Category Archives: Feminism

LA Sparks Celebrated American Indians Appreciation Night with Shoni Schimmel

AMERICAN INDIANS LOVE SHONI AND SHE MAKES IT APPARENT THAT THE FEELING IS MUTUAL.

Some 300 Indian youth and families were able to attend the game with tickets donated by sponsors. In all, over 1,000 American Indians attended the game. Some of the American Indians traveled to Los Angeles from as far away as Reno, Nevada. Various tribal leaders also attended, as well as former Los Angeles Laker A.C. Green.

via LA Sparks Celebrated American Indians Appreciation Night with Shoni Schimmel.

Afghan Women’s Writing Project | Biking on the Streets of Kabul

On our second group bike ride in Darlaman, an old man stopped us. To be honest, all of us were scared, but he told us: “You girls raise Afghanistan’s flag. Foreigners will change their minds about Afghanistan when they see you biking around. Let me tell you something, I am in charge of that park right there and I am not allowed to let bicycles inside, but today is a good day, and I am proud of you so I can make an exception!”

These encouragements help us to ignore the judgmental looks from others. Although many people in Afghanistan think a good Muslim girl should never sit on a bike, there are still people who give us a pat on our shoulders. We decided we would smile back at people who encourage us, rather than give up from the harassment that we receive from others. Although it can be a little bit scary to ride in public, if a girl has the courage to ride a bike, the chances that she will be stopped or physically hurt is very low.

I think the most important thing for girls is to take action. There is nothing in either the Qur’an or in our Constitution forbidding girls to ride a bike, so I believe girls should take advantage of biking.

People often ask me why I want to go biking. I tell them it is to make bike riding for girls a part of our culture. Some girls have to walk a long distance to get to their destination and it’s much faster on a bike. Afghanistan doesn’t offer girls many sport options and biking can serve as a perfect option for exercising.

It is unbelievable that in countries like Afghanistan we have to fight to make bike riding for girls acceptable for people or we have to have a complicated philosophy behind simply riding. My generation has to fight, but I hope our next generation gets the right to bike in Kabul freely.

I hope one day the domination of one sex in an activity stops, because a society really develops when both men and women can participate in all the activities. If bike riding for girls is not acceptable for people, it means we have a long way to civilization. Let girls bike, and civilization will be right in front of our doors.

via Afghan Women’s Writing Project | Biking on the Streets of Kabul.

Annie Lennox Responds To Gaza Blog Comments – Look to the Stars

The singer and activist has been blogging about the situation in Gaza over the last few weeks, but her thoughts have caused a stir among those who read them, with many choosing sides.

“Over the last few weeks my blogs have been mainly focused on the plight of thousands of innocent civilians trapped in Gaza (many of whom are young children) who have been the victims of bombing raids,” she wrote. “Whichever way you look at the arguments for and against on either side, it is abominable that any human being should have to suffer on such a scale.

“I have read most of the comments posted on my blogs. The entire spectrum of viewpoints has been well represented… from hate filled bigotry to more rational viewpoints, all passionately expressed. Somewhat predictably it is so often “There is only one side… and if you’re not with us, you’re against us.”

“For me, this kind of perspective only ever leads to destruction as the inevitable end game. The possibility for long term sustainable peace should be the only goal. But it seems that after decades of abuse, the situation is further away from a positive solution than it ever was. How many more innocent people must be slaughtered? How many lives shattered?

“Latest developments across the entire Middle East seem to be rapidly turning the region into an even bigger tinder keg of madness and extremism. What’s the end game? I personally don’t see how this can turn out well. I don’t know how other people are feeling, but I find this all deeply disquieting.”

via Annie Lennox Responds To Gaza Blog Comments – Look to the Stars.

Amal Alamuddin refuses UN offer to investigate possible war crimes in Gaza | World | The Guardian

“I am horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, particularly the civilian casualties that have been caused, and strongly believe that there should be an independent investigation and accountability for crimes that have been committed,” said the statement.

