[Some of the language and links below may be triggering.]
I can't even believe I have to say this, but making jokes about rape, even if it's about Michael Jackson, even if it's about prison rape, *even if* it's about Ann Coulter, is Not Ok. Christ.
This shit doesn't happen in a vacuum. We live in a rape-soaked society, and I'm sure we don't need to go back over the ways in which rape is minimized, apologized for, and diminished as "not really rape, anyway."
When we make jokes about how funny it is that someone sexually abused children, when we make jokes about wanting to "hate fuck" right-wingers, when we make jokes about making someone your prison bitch, or NAMBLA, we normalize the rape culture we're soaking in. We say, hey, it's funny to see someone else rape/want to rape/be raped. It's not that big a deal. And if you don't think it's funny? If you think these jokes demean the lived experiences of the men and women who suffered through these kinds of attacks? If you think they normalize rape culture and silence people who don't want to participate in the culture? You're not funny. You're a mean, humorless feminazi. Why can't you take a joke? And it gets worse. Women who call this shit out? Are routinely threatened (oh wait, those are more "jokes," right?), shamed, and silenced.
But you know, I'm ok with not thinking it's funny. Being raped isn't funny. Normalizing the culture we live in that says you can probably rape and get away with it if you're a white d00d? I'm ok with not doing that. I'm ok with not re-victimizing people every single time they hear one of these "jokes," and I'm ok with not telling them their experiences don't matter because my right to be a giant douche trumps their trauma. I'm ok with being a totally humorless feminist and I fucking expect more from people than to make rape jokes.
ETA:
Renee on prison rape.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Vigil for Dr. Tiller next Thurs!
I got this action alert from Planned Parenthood of Rochester and Syracuse:
I plan to attend, and so should you.
Family Planning Advocates of Central New York
Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region
Syracuse Peace Council
Through the Syracuse Peace Council, a number of community supporters have organized a vigil in memory of Dr. George Tiller to be held at Planned Parenthood (1120 East Genesee Street) in Syracuse on Thursday, June 25, at 5:30 pm. Please join us for this remembrance of Dr. Tiller’s important work.
Betty
Betty DeFazio, Corporate Director
Community Affairs & Public Policy
Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region, Inc.
I plan to attend, and so should you.
Family Planning Advocates of Central New York
Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region
Syracuse Peace Council
Monday, June 01, 2009
In honor of Dr. Tiller
I can't bring myself to post much on this or on this tragedy or the horrifying hateful reactions that the out-of-control right wingers (in more ways than one, eh?) have spewed all over the interwebs. Instead I shall give you links. For a summary of OR and some of the horrible reactions, see Belle's post. I really don't have the heart to link to any of the other stuff, really. I'm just heartsick today, between this and the whole [VERY STRONG TRIGGER WARNING] unreleased photo story.
Instead of continuing to focus on the horror, let's go with some positive things we can do, eh?
Medical students for choice: http://www.ms4c.org/
Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
NARAL Pro-choice America: http://www.naral.org/
National Network of Abortion Funds: http://www.nnaf.org/index.html
Instead of continuing to focus on the horror, let's go with some positive things we can do, eh?
Medical students for choice: http://www.ms4c.org/
Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
NARAL Pro-choice America: http://www.naral.org/
National Network of Abortion Funds: http://www.nnaf.org/index.html
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Happy Spring!
Although I've been feeling a bit ambivalent lately about the veggies I can get for cheap (omg will the eggplant days ever end?), spring also brings some treats. I saw ramps at Weggies, but didn't pick any up because I wasn't sure where they were grown. But I did find at the farmers' market on Saturday "fresh, local asparagus," according to the guy at the stand, cut on Friday. I cooked it up today and... Well.
Oh.
Mah.
GAWD.
You know how usually when you get asparagus at the grocery store, the bottom is all chewey and fibrous and tough, even after you "snap" the bottoms? This? Was not like that. This, this was sweet and tender the whole way down. I roasted it with a bit of salt and pepper and olive oil, then tossed with a vinaigrette, and lemme tell you, it didn't even make it to a plate. Joelster and I ate the whole pile standing at the kitchen counter with our fingers.
So. Happy spring and if I get inspired with eggplant and summer squash I'll let you know, but for now I'm feeling a bit ... eh.
Oh.
Mah.
GAWD.
