Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Bad posting habits...
I guess its more like "lack of posting habits..."
ah well, you see, its the dreaded month of March where EVERYTHING is due in the next two weeks, and a witch just doesn't have much time to poke her head out of the books and presses (unless, of course it is to procrastinate while supposedly doing research for one of two upcoming final essays...whoops).
I am looking forward to April like you wouldn't believe.
Some upcoming stuff though for future pontification:
-bought the divacup in attempt to be a little eco-fem friendly. Will review later this month, for the first time, whoo!
-took part in a feminist-inspired art show at Zacks Gallery at York (reception tomorrow night from 6 to 8pm! Be there, and later be drunk on complimentary wine!). Look for catalogue essay I'm writing to be out soon.
-my aging women project is almost complete! BIG BIG sigh of soon to be relief! I'm calling it "Auntie Hero(ine)s" and will be using this blog to discuss some of the issues that the characters I chose to depict brought up for me.
-and finally, READING FOR PLEASURE. My god/dess, how I've missed you so! Got a wonderful line-up of books, whetting my mental appetite...sweeeeet...
After all this is said and done, I get a summer to mentally relax while paying off some debts, then off to graduate school! Weeeeeee!
See ya soon.
ah well, you see, its the dreaded month of March where EVERYTHING is due in the next two weeks, and a witch just doesn't have much time to poke her head out of the books and presses (unless, of course it is to procrastinate while supposedly doing research for one of two upcoming final essays...whoops).
I am looking forward to April like you wouldn't believe.
Some upcoming stuff though for future pontification:
-bought the divacup in attempt to be a little eco-fem friendly. Will review later this month, for the first time, whoo!
-took part in a feminist-inspired art show at Zacks Gallery at York (reception tomorrow night from 6 to 8pm! Be there, and later be drunk on complimentary wine!). Look for catalogue essay I'm writing to be out soon.
-my aging women project is almost complete! BIG BIG sigh of soon to be relief! I'm calling it "Auntie Hero(ine)s" and will be using this blog to discuss some of the issues that the characters I chose to depict brought up for me.
-and finally, READING FOR PLEASURE. My god/dess, how I've missed you so! Got a wonderful line-up of books, whetting my mental appetite...sweeeeet...
After all this is said and done, I get a summer to mentally relax while paying off some debts, then off to graduate school! Weeeeeee!
See ya soon.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
International Women's Day
This upcoming March 8th is International Women's Day. I, of course, will be ass-deep in homework, but it's mostly all feminist-based research and cultural production type stuff, as well as being involved in an upcoming feminist art show on campus, so I won't be totally off-topic that day. For those not mired by academic commitments, York will be hosting a series of talks during the week.
Hey wait! I just remembered that despite a day heavier with schoolwork, that a group of print friends and I will be indeed heading down to the Ryerson Lecture Series Guerrilla Girls event on March 6th! It's at the Metropolitan Convention Centre (near Union Station). Tickets to the event are free, though all filled up, but I believe you can to get in on standby. I'm pretty excited to hear this collective speak about their work that I've read about so often...will most definitely report back...
Have a thoughtful Women's day!
www.yorku.ca/ombuds
Celebrating International Women’s Day
12:30-4pm
Welcoming Remarks:
Selwyn McSween, Acting Ombudsperson and Director of Human Rights
Keynote Speaker: Adelaida Ortega (SASSL) “Violence Against Women at York University”
Presenter: Ruth Kambali, nursing student: Overcoming Violence in Rwanda
Entertainment: African Dance
Panel Discussion: Discrimination and Violence Directed Against Women:
Denise Taylor: student activist
Yudum Yonak: graduate student
Margaret Alexander: Springtide Resources
Representative from the high school group, SWING
Question & Answer Period
Presentation: WEN-DO (Women's Self Defense) Denise Handlarski
Entertainment: Middle Eastern Dance
Refreshments will be served
Hey wait! I just remembered that despite a day heavier with schoolwork, that a group of print friends and I will be indeed heading down to the Ryerson Lecture Series Guerrilla Girls event on March 6th! It's at the Metropolitan Convention Centre (near Union Station). Tickets to the event are free, though all filled up, but I believe you can to get in on standby. I'm pretty excited to hear this collective speak about their work that I've read about so often...will most definitely report back...
Have a thoughtful Women's day!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Historic Queen West...Down In Flames...
CBC's coverage:Queen Street Fire
I know this isn't a particularly feminist issue, but damn, this fire hits close to home. Not only does the boy and a couple of other friends of mine actually only live a block away from where the six alarm fire broke out at 5:30 in the morning, but I spent my teen years (and still spend quite a bit of time there) in that neighbourhood. It's one of my favourites. The boy says that his apartment hallway is covered in black ash, and there are still cops and fire officials all over the block. The area of downtown Toronto had just been declared an historical conservation site last fall as well.
