Feminist Monday, October 16

I can't believe we're halfway through October already. I'm happy--because this means that this morning was genuinely cold and I hope not to have to turn on the AC unit all day. (Oh, Texas. [sigh]) It makes me sad too because I want October to stretch out for a bit longer. Oh, well.

Let's get busy with the links, shall we? (I've got some writing to do.) We'll start with the new Black Panther trailer. I can't wait.

And now...the links.

Literary/Entertainment: On the subject of sexual harassment, I can't help being somewhat amused (I'm not really sure that's the right word because it's an angry amused) that the CIS male part of the population is acting so surprised by all the news about sexual harassment in the workplace. (It exists in every work space, not merely Hollywood.) Anyway, I'm good with the great big spotlight being shown on the issue. Because it needs it and needed it a long fucking time ago. Remember, bats and ghouls, the question isn't "What's wrong with women that this happens?" it's "What's wrong with how our culture influences so many men into thinking this kind of behavior is not only okay but required of 'real men'?" See: The fall of Harvey Weinstein should be a moment to challenge extreme masculinity, From Quentin Tarantino to Barack Obama, big names are speaking out against Harvey Weinstein, and Sarah Polley: The Men You Meet Making Movies. In case you think that Weinstein is an anomaly: Amazon Studios chief Roy Price suspended amid sexual harassment allegations. Next up: Why is Hollywood Following the Same Disabled Narrative? And Quote of the Day: Patty Jenkins on Her Duty to Fight for Equal Pay on “Wonder Woman 2.” And The History of Black Science Fiction. 12 Women Of Color And Native Authors Open Up About Why They Write About Mental Illness. From one of my favorite authors, Adrian McKinty, CLASS, RACE AND THE CASE FOR GENRE FICTION IN THE CANON. And I've saved the best for last: The Rock Test: A Hack for Men Who Don’t Want To Be Accused of Sexual Harassment.

General: FYI, Hillary Clinton doesn’t control penises. I know she's powerful and all, but some of the shit I hear is downright ridiculous. The attempt to blame HRC for Weinstein, is definitely one of those things. Gloria Steinem’s Advice for the Next Generation of Feminists Is a Must-Read for Our Time. I'm so glad she's still with us and still doing so much to push forward the cause for women's rights. In addition, she's continued to learn and change and evolve. I think that's important, not only as a Feminist but as a human being. Why are so many men confused about what sexual consent means? It's highly likely you'll see the next link again in a longer post devoted to the US's prison industrial complex as well as the militarized police. (New information is coming out.) This story is endemic of a system designed to take advantage of one part of the population. Institutionalized racism isn't an accident. It is planned. You can see it in every word this sheriff says. Louisiana Sheriff’s Remarks Evoke Slavery, Critics Say. I feel the need to write again on the topic because this isn't an isolated story. Too often these articles are presented as if they are anomalies. They aren't. They're part of a whole. We must see them as such or nothing gets done--no change in awareness results. We must connect the dots or systemic racism remains in place. This is why, in spite of the data, shooting after shooting where the shooter is a white male hopped up on toxic masculinity the news cycle seems to act surprised. "Whatever could cause this to happen?" We know the equation. It's Toxic Masculinity + guns. You just don't want to do anything about it. For women, the enduring problem of the "pink tax." Women earn significantly less than men, and yet, just about anything associated with being female is pricy--including dry cleaning. I included the next link because there is a new push to limit the voting rights of minorities--particularly minority women. Combine these two issues and this is very much a Feminist topic. Russia’s Facebook ads show how Internet microtargeting can be weaponized. Next, Courts Sidestep the Law, and South Carolina’s Poor Go to Jail. And Cambodian Reading Clubs Promote Female Friendships.