Tamora Pierce's Blog, page 5
March 24, 2012
A moment of innocent amusement
I've been on a real tear, reading historical mysteries set during or after WWI in which the main characters are English survivors of the war, either soldier veterans or nurse veterans. I just realized that in the books by two of my favorite writers, Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear, the English point-of-view characters tend to think of "lust" as if it were a squashed cootie they had just found on the floor. They can talk of war wounds more comfortably.
I just hit that word "lust" in one of their sentences, and there's that image, giving me the giggles.
I also feel plumb awash on characters constantly making up and drinking tea. Surely they can't have drunk that much of it, or the sewers would be flooded out!
I just hit that word "lust" in one of their sentences, and there's that image, giving me the giggles.
I also feel plumb awash on characters constantly making up and drinking tea. Surely they can't have drunk that much of it, or the sewers would be flooded out!
March 8, 2012
Something you need to know about the military and women
And it ain't good. I've been worried for a while about posting the things I am learning about the incidence of rape, sexual assault, and misogyny in the military, because I've been so gung-ho about women getting into the military at long last. But you need to know what's going on if you plan a military career; you need to know your options, and you need to ask yourself if you're ready to take these risks in addition to the risks of being an ordinary soldier.
There are many good men in the military. There are also a bunch of testosterone junkies who think it is still a boys' club, both in the military and out of it, who will treat you like a junkyard dog and deny that your service is as meaningful as theirs, that your body is yours alone, that you have a right to be there, and, afterward, that your service includes problems that a man's service does not. The Servicewomen's Action Network is one of the organizations working to bring issues to light and to inform women; things are being dragged into the open, but the process is slow. Think long and hard before you make this choice, okay? It starts in the academies and goes from there, so you have to be prepared when you go in.
Plenty of women, including my sister, will tell you that while their experience in the military was hard and they took a lot of hazing, they were not subjected to this. A great deal depends on who's in command. But it's a real problem, and I can't stay silent about it anymore, not when many of you choose the military after reading my books.
Be strong; be alert; be safe. Walk proud. Never feel you have to excuse yourself for who you are to anyone.
There are many good men in the military. There are also a bunch of testosterone junkies who think it is still a boys' club, both in the military and out of it, who will treat you like a junkyard dog and deny that your service is as meaningful as theirs, that your body is yours alone, that you have a right to be there, and, afterward, that your service includes problems that a man's service does not. The Servicewomen's Action Network is one of the organizations working to bring issues to light and to inform women; things are being dragged into the open, but the process is slow. Think long and hard before you make this choice, okay? It starts in the academies and goes from there, so you have to be prepared when you go in.
Plenty of women, including my sister, will tell you that while their experience in the military was hard and they took a lot of hazing, they were not subjected to this. A great deal depends on who's in command. But it's a real problem, and I can't stay silent about it anymore, not when many of you choose the military after reading my books.
Be strong; be alert; be safe. Walk proud. Never feel you have to excuse yourself for who you are to anyone.
March 5, 2012
Limbaugh's trashing of Sandra Fluke
Don't let the media fool you--Limbaugh's "apology" is the joke he claims he was making when he accused her of all kinds of nasty behaviors last week. Behold:
" For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.
" I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit? In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.
" My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."
Please note the extremely limited "apology" with all the qualifiers, topped with the "Can't you people tell a joke when you hear one" bingo card. Also, how's this for hutzpah: "I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress." But it's not too absurd for you to try to pump up your flaccid numbers by launching a full-bore sexual attack on a law student who was exercising her rights under the Constitution, eh, Limbo?
His message to anyone who tries to address an American political body with a citizen's genuine opinion? You too will be open to attack under the most scurrilous terms, with the implicit invitation to others, including those at your own school, place of work, place of worship, or anywhere else, to attack you in the same terms or worse.
What lesson should we take from this? Why, the 1900s one, that the only kind of women who dare to venture into the political arena are--well, unlike the Anus that Talks, I don't use those words. About anybody. Even about someone who has sold his soul and whatever decency he possessed for media stardom and the power to verbally flagellate anyone who stands up for ideas he has not blessed with his imprimatur.
