On November 25th, the United Nation’s “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign began. It will culminate on December 10th with Human Rights Day.
As has happened again this year, I just couldn’t quite get it together to set down and concentrate on a thoughtful blog, or series. Maybe it’s the depression I am avoiding. It’s not the Holidays that cause this depression. It’s the work that it takes to dig up and newly elucidate old hard, unacknowledged truths again, because for me it’s one of the most important times there is, and I always feel unequal to the task.
Women are still not equal partners in the world and its affairs. The Equal Rights Amendment has not yet passed. Women are not included as a whole in civil rights laws.
Earlier this year in September, and just this week a Planned Parenthood facility was attacked, the first by fire and the most recent, by another gun wielding misogynist. The media has zinged back and over whether the most recent attack is an act of terror or a deranged soul.
I don’t think these acts fully represent either position. They are hate crimes. (more…)
Grab and Keel 