tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post1451383183875840517..comments2024-02-05T05:15:04.759-08:00Comments on Wandering Scientist: Summer of... Misogyny?Cloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-57762012531055155332012-08-25T08:18:43.171-07:002012-08-25T08:18:43.171-07:00Oh, I LOVE the idea of a "Family First" ...Oh, I LOVE the idea of a "Family First" group with my sort of family values. That would be awesome.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-47478458903409031832012-08-24T09:46:55.058-07:002012-08-24T09:46:55.058-07:00Whether or not there is more sexism going on right...Whether or not there is more sexism going on right now, I think there is definitely more of it in the political arena and in the media. I believe that is so pronounced is because this year is a big election year here in the US, as well as because of how polarized the two main parties have become. <br /><br />It feels to me like the Republican parties is pulling out all the stops to try and beat Obama in the presidential election, as well as the democratic party in other elections. We've already been through very polarizing opinions on finances and healthcare. Next on the list looks to be reproduction and other "family" topics. <br /><br />As a side note: I'm particularly pissed lately that I find so many anti-abortion and anti-gay groups have names like: Family Research Council and Americn Family Association. As if their views are the only ones a "true" family would have. I want to see a pro-gay marriage, pro-choice group call themselves Family First Group or something like that.<br /><br />Another aside, I shared this rape analogy on facebook with the comment: Sounds like this wasn't a "legitimate" mugging. http://hausofkelsie.tumblr.com/image/10118959169caramamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02327695885346537321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-32264170930480774122012-08-23T08:31:01.732-07:002012-08-23T08:31:01.732-07:00I don't have time to comment intelligently rig...I don't have time to comment intelligently right now, I do agree with NicoleandMaggie on the legislative concerns. <br /><br />I also think it's worth noting that there IS a type of "non-forcible" rape, and it's statutory -- rape that is rape (only) because of the age of the victim. And I do think discussing this in the context of Akin (et. al.)'s comments matters, because (and here channeling Hrdy a bit also) it ties into another separate (IMO) yet related (in practical terms) issue: is a juvenile old enough to consent to abortion? Because on some level that's part of what this is about: a girl too young to consent to sex (control her body) is also (again, per others, definitely NOT me) too young to consent to abortion (control her body).<br /><br />It's really, really frightening, though as Hrdy makes us realize, hardly new.Alexicographerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06029216139568740202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-60623162651235871912012-08-22T22:45:02.164-07:002012-08-22T22:45:02.164-07:00I agree, the campaign against facts is scary. And ...I agree, the campaign against facts is scary. And really hard to counter.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-63427319061551484802012-08-22T22:44:11.616-07:002012-08-22T22:44:11.616-07:00My opinion on the Latch on NYC thing is that they ...My opinion on the Latch on NYC thing is that they took a laudable public health goal (increasing breastfeeding rates) and an approach that has been done elsewhere with success (removing formula from the recovery room) and screwed it up by being such asses about it. It is like they forgot that there are at least two people in that recovery room. In some ways, the rhetoric from the more extreme lactivists is just as insulting to women as the anti-abortion rhetoric can be, just from the opposite end of the political spectrum.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-20944159006608359442012-08-22T11:48:51.622-07:002012-08-22T11:48:51.622-07:00No, I don't think its just perception. I think...No, I don't think its just perception. I think there is really a shift in thinking and its becoming culturally acceptable again to completely undermine women's reproductive rights. Its accompanied by a complete and total disregard (disdain, even?) for facts, science, education, etc... in favor of dogma and propaganda that scares the crap out of me when I think about my children's future. And I have boys. anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320182732889825712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-3543951275550351712012-08-22T08:51:48.009-07:002012-08-22T08:51:48.009-07:00I'm disturbed that so much of this legislation...I'm disturbed that so much of this legislation is actually getting passed and has stayed up for any length of time. It is seriously 1860-1890 all over again, with people like Rick Santorum playing the role of Anthony Comstock. I still have hope that there will be lawsuits and our judicial system will take care of these egregious attacks on our reproductive freedom, and will do so in less than 4 decades. But we will see. <br /><br />I also keep hoping that Murdoch's empire will crumble or that the Koch brothers will become less influential with their propaganda... sometimes the foot soldiers in populist movements do turn on their wealthy overlords.