Anyone who has been following the healthcare debate has noticed that reproductive and abortion rights have been used as a means to detract debate away from affordable healthcare. Often, individuals have made the argument that if they do not agree with abortion, then they should not have their tax dollars pay for it. This argument is a frustrating one. Why is it only with abortion that taxpayers should be able to opt out of funding something that they are against? I am a pacifist and would prefer to not fund military operations. The argument is flawed considering that abortion is a LEGAL medical procedure (which people often forget) in addition to the fact that taxpayers often have their money go toward funding areas to which they are opposed. Should taxpayers be able to determine what their taxes fund, even if it is legal?
Jay Smooth, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and other bloggers created this PSA to discuss this very issue. While it specifically addresses the Hyde Amendment, I believe it raises valid questions about the status of abortion rights in the United States and how millions of low income women and families are disproportionately affected when abortions are not accessible and low cost.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Moby steps up when Arnold cuts domestic violence funding
http://axisofjustice.net/moby-reaches-out-to-california-domestic-violence-victims/
This was back in October but I had not known of it until now.
This was back in October but I had not known of it until now.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Vag-A-Fit
Vag-A-Fit Commercial -Moon County - watch more funny videos
This drags a bit but thought you all might appreciate the gist.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Wealth Gap Among Women
As posted on Feministing, a report recently was released by the Insight Center for Community and Economic Development showing how extreme the wealth gap is between white women and women of color. A few key statistics highlighted:
- Single black and Hispanic women have a median wealth of $100 and $120 respectively; the median for single white women is $41,500.
- Nearly half of all single black and Hispanic women have zero or negative wealth, the latter of which occurs when debts exceed assets.
- About one-third of single Hispanic women and one-fourth of single black women have no checking or savings account.
- On reservations where unemployment rates can be as high as 70 percent, Native American women are hard pressed to fulfill "job search" requirements to qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
- While 57 percent of single white women own homes, only 33 percent of single black women and 28 percent of single Hispanic women are homeowners.
- Only 1 percent of single Hispanic women and 4 percent of single black women own business assets compared to 8 percent of single white women.
- While 66 percent of white men and 60.4 percent of white women receive retirement income from assets, the same is true for only 40 percent of Asian women, 25.4 percent of black women and 23 percent of Hispanic women.
To read the entire report, click here.
- Single black and Hispanic women have a median wealth of $100 and $120 respectively; the median for single white women is $41,500.
- Nearly half of all single black and Hispanic women have zero or negative wealth, the latter of which occurs when debts exceed assets.
- About one-third of single Hispanic women and one-fourth of single black women have no checking or savings account.
- On reservations where unemployment rates can be as high as 70 percent, Native American women are hard pressed to fulfill "job search" requirements to qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
- While 57 percent of single white women own homes, only 33 percent of single black women and 28 percent of single Hispanic women are homeowners.
- Only 1 percent of single Hispanic women and 4 percent of single black women own business assets compared to 8 percent of single white women.
- While 66 percent of white men and 60.4 percent of white women receive retirement income from assets, the same is true for only 40 percent of Asian women, 25.4 percent of black women and 23 percent of Hispanic women.
To read the entire report, click here.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Lack of Consequences for Sexual Assault - Sexual Assault on Campus: A Frustrating Search for Justice
A Lack of Consequences for Sexual Assault - Sexual Assault on Campus: A Frustrating Search for Justice
Posted using ShareThis
Posted using ShareThis
This is the story Julia and I mentioned at the meeting today that also aired on NPR recently. Incredibly depressing but still very much worth reading.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feminist Spoken Word
When I was in New Zealand, I was able to see spoken word poet and activist Sonya Renee perform. Since then, I can't get enough of this art-form and how it can convey so many emotions. I've selected a few feminist-focused pieces by different artists, including the two that got me hooked.
This video was the first poem I heard from her. It is about relationship violence, specifically her cousin who was killed by her partner.
"What Women Deserve"
This is such a powerful poem. She discusses the need for reproductive choice.
"Liking Me"
This poem is about the connection between loving yourself and having safe sex.
"Feminist or Womanist"
This poem is about the constraints of labels and the existence of many identities. She also touches on the treatment of women when they speak out after being sexually assaulted.
"As With Most Men"
In this poem, he speaks about misogyny in American culture and questions if we would react the same way to the "War on Terror" if it was gendered rather than racialized.
I definitely recommend looking into all three of these artists as well as others.
Sonya Renee
"Still Life"
This video was the first poem I heard from her. It is about relationship violence, specifically her cousin who was killed by her partner.
This is such a powerful poem. She discusses the need for reproductive choice.
This poem is about the connection between loving yourself and having safe sex.
Staceyann Chin
This poem is about the constraints of labels and the existence of many identities. She also touches on the treatment of women when they speak out after being sexually assaulted.
Mark Gonzales
In this poem, he speaks about misogyny in American culture and questions if we would react the same way to the "War on Terror" if it was gendered rather than racialized.
I definitely recommend looking into all three of these artists as well as others.
Toni posted this article on facebook already, but if you get a chance you should check it out since it is particularly relevant to our conversation yesterday on Sheryl WuDunn. It is a Washington Post editorial from Jessica Valenti discussing why it is so much easier for us to recognize the problems women face in other parts of the world than admit that that "equality is still an illusion" for American women.
Also, this is a link to a feministing.com review of Half the Sky, and as Toni mentioned yesterday, it articulates many of the concerns we had about the book.
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