Rulers Who Are "Changing Your World"

Utne Reader has a report on the "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World", which included many amazing feminist rulers. Of special note are brownfemipower, who is pretty well-known in feminist blogsphere, and Jessica Hoffman, who wrote a pretty amazing article that I think we should all read, called On Prisons, Borders, Safety and Priviledge: A Letter to White Feminists. You can check out more rulers at: http://www.utne.com/2008-11-13/50-Visionaries-Who-Are-Changing-Your-World.aspx

Here is an awesome video produced by The Empowered Fe Fes:

Planned Parenthood Demonstration Flier

Here's the flier for the counter-protest, which I just started calling a "demonstration of support" without consulting anyone -- makes it posicore and about us making our own statement outside of a binary. I hope that works for people. PFAL!!!! Does anyone have access to cheap or free copy making capabilities?

The Patriarchy Put a Gag Order on My Vocal Cords & Other Biz

Croaky McVoiceless

I've been home for quite some time with an oppressive cold, which appeared to be getting better. On Saturday, I was at like 95% of Full Range Fairchild, so I thought it was a good idea to take my new bangs out on the town. I was dying to get out of the house and do something, and dressing up sounded like the most fun ever. This was actually a very bad idea. Now I have been completely without a voice for 2 days, and I can't even laugh aloud. I think the booze and the patriarchy stole my voice! Do you have any idea how much I like to talk? And laugh? Man oh man. Or should I say "woman oh woman?" That's still restrictive. Jeez. The politics of language are always sneaking up and biting me in the ass. Anyway, my housemate Nate asked me how I would know when my voice is back if I'm on a strict no talk plan, and I said I would use the following test phrase: "The patriarchy will not silence me!" Heh heh.

The NJ4

Anyway, for our next meeting -- 10/30 at 7:30 -- we will (among other points of conversation) be writing letters of support to the remaining members of the New Jersey Four who are still in prison. From what I can tell, Renata Hill and Patreese Johnson remain in prison, though Renata has been granted a new trial scheduled for Nov. 20, which is in large part due to grassroots activism among LGBTQ and feminist organizations and "clubs" around the country. Renata is still, however, being held awaiting her trial. Patreese is facing an 11 year sentence. This case is an incredibly painful demonstration of institutionalized racism, sexism, and homophobia. If you would like know more, please read up here:

From the SF Bay View

Justice 4 the NJ 4

freenj4

We will write letters of support to Patreese and Renata, and I can supply more craft supplies than you can shake a stick at (I feel like I've been using that expression a lot lately, and I bet it has some fucked up origin - but it's so effective!). I mean, you can write a plain old letter if you want, but that's not the way I send mail. Ahem. If you have a postage stamp or two, bring em! I'll make the post office delivery.

The Portland Feminist Action League (PFAL)

So, we have ironed out a few details regarding the counter-protest, which we can also share with people at next meeting. We gave a name to this specific project (PFAL), which is bigger than the scope of ol' fashioned F Club.

Sign making party: 11/1, 3pm, Outside In

Counter-Protest/Show of Support for Planned Parenthood: 11/9, exact time TBA, but morning

• Michelle is working on the blurb of info, which we should all be sending to friends, colleagues, organizations we know, etc. She will get it to us via the yahoo group.
  
• Candise is thinking about starting a google group (like the yahoo group) specifically for PFAL, so interested peeps can sign up for further info
  
• Erin (uh, me) is making fliers for the counter-protest/sign making party, as well as handbills for how to keep the protest peaceful for the actual day -- when they are done I will email/post them, so everyone can print them and distribute them far and wide throughout the land
  
• Someone, can't remember who, is getting whistles and kazoos (!!!) to hand out at the protest. The idea is that if someone with an opposing opinion is getting hostile or trying to engage one of us in confrontational communication, that person could whistle or kazoo (!!!) and people will gather around said person with their backs to the hostile party. Peaceful resistance, what's up.
• Someone is contacting the media
• We talked about coming in costume and/or wearing armbands so we can easily know who is with who, and to be cool and have fun
• We also talked about how this could be an on-going effort that could evolve into a block party or a resource fair, or sunday morning queer dance jam
• We could sell baked goods at the protest and give the proceeds to PP. We could also screen print more shit and sell it.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A RESOURCE FOR FREE OR CHEAP PRINTING?

