 21 and benefits SafeHaven of Tarrant County and the Battered Women’s Foundation. For more information, check out Tammy Gomez’s blog at http://xxcommunicator.blogspot.com/2009/02/v-day-fort-worth-approaches-save-date.html or http://www.vdayfortworth.com/.
An open letter to Chris Brown from SafeHaven of Tarrant County
March 13, 2009 - Leave a Response
SafeHaven of Tarrant County recently released an open letter to Chris Brown, inviting him to participate in their Batterer’s Intervention Programs. Below is the text of the letter. The letter seeks to take the focus off of Rhianna and put it back where it belongs…the abuser, not the victim. What do you think about how the media has portrayed the assault?
Dear Chris,
SafeHaven of Tarrant County would like to help you address what you are experiencing following the recent episode of dating violence with Rihanna. If you choose to take responsibility for your actions, the following information will interest you. Violence against women cannot be ignored and must be addressed by every member of the community, whether celebrity or not. With that in mind, we would like to invite you to participate in our Batterer’s Intervention Program, where we educate abusers on new behaviors and skills that will aid in ending domestic and dating violence. The 36-hour psycho-educational program, designed to stop abusive behavior, includes sessions in anger management, effective communication, problem solving skills and assertive versus aggressive behavior. The sessions take place twice a week over an 18-week period. During the sessions, you can ask questions and share perceptions and feelings related to abuse. We will be happy to help you find accommodations and a recording studio during your stay.
As a result of this educational experience, you may find the courage to take a strong stand against dating and domestic violence. After you learn the skills you need to lead an abuse-free life, your voice can help us keep all girlfriends, wives, mothers, daughters and sisters safe from violence. You can spread the word among the public, your fans, and the Hollywood community alike that violence against women is never the answer and will not be tolerated.
Sincerely,
Mary Lee Hafley
President and CEO
Outlaw Barbie?
March 4, 2009 - Leave a Response
No matter how misguided, this totally rocks.
From MSNBC.com:
Barbie could get an unwelcome present for her 50th birthday: outlawed in West Virginia.
A state lawmaker proposed a bill Tuesday to ban sales of the iconic Mattel doll and others like her.
The Barbie Ban Bill, proposed by Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge (D) Lincoln County, says such toys influence girls to place too much importance on physical beauty, at the expense of their intellectual and emotional development.
“I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful and you don’t have to be smart,” Eldridge told West Virginia news station WOWK.
Read more at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29508066/.
