Weekly Round-Up And Open Thread # 5
by Shiha Kaur // 30 August 2010, 14:38
Grab a coffee, sit down, relax and catch up with this week's selection of interesting stories. We can't always cover everything, so please share anything that has caught you eye or feel free to discuss topics with other feminists in this week's open thread.
Debunking Popular Anti-Choice Myths
Deeply Problematic on 'Why I use that word I use: kyriarchy, kyriarchal, and why not patriarchy'
Is second pregnant 'Apprentice' a disgrace to feminism?
Blogging is Activism: 6 blogging events to get involved in
Pension changes will hit women hardest: Some of the proposed changes to pensions set out in the emergency Budget will have a negative impact on women.
Reclaimed WWII bunker to become museum on women's role in wars
Feminist poster and postcard archive launches
Activists in Puerto Rico stepping up campaign on domestic violence, in face of government inaction
Call for submissions to Women’s Voices from the Muslim World: A Short-Film Festival
Grazia claims that a woman competing in the Apprentice TV show is letting feminism down by being pregnant. Hannah Mudge responds here
Kingston sees massive increase in rapes, none solved
Spilt Milk on why Fat Acceptance is not 'giving up'
Laureldhl writes "Monica Dux thinks I'm Bad for Feminism's Image"
'Advice on Consent' from Textual Deviance
Glasgow Women's Library are holding an Auction of Pleasures and Dinner to raise funds for their relocation, which will support their goal to be nationalised as the Women's Library of Scotland
Paperchase is patronising
Famous female scientists are unknown to UK public
Want a raise? Wash your vagina Here is a response from the brand manager
Interview with Kat Banyard (from 16 Aug)
Two female authors are campaigning for a change in the law to stop the "pornification" of society which they say promotes violence against women
Feminist activist Kyle Payne charged with parole violation as officers find animated child porn
Why women don't ask for a pay rise.
One in 4 lap dancers have a degree.
Women candidates in Afghan elections
Rise in FGM in London
Nails removed from Sri Lankan maid
Haitian Women fight Sexual Violence
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earwicga // Posted 30 August 2010 at 16:18
More on women candidates in Afghan election:
Afghanistan election: five campaigners for female candidate shot dead
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/29/afghanistan-election-campaigners-shot-dead
earwicga // Posted 30 August 2010 at 16:41
And a big Fuck You to Zac Goldsmith for his response to rapes in Kingston.
saranga // Posted 30 August 2010 at 18:46
And don't forget the special project around Read Comcis in Public Day that focuses on women reading comics in public:
http://womenreadcomicsinpublic.tumblr.com/
along with Gail Simone's article on why it matters:
http://gailsimone.tumblr.com/post/1033520366/dear-everyone-in-comics-dammit
Elmo // Posted 30 August 2010 at 21:43
I am slave channel 4 just now, drama about slave trafficking in britain, very grim and shocking- i didnt know women were kept as domestic slaves here, and by such high profile people
Hannah // Posted 30 August 2010 at 21:45
Pleased to see the link about Paperchase, I get annoyed every time I walk past the one in York with those huge gender sterotyping posters in the windows!
I think they've misunderstood the trend of reviving certain parts of the sexist 50s/60s - it's pretty much ok for grown ups who are aware of the irony, and the stereotypes these things embody, but it's wrong to market this stuff at children.
The marketing director's responses were surprisingly rude (correcting spelling? that's low), I guess we can conclude that feminists just aren't the kind of customers valued by Paperchase.
sam // Posted 30 August 2010 at 23:44
Just finished watching I am slave on channel 4. Around 5 thousand slaves in London alone. I can't say that I am surprised but i still find it sad that in this day and age we still have people treated in such inhuman ways.
sam // Posted 30 August 2010 at 23:53
i have met those fat, hairy and not very feminine lesbians who identify as feminist but that has nothing to do with why I do not identify as a feminist. I actually find it sad that those fat, hairy unfeminine feminist are rejected by other feminist who think they give feminism a bad look.
anon // Posted 30 August 2010 at 23:56
this is so random but does anyone watch some US drama called Mad Men.
Sarah // Posted 31 August 2010 at 01:30
The Paperchase thing made me really angry, especially all the comments. I just knew what they were going to be before I read them: "Stop moaning, it's no big deal" "There are much bigger problems" "People can buy whatever they want" "If people didn't want it, it wouldn't sell" etc etc.
All designed to utterly miss the point...
I know I won't be shopping with them in future. Regardless of the actual campaign, (I haven't seen it, so can't comment) that response was completely disrespectful.
coldharbour // Posted 31 August 2010 at 11:42
@earwicga
Couldn't agree more, I'm in the unfortunate position of having him as my M.P.. Attempting to use the failed victims of rape as propaganda to cut 'red tape' i.e. resources, absolutely disgusting.
Lara Williams // Posted 02 September 2010 at 14:35
Thoroughly depressing article from Grazia re: Apprentice contestant getting pregnant. I mean really, why didn't she think of ALL WOMEN when falling in love and deciding to have a baby? Does she not know that we will now, ALL OF US, be judged for her thoughtless actions. (the assumption that having a child renders you a barely functioning idiot aside)