You know how usually when you get asparagus at the grocery store, the bottom is all chewey and fibrous and tough, even after you "snap" the bottoms? This? Was not like that. This, this was sweet and tender the whole way down. I roasted it with a bit of salt and pepper and olive oil, then tossed with a vinaigrette, and lemme tell you, it didn't even make it to a plate. Joelster and I ate the whole pile standing at the kitchen counter with our fingers.
So. Happy spring and if I get inspired with eggplant and summer squash I'll let you know, but for now I'm feeling a bit ... eh.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Justice, more or less.
(Late to the party, busy busy week.) Obviously, real justice would be living in a world where trans people aren't murdered at much higher rates than cis people. But life in prison without the possibility of parole and the first successful prosecution of a hate crime against a transgendered person will have to do. It's great that a jury of regular folks, people who have no special knowledge or understanding, who probably have not even got the Trans 101 basics, saw straight through the hideous "trans panic" defense. I hope Angie Zapata's family can gain some comfort and peace from this outcome.
I also hope that maybe those 12 people will walk away from this a bit less transphobic, that maybe that will spread out a little bit in the community. Maybe. It's a nice thought at least.
Further reading:
http://birdofparadox.wordpress.com/
http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/
http://takesupspace.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/what-is-justice-for-angie-zapata/
I also hope that maybe those 12 people will walk away from this a bit less transphobic, that maybe that will spread out a little bit in the community. Maybe. It's a nice thought at least.
Further reading:
http://birdofparadox.wordpress.com/
http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/
http://takesupspace.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/what-is-justice-for-angie-zapata/
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A New Hope
Whether it is the weather finally warming up and causing something other than browns and greys to appear in my world, or the 5-HTP I've been taking, or just a random fluctuation in the brainjuices, I'm feeling a bit more like having an online life lately, and thus, I am also feeling a bit more like blogging.
OTOH, I'm definitely feeling less like blogging about stuff that makes me mad. For those of you who wish to follow what does make me mad, please find me at my Google Reader feed here.
What DO I feel like blogging? Well, mostly about food stuff. Not just recipes and shopping advice, but some of the ways that food, access to food, and the production of food affects people's lives. It's something that's been on my mind lately. Well, not really "lately" but more "in general for several years," but a couple of things that have been going on lately have prompted my interest anew. More to come on that, I reckon.
I'll still be blogging on science, atheism, feminism, and other liberal and progressive issues, and of course will be thinking about how these things intersect with what is on my mind at any given time. But just know that for now, I might be thinking about other topics. That doesn't mean that the issues I care about are somehow less important (or indeed that they don't intersect with the food issues!), but for mental health reasons, I can't really do much more than point you in the direction of those who have a handle on it. With that said, please check my links list, which I am hoping to update soon.
Hope to write again soon.
OTOH, I'm definitely feeling less like blogging about stuff that makes me mad. For those of you who wish to follow what does make me mad, please find me at my Google Reader feed here.
What DO I feel like blogging? Well, mostly about food stuff. Not just recipes and shopping advice, but some of the ways that food, access to food, and the production of food affects people's lives. It's something that's been on my mind lately. Well, not really "lately" but more "in general for several years," but a couple of things that have been going on lately have prompted my interest anew. More to come on that, I reckon.
I'll still be blogging on science, atheism, feminism, and other liberal and progressive issues, and of course will be thinking about how these things intersect with what is on my mind at any given time. But just know that for now, I might be thinking about other topics. That doesn't mean that the issues I care about are somehow less important (or indeed that they don't intersect with the food issues!), but for mental health reasons, I can't really do much more than point you in the direction of those who have a handle on it. With that said, please check my links list, which I am hoping to update soon.
Hope to write again soon.
Monday, March 16, 2009
How to plan your dinners for the week.
