August 3, 2018

"My body, not your crime scene!"

From Essence.com

#TotalShutdown: South African Women Take to the Streets To Protest Gender-Based Violence

Britni Danielle Aug, 03, 2018

Activists in South Africa are fed up, and they’re doing something about it. Faced with an upswing of violence against women, citizens took to the streets to demand government officials do more to protect women and children as well as hold perpetrators accountable for their abusive violence.

At the start of the country’s Women’s Month, which runs the length of August, South African women and their allies, wore red and black. They shut down streets and government buildings across the country to deliver a powerful message: “My body, not your crime scene.”

https://twitter.com/KPutuma/status/1024647160015544321/photo/1

*Full article can be found here: https://www.essence.com/news/totalshutdown-south-african-women-protest-violence/

June 28, 2018

Fight Like Grandma

I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever felt this way before. The first time I was old enough to vote, the teenaged me watched Bush and the SCOTUS silence my voice (my vote). I was upset, but things were so close that I wasn't sure of an outright theft. I thought, next time.....we'll make the margins even bigger. I've seen people gunned down in the streets by law enforcement, captured on film no less, all to have no charges filed. I thought, we'll vote their asses out next time and get a DA that sides with the people. Today, my home city has it's first black female mayor. She ran on social justice and police reform.

But today......I am shaken. Utterly and completely. My humanity and the humanity of my fellows should never be up for referendum. A woman's autonomy over her body should not be up for referendum. It's ridiculous to say, "this was decided last November". What, exactly, was decided last November?

If you are saying that women are going to go back to the alley......that my gay friends are no longer going to be able to marry the loves of their lives......that my 3 beautiful sons and goddess of a daughter will be second class citizens........our friends may not be able to worship (or not) in peace.........that you are going to continue to separate children from their families...........that we are going to go back to your messed up old and out dated definition of family......of love.......!?!

This is not acceptable. I'm not sure how to make this clear. You see, our laws and rules only work when a critical mass of the populace believes that they are fair and evenly enforced. I'm not talking about violence, at least not on behalf of the citizens. History shows us that law enforcement traditionally goes that route. I'm talking about civil disobedience.....ALL THE TIME. Like, welcome to the 60's, all the time. Well, at least dolt did MAGA. He brought us back to the 60's.

Even my grandmother (I call her Momo) was talking about marching this morning when I called her. She was not sad or even hurt. She was ready! I'm trying to be like her.

My grandmother has survived so much. More than she will ever share with me. If she can look to the future, having already waded through so much, so can I.

Like my grandmother, we too will persevere. Get mad, but get activated. Organize and connect. Step outside of the virtual world and into the real. Talk to people and find out what's going on in your local area. The Kochs started off by targeting school boards and city councils. Let's meet them there. Education is our bailiwick. Don't give an inch, ANYWHERE. Fight! We're on the side of right, not them. Fight for your friends! Fight for your kids! Fight for your ancestors! Fight for those that have already given so much! Fight because it's your damned turn! Woman up, man up, person up and fight! Like Momo, Fight!

In peace and love......fight on.

June 28, 2018

Fight Like Grandma

I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever felt this way before. The first time I was old enough to vote, the teenaged me watched Bush and the SCOTUS silence my voice (my vote). I was upset, but things were so close that I wasn't sure of an outright theft. I thought, next time.....we'll make the margins even bigger. I've seen people gunned down in the streets by law enforcement, captured on film no less, all to have no charges filed. I thought, we'll vote their asses out next time and get a DA that sides with the people. Today, my home city has it's first black female mayor. She ran on social justice and police reform.

But today......I am shaken. Utterly and completely. My humanity and the humanity of my fellows should never be up for referendum. A woman's autonomy over her body should not be up for referendum. It's ridiculous to say, "this was decided last November". What, exactly, was decided last November?

