Feminist Monday, January 30th

I can't think of a better image for how I feel about the American political landscape. Well, that and the Muslim Ban protester sign that read, "I can do this every weekend, asshole." I'm pleased and proud of the reaction a majority of the American people. It's good to see things like the records of numbers of donations to the ACLU, the numbers of individuals engaging in protest, all the lawyers that showed up at airports, the congress-critters having their phone lines overwhelmed, and the successful (so far) federal push back on the attempted unconstitutional Muslim Ban. These are small victories well worth celebrating. Speaking as someone who fought for ten years to become a professional writer: we need to celebrate because this gives us the energy to continue the long fight. This is only January. We've a long way to go. Good job! Keep up the work, y'all! 

And now, links.

This week's Activism Action List from Jen Hofmann. I've tried to call my congress-critters multiple times this morning and haven't gotten through, yet. This is a great sign. It means enough citizens are calling in that we're tying up the phones. GOOD JOB! DON'T GIVE UP!

​Today's videos:

Again, my only objection to the pussy hats is that as a protest it excludes trans women. I think it's important to remember that trans women are women, and they matter. As for the Madam Secretary clip, it hit me pretty hard. My whole life I've wanted to be recognized for the work I do, not for how I look. 

Literary/Entertainment: Have a wonderful post from Libba Bray's Muffy Higginbottom. (Also, by the way, if you've not read Beauty Queens, you should.) Creating a balanced reading list: speculative fiction by women and people of colour. And: Box-Office Pileup: Three Major Films Crash and Burn in Same Weekend. You know what? If this had happened to three big-ticket films starring women, the internet would be going on about how women can't "tent-pole" major films. Did we hear this about white CIS men? Nope.

General: Bessie Coleman: First African American woman to get international pilot license. How about that? She was a Texan. Just goes to show you, not all Texans are assholes. Some of them really are badasses. And just in case you missed it: In President Trump’s First Week, ACLU Hands Him First Stinging Rebuke. (That headline never gets old. I gotta say.) Here’s Why You Should Call, Not Email, Your Legislators. And for something a little less panic-inducing: Reality check: Many of Trump’s early vows will probably never happen. Although, I have to admit that ever since election night I have trouble listening to reassurances that "it'll never happen" because the thing everyone (including my husband) told me would never happen has happened. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who hears that now and thinks: "That's wishful thinking. It's so happening." [sigh] 10 Actions, 100 Days. Filed under things I was unaware of: At least 6 journalists are facing up to 10 years in prison for covering protests. West Wing leaker goes dark after pulling back the curtain: Trump "irrational", staff "demoralized". Flint residents still can’t drink the water 1,000 days into the crisis. You know who else can't drink their water? Corpus Christi, Texas. Also, Houston, Texas has been having water quality issues recently. Flint was just the beginning, y'all. And guess what? Nothing much is being done. Meanwhile, Nestle is buying up water sources. Yeah. That won't go anywhere bad. The ACA Repeal: What Ehlers-Danlos Patients Want You to Know. The Democratic Base Is Marching Right Past Its Leaders. And Oregon Just Showed States How to Fight Back Against the War on Women. From the article: "The Reproductive Health Equity Act is legislation that would ensure that all Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status, gender identity, or the type of insurance that they have, have the freedom to decide if and when they have children," says Laurel Swerdlow, the advocacy director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, one of the groups on the Pro-Choice Coalition's steering committee. Ready to Ditch White Feminism? 6 Black Feminist Concepts You Need to Know. <--important read. The Women of the Women's March: Meet the Activists Who Are Planning One of the Largest Demonstrations in American History. Son of Baldwin re: [GENDER/POLITICS/RACE/SEXUALITY] And file under LOL YOU ARE IGNORANT: Republican Men Say It’s a Better Time to Be a Woman Than a Man. Because, you know, women are so paid more than men these days. Yeah. Right. A List of Pro-Women, Pro-Immigrant, Pro-Earth, Anti-Bigotry Organizations That Need Your Support. I'm Celebrating For Chelsea Manning, Because I Could Have Ended Up Just Like Her. Supreme Court case sets the stage for future officials’ accountability. Fox News Settled Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Bill O’Reilly, Documents Show. And lastly, check out this blog: ​http://muslimgirl.com.