" For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.
" I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit? In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.
" My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."
Please note the extremely limited "apology" with all the qualifiers, topped with the "Can't you people tell a joke when you hear one" bingo card. Also, how's this for hutzpah: "I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress." But it's not too absurd for you to try to pump up your flaccid numbers by launching a full-bore sexual attack on a law student who was exercising her rights under the Constitution, eh, Limbo?
His message to anyone who tries to address an American political body with a citizen's genuine opinion? You too will be open to attack under the most scurrilous terms, with the implicit invitation to others, including those at your own school, place of work, place of worship, or anywhere else, to attack you in the same terms or worse.
What lesson should we take from this? Why, the 1900s one, that the only kind of women who dare to venture into the political arena are--well, unlike the Anus that Talks, I don't use those words. About anybody. Even about someone who has sold his soul and whatever decency he possessed for media stardom and the power to verbally flagellate anyone who stands up for ideas he has not blessed with his imprimatur.
February 23, 2012
Marie Colvin--It Just Ain't Right
I didn't post about this before because I didn't have the heart. I still don't, but neither do I want people to think I'm ignoring the cruel death in Syria of the courageous journalist Marie Colvin. Here is a woman who didn't let even the loss of an eye stop her from covering the world's most dangerous stories: the Arab Spring, Libya, East Timor in Indonesia, Sri Lanka. My hero-worship for her goes straight down to the bone. And now Syria, where she and fellow journalist Rémi Ochlik were killed by government forces.
This hurts double because I have been watching a government's best attempts to massacre its own people in Syria, while the world stands by and Russia and China, who vetoed a UN resolution condemning it, say, "Oh, noes! You can't be mean to our allies!" Our murderous allies who are killing civilians without any attempt to discover if they are even rebels. And now they have murdered this woman. This is wrong, this is wrong, and the world just wrings its blood-dripping hands.
She probably always knew she would die this way, when she came so close so many times. At least, in the Summerlands, she won't have to witness countrysides ripped apart and wholesale murder, or tell it to a world that stands aside and does nothing.
February 18, 2012
I have an idea!
Let's get a whole bunch of old shoes
get a whole bunch of stickers that say "IT'S STILL THE ECONOMY, STUPID!"
and ship them to a bunch of canting Republican ideologues who have nothing better than to stick their noses in women's reproductive business! Whaddya say?!
get a whole bunch of stickers that say "IT'S STILL THE ECONOMY, STUPID!"
and ship them to a bunch of canting Republican ideologues who have nothing better than to stick their noses in women's reproductive business! Whaddya say?!
The War on the womb: Another Offensive
By now I'm sure you've all heard about it: legislators demanding women get transvaginal ultrasounds before they can have abortions. (Apparently Virginia's governor, at least, may be having second thoughts. Apparently he's heard some people dislike what he's doing.)
These procedures are unnecessary for the most part, and they should only be up to the discretion of the woman's gynecologist, not that of lawmakers who have never so much as had one or anything like it, or who would never need an abortion. It's coerced vaginal penetration--state-sponsored rape.
Transvaginal ultrasounds are expensive. Prohibitively so. They are uncomfortable at best, and if you have anything like cysts or endometriosis, they are painful. No one likes their organs stirred with a baton, even when it's necessary. Worst of all, these alleyway assaultists want to do it to women who are up to 12 weeks pregnant.
And, most importantly, any and all ultrasounds of women are not the business of largely male legislators or of the law at all. Women's bodies are not the business of people who work in big buildings with breasts on the roof. They are not the business of yapping lickspittle curs who run around with bigger curs toting cameras behind them. They are not the business of anyone but individual women and their unlegislated doctors , and I am sick to death of these blatherskite louse-cracking pox-brained scum-lapping muckrollers who want to commandeer our lives for their votes. Gods curse them all with boils, shingles, and ooze of their privy parts.
