Ideological zealots: Usually bad news.
The latest battleground in Israel’s struggle over religious extremism [...] has the unexpected public face of a blond, bespectacled second-grade girl. She is Naama Margolese, 8, the daughter of American immigrants who are observant modern Orthodox Jews. [She has] become terrified of walking to her elementary school here after ultra-Orthodox men spit on her, insulted her and called her a prostitute because her modest dress did not adhere exactly to their more rigorous dress code.
Extreme Debate Makeover: Public breastfeeding edition
I have a real distaste for bad debate. It’s such a good and enjoyable pastime, debate, and an opponent who chooses to fall back on tired, flaccid arguments really tarnishes the joy of the sport. Like the story of Natalie Hegedus, the woman who was dressed down in front of a courtroom for breastfeeding. There’s [...]
...read moreOn wresting good from stupid: Herman Cain, sexual harassment and sexual assault
This is a guest post by Emily L. Hauser.
With the revelation of what is turning into quite a slew of accusations of sexual harassment and/or assault (“Hey, baby, you’re lookin’ gooood tonight!” [or some such] being the former; grabbing a woman’s inner thigh and pulling her head toward his crotch [the actual accusation that Sharon Bialek has leveled] being the latter) we have an opportunity to wrest some objective good out of this mountain of stupid.
Mapping Bias: LGBT Resources on the South Side of Chicago
This is a guest post by Kayla Higgins
The interesting thing about maps is that they are almost never objectively accurate. Rather, they depict a space through the perspective of the Chicagoan mapmaker. And such is the case of the various maps of gay life in Chicago. They are “Gay Chicago” as seen through the eyes of a particular mapmaker or, sometimes, an entire demographic. But they cannot be said to depict “Gay Chicago” as it objectively exists.
Suing for Looks Discrimination
Pretty people finish first — that’s a well-documented phenomenon. Folks who fall outside of cultural beauty norms — who are fatter or not white or less white or older or whatever else — make less money over their lifetimes. Economics professor Daniel S. Hamermesh suggests that people who are discriminated against because of their looks [...]
...read moreAn experiment in asking politely for accessibility.
The argument that if (marginalized group of people) would just (!) ASK (nicely, in just the right way using exactly the perfect tone and obeying all the unwritten secret rules) for (their human rights), they would be given immediately them by the innocent benevolent rulers who just didn’t know what they needed is so common [...]
...read moreNot liking The Help that much
(I know Jill posted on the movie. I read the book and I have thoughts, which I was finally able to edit today.) I haven’t seen the movie The Help, but I did read the book. I wasn’t impressed. First, I am sick to the teeth of feel-good, revisionist fiction. I am really fed up [...]
...read moreKansas Should Serve as a Warning to Virginia Women
This is a guest post by Dr. James Kenley.
These regulations, which demanded precise sizes for janitorial closets, no-variance room temperatures, and other ridiculous requirements, were purportedly established to protect the health and safety of women, but in truth had one and only one purpose: to shut down the three existing abortion facilities in the state.
Virginia Prisons Will Strengthen Policy Against Shackling Pregnant Inmates
This is a guest post by Katherine Greenier.
The DOC will now strengthen regulations that protect a pregnant inmate’s dignity and health, and the health and safety of her pregnancy. Ankle restraints or restraints that in any other way restrict the woman’s movement will not be used during transportation outside the prison, or during labor, delivery and post-partum recovery.
Amaaazing new site on sex work — and campaign!
I just had the pleasure of discovering a new site on sex work: Sex Work Activists, Allies and You. I’ve consistently had trouble finding a clear online 101 on sex work activism, and the SWAAY site seems to fit the bill. It was started by Furry Girl, a super smart sex worker and writer. I [...]
...read more“Drug Seeking Behaviour” and Refusal of Treatment
Next generation of doctors vote on right to refuse treatment. A survey of more than 700 British medical students found nearly half felt they should be entitled to make conscientious objections to carrying out procedures, including abortions and treating drunk patients. Most of their objections were linked to non-religious reasons, but about one fifth of [...]
...read moreOf course.
More “my religion means that I will refuse to do my job” nonsense. Citing her moral and religious beliefs, a town clerk in upstate New York has stated that she refuses to sign marriage certificates for same sex couples. Barbara MacEwen of Volney, NY, located in rural Oswego County, says that her name will not [...]
...read more
Recent Comments