Dear Anal Apertures: Keep Your Legislation Away From Our Offensive Vaginas.

Posted in Blogs, Politics & Social Issues by Heather

See that guy up there? He’s offended by the word “vagina.” That word is so offensive, in fact, that a female legislator who used the word during a speech on Wednesday, has been barred from speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives in Michigan. (Since I have begun writing this post, House GOP Spokesman Ari Adler has defended their actions, claiming that it was the “no means no” part of her speech that got her gaveled out of order and barred from the House floor. Unfortunately, this doesn’t change the fact that Mike Callton is offended by the medical term used to describe a part of the female body.)

From The Detroit News:

House Republicans prohibited state Rep. Lisa Brown from speaking on the floor Thursday after she ended a speech Wednesday against a bill restricting abortions by referencing her female anatomy.

Rep. Brown (D-West Bloomfield) ended her speech with, “Finally, Mr. Speaker, I’m flattered that you’re all so interested in my vagina, but ‘no’ means ‘no’.”

GASP.

Are you ready for Rep. Callton’s response when he was questioned about the action taken against Rep. Brown for using the word “vagina”?

“What she said was offensive,” said Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville. “It was so offensive, I don’t even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company.”

Seriously? You don’t want to use the medical term for that part of a woman’s anatomy IN FRONT OF WOMEN?! I promise you, Mike, “vagina” is not a dirty word. We women use that word all the time, along with some other descriptors that would probably obviously give you heart palpitations.

All is not lost, though, Mikey my boy. There are ways to combat a strong aversion of this nature. One of the most common therapeutic tactics involves confronting a person with the very thing they fear or despise–in this case, the word “vagina”–in order to take away its power over a person.

And I’d like to help you, Rep. Callton–like lots of women have been helping you recently–by leading a therapy session designed to strip away the fear and loathing associated with this so-called “offensive” word.

Let’s begin. Repeat after me, Rep. Callton:

VAGINA. VAGINA. VAGINA.

Good job! I know this is difficult for you, but we must face our fears and learn to overcome them. And we shouldn’t stop there–if a serious aversion is not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to new and even more serious issues.

With that in mind, Rep. Callton, please repeat after me one more time:

UTERUS. CERVIX. LABIA.

Isn’t this fun? Don’t you feel better now? It feels good to free yourself from those uptight and downright silly notions of propriety, doesn’t it?

I thought so.

In all seriousness, though, this really isn’t about the terminology Rep. Brown chose to use in her speech. As she responded when asked about what happened on the House floor on Wednesday:

“If I can’t say the word vagina, why are we legislating vaginas?” Brown said. “What language should I use?”

“We’re all adults here.”

Exactly. If those anal apertures in the House of Representatives don’t want to openly discuss our offensive vaginas (using correct medical terminology), then they should keep their offensive legislation away from us.

And let’s be honest–House Republicans in Michigan weren’t offended by Brown’s terminology choices. They’re just using any ridiculous excuse they can find to silence a voice that is disagreeable to them. Mike Callton has a biology degree that he earned from Michigan State University in 1981. Did he confront his biology professors every time the word “vagina” came up in class? Did he run out of the room screaming? Did he have any biology professor banned from teaching for daring to use the word “vagina”? No, of course he didn’t.

The only things that are truly offensive about this whole situation are Republicans’ patriarchal attitudes and their horrid anti-choice legislation.

(Sources: photo | article)

8Feb2012

Ten Reasons Why I’d Like (P)Rick Santorum to Take a Flying Leap

Posted in Politics & Social Issues by Heather

I don’t like Rick Santorum. The man shouldn’t be in politics. I had to deal with him as my senator in Pennsylvania for seven of his eleven years in that office, and I was so happy when we got rid of him in 2006. Now he’s back as a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential primaries. PRESIDENT? Oh, no, Santorum. You don’t belong in the presidential office. Please, get off my lawn and go take a flying leap.

Here are ten of the many reasons why I hate (P)Rick Santorum:

1. Rape victims should just “make the best out of a bad situation.”

(Read Amy’s awesome response to this on Lucy’s Football. **trigger warning** Three cheers for verbal ass-kicking!)

2. Also, he misses the days before Roe vs. Wade when “people who did abortions were, you know, in the shadows, were people who were considered really bad doctors.” Three cheers for back alley abortions?

3. If Rick were president, he wouldn’t “make black people’s lives better with welfare.” What the hell?

(Read about his denial. He claims he really said “blah” people. Hey, Santorum, you’re not fooling anyone.)

4. Also, food stamps are useless now anyway because hunger can’t possibly exist in a country where so many obese people reside.

5. There is no reason why health insurers shouldn’t discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. Related: he believes health insurance is a luxury, like cars and cell phones.