These procedures are unnecessary for the most part, and they should only be up to the discretion of the woman's gynecologist, not that of lawmakers who have never so much as had one or anything like it, or who would never need an abortion. It's coerced vaginal penetration--state-sponsored rape.
Transvaginal ultrasounds are expensive. Prohibitively so. They are uncomfortable at best, and if you have anything like cysts or endometriosis, they are painful. No one likes their organs stirred with a baton, even when it's necessary. Worst of all, these alleyway assaultists want to do it to women who are up to 12 weeks pregnant.
And, most importantly, any and all ultrasounds of women are not the business of largely male legislators or of the law at all. Women's bodies are not the business of people who work in big buildings with breasts on the roof. They are not the business of yapping lickspittle curs who run around with bigger curs toting cameras behind them. They are not the business of anyone but individual women and their unlegislated doctors , and I am sick to death of these blatherskite louse-cracking pox-brained scum-lapping muckrollers who want to commandeer our lives for their votes. Gods curse them all with boils, shingles, and ooze of their privy parts.
February 17, 2012
Another fertilized-eggs-are-people attempt
This time in Virginia. Here's a petition against it with a special comment section for you to say what you really think about people who keep trying to commandeer our control over our bodies instead of dealing with the issue of jobs, of educating people so they can get jobs, of creating tax equality so the many aren't supporting the few who can pay more, of improving our air and water standards, and ensuring that our children and our old people have proper medical care.
Not that I have issues, or I'm fed up, or anything.
Not that I have issues, or I'm fed up, or anything.
What were they thinking?
I'm copying a letter I got from ColorofChange.org because I can't put it as well as they do. I'm too pissed. I hope you'll want to sign their petition and raise hell with these publishers. Here's what ColorofChange has to say:
-----------------------------------------
During a recent interview with the hip-hop magazine XXL, rapper Too $hort encouraged teenage boys to "turn girls out" by pushing "her up against the wall."1 The 45-year-old rapper continued, graphically urging his audience to put their hands inside the underwear of middle school-aged girls in order to achieve what he called "mind manipulation." The magazine packaged the disturbing monologue under the headline "Fatherly Advice From Too $hort."
Rhetoric like this has real effects on girls in our communities. A new study reveals that a staggering three out of five Black girls experience sexual assault by the time they turn 18.2 So why did the XXL staff, led by Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten, allow this video to appear on its site?
Join us in calling on Harris Publications Inc., publisher of XXL, to fire Satten and explain what steps they'll take to make sure that sexual violence directed at girls and women is not tolerated at their magazines and websites. When we do, we'll send a message to the entertainment media industry that we won't be silent while one of its companies demeans and endangers our children.
Please click below to sign the petition, and ask your family and friends to do the same. It only takes a moment:
protect girls
It's hard to read the words above, let alone watch a 45-year-old man say them while "upbeat, child-themed music plays in the background."3 But that's exactly what the XXL staff allowed to go live on its site — which attracts about 25,000 unique visitors a day — late last week. Satten has tried to excuse herself by saying that she didn't see the video before it posted.4 But she presides over a workplace culture that allowed such a grave misstep, and she has failed to respond appropriately as a chorus of voices calls her on it.5
There's a longer story to tell about the objectification of women in magazines like XXL and King (both of which are owned by Harris Publications) and the misogynistic lyrics and images that bombard young people every day. Thankfully, a long line of thought leaders have been discussing that and larger issues facing hip hop and the music industry for years.6,7,8 We also know that the degradation of women of color extends beyond hip-hop culture, as we saw recently when a Dutch lifestyle magazine published racist and inflammatory remarks about the singer Rihanna. As a result, that magazine's editor was forced to resign.9
But this latest incident — XXL publishing a video of an adult rapper talking an imagined audience of boys through an aggressive encounter with an underage girl — goes too far. Too $hort's rhetoric implies that hypersexuality and manhood are one and the same and that consent isn't required for sexual contact. When our boys believe this, they help create a culture that breeds staggering statistics: Nearly a third of sexual assault and rape victims are between the ages of 12-17, and 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.10
The apology the XXL staff issued is insufficient.11 In it, Satten throws one of her subordinates under the bus, refusing to acknowledge that as editor-in-chief, she is responsible for everything that appears under the XXL brand. If Harris Publications refuses to fire Satten, it shows that they're willing to leave one of their titles in the hands of someone who is unable and unwilling to lead.
