California NOW

Save Women's Studies at U of South Florida

The University of South Florida is having budget problems and the provost of the college has put Women's Studies and Africana Studies on the chopping block. Makes sense right? Women and people of color have less access to resources, education and full equality in society, so when times get tough, cut our programs, we are used to it.

Hahaha. Those days are over. Today, we fight back.

Help USF save these important departments by signing a petition. Show them some love and support by adding your name today!!

Small moments in feminism make a difference too

On my first night of class this semester my classmates and I were discussing teaching techniques (for a graduate class on how to be a successful professor).  One student shared his experience in a women's history class.  He explained that he was one of the few men in the class and felt as though the "feminists" of the class were rallying for a semester of men-bashing.  He went on to explain how the professor handled the situation. 

It was one of those moments were I had an internal debate about whether or not to respond to this skewed perspective of feminism.  I decided I couldn't let the moment pass, so I spoke up and explained that feminism is not about men-bashing.  Feminism is advocating for equality for all people.  I felt a variety of responses from my classmates, both positive and negative.

A couple of weeks later a woman in the class brought up the incident and told me she appreciated my speaking up.  Since then she has regularly sought out discussions about feminism with me.  Tonight she told me that she has conservative family members that send her information from a conservative women's group.  She has since gone to the NOW website and sent them some feminist information in response.

I share this because I truly believe that, in addition to our large actions, protests and press conferences, small moments like this one allow for consciousness raising and shifts in perception.  Each time we take advantage of these moments we create in our communities a greater awareness and a growing dialog about how feminism impacts all of us.

As you go about your daily lives remember to take advantage of the small moments too.  Sometimes these interactions can be the most rewarding of all.   

CaL-Poly San Louis Obispo to Discriminate Against Saudi Women

For the past year, Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo has been engaged in talks with the Saudi Arabian government to set up an engineering program at Jubail University. The catch to this seemingly great international opportunity is that women will not be able to attend classes or teach in the program. This is a giant step backwards for a progressive educational institute that is one of the top schools in the state. Women make up 44% of the student body and should be represented in equal numbers at any counterpart school. In addition women faculty members would be passed over when the administration places professors in Saudi Arabia. Respecting another country’s customs is one thing, but sacrificing women’s rights in a field of study that needs more women, is just wrong. It also sends a dangerous signal to Saudi Arabian women- we are not willing to support women beyond our borders.

Cal Poly is a state school that relies on government funding. If Cal-Poly were to suggest an educational program in California that did not allow women, the proposal would never be accepted. Both Saudi Arabian women and American women would be discriminated against, as neither would be allowed at the school. We all know the value of studying aboard. One can learn and benefit a great deal from immersing themselves in foreign cultures. However, the point is that everyone should get an opportunity to experience these fundamental global exchanges--not just the men. Tell Ca-Poly how you feel about this!

Homemade Sex Shirt Makes the News

In Illinois two junior high students were suspended for wearing homemade shirts that read "safe sex or no sex."  They attached packaged condoms to the shirts too.

These girls stated that they were trying to make a point about the unrealistic abstinence-only education they receive at their school, and feel the suspension was unjustified since they were simply exercising the freedom of speech.

I instantly thought of our I Heart Consensual Sex campaign.  I know the shirts have created a lot of conversation among college students and wondered what we may start to see here in California as teens start getting their hands on our shirts and buttons. 

Recent statistics show that most young people have sex for the first time around 17.  Seven in ten teens have sex by age 19.  Shouldn't they start learning and talking about safe, consensual sex prior to this?  Shouldn't high schools foster an environment in which young people can have access to open, honest information about sex?

Tuition Relief Now!

As a young feminist, one of the major issues I face each day is paying my college tuition.

Over the past six years, University of California and California State University tuition has risen 94%, while inflation has averaged only 3% over the past decade.

A new grassroots campaign is on the move! Thousands of California students, parents, and concerned volunteers are gathering the signatures that will qualify tuition relief for the November 2008 ballot. I think this initiative is essential to bring relief to current students faced with stressful pressure of debt, credit cards and high interest loans, while also encouraging high school students to apply to colleges and enroll in gender and women's studies, political science and environmental conservation programs.