“I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning. I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments – including eight ongoing cases – unfortunately could not accept this role. I wish my colleagues who will serve on the commission courage and strength in their endeavours.”

via Amal Alamuddin refuses UN offer to investigate possible war crimes in Gaza | World | The Guardian.

10 Traits of the Bad Witch. | Rebelle Society

No matter how toned-down you allow yourself to be in dress or demeanor, you still make people nervous just by your very presence. There are things that can be done to mitigate this, but it’s probably unavoidable.

For folks who are looking to external authorities to tell them what’s good and beautiful and okay, the presence of you — someone who is wholly reliant on inner authority — is inherently disturbing.

Your presence is disturbing because others can sense there’s something about you that’s unpredictable and uncontrollable. You’re not being ruled by the conventional programs, so you’re not immediately legible to people who still allow themselves to be ruled.

via 10 Traits of the Bad Witch. | Rebelle Society.

vintage everyday: Bertha Benz driving the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, c. 1886

Woman responsible for worldwide use of automobiles –

Bertha Benz driving the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, c. 1886

Bertha Benz (1849–1944) was the wife and business partner of automobile inventor Karl Benz. In 1888, she was the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance. In doing so, she brought the Benz Patent-Motorwagen worldwide attention and got the company its first sales.

via vintage everyday: Bertha Benz driving the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, c. 1886.

Pro-Palestine supporters urged to ditch Garnier over its support for Israeli army

‘It’s time to ditch Garnier’. That’s the message from Palestinian human rights organisation, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, as it emerged that Garnier has, over the last few days, provided ‘care packages’ of face creams, deodorants, soaps and other cosmetics to female members of the Israeli army.

The company says it has provided the ‘girly’ packages to the women ‘so they can still pamper themselves, even in times of war!’

Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: ‘It’s beyond words that, while the Israeli army is raining death and destruction on Palestinian children, men and women in Gaza with its bombs and shells, Garnier is providing face creams and facial soaps to that army’s female soldiers.

via Pro-Palestine supporters urged to ditch Garnier over its support for Israeli army.

Argentina imprisons woman for getting an abortion, along with the friends who helped her

This is a total violation of women’s rights, an injustice that has been committed by the state and all of its institutions from the public health system to criminal justice system.

This woman is the expression of the necessity of the legalization of abortion in Argentina. Today there is still no legal justification for incarcerating these women, it’s a totally illegal situation, since they are holding them in what is called “preventative prison” because of the possibility that they will flee and let’s remember that there isn’t a single rapist or murderer in Argentina being held in in “preventative prison,” so the real criminals are always free, but women aren’t.

In the above video, Verónica Cruz, director of the Center of Las Libres, Manuela Castañeira, director of the women’s group “Las Rojas,” and Marianne Møllmann from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission demand the release of Susana D., María G. y María C. Castañeira says, “We are launching this campaign with the release of this video which invites everyone to join and help spread the message so that the authorities in Jujuy free these three women.”

Support the campaign by using these hashtags: #SusanaLibertadYa (#FreeSusanaNow) #MaríasLibertadYa (#FreeMariaNow) #Jujuy

Also, make sure you see the movie Las Libres, about the fight to free women incarcerated for having abortions in Argentina and Mexico.

via Argentina imprisons woman for getting an abortion, along with the friends who helped her.

Alabama Admitting Privileges Law Ruled Unconstitutional | National Women’s Law Center

Yesterday, a federal judge in Alabama held that the state’s law requiring abortion providers to obtain hospital admitting privileges was unconstitutional as applied to the clinics that brought the suit. Enforcement of the law would have closed three of Alabama’s five abortion clinics.

via Alabama Admitting Privileges Law Ruled Unconstitutional | National Women’s Law Center.

A Practice of Gratitude. | Rebelle Society

Take that gratitude and write it, speak it, dance it, paint it. Let it shine bright, for you and for all of us. So that when darkness falls, this thank you is the salve on your wounded knees, the balm for my broken heart, the friend who holds us all during aching times of loneliness.

Be gratitude.

via A Practice of Gratitude. | Rebelle Society.