Woman Receives Online Abuse For Saying She Doesn't Want To Have Children, But She's Fighting Back:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/26/woman-violent-threats-for-saying-she-doesnt-want-children_n_8653750.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-women
After saying she doesn't want to be a mother, Holly Brockwell received wave after wave of insults and abuse by the online community.
This article really spoke to me on a personal level because I share the same beliefs that Holly does. She says that there's nothing appealing about creating another human to her. She doesn't feel an emotional connection to the thought of having kids.
Of course the ability to create life is powerful and amazing, but it's not the only thing about being a woman that is! Women do not exist for the sole purpose of giving birth. It's just something we can do. It's so strange that other people feel as if they know what you want better than you do. Motherhood is a personal thing, yet so many people felt the need to give their opinions on what Holly chose to do.
It's such a common thing to see. As soon as a woman speaks out and has a different path for herself than society does, she's demonized. I'm just glad that Holly was able to stand her ground and that she didn't get hurt.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Current Women's Issue #4
The Girls Against guide to gig etiquette:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/14/the-girls-against-guide-to-gig-etiquette
After sharing her story of assault at a Peace show, Hannah Camilleri started inspiring other's to share their experiences. The Peace band members also spoke out saying that they don't accept such disgusting behavior, which was nice to see because it's common for things like this to get glossed over.
After this happened, the campaign group Girls Against was created. Girls Against is a group of friends whose main goal is to offer a safe space for women and girls who have been assaulted.
I loved reading about this because sexual assault at concerts is not something I ever thought about. I think it's awesome that girls are standing up for each other to try and make a difference in how society reacts to and discusses sexual assault. It's a serious problem and it's encouraging to see that more and more people are talking about it.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/14/the-girls-against-guide-to-gig-etiquette
After sharing her story of assault at a Peace show, Hannah Camilleri started inspiring other's to share their experiences. The Peace band members also spoke out saying that they don't accept such disgusting behavior, which was nice to see because it's common for things like this to get glossed over.
After this happened, the campaign group Girls Against was created. Girls Against is a group of friends whose main goal is to offer a safe space for women and girls who have been assaulted.
I loved reading about this because sexual assault at concerts is not something I ever thought about. I think it's awesome that girls are standing up for each other to try and make a difference in how society reacts to and discusses sexual assault. It's a serious problem and it's encouraging to see that more and more people are talking about it.
Current Women's Issue #3
France votes to reduce tax on tampons and sanitary towels:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/france-votes-cut-tax-tampons-sanitary-towels
There was a 20% tax on sanitary products and now this tax is being reduced to 5.5%. I think that it's a good start for sure. It's always seemed kind of ridiculous that necessary products like this are so expensive. People have argued that feminine products should be treated the same as other necessities like food, water, and condoms.
I believe that in order for progress like this to be made, we need to get better as a society with talking about periods. It's such a weird, taboo thing. It's as if everyone wants to pretend periods just don't exist. I don't actually know what the tax is here in the U.S., but I'm hoping that becoming more accepting of normal bodily functions is something that will happen worldwide.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/france-votes-cut-tax-tampons-sanitary-towels
There was a 20% tax on sanitary products and now this tax is being reduced to 5.5%. I think that it's a good start for sure. It's always seemed kind of ridiculous that necessary products like this are so expensive. People have argued that feminine products should be treated the same as other necessities like food, water, and condoms.
I believe that in order for progress like this to be made, we need to get better as a society with talking about periods. It's such a weird, taboo thing. It's as if everyone wants to pretend periods just don't exist. I don't actually know what the tax is here in the U.S., but I'm hoping that becoming more accepting of normal bodily functions is something that will happen worldwide.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Creative Response
small
always being told to listen
and sit
and be pretty
don't argue
don't even speak
don't let them know
that you are a person
it can't be helped
you're just a girl
stupid
vapid
is there anything inside?
you are a blank slate on which
anyone can scribble
and turn you
into whatever they want you to be
always being told to listen
and sit
and be pretty
don't argue
don't even speak
don't let them know
that you are a person
it can't be helped
you're just a girl
stupid
vapid
is there anything inside?
you are a blank slate on which
anyone can scribble
and turn you
into whatever they want you to be
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Current Women's Issue #2
Questions Follow Closing of Beijing Art Show on Violence Against Women:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/world/asia/questions-follow-closing-of-beijing-art-show-on-violence-against-women.html?ref=topics
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an art exhibition, which was to be the first in which men and women artists were equally represented in China, never opened.
