MeerderWörter’s Comments (group member since Jan 08, 2016)

MeerderWörter’s comments from the Our Shared Shelf group.

One could also say it's not really modern. But in Austria, we're still: She has to work because they need the money, (young ones) and, uh, well you know, she can be glad that she doesn't have to work(especially among elders).

They don't get what feminism is about, do they?

Laure wrote: "Adam wrote: "Questions that I always have (and always ask, when this comes up): Do petitions actually work?
Evidence of their efficacy?

Where to find any of the above?"

Online platforms that orga..."

Avaaz is great, change.org too.
Another example (more nowadays): The first time I was eligible to vote, two years ago, it was about whether keep everything the same regarding army and compulsory community service or to find new solutions. It was only a public opinion poll conducted by the government, and they were not bound to realise the outcome, but they promised to do so and did.

Laure wrote: "oh, you're very talented... for a girl"
I'd go with this, but not the house elves. Sure, being a girl she is double-discriminated, and therefore she is more susceptible to recognise other discrimination, but I think she would have founded SPEW either way.

There is an episode on gender and feminism in the wizarding world at Mugglenet Academia, maybe we all should listen to and think about the ideas of these great folks over there?

Jo wrote: "Very interesting article Meelie, hard to believe that some cultures have these kind of 'rules'...periods are horrible enough as it is - without having to abide these rules too."

I'm really glad that changed in Austria. But not a long time ago, actually, women were advised not to make jam while having their periods, "because it could make them foul"

Can you believe that?

Marina wrote: "I absolutely agree. If a label helps someone, then you're NOT creating unity by invalidating them."

Exactly. It gives a feeling of community, of belonging. A feeling (and often to know that it's the case) that helps you to strenghten yourself against the ones who invalidate you, who think of inferior of you.

Like, take feminist: Nobody will ever downgrade me with that term, because I'm proud to be a feminist and it also gives me this knowledge that I belong, that there are other people who share my beliefs.

Martin wrote: "Thanks Meerder."

Don't worry, we will be able to tackle that problem.

Agnes wrote: "I hate government in my country but I'm proud for all Polish women who fight with them."

Agnes, weren't there 6 riots in poland in the 19th century? That's quite a lot. If I may say so, polish people seem to have a way of protesting, an understanding of it, that one cannot find in Austria. Maybe that's why with the emperor and all we were more likely to be oppressors than be oppressed?

Jo wrote: "Good article Harm, unbelievable that some idiots still think that woman can't write about science and therefore shouldn't win such a prestigious. prize.

If it was me i would take a photo of myself..."

Jo, youre malicious:) And I ike it!

Ross wrote: "Excellent articles submitted by Jo and Harm which are good examples of highlighting the problems. Now is the time for looking at addressing them.

Initiative like those programs described in the mo..."

Ross, remember we did talk about the Austrian Presidential Election on twitter tomorrow? Tomorrow we will see how equal Austria is. I'm not very hopeful tho.

Harm wrote: "The Problem with Female Protagonists

An interesting discussion about not only the disparity between male and female representation in discussions and books but also how they are perceived...

http..."

Harry Potter had a vocal loud character - without Hermione they wouldn't have survived until Year Two. How dare they say it. And she wasn't the only one, that's for sure.

Now, I'm really for more female lead characters. But I think it's not the right way if we say that there are no longer any male lead characters allowed. Otherwise we only have the same problem reversed.

In Austria, if one hass worked for four years, one can apply for a scholarship, which is rather much money compared to the other scholarships. But then you don't have to pay tuition fees until you needed longer than the minimum duration of study plus a tolerance time of two semesters.

Maybe there is something similar to this in the US?

Don't know for sure. Or ask your student representatives, they should be able to help you.

Julia wrote: "I absolutely love the idea of writing letters and exchanging opinions. I live in Germany, feel free to contact me :)
Warning: My English is not perfect, I'm still learning the language."

Hey, do you have a pen pal already?
I'm up for a good old letter:)

I'm from Austria:)
Woah, this blew up:)

Ann wrote: "I think the first-hand accounts are what gives power to this book. The author has done an excellent job of doing research on the ground and finding real people to talk to.
It's shocking and it's a..."

You nailed it! It's human, not humane!

This book really gave me troubles reading it, because of the stories. Very important stories, but so hard to digest: Humanity of it's crueler side.

Martin wrote: "Half The Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

This book was an inspiration and I hope you find these notes helpful.

I must have written “unbelievable” or words to that effect over a hundred ..."

Martin, thank you for that lengthy comment. I am shocked about how many people face genital mutilation (because let's face it, that's what it is) in Africa in a year. That's horrible.

I'd go with you: education, health service, and then many issues would become better as a consequence, on which one can further work.

Now, MSF work in emergency situations, they don't do development aid, but I'm fine with that - we need people in the first row, fighting for better conditions where they are the worst.

Martin, you do have unusual ideas for solution, but often they are the best. Awareness is such a huge and important issue, we need more of it!

Well, I think the way communism and socialism in the former eastern European countries were is not the thing we should work towards. It ended for a reason.

But I think we should work towards a society that is built on Marx' ideal of socialism and communism, because that is something completely different to what the socialist countries made out of it. I had a lecture in sociology about it, and I asked my professor exactly about this: So Marx saw something completely different in socialism and communism than they did in the former eastern european countries. And she said yes.

Tim, People Tree is a sustainable company, who also looks after their workers. For your interest, Emma designed clothing for them and visited the workers. Their products are also of a good quality. Maybe you wanna check this out:)

Hellen wrote: "Hey guys. I'm from Russia but was deeply upset about your election results for a week. I thought the USA was a country of kind people who valued equality above all, interpersed with horrible bigots..."

Hellen, in every country there are good things and bad things. So don't apologize for ranting, one just has to blow off steam once in a while. I could rant about Hofer and van der Bellen, who run for president in Austria, and they both want stuff I absolutely can't agree with, but I voted already (postal vote), because it's my right and I think I have to use it.
And, you know, maybe it's time for a change in Russia, a real change, led by the People.

The second one is really powerful, it even rhymes (which I always love:) )

Simone wrote: "It's a tough question.
People always say you should be who you really are and change for nobody,stay true to yourself. But sometimes we just want to change ourselves for better for the person we ca..."

That's very well said. I don't think anybody opposes to that, it's just, as you said, not every change is good, not every change is bad:)

Grace wrote: "Still working on getting this book but I am pumped man :)"

Try it in a library, or inter-librarian loan. That's how I got it!

I have found this article, it's from the Spiegel, so you can trust it. But you better not read the comments, they make me sick:

http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesell...

I'll translate it in the next few days. To be honest, I'm ashamed of my country. The comments are horrible to read sometimes.