Transitioning Times

#ThinkLikeGuy This is Guy.  He is 8 years old and he has some big ideas.  Here are Guy’s thoughts about #Likeagirl. Question: What does, “like a girl” mean? Guy:  It doesn’t mean really anything because everyone has a different way of doing things. Question:  If someone says, “You throw like a girl!” What does that mean? Guy: Well nothing really because everyone throws different. There is no throwing like a boy or girl. Throwing is just throwing. Question: If someone uses the phrase “like a girl,” is that ok to say? Guy:  It really isn’t ok to say because we are all the same.  We all do things different. It’s wrong and could hurt someone’s feelings. Boys and girls can do the same things. 

In case, you think women are only objectified on entertainment magazines, behold the cover of Science .   This is the cover for their annual HIV/AIDS issue. Is Science magazine resorting to sex to sell magazines?   Shameful.

Recently, in light of crimes committed in California against women who were perceived to slight an individual, people have started posting under the heading/hashtag YesAllWomen, stating that no, not all men rape, or beat, or harm women, but all women have, at some point, experienced harassment, abuse, or discrimination in their lives.  Below are just a few examples; I strongly encourage you to search #YesAllWomen on Twitter or Tumblr to learn more. Many argue that social media campaigns like this don't do anything.  It's just another case of people saying one things behind a computer keyboard/smartphone and another in real life.  Well, I would argue that these days, social media IS real life.  And if people are talking about misogyny, and rape culture, and discrimination, even if it isn't solving the problem, talking about it is a step in the right direction.  It is hard to read the information posted under this heading on Twitter and Tumblr, but I do it to...

  April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).   SAAM’s purpose is to educate our communities and raise awareness about sexual violence. Over the years, the national campaign for SAAM has emphasized the prevention of sexual violence. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) has unveiled the 2013 campaign. The focus of this year’s campaign is healthy sexuality and child sexual abuse prevention.   Their slogan is “It’s time…to talk about it!   Talk early, talk often.   Prevent sexual violence.” SAAM was nationally recognized for the first time in April 2001.   The roots of SAAM date back to the first documented Take Back the Night march that took place in Brussels, Belgium during The International Tribunal on Crimes against Women. The Tribunal was held March 4-8, 1976. As a result of this march a movement known as Reclaim The Night was born. Reclaim The Night marches occurred throughout Europe, Australia, and India...