That's all I've got. I can't talk, but I sure can type!

Anti-Abortion Feminists?

There is a pretty interesting discussion going on over at the Feminist Anti-Oppression Forum on LiveJournal. Jennifer Baumgardner, who co-authored Manifesta, has just written a book exploring being feminist and anti-abortion. I think she does make some good points, but I really don't think you can make enforcements on women's bodies and still be called a feminist. But then again, feminism means a lot of different things to different people. I really like what one person, ciaraxyerra, had to say. What do you y'all think?

Addendum!

Check this amazing shit out! For more amazing altered Canadian Club ads, click on the title of my previous blog to link to another feminist ruler's website...

Same Old Hetero/Sexist, White Supremacist Homophobic Story

Seriously. Seriously? Will someone please give me a break. No, this is not an ad from 1967. It's from 2008.

Last week at my internship, where we provide therapy for families and child survivors of domestic violence, we were discussing how gendered behavior expectations cause violence and alienation in the lives of both men and women. Specifically, we were having a conversation about progressive batterer's intervention programs that include psycho-educational therapy to unlearn the gender training that contributes to abusive behavior. Batterer's intervention programs are mainly targeted at men, who as a group statistically batter more often than others, though it's important to note that people of all genders are capable of engaging in interpersonal violence. These programs have developed the perspective that men who abuse don't actually feel powerful and in control when they act out violently -- though the effect is one of power and control over their loved

ones. Service providers who work with these men say that many times they feel insecure, out of control, afraid, alone, alienated and sad before they resort to expressing themselves through violence. Because traditional masculinity does not leave space for men to communicate feelings of vulnerability without emasculating them, some men lash out with violence -- which is a culturally acceptable way to exhibit "male" centered feelings. Obviously most men do not hurt the people they love, and many other factors contribute to domestic violence, but the rules of gender are certainly a huge factor in the perpetuation of the problem. Traditional masculinity hurts everyone -- which is why feminism really is for everybody.

Anyway, during this discussion, a co-worker pulled out this ad as an example of the cultural discourse on sexism. Now, I'm no Naive Nancy. I'm pretty attuned (and even enamored) with pop culture, and I know in my heart of hearts that sexism is still alive and wearing one of those "co-ed naked volleyball" t-shirts. Kidding! I know that sexism can't simply be outed by frat boy stylings -- it's insidious and we all participate in it. I just wanted to bring those shirts up. My point, however, is that I was pretty floored by this ad, and did some research to find out that Canadian Club has been working pretty hard to come up with a brand that is out and out sexist, homophobic, and white supremacist. Hey! I like whiskey, too!

I felt particularly saddened to learn about this ad campaign in the context of the agency where I work. We save piles and piles of old magazines so that we can cut out words and images to use in art therapy activities with survivors of childhood trauma. We amass boxes of pre-cut themed images (feel free to cut stuff out for us from your old mags while you're watching

TV or listening to the radio) so that kids can choose the images they are drawn to without having to be confronted with CULTURALLY SANCTIONED SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE during a therapy session. Anyway, if you know me at all, you won't be shocked to know that I teared up a little bit in that meeting. In my mind, this ad is just another spot holder on the spectrum of violence that hurts people. Real people; children.