Hip hop is a rich and complex culture that was born in Black and Latino neighborhoods. Moments like these highlight problems that exist in some aspects of the culture, but for decades it's also been a source of political education and empowerment for people worldwide. We can't sit back while a media company uses hip hop as a cover to demean and endanger our children. Please join us in calling on Harris Publications President and CEO Stanley R. Harris to fire Vanessa Satten, XXL's Editor-in-Chief. We also demand that he explain what he'll do to make sure his company's publications stop promoting sexual violence directed at girls and women. Please join us, and ask your friends and family to do the same:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/protectgirls
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, Gabriel, Dani, Matt, Natasha, Kim and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
February 16th, 2012
Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
donate
References
1. "Rapper Too Short, in XXL column, gives boys advice to 'turn girls out,'" The Grio, 2-13-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1181?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=7
2. "STUDY: More Than Half Of Black Girls Are Sexually Assaulted," NewsOne, 12-2-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1182?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=9
3. See reference 1.
4. "Too Short, XXL apologies are too little, too late," The Grio, 2-15-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1189?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=11
5. "Petition Calling on XXL Mag. to Fire Editor Surpasses Signature Goal," Colorlines, 2-15-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1190?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=13
6. "Joan Morgan: Hip Hop and Feminism," Rap Sessions, 6-2-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1183?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=15
7. "Beyond Chris Brown and Rihanna," Ill Doctrine, 2-14-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1184?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=17
8. "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," Independent Lens, 6-2-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1185?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=19
9. "Dutch magazine editor resigns following race row with Rihanna," The Guardian, 12-21-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1186?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=21
10. "Who are the victims?," The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1187?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=23
11. "Too $hort and the Anatomy of a Weak Apology," Ebony, 2-14-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1188?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=25
-----------------------------------------
During a recent interview with the hip-hop magazine XXL, rapper Too $hort encouraged teenage boys to "turn girls out" by pushing "her up against the wall."1 The 45-year-old rapper continued, graphically urging his audience to put their hands inside the underwear of middle school-aged girls in order to achieve what he called "mind manipulation." The magazine packaged the disturbing monologue under the headline "Fatherly Advice From Too $hort."
Rhetoric like this has real effects on girls in our communities. A new study reveals that a staggering three out of five Black girls experience sexual assault by the time they turn 18.2 So why did the XXL staff, led by Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten, allow this video to appear on its site?
Join us in calling on Harris Publications Inc., publisher of XXL, to fire Satten and explain what steps they'll take to make sure that sexual violence directed at girls and women is not tolerated at their magazines and websites. When we do, we'll send a message to the entertainment media industry that we won't be silent while one of its companies demeans and endangers our children.
Please click below to sign the petition, and ask your family and friends to do the same. It only takes a moment:
protect girls
It's hard to read the words above, let alone watch a 45-year-old man say them while "upbeat, child-themed music plays in the background."3 But that's exactly what the XXL staff allowed to go live on its site — which attracts about 25,000 unique visitors a day — late last week. Satten has tried to excuse herself by saying that she didn't see the video before it posted.4 But she presides over a workplace culture that allowed such a grave misstep, and she has failed to respond appropriately as a chorus of voices calls her on it.5
There's a longer story to tell about the objectification of women in magazines like XXL and King (both of which are owned by Harris Publications) and the misogynistic lyrics and images that bombard young people every day. Thankfully, a long line of thought leaders have been discussing that and larger issues facing hip hop and the music industry for years.6,7,8 We also know that the degradation of women of color extends beyond hip-hop culture, as we saw recently when a Dutch lifestyle magazine published racist and inflammatory remarks about the singer Rihanna. As a result, that magazine's editor was forced to resign.9
But this latest incident — XXL publishing a video of an adult rapper talking an imagined audience of boys through an aggressive encounter with an underage girl — goes too far. Too $hort's rhetoric implies that hypersexuality and manhood are one and the same and that consent isn't required for sexual contact. When our boys believe this, they help create a culture that breeds staggering statistics: Nearly a third of sexual assault and rape victims are between the ages of 12-17, and 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.10
The apology the XXL staff issued is insufficient.11 In it, Satten throws one of her subordinates under the bus, refusing to acknowledge that as editor-in-chief, she is responsible for everything that appears under the XXL brand. If Harris Publications refuses to fire Satten, it shows that they're willing to leave one of their titles in the hands of someone who is unable and unwilling to lead.