Reading about this gave me a strange mix of feelings. On one hand, I felt sad because I know how important it is for us to speak about these issues. On the other hand, I felt hopeful because even though they were denied access into the building, these artists persevered and displayed their creations out in the cold anyway. One artist, Xiao Lu, began to create new art out of cigarettes in the snow.
It was interesting that it wasn't the government who shut down the exhibition, but the gallery itself. It was passed off as being a misunderstanding and they even said that there wasn't enough public interest for it to be opened. Cui Guangxia, the male curator, said that the higher authorities thought it would be too crowded and risky. Many excuses were made, none of which seem to make much sense at all and I couldn't help but wonder if it really was accidental.
There's been a history of silencing victims of abuse. If it ever comes out that the exhibition was shut down in order to perpetuate this silence and "not make waves", so to speak, it would come as no surprise.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/world/asia/questions-follow-closing-of-beijing-art-show-on-violence-against-women.html?ref=topics
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an art exhibition, which was to be the first in which men and women artists were equally represented in China, never opened.
Reading about this gave me a strange mix of feelings. On one hand, I felt sad because I know how important it is for us to speak about these issues. On the other hand, I felt hopeful because even though they were denied access into the building, these artists persevered and displayed their creations out in the cold anyway. One artist, Xiao Lu, began to create new art out of cigarettes in the snow.
It was interesting that it wasn't the government who shut down the exhibition, but the gallery itself. It was passed off as being a misunderstanding and they even said that there wasn't enough public interest for it to be opened. Cui Guangxia, the male curator, said that the higher authorities thought it would be too crowded and risky. Many excuses were made, none of which seem to make much sense at all and I couldn't help but wonder if it really was accidental.
There's been a history of silencing victims of abuse. If it ever comes out that the exhibition was shut down in order to perpetuate this silence and "not make waves", so to speak, it would come as no surprise.
Current Women's Issue #1
The Women of Hollywood Speak Out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/magazine/the-women-of-hollywood-speak-out.html?ref=topics&_r=0
I thought this article was very interesting, and also a little frustrating. As a woman who enjoys film-making and movies and TV shows, the issues addressed here really speak to me.
It was mentioned that many people will try and discount women directors who don't make movies like Star Wars or Jurassic Park by saying that women just "aren't interested" in making movies in the action/fantasy genre. This is not the case at all, actually. It's just that when women try to do the things men do, especially when working in Hollywood, they aren't taken seriously and people are more likely to criticize a female director/actor than they are a male.
I liked hearing the voices of female directors such as Leslye Headland even though, sadly, I had never heard of her before. Funny how we never get much exposure to women who do such great work unless we do some serious digging.
Someday, I hope that with any and all careers, we won't have to make the distinction of that person's gender. I don't ever want to be referred to as a "female author", I want to just be an author!
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/magazine/the-women-of-hollywood-speak-out.html?ref=topics&_r=0
I thought this article was very interesting, and also a little frustrating. As a woman who enjoys film-making and movies and TV shows, the issues addressed here really speak to me.
It was mentioned that many people will try and discount women directors who don't make movies like Star Wars or Jurassic Park by saying that women just "aren't interested" in making movies in the action/fantasy genre. This is not the case at all, actually. It's just that when women try to do the things men do, especially when working in Hollywood, they aren't taken seriously and people are more likely to criticize a female director/actor than they are a male.
I liked hearing the voices of female directors such as Leslye Headland even though, sadly, I had never heard of her before. Funny how we never get much exposure to women who do such great work unless we do some serious digging.
Someday, I hope that with any and all careers, we won't have to make the distinction of that person's gender. I don't ever want to be referred to as a "female author", I want to just be an author!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)