14 addresses affected...at least five small businesses gutted...gutted...and when I think if that fire had leaped one more block west...
No one was seriously injured...thank god/dess...but it seems like everyone in the buildings affected lost everything...
I know I just have memories on this strip...but it's like watching a loved one get hurt, you know?
I know this isn't a particularly feminist issue, but damn, this fire hits close to home. Not only does the boy and a couple of other friends of mine actually only live a block away from where the six alarm fire broke out at 5:30 in the morning, but I spent my teen years (and still spend quite a bit of time there) in that neighbourhood. It's one of my favourites. The boy says that his apartment hallway is covered in black ash, and there are still cops and fire officials all over the block. The area of downtown Toronto had just been declared an historical conservation site last fall as well.
14 addresses affected...at least five small businesses gutted...gutted...and when I think if that fire had leaped one more block west...
No one was seriously injured...thank god/dess...but it seems like everyone in the buildings affected lost everything...
I know I just have memories on this strip...but it's like watching a loved one get hurt, you know?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Upcoming at York is Eating Disorder Awareness Week, running from February 4th to February 8th. All sorts of interesting talks and events are scheduled, and I would encourage those of us who do not have pesky classes and work obligations in the way, to check them out. Here are a few presentations:
I wrote an article for the school's paper, Excalibur, about using gender as a lens of analysis in discussing eating disorders. I may post it up later this week. Writing it was quite challenging because I wasn't sure how to talk about eating disorders in the first place. Its a difficult, and important subject matter that I didn't want to take lightly. Hopefully I can catch one of these lectures this week.
"It’s Not our Bodies That Need Changing, It's Our Attitude"
Eating Disorders Awareness Week Speaker Series
Monday, February 4th, 7:00pm<>
Harry Crowe Room, Rm. 109, Atkinson Building
Michael Atkinson, PhD, presents:
Physical Cultural Studies: Bodies and Body Modification in Late Modernity
In this talk, Michael Atkinson engages a physical cultural studies analysis of radical forms of body modification such as tattooing, cosmetic surgery and dramatic forms of dieting. Based on first-hand research he has gathered on the socio-cultural meanings of these body projects and others, Dr. Atkinson addresses how and why radical physical cultural practices are growing in number in Western societies. Specifically, he discusses what it is like to experience radical body modification, how radical body modification shifts one’s sense of self-identity over time, and how body modification practitioners often walk fine lines between heath and illness through their flesh journeys.
Michael Atkinson, PhD is with the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, U.K. For his contributions to the Canadian social sciences, Michael was recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's prestigious Aurora Award in 2004. Michael is the associate editor of Deviant Behaviour Journal as well as a Member of the editorial board of the Qualitative Sociology Review, Sociology of Sport Journal, and Sport in Society. Michael is the author of Tattooed: The Sociogenesis of a Body Art.
Tuesday, February 5th, 7:00pm
Harry Crowe Room, Rm. 109, Atkinson Building.
Dr. Gail McVey, C. Psych presents,
Promoting Positive Body image and Healthy eating in a Diet-Crazy World: Findings from School- and University Based Prevention Programs.
In this presentation, Gail McVey will provide an overview of the factors that influence the development of body image concerns and eating-related problems. Strategies designed to help improve body satisfaction and prevent disordered eating will be discussed. Updated research findings concerning school- and university-based interventions designed to prevent disordered eating will be presented. The program is provided through Dr. McVey’s work as a Health Systems Research Scientist in the Community Health Systems Resource Group at the Hospital for Sick Children and Director of the Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders.
A special program in recognition of Eating Disorders Awareness Week is being organized by the Counselling and Development Centre, the Atkinson Counselling and Supervision Centre, Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Arts. Also generously supported by the Student & Alumni Relations Unit, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies.
All events are free and open to all members of the York University community.
I wrote an article for the school's paper, Excalibur, about using gender as a lens of analysis in discussing eating disorders. I may post it up later this week. Writing it was quite challenging because I wasn't sure how to talk about eating disorders in the first place. Its a difficult, and important subject matter that I didn't want to take lightly. Hopefully I can catch one of these lectures this week.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Groundhog Day
It's February 2nd, which means it's Groundhound day. Them good old critters are gonna predict for us whether we'll have six more weeks of winter hell, which we usually do. Last night's storm does not bode well for an early spring...