Here's what this ad says to me about masculinity:

• the most virile men are white, middle to upper class, with heavy handed living room sets
• men conquer women's bodies with complete power and in doing so become more virile
• buying and consuming alcohol is a symbol of power for white men
• there are certain cocktails that make men seem like pansies (and therefore more like the women they acquire, drinks in hand)- Canadian Club whiskey on the rocks is not one of them
• the legacy that fathers are most interested in passing on to their sons is one of aggressive sexism, with no real love, tenderness, connection or range of human emotional experience
• the legacy that fathers are most interested in passing on to their daughters is one aggressive sexism, with no real love, tenderness, connection, or range of human emotional experience.
• men are not interested in cocks (except when they're obsessed with their own getting hummed on by a passive & beautiful barbie)

Here's what this ad says to me about femininity:

• white women are disposable, meaningless, and in possession of zero humanity/complexity -- women of color just don't exist
• women are not agents of their own will
• women are either virgins or whores
• women are not in charge of their sexuality
• women exist as passive pleasers of men
• women are stupid and easily duped
• women are definitely not in to eating pussy

Sometimes it's really hard to do this work when everything can seem so overwhelming and impossible, like fighting a huge battle against this really powerful entity, and there are only a fraction of us even paying attention. These messages are powerful. They directly impact children who are hurting as a result, and my heart breaks a little when I really go for it in my over-active mind. BUT! Look at the parody of the Canadian Club ad above! I have hope again! It's still possible to laugh and be funny and make friends and be gay and care about racism and ending violence and sexism and even to have fun while we're doing it! Whew. Also, um, this parody ad is kinda hot. Yowza!

Check out the links for more about the grossness of the Canadian Club ad campaign - a lot of Canadians are piz-issed!

Your Feminist Head Is About To Explode

This video is the most insane thing I've seen in so very long. I can't even wrap my mind around the insanity of it. I love the woman on the left laughing because her big break on the news demands that she defend Sarah Palin's beautiful brown eyes.

Our official call to action!

Feminist Club would like to invite you to a planning meeting for a
Counter-Protest.

If you live or travel in N/NE Portland, chances are you've seen them…the protesters standing on the corner of the future Planned Parenthood site on N. MLK, Jr. Blvd and Beech. They've been out there for a while and recently they have grown in numbers. As feminists, as women, as and people who support the rights of other people to determine their own futures and have access to affordable health-care, we would like to come together to demonstrate support for a Planned Parenthood in North Portland.

Feminist Club Sponsored, Outside In supported Pro-Choice Rally Planning Meeting:

Saturday, October 18th, 2008
3:00pm
At Outside In (1132 SW 13th Ave. PDX, OR 97205)

Planned Parenthood cannot condone (nor condemn) the protest because of a strict PC guideline, but that does not prevent us from taking action as independent activists. Outside In, a social service agency in the community which has always unapologetically supported the right to choose has offered to donate meeting space for this event. Feminist Club supports a non-violent, non-confrontational approach to championing women's rights. Topics for the planning meeting will include:

-Ways to respond to aggression from opponents constructively and
avoid negative publicity.
-How to publicize the event.
-Setting a date/time for a larger meeting to make signs.
-Setting the date of the actual counter-protest.
-How to respect the complexity of the issue including addressing
concerns of racism and classism.
-Any other issues you'd like to bring to the meeting.

Since this initial meeting is intended to be a SHORT planning meeting, please let me know via myspace message if you plan on attending (myspace.com/femmenarcischism.) Include your email. If you do not want to be a part of the planning process but would like to come to the sign-making meeting or to the actual counter-protest, please message me your email in order to receive future updates. If you would like to read more about the history of this, here are a
couple of articles to start off your research:

http://jezebel.com/5021386/portland-builder-drops-planned-parenthood-for-fear-of-pro+life-protesters

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/04/more_than_100_speak_about_plan.html

Again, the important details:

Feminist Club Sponsored, Outside In supported Pro-Choice Rally Planning Meeting
Saturday, October 18th, 2008
3:00pm
At Outside In (1132 SW 13th Ave. PDX, OR 97205)

Some little updates...

Hi everyone!

At our last meeting we decided that:

1. Our book discussion will happen after Candise gets back from Bulgaria, so we have until after the 17th to read 'Fledgling' by Octavia Butler.

