Feminist Monday, June 19

Today is an important date in the United States. It's the date Americans celebrate the process that made slavery unconstitutional and illegal throughout the nation. However, as it turns out June 19, 1866 isn't the exact date of the emancipation proclamation (that was September of 1862--four years before) nor is it the date that the 13th Amendment was ratified (that was Jan. 31, 1865). June 19th is the date that Texans were ordered to comply with the law. The delay was, in part, due to the civil war. It wasn't an instant change either. (For more information, see What is Juneteenth?) I confess, today is the first time I've ever looked up the details. That, my friend, isn't a good thing. [sigh]

​Today's videos: I wanted to learn about comic book heroes who happen to be black women. So, I've subscribed to this podcast. (Yeah, I'm late to the party per usual.) I recommend it.

And now... links.

Literary/Entertainment: Black Girl Nerds review Black Bolt #1. I was going to pick it up when I found out that Saladin Ahmed is the writer. It's bound to go interesting places as a result. Also, World Of Wakanda Canceled. Holy crap, WHY?! It was going to bring in so much money with the movie coming out. Grrr. Why Daphne du Maurier Was Britain's Master of Suspense. I read Rebecca quite a while back and was blown away with du Maurier's ability to create atmospheric tones in her work and maintain suspense at the same time. (That's a neat trick, and one I want to learn.) It takes a lot of skill and finesse. Anyway, I was reminded of her work when I went to see My Cousin Rachel, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I'll probably do a review on a more appropriate day. "Harlots": Inverting Sex Worker Stereotypes In Lots Of Taffeta. I've watched all of season one and enjoyed it quite thoroughly. :) Why Sculptor Flora Mayo Was Written Out of Art History. And have an important Twitter thread about a misogynist review of Moxie, a YA novel which deals in part with sexual assault. Here's the actual review, if you wish to read it. Pantsuit Nation’s Tattered Ambition. [sigh] Meet the Rising Star Who's Blowing Up the Red-Carpet Hair Game. 

General: 5 Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in Flint Water Crisis. Hey, it's a good start, but Flint STILL DOESN'T HAVE DRINKABLE WATER. WILL SOMEONE GET ON THAT NOW? From the article:  “A cause of the breakdown in state governmental management was a fixation, a preoccupation, with data, finances and costs, instead of placing the health, safety and welfare of citizens first.” Repeat after me: government does not have the same function as business. Business exists for profit. Government exists to tend to its citizens' welfare. Is racism a factor here? You bet your ass it is. Oregon Allows Residents to Choose Non-Binary Gender on Driver's License. It's about time. These are the people who suffered when Kansas’s conservative experiment failed. Next, MASK (Mothers Against Sensless Killings) IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE PRESENT ON THE BLOCK. And Trans Candidate Wins Virginia House Primary, Makes History. Next up: What is the ‘Rooney Rule’ that Uber just adopted? Also, some more information about what is going on at Uber. Ex-Uber engineer whose complaint started firm’s internal investigation dismisses findings as “optics” and David Bonderman resigns from Uber board after making joke about women at company event on sexual harassment. Lastly, I Left My Son in a Kingdom of Men.