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-14826878810809000892012-08-22T07:47:53.160-07:002012-08-22T07:47:53.160-07:00I can't explain my train of thought here but r...I can't explain my train of thought here but recently I've been thinking about the holocaust and the cultural shifts and ways of thinking that led to it. Not trying to be alarmist, but the tendencies are there right now in some of our radical groups. It is downright scary.Vacationland Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963961759496245539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-7775627482006483462012-08-22T06:55:17.158-07:002012-08-22T06:55:17.158-07:00I tend to think "same sexism, different day.&...I tend to think "same sexism, different day." Like @feMOMhist said, I think the role of social media in our feminist perceptions is worth exploring.<br /><br />p.s. Glad you're calling out Latch on NYC for its misogyny.<br /><br />http://husheveryone.blogspot.com/2012/08/in-which-i-drink-latch-on-nyc-haterade.htmlhushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532820460835325762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-44383490506508186702012-08-22T06:54:48.073-07:002012-08-22T06:54:48.073-07:00Maybe we'll do better this time because women ...Maybe we'll do better this time because women have the vote? And money? I know that I've found myself more inclined to give to Planned Parenthood since this nonsense started.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-60054801457498116162012-08-22T06:53:53.582-07:002012-08-22T06:53:53.582-07:00I totally understand not wanting to write about th...I totally understand not wanting to write about these things. I get a little nervous when I touch on topics like abortion here. I haven't really got much interest in moderating a discussion on things like that. Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-86849477242288290132012-08-22T06:52:50.085-07:002012-08-22T06:52:50.085-07:00Thanks for reminding me of that. I believe it for ...Thanks for reminding me of that. I believe it for others (see, for instance, my defense of Marissa Mayer) but sometimes feel bad that I don't do more activism myself. It isn't my style, though, and it could be very detrimental to my career.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-52933414095421554492012-08-22T06:51:47.158-07:002012-08-22T06:51:47.158-07:00@Paola- thanks for reminding me about Assange. I s...@Paola- thanks for reminding me about Assange. I should have included that nonsense in the post, too. He doesn't get much news attention here, though, so I forget about him.<br /><br />@Erin- yikes! It used to be that California and New York balanced Texas in the textbook wars. But California is so bankrupt, we probably aren't much help these days.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-78088083355913363532012-08-22T06:49:51.191-07:002012-08-22T06:49:51.191-07:00I'm glad my "having it all" posts ar...I'm glad my "having it all" posts are positive for you. I really do have a pretty good life! Maybe that is why I have such a hard time with the depressing news stories- it is such a disconnect with what is going on in my own personal life.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-51977208278101247582012-08-22T06:48:47.742-07:002012-08-22T06:48:47.742-07:00I just hope that 20 years from now, you aren't...I just hope that 20 years from now, you aren't writing a post like this one!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-72984747950427282072012-08-22T05:43:01.155-07:002012-08-22T05:43:01.155-07:00Yes, I think we're cycling back to a dangerous...Yes, I think we're cycling back to a dangerous time for women's reproductive rights. This situation matches the situation from the end of the 19th century in eerie ways. There's men's groups funded by wealthy donors actively organizing to write and pass legislation across the country. And they're succeeding despite the widespread "silent majority" being against the laws. In the 19th century, it was the YMCA, today it's other organizations. There's the same populist movement, the same fury about immigration and white Protestant women not having enough babies and fear that our country's demographics are changing. (Only back then Catholics weren't considered Christian... today they're only worried about Catholics if they aren't lily white.)<br /><br />Eventually there was a huge backlash and we got the Pill from that backlash, and then abortion rights. But I'm hopeful we don't have to endure decades of limited freedoms before we get our rights back (and more) this time around.<br /><br />Interestingly, the Republican party used to be pro-reproductive control. (Not because they necessarily wanted to give women agency, but because they wanted poor people to stop reproducing so much.) George H.W. Bush was a huge advocate of family planning. http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/george-bush-family-planning-2012-4/ (And before that, there were the forced sterilization scandals.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-28692702751095542382012-08-22T05:19:26.159-07:002012-08-22T05:19:26.159-07:00I don't think I've been paying attention m...I don't think I've been paying attention more --- it really does seem like there is more and more of this out there in the last few months. Practically every week there's some new horrific case of blatant sexism, and I just get overwhelmed by it all. <br /><br />I do try to speak up when I feel it's warranted, but definitely don't feel as though I'm an activist. Hell - I rarely write about these things on my blog because I just feel like everyone is so bombarded with this topic from all sides. And, to be honest, I'm just sick and tired of it all that I'm starting to feel like I want to stick my fingers in my ears, squeeze my eyes tight, and hope it goes away. Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01695509619557410413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-57218411519987268352012-08-22T04:25:47.591-07:002012-08-22T04:25:47.591-07:00Darling you are"fighting feminist battles&quo...Darling you are"fighting feminist battles" while "accomplishing your larger life goals!" At work, raising the girls, through the blog are all contributions to transforming the world into a better place for women. As I like to tell my students, the world changes 1 person at a time, and not everyone can/needs/will be the person "out front."<br /><br />That said I'm fascinated at the role of social media in our perception of "feminist" crises, for lack of a better phrase. I'd write more, but that feels too much like work! feMOMhisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192104351023271207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-88413792973771619022012-08-22T04:18:15.881-07:002012-08-22T04:18:15.881-07:00@Paola, men are the left are terrible allies for w...@Paola, men are the left are terrible allies for women, it turns out, when it threatens their own privilege. It's like all the artists, actors, and directors who speak out for Polanski. And feminists who have spoken out against these men (on the internet) or merely suggested that they face a trial (in the case of Assange) have been met with death threats.<br /><br />As I said over at Moxie, the part of the Akin business that upsets me the most is the pseudo-scientific bit about not getting pregnant from rape. Here's why - because it seems to me that if you want to a hold a radical pro life agenda that says even women who are raped should be forced to carry the fetus to term, then you should own that position in its entirety, even though it is unpopular with the majority of Americans. What you should *not* do is create what is essential a campaign of propaganda and truly Orwellian disinformation about female physiology and also the realities of rape in our society in order to try to make your ideas palatable. I'm really afraid of the way the right has decided to embrace the erasure of facts and evidence and critical thinking in favor of group think and propaganda. Frankly, i think everyone should be afraid. (OT: Did you all catch that business about the Texas Republican party has decided to include in their party platform that education absolutely should NOT teach *critical thinking* because it encourages kids to you know, think for themselves? It's in there, plain as day, and if you're wondering why that should scare you to your toes - the majority of textbooks are bought by the state of Texas, which means Texas education policy has a HUGE effect on what everybody's children are being taught in this country.)<br /><br />Otherwise, I've been a feminist too long to think of any year as particularly misogynistic, although the far right is clearly advancing an anti-women agenda and becoming increasingly successful (see above on tactics).Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-16375735521845508672012-08-22T01:48:00.750-07:002012-08-22T01:48:00.750-07:00Definition of rape is making headlines here in the...Definition of rape is making headlines here in the UK too with the Assange case on front pages. Here it is left-wing politicIans, who normally side with feminists, who claim that what Assange is being accused of ' isn't really rape' and therefore should not be handed over to the Swedish authorities to be tried. Feminists, rightly so, are up in arms about this. If they can't get support from the left, who can they get itt from?<br /><br /><br />paolanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-67466653111824998302012-08-21T23:15:18.604-07:002012-08-21T23:15:18.604-07:00I think there's been some horrific political d...I think there's been some horrific political developments, particularly in the US. But I'm also reading more of this stuff than I used to, so I think those developments have fueled more conversation in this space...<br />I'm like you - I can't see myself being an active activist, but I like to follow the conversation.<br />I'm deliberately seeking out less depressing stories - there is good news, too - and places like skepchick are often the place to find it.<br />Your stories on 'having it all' are also a positive for me.krishttps://plus.google.com/u/0/112267185815701958340/postsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-13820636075073663432012-08-21T22:41:28.400-07:002012-08-21T22:41:28.400-07:00A short preliminary comment. It does seem that the...A short preliminary comment. It does seem that the inanity, the conversations surrounding women's issues that I perceive to be at base nearly insane for the kind of things being argued (whether birth control, whether rape, whether pregnancies can result) are at a higher and more frequent pitch this year. <br /><br />And it's upsetting and disturbing. Having not been around for quite so very long enough to remember other cycles of feminism, I am still not any less appalled that my and other women's reproductive decision-making is actually not our own decision-making but subject to the whims of males in the legislative body who I may not have voted for who either lack basic comprehension of human anatomy, physiology and other relevant medical knowledge or are willing to ignore said knowledge in order to move forward with political agendas. <br /><br />Among other things that upset me about this year's public issues. <br /><br />We face plenty of headwinds in the public and professional space as it is, I'm not really able to let this go. <br /><br />I'm not a political activist but I do what I can to educate all the young women I work with, to teach them confidence, composure and all the skills they'd need to stand up and deal with Standard Issue Obstructionism which can translate roughly well enough when one is faced with specific discriminations based on age or sex. <br />Revanchehttp://www.agaishanlife.comnoreply@blogger.com