2. Michelle is going to be our go-to person with regards to the counter protest. She's going to write a 'blurb' for all of us to circulate via flyer and myspace, etc...

3. Big counter-protest organizational meeting to happen this Saturday, October 18th, at Outside In, possibly 3:00 pm, but Michelle has to consult the schedule first...

4. Sign making to happen one week later on the following Saturday, October 25th, at Outside In.

5. Counter-protest to happen Sunday the 26th...

I went out this morning to scope out the location, as I think the idea is that we're going to set up in their spot while everyone is at church. I left the house at approx. 9:20 am, and saw no one as I walked up and down MLK until 9:45. I think church services don't get out until at least 11:00, so I think we'd be ok with a 9:30 to 10:00 am start time, but that's assuming this weekend was typical. I'll try to check it out next Sunday too.

The most amazing spoken word piece I've ever seen.

Dudettes, this video gave me the chills. I'm not normally down for some spoken word stylin's, but really, watch this. Its about Choice and the patriarchy. Boo-ya.

Petticoat 5: The computer made for women

Women are dumb, dangerous and not interested in science or technology.

At least, that is what I feel like when I look at some of the sexist advertising that I've seen recently. We're heading back to the days of advertising where women being baffled by science and technology. And I'm at a loss as to how this tactic benefits anyone.

There are so many examples of this type of crap.

A couple of recent offensive campaigns just for starters:

Washing machine ad touts that "steam thing" that women need.

Canon PowerShot E1: We will build the woman-proof camera.

Sexist "cellphone for the ladies" ad, annotated
(this has a "mildly" sexist verizon ad which has been hilariously annotated by a third party.)

(links via boingboing)

At the same time, there are a lot of people out there who are fighting back with my favorite weapon - humor.

Check out Target: WOMEN.
Sarah Haskins has some hilarious tongue-in-cheek videos making fun of marketing tactics directed at women.


chick flicks


yogurt

The Sarah Palin Feminist Discussion Continues

I found this story very interesting.

More on the Sarah Palin discussion from one feminists perspective. It is interesting to notice the divide here among feminists discussing Palin.

I found it especially interesting because there were a couple of times during the debate last night that i found myself feeling sorry for her has well. I had to shake that feeling off several times. But she just seemed so... tired. And recycling that same old b/s about joe six-pack, hockey moms, people on main street wanting government out of their lives, and other sort of home-spun wisdom that didn't answer any of the questions that Gwen Ifill posed. It made me so angry that this kind of political stance (of not having any particular stance) actually sways some people.

Maybe we can discuss a little about this ourselves.

Let's Use Pictures!

well, hello there!
trying out the format end of this. perhaps we can tell our feminist story in a picture-illustrated format sometimes.

documentation and whatnot.

for example, what if one of us made this hat? there should most definitely be a photo, right?

this particular image is owned by the artist. you can look up feminist hats and order one.

but, in the future, let's use this feature. i like pictures.

sincerely,
l.t.l. = the dabbler = leslie

Two Things

(1) Have you all seen this SNL sketch of McCain being a "space invader" aka stalker? It's really bizarre. Some parts seem to be making fun of a faulty justice system (that doesn't prosecute crimes against women) but it mostly just makes me uncomfortable. It's especially hard when a bunch of actresses that I think are rad and awesome are in the sketch, because it makes me feel like I'm taking it too seriously. But they have to realize that the majority of people watching don't have a sweet feminist filter to appreciate what they are doing, right? Also Lifetime is definitely available for mockery but things haven't changed enough to start making fun of movies that tell female victims' stories yet. But also I have to say, McCain not too bad of an actor. Much better than Lindsay Lohan when she hosted.

(2) Did you know about 7-Election? 7-11 has cups you can choose to use for your 7-11 coffee, a McCain and an Obama. And they've done it for the past two presidential elections and the voter/coffee drinker/customers have been right both times! Weird.