Hip hop is a rich and complex culture that was born in Black and Latino neighborhoods. Moments like these highlight problems that exist in some aspects of the culture, but for decades it's also been a source of political education and empowerment for people worldwide. We can't sit back while a media company uses hip hop as a cover to demean and endanger our children. Please join us in calling on Harris Publications President and CEO Stanley R. Harris to fire Vanessa Satten, XXL's Editor-in-Chief. We also demand that he explain what he'll do to make sure his company's publications stop promoting sexual violence directed at girls and women. Please join us, and ask your friends and family to do the same:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/protectgirls
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, Gabriel, Dani, Matt, Natasha, Kim and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
February 16th, 2012
Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
donate
References
1. "Rapper Too Short, in XXL column, gives boys advice to 'turn girls out,'" The Grio, 2-13-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1181?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=7
2. "STUDY: More Than Half Of Black Girls Are Sexually Assaulted," NewsOne, 12-2-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1182?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=9
3. See reference 1.
4. "Too Short, XXL apologies are too little, too late," The Grio, 2-15-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1189?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=11
5. "Petition Calling on XXL Mag. to Fire Editor Surpasses Signature Goal," Colorlines, 2-15-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1190?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=13
6. "Joan Morgan: Hip Hop and Feminism," Rap Sessions, 6-2-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1183?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=15
7. "Beyond Chris Brown and Rihanna," Ill Doctrine, 2-14-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1184?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=17
8. "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," Independent Lens, 6-2-09
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1185?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=19
9. "Dutch magazine editor resigns following race row with Rihanna," The Guardian, 12-21-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1186?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=21
10. "Who are the victims?," The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1187?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=23
11. "Too $hort and the Anatomy of a Weak Apology," Ebony, 2-14-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1188?akid=2361.124489.MU8B2a&t=25
February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day, Washington State!
Marriage equality rocks the house, and I am doin my Snoopy dance!
February 4, 2012
Komen must think we're stupid or somethin'
I already knew their claim to renew Planned Parenthood grants is really only for this year. And it might not really even be for this year. Since this is language anyone can figure out by reading their statement, I wonder who they're trying to fool.
In any case, like so many of us, I'm quits with the pink, period. None of this would be an issue if Americans had proper health care like the rest of the world, but our leadership caved to insurance and medicine and gave us a shred of health care. Poor women need all the help they can get, and middle class women, in many cases, have to scrabble, too. Planned Parenthood is the place to go, or as one of![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380946164i/3458872.gif)
lyrainverse
's oncologist friends suggested, individual hospitals' patients funds, where we can contribute to patients' bills, travel expenses, etc.
Anywhere but an outfit that has made big business and politics out of women's bodies, and not research for a cure.
In any case, like so many of us, I'm quits with the pink, period. None of this would be an issue if Americans had proper health care like the rest of the world, but our leadership caved to insurance and medicine and gave us a shred of health care. Poor women need all the help they can get, and middle class women, in many cases, have to scrabble, too. Planned Parenthood is the place to go, or as one of
lyrainverse
's oncologist friends suggested, individual hospitals' patients funds, where we can contribute to patients' bills, travel expenses, etc.Anywhere but an outfit that has made big business and politics out of women's bodies, and not research for a cure.
