History, HERstory, our story

(Originally posted to the Community section of MyMedia)
(added some stuff here, probably barely coherent musings,
that is not appropriate for that forum)

I have many feels about many things right now–among them, the nomination of a white woman for the presidency of the US by a major political party. Hate her, love her, be indifferent to her, the mere fact that she was nominated is breathtaking.

But since talking too much about the candidate herself would immediately veer into verboten territory (though, there is a forum for that), let’s celebrate feminism and race, by checking this twitter trending hashtag:  BlackWomenDidThat.

And lets ponder how few of them we, as a society, are familiar with. How many names of minority women have been erased from history. Their sin? Being female first, being non-white second. (See Lenora Fulani)

Equality has many facets–lets make them all shine.

Gender representation in the US (and, really, the world)

(Originally posted to the Community section of MyMedia–first link edited to this blog)

On the first post of this thread, I stated that I am a feminist, and I expanded on that by repeating something often lost in the acrimony that word evokes: I want women–and people who do not reflect a strict gender binary, and people belonging to minorities of all types–not to be second class human beings.

Because the reality around the world is that, no matter what the laws on the books may say,¹ people are treated differently by society, based on factors which are beyond their control (sex, gender identity, color, ethnicity), and which have no proven bearing on their actual capacity, skills, talent, professionalism, or performance in any area.

There are many reasons groups of people treat other groups of people as ‘less than,’ but those are not static factors. We can change this toxic environment.

The first step? Acknowledge there is a problem.

Madonna and (man)whore

(Originally posted to the Community section of MyMedia–edited first link, and added content at the end.)

Previously, I touched on the incredible gender bias in healthcare.

Among other things, I mentioned that often, when women are in pain, we are told that ‘it’s all in our heads.’ Unsurprisingly, insurance companies are also happy to tell us that sexual issues–from low libido to vaginal dryness–are also in our heads. Men with low testosterone and/or erectile dysfunction just have to watch tv or go online to find multitude of options for treatment–most, if not all, of which, are fully covered by their insurance.

Women? No, little lady, first you have to go get your head shrunk; then…We’ll see.

Or, you know, live with it.

~ * ~

A good fifth of the times I look at a news piece that includes video, there’s an advertisement for Viagra, or some other sex help drug for males. In contrast, the constant barrage of conservative ‘pro-life’ and ‘anti erosion of family values’ and rape apologist headlines is…breathtaking.

Men’s needs, men’s perceptions, men’s opinions–always oh so much more important than anyone else’s.

Fuck that noise.

Celebrating Independence Day: exercise your right to vote.

(Originally posted to MyPolitics)

If you belong to ANY minority, meaning:

• You are female, no matter your race, ethnicity, or religion.
• If you are transgender, queer, questioning, lesbian, gay.
• If you are not Protestant (preferably from a traditionally white denomination), meaning if you are Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Wicca, Sikh, atheist, or, really, anything else.
• If you are a person of color, regardless of geographic origin–Latino, African, Asian.

If you are in any way different from the white, cis, hetero Protestant ‘majority,’ think long and hard about voting for any conservative party or candidate.

The powerful are always resistant to treat anyone else as equals.