Sex Ed Videos That Aren't Lame

From TheBlogThatAteManhattan, an awesome blog that covers women's health, food, and New York City:

Why is Sex So Interesting and Sex Ed So Boring?

Great question, and one that teen video makers are answering in the Fresh Focus Video Contest.

Organized by several non-profit reproductive groups, the Sex-Ed video contest challenges teens to make videos that tell us their thoughts about Sex ed - their experiences with it and their ideas for making it better. The winner of the video contest gets a $3500 college scholarship. Finalist videos will be shown at the Sex::Tech Conference on Youth, Technology and STD/HIV Prevention.

How rad is that? (Does anyone say "rad" anymore?) You can view some of the videos on their site, but I found this after the voting was over. They announce the winner on January 22, the anniversary of Roe! Coincidence?

(Graphic from our friends at Planned Parenthood Golden Gate.)

Revolutionary Women: Letters from a History Nerd

We all know how little women's history is covered in your typical high school, or even college, history class.  When we we do hear about women of the past the stories are often inadequate and incomplete.  The complete stories are so much more intriguing.  I find constant inspiration in the lives of the women who have come before us, particularly considering the obstacles of their times.   

Many of you are, I'm sure, well acquainted with the story of Abigail Adams, wife of founding father and second President John Adams.  Abigail wrote to John during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and urged him to "remember the ladies."   While this line of her letter has become  a famous feminist statement, her words go on to be much more radical:

"If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation...we have it in our power, not only to free ourselves, but to subdue our masters, and, without violence, throw both your natural and legal authority at our feet..."

Before the formation of our nation Abigail demanded equality and spoke of responsibility to rebel in the face of tyranny.  She saw in the women of her time the strength and will to resist and rise up against unjust misuse of law.  When we see this power-mongering occur today, it is our responsibility as feminists to identify it, expose it and defeat it, wherever we may find it. 

Oh, Phyllis is still at work.

I am asked all the time if Mrs. Schlafly is still around.  I suppose they mean is she still alive; baking cookies and trimming the tree would be okay but, the reality is, she is still hard at work prohibiting the advancement of gender equality and pay equity.  You can find her on campuses (stop inviting her!) and, in particular this season, testifying against the ERA in Florida ~ where it is so close!  Here is where she was this last Wednesday. 

Diane Middlebrook, noted feminist biographer and intellectual, passes away

Diane Middlebrook, noted feminist poet, biographer and teacher died Saturday in San Francisco of terminal cancer. Middlebrook became famous largely for her biographies of 20th century women poets and authors, most notably those of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath. Her work affirmed and celebrated the complex women behind the public personas, and made literary history accessible to scholars and laypeople alike. Middlebrook was also deeply involved in a life of intellectual discovery and creative exploration through literary salons and her time at Stanford. Said one of her contemporaries, “... Diane was interested in people, especially in women and what they were encountering in their professional lives.” “[She] was fabulous at drawing us out, making an environment where women could talk about their dreams, about things they wanted to invent and do," said San Francisco artist Squeak Carnwath. A pioneer in feminist academia, Middlebrook’s articulate voice will be sure to influence generations of intellectuals in years to come.

Inspiration from the Past: It's About Change, Sisters!

Just now, I'm preparing for my final for that women's history class you have all had to hear about.  Even in the very last class we hit a disagreement.   The great part is that one of the question options for the final asks us to explain why the first wave was a success and the second was a failure.  No bias there, eh?  I can't wait to write my response.  By chance I met another graduate student yesterday who is in the same class-he shared my frustration.

As I sit here and study the first and second wave I am struck by the similarities that we in the third wave share with our predecessors.   We continue to struggle against those who claim they are protecting "traditional roles."  The anti's have been making this claim since the nineteenth century!  What they don't seem to understand is that traditional society as they see it never existed.  There have always been women who stood up to tyranny, worked outside of the home, demanded safety, voiced political opinion, sought education, etc.   

What I have come to believe is that as activists we must truly embrace change.  We are demanding that the world around us change: we can expect no less from ourselves.  It can be scary and uncomfortable.  It can shake us to our very core.  But if we expect revolution we must first be willing to accept it for ourselves.   Such daring and courage is what I admire most in the women who have come before me, and what I wish for all of us in the movement today.