Archive Page 2
Sotomayor!!!
So as many probably know Sonia Sotomayor was nominated yesterday by Barack Obama to be the next justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a working-class Latina from the Bronx with generally progressive politics.
Needless to say, I’m dying with excitement. Absolutely dying. I’ve already heard fucked up coverage of this nomination begin that is both highly racialized and sexualized (she’s loud, she’s aggressive, she judges based on her race, reverse racism, blah blah blah). But for now, I’m just taking a minute to bask in the excitement that is the first Latina, the first woman of color to be nominated to the Supreme Court.
Quick Perspective Check: 107 of the past 111 Supreme Court Justices have been white men. Just something I heard on CNN and I think really puts into perspective the serious amazingness of Sotomayor.
For a rundown of her decisions you can find them here.
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Tags: Obama, Sotomayor, women of color
Disaster–Eminem Style
So apparently Eminem himself is not the person who released this cover it was Stackhouse Records, the creators of remixes, and not Eminem’s record label.
But yeah…. anyone have any thoughts on this image???
(racialicious.com)
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solutions list?
recently, after fuck you list came out there was some back and forth about whether or not it was actually just a useless catharsis to create a fuck you list or if i should instead be using my time to create a “solutions” list.
upon reflection i figured perhaps one way i could help the commenter out is talk about some of the things i am currently working on to be a better ally for different communities that i am not necessarily a part of.
1. watch my language. don’t use the word “lame,” it was originally used as a derogatory word for many people with disabilities. don’t use the word “retard” or “retarded” it’s, for obvious reasons, hugely offensive.
2. read a book or google it before you ask the question. this one i think is really important ESPECIALLY for white folks. if you don’t understand a historical reference, a cultural reference, something that seems community specific. do not approach the first person of color you see or somewhat know. utilize the world wide web and educate yourself about the issue. if you have a well-developed relationship with a person of color after doing such research consider asking them for clarification. i know i sometimes stumble on issues like this specifically around what language to use with people with disabilities. so i google it, read about it, think about it and then if there is still further confusion use workshop spaces as a place to make those mistakes when people are there for the specific reason to help me work through my questions and confusion.
3. constantly check myself/privilege. i am constantly trying to think of how my different privileges effect the type of space i am creating or conversation i am having or relationship i am building. specifically when i think about the campus stuff i do, i try and make sure that i am not taking over spaces unnecessarily or with fucked up reasons behind it.
4. work really hard. i spend my summers working at places that i’m invested in like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Center for Progressive Leadership, Choice USA, and others. When on campus i work hard in the campus groups i care about. i hope that my work, more than a blog ever could, speaks to my dedication to finding solutions.
5. so do something! reading blogs isn’t enough. do some reading, form some ideas, think about creative ways to effect change in your community and then do your best to do it in an accountable way. but you really can’t wait around expecting others to write a list for you.
6. grab a mirror. if you read a list, or diatribe, or scathing piece about privilege make sure you check yourself to make sure you aren’t actually replicating those fucked up systems of oppression over.
and then maybe… if for example: someone read a “fuck you list,” realized something they did in their everyday life was kinda fucked up and marginalized a bunch of people, and then looked in the mirror and decided to change that action, and then took a pro-active position to get others to change it too… then maybe the “fuck you list” did something?
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appreciation blog!
So I already wrote a fuck you list and thought I should also include an appreciation/love list for all the good things that I have in my life.
I appreciate/love:
- my family and everyone who comprises that group
- swarthmore (i know i know) for the amazing opportunities it has given me, and the people i have gotten to know and love because of going there
- closed groups and the honest conversations that happen there
- being part of a community that is inclusive, radical, makes me feel whole, and are always open to challenging me and being challenged.
- bad television
- good conversations that last hours
- good sex
- rainy days
- good books
- that i have health care
- that i am multi-racial, that i’m queer, and a woman
- art, especially political art
- music, the kind that makes me dance, the kind that makes me think, and the kind that is ridiculous but i love anyway
- reconnecting with friends who i’ve drifted away from
- cuddling
this list is a work in progress… anyone have some of their own?
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Really Quiznos?
I’m generally not that uncomfortable with sexually explicitly advertising but really Quiznos? You had me blushing. This seems like a bit much and I don’t see why women have to be so BLATANTLY sexualized to get the point across. I also think it’s problematic to fetishize these two groups of women, blondes and asians as is so often done in advertising and in the porn industry.
You can watch the ad here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1579920046?bctid=23069425001
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Tags: advertising, objectification
general life update
hey lovelies. i have been doing almost nothing since i got home. it’s been beautiful. caught up on all my shitty tv. loves it. i got my wisdom teeth removed today. i also convinced (successfully) to get my mom to get involved in white women confronting racism’s summer reading group. i think it’ll be cool because of like intergenerational stuff/i think she will really enjoy it/has a lot to offer to the conversation.
also i have worked up a list of readings starting with using some of White Women Confronting Racism’s list and covering topics like race/class/sexuality/disability/repro justice/prison industrial complex etc. and me and and my mom, sister, and father will be having weekly discussion groups. a “sunday school” of sorts where we will all learn about these issues. my dad is hugely skeptical. and kind of unsure about some of the issues but i think it could be really amazing.
if anyone has any good suggestions about introductory but good material about any of the afforementioned topics i would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE to get those from you.
so yeah any intro stuff on: race, class, sexuality, gender, prisons, reproductive justice, whiteness, feminism… i would love to get those from ya’ll.
so i start work june 9th at Choice USA which is super exciting!
ok well keep me posted on ya’lls life.
love,
cecilia
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Organ Donation Ad–Disaster
I guess it’s just frustrating to see women’s bodies sexualized and objectified in the name of a good cause, organ donation.
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Tags: advertising
“Sweat”–Nikki Patin
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Tags: fatness, fatphobia, spoken word
“Ethnic Spectacle”–Alysha P.
More of this amazing woman’s vlog can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/lysh10
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Tags: exotification
“Your Revolution”–Sarah Jones
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Tags: spoken word
