“ When someone writes from their experience, there is often someone else, at the ready, pointing a trembling finger, accusing that writer of having various kinds of privilege. How dare someone speak to a personal experience without accounting for every possible configuration of privilege or the lack thereof? We lose sight of this but we would live in a world of silence if the only people who were allowed to write or speak from experience or about difference were those absolutely without privilege.
Roxane Gay for The Rumpus
genfem
A fair question. Two quick answers:
1. Those of us lucky enough to live in the most progressive parts of the world tend to focus on how good we have it, and yet we still haven’t achieved true gender equality.
2. I’m over trying to pitch women’s magazines. If the story isn’t about slimmer thighs for summer, they’re just not interested.
This stuff is important, I’ll try not to make it too dry.
Google Doodles Still Erasing Women's History
Of 48 global Google Doodles honoring birthdays in 2012, 5 have honored women. My birthday is on Friday and, thought I’d very much like a Doodle, I’d also be happy to have Google honor Amelia Earhart (born July 24, 1897), a record setting aviator, Marie Curie (November 7, 1867), a dual Nobel Prize winner and pioneering researcher on radioactivity, or Madam C. J. Walker (December 23, 1867), a hair care entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the first female African American millionaire. There is still ample time in 2012 to honor all of these women. Get on it Google.
New York Engaged Couples, Get Paid $100 for 45 Minutes
Red Antler, a branding agency in Brooklyn, needs market research help with a startup I cofounded!
Here’s the info:
Are you an engaged couple living in the New York area? If so, Red Antler is seeking your help testing a new web-based product in the wedding space. Research will take approximately 45 minutes at our office in Dumbo, and you will receive $100 (per couple) for your time. Both of you must attend, and we can schedule at your convenience. If you’re interested, contact research@redantler.com and tell them Michelle sent you.
Today's To-Do List: Call Your Representatives about VAWA in the House
I’m calling the five California reps right now.
Photos from the Unite Against the War on Women Rally in LA
On Saturday, April 28th, 2012, women and men (lots of men) of every age and ethnicity, rallied across the country for women’s equal rights, equal opportunities and equal representation. These are photos from the Los Angeles rally.
UniteWomen.org believes that “All Americans have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including contraception, without interference from government, big business or religious institutions.”
Awesome feminist comedians Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) and Zach Galifianakis (@galifianakisz) spoke. Sarah got more hate mail/tweets for speaking at a women’s rights rally than she has for any controversial thing she’s ever said (and if you know her humor, you know that she’s very controversial).
Me (@MichelleHaimoff) and Sarah Silverman:
Lots more pictures after the break.