Like lots of people, I am trying to save money and eat healthier. I think I've hit on a pretty decent method to plan dinners ahead of time so you waste less food, money, and time. I am not saying this is the best or only way to do this, but I thought some people who read this could get some ideas. Here's my steps towards getting your dinners sorted out:
On Saturday morning, sit down with your cookbooks or the internet and start thinking. The first thing you want to think about is where you are getting your food. Are you going to the farmer's market? The grocery store? Are you getting fresh veggies from a CSA? No matter where you get your veggies, you need to think about what is in season and what you are likely to get/find. In-season veggies, even at a regular supermarket that doesn't make any effort to purchase locally-grown food, are much cheaper. If you get your veggies from a CSA, maybe do all this planning AFTER you get your box. The steps will still work for you, you just need to change around the order :)
Keeping in mind what is in season (or what you have in your box), go through your cookbooks and look for recipes that appeal to you. Pick out main dishes and think of what sides would go well with them (for example, find a recipe for braised seitan, and think about what veggies and grains might go well with it). Make a schedule and jot down all the main courses and side dishes (when I do it it's usually as simple as "braised seitan, freezer veggies, rice) -- Saturday through Thursday or Friday -- I like to leave an "open" day for eating out or if unforseen circumstances crop up. Decide what recipes you will cook on what day. This is a little intimidating at first, because you might feel like it locks you in to too much, but this will quickly pass the first time you get home and don't have to stress out about what to make!
Some things you want to keep in mind at this point are what days you need extra-short meals (gym nights, kids' lessons, working late, etc). Plan quicker meals those nights (I like to do a quesadilla on one gym night and a soup/salad on the other). Also make sure you plan to eat the more fragile veggies or other ingredients early in the week. If you get a box with a bunch of spinach, a couple eggplants, and a bunch of carrots, eat the spinach early in the week before it wilts, and the carrots at the end of the week, because they'll keep longer.
Once you have your meals picked and scheduled, use the recipes to develop your shopping list. Don't forget your staples -- do you have onions, garlic, cooking wine, olive oil, etc? Not to mention cat food, toilet paper, and light bulbs! When you get home from shopping, stick your schedule on the fridge so as soon as you get home you'll know what you're eating that night. Not only that, but you'll definitely have all the ingredients you need!
I hope this helps some of my friends who read this blog save money and eat better. If it doesn't work for you, that's ok too, maybe you can still get some ideas on how to plan some meals or shop for the week. Good luck!
Maybe soon I'll post the World's Easiest Thai Butternut Squash Soup Recipe.
On Saturday morning, sit down with your cookbooks or the internet and start thinking. The first thing you want to think about is where you are getting your food. Are you going to the farmer's market? The grocery store? Are you getting fresh veggies from a CSA? No matter where you get your veggies, you need to think about what is in season and what you are likely to get/find. In-season veggies, even at a regular supermarket that doesn't make any effort to purchase locally-grown food, are much cheaper. If you get your veggies from a CSA, maybe do all this planning AFTER you get your box. The steps will still work for you, you just need to change around the order :)
Keeping in mind what is in season (or what you have in your box), go through your cookbooks and look for recipes that appeal to you. Pick out main dishes and think of what sides would go well with them (for example, find a recipe for braised seitan, and think about what veggies and grains might go well with it). Make a schedule and jot down all the main courses and side dishes (when I do it it's usually as simple as "braised seitan, freezer veggies, rice) -- Saturday through Thursday or Friday -- I like to leave an "open" day for eating out or if unforseen circumstances crop up. Decide what recipes you will cook on what day. This is a little intimidating at first, because you might feel like it locks you in to too much, but this will quickly pass the first time you get home and don't have to stress out about what to make!
Some things you want to keep in mind at this point are what days you need extra-short meals (gym nights, kids' lessons, working late, etc). Plan quicker meals those nights (I like to do a quesadilla on one gym night and a soup/salad on the other). Also make sure you plan to eat the more fragile veggies or other ingredients early in the week. If you get a box with a bunch of spinach, a couple eggplants, and a bunch of carrots, eat the spinach early in the week before it wilts, and the carrots at the end of the week, because they'll keep longer.
Once you have your meals picked and scheduled, use the recipes to develop your shopping list. Don't forget your staples -- do you have onions, garlic, cooking wine, olive oil, etc? Not to mention cat food, toilet paper, and light bulbs! When you get home from shopping, stick your schedule on the fridge so as soon as you get home you'll know what you're eating that night. Not only that, but you'll definitely have all the ingredients you need!
I hope this helps some of my friends who read this blog save money and eat better. If it doesn't work for you, that's ok too, maybe you can still get some ideas on how to plan some meals or shop for the week. Good luck!
Maybe soon I'll post the World's Easiest Thai Butternut Squash Soup Recipe.
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