6. He wants to give states the right to outlaw birth control and would completely defund federal funding for contraception if he were elected president.

7. Gay people don’t “deserve the privilege” of marriage because their relationships “don’t benefit society.” Related: he would annul all gay marriages if he were elected president.

8. He also supports Don’t Ask, Don’t tell (which has been legally repealed) because gay soldiers “cause problems for people in close quarters.” Related: he believes in ex-gay therapy.

9. Single motherhood is bad. Want to know why? Because single mothers have a “desire for government” and that’s why they vote for Democrats. Oh, you poor, naïve, single mothers. Ricky just wants to steer you to the right path. Patriarchy rules!

10. Islamophobia abounds, and Santorum is an outspoken advocate of Muslim profiling. Related: what does he do when a woman at a town hall meeting scathingly makes the “Obama is an avowed Muslim who ignores the constitution” claim? Santorum just agrees with her and says, “Well, yeah, I’m doing my best to try to get him out of the government.”

I have nothing to add. Santorum’s bigotry and patriarchal bullshit speak for themselves.

______________________________

(photo: REUTERS/Sarah Conard…except for the yelling about uteruses. That is all me.)

28Sep2011

Dude, Where’s My Moral Compass?

Posted in Politics & Social Issues by Heather

The other night on Twitter, I had a really good conversation with some folks about being an Atheist and about religion in general. During that conversation, we discussed one of the most commonly asked questions I get about being an Atheist:

“If you don’t believe in God, what’s your moral compass?”

Really, the most simple way for me to answer that question is to pose a question of my own:

“If you stopped believing in God tomorrow, would your morals disappear with your belief?”

I am always amazed when someone asks me that question. I really am. I find it hard to imagine that the person asking me that question is only good and kind to others because their god told them to be. I find it hard to imagine that with the absence of faith, that person would revert to some kind of evil, nasty jerk who hates everyone and wishes everyone harm. It just doesn’t work that way. So here is the long answer:

I live by The Golden Rule. This is the rule by which everyone should live according to the modern concept of human rights: I treat others the way in which I wish to be treated by others. Conversely, I don’t treat others in ways that I would not want to be treated by others. It’s that simple. Those who are a part of an organized religion or who have a belief in a god may act in those ways because they are told to do so by whatever book their religion holds dear, or for the promise of good treatment in an afterlife. I live my life by The Golden Rule simply because it is the right thing to do. I have a basic respect for other human beings and I do my best to act accordingly. As Cherie put it so eloquently on Twitter that night, “I may lose respect for you because of your actions, but I still respect the fundamental ‘you’: the part that is connected to me, and the rest of the planet.” Exactly. As far as I am concerned, as another person sharing this planet with me, you deserve a basic level of respect that I will always do my best to give to you. There are obviously people whom I respect more than others for different reasons, and there are obviously very bad people out there whom have lost every ounce of extra respect from me beyond that very basic level of respect that I afford all human beings. But I don’t need belief in a god to tell me the correct way to treat others. I know how I wish to be treated, or not treated, and that is what I use for my moral compass.

Interestingly enough, as an Atheist, I have better morals that some (please note the word “some“) people who use their religion as an excuse to mistreat others. Horrible things are done in the name of religion every day, which is why it always astounds me when someone asks me what I use as my moral compass. Every day, people are treated horribly by other people who profess to be acting on behalf of one of the many organized religions, simply because they are women, because they are gay, because they belong to a different religion, and/or because–for whatever reason–they are seen as lesser in some way than the rest of the human race. That is just appalling to me. In fact, the first time I questioned my belief in a god and religion was the day I heard a Catholic priest tell people that if a person wasn’t Catholic, that was instant grounds for being sent to Hell. Seriously? How awful is that?

So yes, I am an Atheist… a moral, ethical, happy Atheist who does her very best to treat people with a basic human kindness every day. I don’t always succeed–I have my moments just like everyone else–but I do my best. The Golden Rule is my moral compass, and I wish more people lived by that rule, too.

16Sep2011

Don’t Let Georgia Execute an Innocent Man: Support Troy Davis

Posted in Politics & Social Issues by Heather

(photo: Huffington Post)

I have been following the case of Troy Anthony Davis ever since I heard about it about three or four years ago. Davis was convicted of shooting and killing a Georgia police officer in 1989 and sentenced to death in 1991. For two decades, Troy Davis has maintained his innocence and all but two of the witnesses in the original trial have recanted their testimony, stating that they were coerced by the police department into testifying or signing statements against Davis. Troy Davis has exhausted all of his appeals, and is currently set to be executed next Wednesday, September 21st.

Here is a more detailed overview of where the case stands right now, from Amnesty International USA:

The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.

Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester “Red” Coles — the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

Breaking News: An execution date for Troy Davis is scheduled for September 21! In the days before Davis’ execution, the Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles will hold a final clemency hearing – a final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed.

This is where you come in. There are quite a few online petitions that you can sign to show your support for Troy Davis. As a society, we cannot allow another innocent person to be executed. You can find the petitions–and other actions you can take to help save Troy Davis–by clicking on any of the following links:

You can also join in the discussion on Twitter by using the #TooMuchDoubt hashtag.

Please sign the petitions and help save Troy Davis’ life–all it takes is a few minutes of your time, but it could mean a lifetime for Troy Davis and his family. Thank you.

I’ll leave you with this brilliant and heartbreaking video made by Jasiri X (@jasiri_x on Twitter), an emcee and community activist from Pittsburgh, PA who uses hip-hop to speak out on important social issues. This track is called “I am Troy Davis (T.R.O.Y.)” and is done to the music from “T.R.O.Y.” by Pete Rock & CL Smooth:

(Check out Jasiri X’s YouTube channel)

20Aug2011

The Blaming and Shaming of Victims Has Got to Stop

Posted in Politics & Social Issues by Heather

Three days ago, this article was posted on the website of the NY Daily News. Please take a couple of minutes to read it. I’ll wait.

Done?

For those of you who can’t read the article right now, here’s the overview: During the 2008-2009 school year, a 7th grader from the Republic Middle School in Republic, Missouri went to school authorities and told them she had been raped (on school grounds) by another student. Not only did school authorities accuse her of lying, but they also forced her to write a letter of apology to the boy whom she claimed had raped her, and then they made her hand-deliver the letter to the boy. If that wasn’t bad enough, school authorities then expelled her for the remainder of the school year and turned her over to juvenile authorities for filing a false report.

Fast forward to the next school year: The girl is allowed to go back to school, where she is sexually assaulted by the same boy, again. This time the rape happened in the back of the school’s library. This time, her mother took her to a child advocacy center where their examination proved she had been sexually assaulted, and the DNA evidence matched the boy whom she had been telling school authorities was raping her. The boy pleaded guilty in juvenile court.

If all of that isn’t bad enough, the girl is also a special education student, whose file states (according to the law suit she is now filing against the school) that “the girl was conflict adverse, behaviorally passive, and ‘would forego (sic) her own needs and wishes to satisfy the requests of others around so she can be accepted.’”

I am absolutely disgusted by this whole thing, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since reading this article. It’s bad enough that a young girl was raped, accused of lying, and expelled (while seemingly nothing was done about the boy whom she accused). But the last two paragraphs of the article really did a number on me:

The Republic School District denied the charges in the lawsuit, which was filed on July 5, the paper reported. The district even blamed the student in a July 29 response to the suit, insisting that she neglected to use reasonable means to protect herself, the paper reported.

Damages that she suffered “were as a result of negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the district … had neither control [over] nor the right to control,” the district’s response says.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

First, the victim-blaming mentality in our society has got to go. I am sick and tired of women being blamed and shamed for being sexually assaulted. There is no excuse–EVER–for one individual to rape another. Furthermore, there is NEVER an invitation for rape. NOT EVER. “She neglected to use reasonable means to protect herself.” Seriously? Not only was she a 7th grade girl, but she was a special education student. As a special education student, she requires more protection from those who would try to take advantage of her. I am so disgusted with these school authorities.

Second, the girl suffered two sexual assaults “as a result of negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the district … had neither control [over] nor the right to control”? I am shaking as I try to type this. The district is saying that they have no control over their students. The district has no control over their students??? They sure exercised their control over the girl when they forced her to write an apology to the boy who raped her… and then made her hand-deliver the letter to him. They sure exercised their control over the girl when they expelled her from school and turned her over to juvenile authorities for filing what they claimed was a false report. It is my understanding that when children are in school, that school is responsible for doing everything in their means to protect those children from harm. If schools have no control over their students, then why even have rules? Why even have a student handbook? The Republic School District’s response would be laughable if this situation wasn’t so abhorrent and disgusting.

This girl was made to feel like a criminal after becoming the victim of sexual assault. She was shamed by the very people whom she looked to for protection by being called a liar and being forced to write a letter of apology to her rapist. And this blaming and shaming of women who have been sexually assaulted happens all the time. This has absolutely got to stop.

It is way past time for our society’s mentality to change about sexual assault…

BLAME THE CRIMINAL, NOT THE VICTIM.

(For more information about the lawsuit and its details, please read “12 Steps to Institutional Neglect and Compounded Violation”, via the Feministe website. The details they provide show just how horrendously the Republic Middle School acted in response to the situation.)