If you are saying that women are going to go back to the alley......that my gay friends are no longer going to be able to marry the loves of their lives......that my 3 beautiful sons and goddess of a daughter will be second class citizens........our friends may not be able to worship (or not) in peace.........that you are going to continue to separate children from their families...........that we are going to go back to your messed up old and out dated definition of family......of love.......!?!

This is not acceptable. I'm not sure how to make this clear. You see, our laws and rules only work when a critical mass of the populace believes that they are fair and evenly enforced. I'm not talking about violence, at least not on behalf of the citizens. History shows us that law enforcement traditionally goes that route. I'm talking about civil disobedience.....ALL THE TIME. Like, welcome to the 60's, all the time. Well, at least dolt did MAGA. He brought us back to the 60's.

Even my grandmother (I call her Momo) was talking about marching this morning when I called her. She was not sad or even hurt. She was ready! I'm trying to be like her.

My grandmother has survived so much. More than she will ever share with me. If she can look to the future, having already waded through so much, so can I.

Like my grandmother, we too will persevere. Get mad, but get activated. Organize and connect. Step outside of the virtual world and into the real. Talk to people and find out what's going on in your local area. The Kochs started off by targeting school boards and city councils. Let's meet them there. Education is our bailiwick. Don't give an inch, ANYWHERE. Fight! We're on the side of right, not them. Fight for your friends! Fight for your kids! Fight for your ancestors! Fight for those that have already given so much! Fight because it's your damned turn! Woman up, man up, person up and fight! Like Momo, Fight!

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In peace and love......fight on.

June 27, 2018

Don't Be Best, Just Be Better

Don't Be Best, Just Be Better (Repost from Women's Rights & Issues Group)

To the Anti-Woman People out there:

You know, I've just had it. No, really. I'm done.
At this point, it is clear that your best still isn't good enough. Whatever your personal baseline of "best" is.....it is NOT ENOUGH. In short, you need to be better.

You need to be better at seeing my humanity.
Better at admitting mistakes.
Better at learning from those mistakes.
Better at not repeating those mistakes.
Better at educating yourself about human development.
Better at reaching across the isle of ideals to find solutions.
Better at accepting that you have no right to power over MY body.
Better at accepting that your rights end where/when they began to oppress mine.

To the Pro-Woman People out there:
I'm going to be better right here by changing the "you" to "I". Then, I'm going to kick that up a notch to bring it back to "we". We need to be better.

Better organized.
Better at directing/coordinating our efforts with sister organizations.
Better at never giving an inch in the fight for our right to control our body.
Better at sharing our stories.
Better at declaring that our sex does not limit our ability to think/do for ourselves.
Better at challenging the laws and anti-choice activists that, like herpes, keeps on returning time and time again.
Better at declaring our humanity.
Better at demanding nothing less than full recognition of that humanity.
Better at uplifting each other.
Better at educating each other about the various lanes our identities take us.
Better at acknowledging those differences not as separations but rather as the means by which society at large seeks to oppress us.
Just.......better.

I'm trying, daily. I hope you'll take me up on this too. Our future is too precious.

In love and peace....fight on.

June 27, 2018

Don't Be Best, Just Be Better

To the Anti-Woman People out there:

You know, I've just had it. No, really. I'm done.
At this point, it is clear that your best still isn't good enough. Whatever your personal baseline of "best" is.....it is NOT ENOUGH. In short, you need to be better.

You need to be better at seeing my humanity.
Better at admitting mistakes.
Better at learning from those mistakes.
Better at not repeating those mistakes.
Better at educating yourself about human development.
Better at reaching across the isle of ideals to find solutions.
Better at accepting that you have no right to power over MY body.
Better at accepting that your rights end where/when they began to oppress mine.

To the Pro-Woman People out there:
I'm going to be better right here by changing the "you" to "I". Then, I'm going to kick that up a notch to bring it back to "we". We need to be better.