Don't you wish there was a similiar groundhog system for social justice? You know, just have some cute little animal pop its head out, and say, "Yup, all this bullshit is gonna end early this year! No more misogyny, racism, capitalist exploitation, violence, homophobia, transphobia, and general world unfairness. Time to celebrate!"
Sigh. I have a feeling that even such a thing existed, it wouldn't be good news.
Back to the grind.
Don't you wish there was a similiar groundhog system for social justice? You know, just have some cute little animal pop its head out, and say, "Yup, all this bullshit is gonna end early this year! No more misogyny, racism, capitalist exploitation, violence, homophobia, transphobia, and general world unfairness. Time to celebrate!"
Sigh. I have a feeling that even such a thing existed, it wouldn't be good news.
Back to the grind.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Student Body Drives Me Nuts
In an earlier post, I wrote about how much I loved my progressive school. I may have spoke to soon.
I forget how much the student body doesn't reflect the politics of my studies.
The YorkU livejournal community provides AMPLE evidence of this. In a post initially speaking about some recent racist graffiti, the thread suddenly became about the "wrongs" of affirmative action, and of course all the whining coming from people who feel cheated by it (ie white people who are automatically qualified for the job, whereas people who are systemically discriminated against are CLEARLY questionable).
There are usually few dissenting voices to the right-wing-ism displayed in this community, and so I get tired of arguing and feel like I just want this conversation to be OVER. So I sent a letter to Carmen at Racialicious, most of which I'll repost here.
I hope she can address it there on her blog, mostly because my blog here is so tiny, and I really want these issues brought up in that thread to be made visible. Also, I don't feel nearly as qualified or confident to address it with the vehemence it deserves. So here it is:
I wonder at times like this if I am even strong enough to fight.
Sigh.
Edit: I had heard conflicting reports about what was sprayed across the walls...I think the graffiti I had quoted to Carmen was a response to either racist graffiti sprayed across the walls of Black student organizations. Just wanted to clarify.
I forget how much the student body doesn't reflect the politics of my studies.
The YorkU livejournal community provides AMPLE evidence of this. In a post initially speaking about some recent racist graffiti, the thread suddenly became about the "wrongs" of affirmative action, and of course all the whining coming from people who feel cheated by it (ie white people who are automatically qualified for the job, whereas people who are systemically discriminated against are CLEARLY questionable).
There are usually few dissenting voices to the right-wing-ism displayed in this community, and so I get tired of arguing and feel like I just want this conversation to be OVER. So I sent a letter to Carmen at Racialicious, most of which I'll repost here.
I hope she can address it there on her blog, mostly because my blog here is so tiny, and I really want these issues brought up in that thread to be made visible. Also, I don't feel nearly as qualified or confident to address it with the vehemence it deserves. So here it is:
Hi Carmen
I've written to you before, and got lots of great feedback on a project I'm still working on. But I was wondering if maybe you could address this sometime on Racialicious:
http://community.livejournal.com/yorku/1406833.html
I hope that link works.
York University is generally considered a very left and progressive liberal arts school in Toronto. You can see this reflected particularly in the Women's Studies program and various others. However, it is NOT always reflected in the student body itself nor in the addressing of certain issues that arise on campus. This particular linked post in the YorkU Livejournal community was in reference to grafitti that had been sprayed something along the lines of 'death to white supremecy' across the walls of a very public part of campus. I never got to see it myself, as it was removed before I got to campus quickly after the story broke out.
What irks me about this thread is how it was used as a jumping point to discredit affirmative actions programs, not for their effectiveness but rather for how "perfectly qualified white people" are left out of the jobs they are so CLEARLY entitled to. Then the justification becomes that people should just all be equally considered without issues of race, gender, or sexuality "getting in the way" as if those very things have never been used against people who fall under those categories in the first place. As if those things have been resolved in the slightest. ARGH!
I'm writing to you because I feel so frustrated, as these type of right-wing threads pop up often in the community and I'll start to argue, but then I end up backing down and feeling tired and hopeless against so many people who are so sure I'm just a radical left-wing nut. I feel like everything I have to say about this is better argued and with more strength and visibility on racialicious...and quite frankly, I really want the YorkU student body to publically called out on this shit. I'm so tired of it. It's so disappointing to attend a school that doesn't live up to its reputation. I want there to be a link that discusses things like affirmative action intelligently and not like some spoiled brat who didn't get what he wanted when he wanted it. ARGH! again!
[...]
with deep lamentations...
I wonder at times like this if I am even strong enough to fight.
Sigh.
Edit: I had heard conflicting reports about what was sprayed across the walls...I think the graffiti I had quoted to Carmen was a response to either racist graffiti sprayed across the walls of Black student organizations. Just wanted to clarify.
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