It's women's day

[cally]

I remember how excited I was as a teen for what I think was the first women's day in 1975. I still have a necklace I bought celebrating this as my only souvenier on a HS trip. I'm saddened that we've made so little progress.

I try to look at the world picture and I do believe that women around the world have made progress. Not enough, but some.

Congratulations for the fight and the continuiing effort.

[noamnety]

1. I feel sad

was NOT a good day here. Found out today a high school student I know was abducted and raped by three guys this week. another student made a general announcement to the class that she was also a rape survivor. That was in the first 20 minutes or so of work. :(

[cally]

2. I'm so sorry

I guess I'm glad that the students have someone like you as a role model and a woman to offer guidance, but it just pisses me off that our children still are not safe. Here's a :hug: for you because it's so hard to handle when it's someone you care about.

[redqueen]

3. I'm saddened, too...

and even more sad that many otherwise mostly progressive people think there's no reason for this day.

[ismnotwasm]

4. It was, wasn't it?

And I noticed a commercial for a new reality show "Pussycat dolls" I don't know what's it's about other than a group of young women resembling "Brats" dolls

My 13 year old niece was raped by a 17 year old boy she had let in her window at night on more than one occasion. Members of my family are questioning whether it was "rape"


So then there's this from Kim Grady's "Below the Belt" column
http://www.now.org/news/note/030607.html
A sample;
"Undercut justice for women.

You'd think that when it comes to laws that affect women's rights and, more specifically, women's bodies, prosecutors would think twice before relying on statutes that pre-date the Emancipation Proclamation.

Exhibit A) In Maryland, advocates are urging the state appeals court to consider a lower court ruling that has angered women across the country. Last fall, the Court of Special Appeals decided the concept of "deflowering" has a legitimate place in the contemporary U.S. legal system when it said that it's not rape if a woman withdraws consent after penetration and the man continues. The court's decision actually acknowledges that it's referring (or rather, deferring), to "ancient" laws:

"The concept … rooted in ancient laws and adopted by the English common-law, views the initial 'de-flowering' of a woman as the real harm or insult which must be redressed by compensating, in legal contemplation, the injured party—the father or the husband. This initial violation of the victim also provided the basis for the criminal proceeding against the offender. But, to be sure, it was the act of penetration that was the essence of the crime of rape; after this initial infringement upon the responsible male's interest in a woman's sexual and reproductive functions, any further injury was considered to be less consequential. The damage was done."
--
(Sigh)

On the other hand, I'm reading (because I picked it up in a second hand store, not out of any expertise) "Intellectual Women and Victorian Patriarchy" It's an analysis of the feminism of Harriet Martineau, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and George Eliot. Good, interesting stuff believe it or not.

I made sure to renew my membership to NARAL today.

We have come a long way. And we do have a long way to go. I refuse to be sad today, I'll try not to rage ineffectively. I do reserve my right to rage. I'll buy a craft made by an Afghani woman, look for a lecture, a protest, some sort of proactive action I can take.

My 13 year old niece is going to get some sort of feminist primer. It won't take the pain of rape for your "first time" But it'll start to explain goddam why. I hold back because of family dynamics. (long story) For Christmas I gave her a book of Women's graffiti from the world over. I figured she'd like the pictures and the art. Break the ice on the topic.

I'm in that very cold place that hits before rage. So today, I'll focus. Where is that one woman I can help? That small difference I can make? By days end I'll find it.

Good thoughts, blessings, prayers, vibes-- whatever fits-- to you all, and thank you for just being here.

[cally]

5. Oh fuck

I'm so sorry. :hug: Just take one step forward and know that others, even here in cyberspace, are with you.