Better organized.
Better at directing/coordinating our efforts with sister organizations.
Better at never giving an inch in the fight for our right to control our body.
Better at sharing our stories.
Better at declaring that our sex does not limit our ability to think/do for ourselves.
Better at challenging the laws and anti-choice activists that, like herpes, keeps on returning time and time again.
Better at declaring our humanity.
Better at demanding nothing less than full recognition of that humanity.
Better at uplifting each other.
Better at educating each other about the various lanes our identities take us.
Better at acknowledging those differences not as separations but rather as the means by which society at large seeks to oppress us.
Just.......better.

I'm trying, daily. I hope you'll take me up on this too. Our future is too precious.

In love and peace....fight on.

May 31, 2018

#Metoo May Be In Trouble...A Call to Arms

#Metoo May Be In Trouble...A Call to Arms (Reposted from the Women's Rights & Issues Group)

This is a plea to all sisters, everywhere. #Metoo is a wonderful movement that is bringing to the forefront an uncomfortable topic, sexual harassment, and its prevalence in the workplace. However, there is a looming problem on the horizon. For some, #Metoo has become too "Hollywood". I know, irony is dead, right? The "thing" that has helped the movement spread and give it the most visibility may also be what is holding back it's progress among new groups.

Take a moment to visit a few right wing sites and search "metoo". You will find a few common, but important themes in criticism of the movement. "It's an attack on OUR men and OUR boys" , "It's an attack on Christian values", and my favorite, "It's an attack on sexual freedom"! Okay, the last one is attributed to French actress Catherine Deneuve, but the other two were featured in several articles on various right wing websites.

These criticisms are heard from my neighbors (the vast majority of whom are white) during my visits back home. Where is home? The deep south, where victims of #metoo are not deciding whether or not to use the casting couch. Instead, these women (my neighbors specifically) are nurses, state workers, and teachers who have personally told my mom and I stories that would absolutely fit into the movement. However, they echo these talking points as if they are less worthy than the men who seek to victimize them.

Full disclosure, I'm a black woman, so I can not provide all the answers. Many of my white sisters find themselves in a peculiar situation.......both a victim and benefactor of white patriarchy. This makes speaking to this issue a very delicate but necessary task. As I've said, I do not have all of the answers. However, I know that in order for the movement to really make a difference, we must include as many people as possible.

I can think of a couple of very human solutions that may seem small, but may lead to big changes. The first, is marketing! #Metoo isn't just about Ashley Judd (but thank you for standing up, Ms. Judd), it's also about "Rose" at Ihop who's manager may take away her extra hours she so badly needs if she rebuffs his/her advances. #Metoo is the church secretary, "Claire", who's senior pastor greets her with a "playful" slap on the rear. We need to lift these stories so that more women, like my neighbors, can see themselves in #metoo.

The next, very human, solution I can offer is to "don't give up". I can't tell you how hard it was for me to get to where I am today with my neighbors. My "welcome" into the neighborhood, at a time when my mom was newly divorced and my only sister was in the hospital, consisted of the cops being called on us 4 times.......by a couple of those same neighbors. It's been a long road, but inspired by the graciousness of my mother and grandmother (along with a few hard conversations that took years of meaningful exchanges), we are here .

Why did I tell that story? What does it mean for you and the advancement of #metoo? As I stated, 'don't give up" . I can not count the number of times that I've read something like, "I don't talk to that part of my family because..." .These statements are often coming from white folks that are not talking to other white folks. Sisters! This can not continue.

Let me be clear, I'm not asking you to take abuse or subject yourself to anything unhealthy. But we must try a bit harder. Think about these glaring facts: (1) Roy Moore received 63% of the white female vote and(2) Donald Trump got 52% of the white female vote. It needs to be stated again, we must try harder.

#Metoo, ultimately, is about our society. It's about what we've tolerated as "normal" and tacitly condoned, collectively. In order to change that dynamic, it's going to take a seismic shift. Such a shift will require as many hands on deck as possible. This is a call to arms. Black, liberal, and minority sisters are mustering. We need help recruiting. Is everyone accounted for? What are you doing to help bring #metoo to your neighbors?

