Blog Against Sexual Violence

April 1, 2008 · Filed Under Activism ·

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault awareness is very close to my heart, as a survivor myself and April is a very important month to me, especially this year since abyss2hope is creating even more outlets for awareness by hosting the second annual Blog Against Sexual Violence.

On April 3rd, bloggers from across the blogosphere will have the opportunity to speak out about sexual violence and how important it is to end the pandemic that exists across the world and within every culture.

I cannot urge bloggers enough to get involved with this and I hope to see a lot of positive posts on ending sexual violence this month.

Tags: blogging, child abuse, child sexual abuse, education, exploitation, incest, men, RAINN, rape, sexual assault, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, victim's rights

Debunking the Feminist Myth

February 25, 2008 · Filed Under Society ·

badass

When people hear the word feminist, most identify with the word on a level of pure extremism. Some can’t help but contort their faces into a horrified, “hide the children” expression. My personal favorite, however, are the questions–Do you burn bras? So you hate men, right? Are you a lesbian? How many abortions have you had? The list can literally go on for hours. But I have a secret for those out there who think feminists are all man-hating, bra-burning, soulless creatures of evil–You’re wrong.

The myths that revolve around feminism captivate me. They often make me burst into high-pitched giggling fits. At times, they even make me angry because of the sheer ignorance that people hold so close to them and the close-mindedness that they refuse to rid themselves of. I can already sense that this may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this topic and I may be writing more in the future on feminist myths.

Feminists come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, backgrounds and lifestyles; as does any “group” of people. Those who call themselves feminists or those who identify with feminists are simply the people who care about women and the equality of both sexes alike. They are those who care about the rights we, as people of both sexes, currently have and utilize and about the rights we want. It is a lifestyle–A lifestyle of caring, of standing up for what you believe is right and understanding the full humanity of equality.

For the record, feminists cliches are not always correct. The biggest cliche revolving around this movement is the one I am going to disprove right off the bat–Not all feminists are female! Not all feminists burn bras; although some do (and take beautiful pictures of the process.) Not all feminists are man-haters; in fact, many feminists are in long-term relationships and marriages and have families. It is pure discrimination to believe that feminism and homosexuality go hand in hand. Feminists can enjoy cooking and “being in the kitchen.” Feminists are housewives who do not work outside the house yet may have husbands who do. We enjoy sex–even with men! We are not on a rampage to destroy children, we don’t all hate children and we are not out aborting fetuses every chance we get. We are in the workplace and most of us are also in the home.

By the above examples alone, women have not abandoned their “past identities” such as cooking, cleaning and providing for her family. Women have simply grown stronger and have grown upwards in society and have fought for the right to be active and contributing members of society and to their families; that is something to applaud and to be proud of, not something to hold against women or blame unrelated issues on.

Tags: cliches, culture, education, gender equality

For a Better Understanding

January 23, 2008 · Filed Under Reproductive Rights ·

I came across a fantastic documentary last night while poking around online a bit. Via Jezebel, I read about a broadcast that aired on Frontline in 1983.

The documentary won the 1983 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Award for Outstanding Background/Analysis of a Single Current Story. Even today, 25 years after the date it had originally aired, is a fantastic source of education when it comes to what an abortion is, how it’s performed, what women feel before, during, and after they get an abortion, how the abortion provider feels, the counseling that the women who are seeking abortions receive before the procedure, and what others are doing to try to stop women from seeking abortions all together.

In the video, the “doctor” who is basically running a halfway house for pregnant women, seems a bit creepy to me.

“Yes, you’re pregnant and I don’t want you to get an abortion, so come live with me along with several other women I’ve recruited through my intimidating tactics! And did I mention that my wife is also fully skilled in talking women out of having control over their own reproductive systems? Oh yes, and on Saturdays we all make signs about how the decision you were going to make is “murder” and go hold up signs–that young children also helped us make–and pray outside of the clinic that you were going to go get your abortion performed at. But don’t worry, you made the right decision because it coincides with our religious background!”

Click on the picture below to watch the full documentary!