Fucking while Feminist

I read this article about Jaclyn Friedman's take on fucking while feminist(read here). She's one of the co-editors to Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World without Rape. I thought it was really interesting since she talked about how she deals with men who aren't feminist. As we've all mentioned before, we all deal with different forms of patriarchy in our relationships while simultaneously trying to act with feminist principles and hope that our partners will do the same. She said something along the lines of not really expecting a lot of men to identify as feminists since they haven't been exposed to it. Anyways, I recommend reading it since it's pretty interesting

Professor Foxy

Despite the kind of lame name she gave herself (my opinion), I really enjoy reading the Professor Foxy posts on Feministing. They are Q&A posts that readers contribute questions to, and she answers as best she can. I don't even have any idea what her qualifications are, but I think a lot of the topics relate to what we discuss - sexuality and feminism. Here's an example:

http://www.feministing.com/archives/020619.html

Topics like these could be good things for us to discuss as well. If you want to read more, I'd suggest going to Feministing and typing in "Professor Foxy" in the search bar.

Jessica Valenti and Mentors

This past Wednesday, feminist author and blogger/founder of Feministing, Jessica Valenti, came to JMU and was amazing. I know a few people (in our group) said that it was great, but they didn't feel any more enlightened, but her book, The Purity Myth, goes in more depth and also elucidates some really important points.

It was really inspiring to see a feminist reaching out to a younger generation, informing us while also making us feel like our voices matter. Since I was lucky enough to spend a good portion of the day wit her, I was able to ask her lots of questions to which she gave me satisfying answers. In the midst of this, I realized that there were a lot of questions that she couldn't answer--BIG questions that are part of that on-going feminist struggle. It was kinda cool to realize that we're all in this together--she's fighting the same battles as me and we know the emotional burdens that feminism brings.

Having a very public feminist icon/idol here has made me once again consider the importance of female mentors. Though Jessica has been influential in shaping my feminist paradigm, several of my professors have also done this for me. Julie Caran and Dr. Melissa Aleman were really instrumental in making the whole event happen, encouraging and supporting me in these ventures. Dr. Mary Thompson has also been extremely supportive with Sister Speak. These women have not only helped give me the tools to accomplish these things, but they've supported & encouraged me, while respecting me as an individual. This is something of major importance that is often given lip service, but nothing else. I think we need more older women to start taking some action of their own while also showing younger women that they respect them as individuals, that they respect their ideas, and that they're on the same team in order to bring about some change.

We can do it!

Feminism article in the Breeze

There was a recent op-ed piece about feminism that is horribly misinformed. I wrote a rebuttal (quite vicious) that is listed under comments. I suggest reading both.

Let's chat!

Can you say misogynist?

SDS Womyn's Caucus

Check out this blog: http://sdswomynscaucus.wordpress.com/

There are lots of great posts that relate to topics of discussion and recent events in our lovely little circle.

Love,
Jess

A Few Updates...

You all probably got this email, but I usually don't open them so here's the info in case anyone is interested:

Robyn Ochs returns to JMU's campus for two more workshops that will question and stimulate your views on gender and sexuality. Join her as she transgresses the binary categories of gay/straight, masculine/feminine, black/white and/or male/female.

Name: Bisexuality, Feminism, Men & Me

Date: Feb. 18, 09
Time: 12:15-1:15
Location: Taylor 304

Do you know what makes a man "a man"? What makes a woman "a woman"? We will look at the ways in which we are limited by a binary understanding of gender, and explore how the politics of gender tie together the feminist, queer and transgendered movements. Come, and bring your gender with you!


Name: Beyond Binaries: Identity and the Sexuality Spectrum

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Festival Ballroom

Wanna talk sexuality? Robyn's workshop will discuss uses and limitations of the Kinsey scale and other measures of sexual orientation, with attention to factors such as sex, gender, time, and more.


ALSO there have been several new "Target Women" vidz from Sarah Haskins recently. Most of them can be related to Valentine's Day. Highlights include Chocolate, Jewelry, Online Dating, or Diets.

http://current.com/topics/88813968/target_women/new/0.htm


And one more thing... and thoughts on taking turns taking notes at meetings? Then putting the info up here? Kind of like Annie did with how to chart your cycles. Since I haven't been able to make the past couple meetings I think it would be cool!

How Gender Inequalities at JMU Affect the Social Scene

Mary Thompson gave this article for my Women's Studies class to read, and I completely agree with it. One person in my class claimed that she felt that JMU was a kind of safe haven for feminism because there were simply so many females here. But I think the opposite: it wasn't until a few months ago, after 3 years of relationships and ecnounters with disrespectful and degrading men at JMU that I started to identify with feminist beliefs and was able to call myself a feminist. Yay first blog entry by babz!

http://krusekronicle.typepad.com/kruse_kronicle/2008/08/a-tough-time-to-be-a-girl-gender-imbalance-on-campuses.html