May 31, 2018

#Metoo May Be In Trouble...A Call to Arms

This is a plea to all sisters, everywhere. #Metoo is a wonderful movement that is bringing to the forefront an uncomfortable topic, sexual harassment, and its prevalence in the workplace. However, there is a looming problem on the horizon. For some, #Metoo has become too "Hollywood". I know, irony is dead, right? The "thing" that has helped the movement spread and give it the most visibility may also be what is holding back it's progress among new groups.

Take a moment to visit a few right wing sites and search "metoo". You will find a few common, but important themes in criticism of the movement. "It's an attack on OUR men and OUR boys" , "It's an attack on Christian values", and my favorite, "It's an attack on sexual freedom"! Okay, the last one is attributed to French actress Catherine Deneuve, but the other two were featured in several articles on various right wing websites.

These criticisms are heard from my neighbors (the vast majority of whom are white) during my visits back home. Where is home? The deep south, where victims of #metoo are not deciding whether or not to use the casting couch. Instead, these women (my neighbors specifically) are nurses, state workers, and teachers who have personally told my mom and I stories that would absolutely fit into the movement. However, they echo these talking points as if they are less worthy than the men who seek to victimize them.

Full disclosure, I'm a black woman, so I can not provide all the answers. Many of my white sisters find themselves in a peculiar situation.......both a victim and benefactor of white patriarchy. This makes speaking to this issue a very delicate but necessary task. As I've said, I do not have all of the answers. However, I know that in order for the movement to really make a difference, we must include as many people as possible.

I can think of a couple of very human solutions that may seem small, but may lead to big changes. The first, is marketing! #Metoo isn't just about Ashley Judd (but thank you for standing up, Ms. Judd), it's also about "Rose" at Ihop who's manager may take away her extra hours she so badly needs if she rebuffs his/her advances. #Metoo is the church secretary, "Claire", who's senior pastor greets her with a "playful" slap on the rear. We need to lift these stories so that more women, like my neighbors, can see themselves in #metoo.

The next, very human, solution I can offer is to "don't give up". I can't tell you how hard it was for me to get to where I am today with my neighbors. My "welcome" into the neighborhood, at a time when my mom was newly divorced and my only sister was in the hospital, consisted of the cops being called on us 4 times.......by a couple of those same neighbors. It's been a long road, but inspired by the graciousness of my mother and grandmother (along with a few hard conversations that took years of meaningful exchanges), we are here .

Why did I tell that story? What does it mean for you and the advancement of #metoo? As I stated, 'don't give up" . I can not count the number of times that I've read something like, "I don't talk to that part of my family because..." .These statements are often coming from white folks that are not talking to other white folks. Sisters! This can not continue.

Let me be clear, I'm not asking you to take abuse or subject yourself to anything unhealthy. But we must try a bit harder. Think about these glaring facts: (1) Roy Moore received 63% of the white female vote and(2) Donald Trump got 52% of the white female vote. It needs to be stated again, we must try harder.

#Metoo, ultimately, is about our society. It's about what we've tolerated as "normal" and tacitly condoned, collectively. In order to change that dynamic, it's going to take a seismic shift. Such a shift will require as many hands on deck as possible. This is a call to arms. Black, liberal, and minority sisters are mustering. We need help recruiting. Is everyone accounted for? What are you doing to help bring #metoo to your neighbors?

This op was posted at the slight nudging of another DUer. I hope she approves!

April 5, 2018

Freedom for my body, mind, and spirit.

This song has inspired me since my childhood days. The song is simply titled, "Freedom". It's a song by various female artists from the 1995 released movie, Panther. You'll see and hear big names like Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, TLC, and others. I sometimes feel that the complexities of the women's movement are just glossed over. Sisterhood and strengthening our connections across racial, social, and economic lines is crucial to the movement going forward. Be encouraged and stay lifted, sisters.
Freedom for my body. Freedom for my mind. Freedom for my spirit.