Anything personal is too personal...

I realize that with this blog I've relied on news headlines, media, pop culture to define my feminism. External things that anger me or that I find interesting. But so far on this blog, nothing about my feminism has come from within. I hide behind things going on in the world, point at them and say, "That's feminism." Knowing this is a deficit in my writing, I've struggled to sit down and find something personal to say...

And anything personal I come up with, I've said to myself, "Oh no, don't go there, people might actually read this." What would it mean to speak with the outside world about being a feminist with depression, a survivor of abuse, or a girl whose heart has been broken?

On the other side of that, what would it mean to talk about positive things my feminism has done for me--my fervent activism, my sexuality, or my "fuck 'em all" attitude in a conservative town? I mean, my mother reads this, for Christ's sake.

The point of this blog is to find my voice and live it - not to point at Shelby Knox or Gloria Steinem and say, "That is what true feminism is," (even though that's true), but to put myself on the spot and say, "I am feminism and here's why." I'm struggling with that still.

Republicans struggle to keep rape a "private" matter

Thought everyone would find this article interesting:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/19/defense-department-oppose_n_326569.html

30 Republicans voted against an amendment that would allow rape victims who are employees of defense contractors to bring the case to open court rather than solving it privately within the company. This sparked the mock-website:

http://www.republicansforrape.org/legislators/

I'm seriously confused on this one, other than just the knee-jerk compulsion of Republicans to veto anything brought forth by Democrats (which Democrats do the same thing, don't get me wrong). But I just cannot see their justification for this. Only one guy who voted said that he wants to make sure it's "enforceable." Elaborate, please.

Women in Rock

I just saw Skillet in concert over the weekend. Last weekend I saw Sick Puppies at Locofest in El Paso. In August at the X-fest I had the pleasure of seeing Halestorm. All three were absolutely amazing live.

The other thing these rock bands have in common is that they have female members: Skillet’s rhythm guitarist Korey Cooper and drummer Jen Ledger, Sick Puppies’ bassist Emma Anzai, and Halestorm’s lead singer and guitarist Lizzy Hale. All of these ladies, I’m glad to say, rock harder than a lot of male rock musicians out there. Not to mention that they are all ridiculously beautiful. You should have seen the men in the crowd go crazy for Emma Anzai when Sick Puppies took the stage, including my teenage brother.

I actually got to meet Lizzy Hale and Emma Anzai-I’m one of those crazy people who waits hours after the show and elbows people to get to them-and not only did I get their autographs, but I also got to tell them how much I love what they’re doing for women in rock. (By the way, when I told Halestorm I was doing women’s studies at Tech, one of the other band members told me his sister just got her master’s in feminist studies. How freaking cool is that?)

It’s interesting to see more women take on the guitar-of course, they’re still not lead guitarists generally- rather than bass. I learned about this study on female bassists in my Gendered Lives class where in interviews female bassists would say they prefer bass because it plays a more supportive role in the band, and that they actually prefer not being in the limelight as lead guitarists. It was an interesting study, and not to say that female bassists are merely victims of discrimination in rock music, but I am glad to see women taking on roles in rock we haven’t necessarily seen them in before. (The major exception would be the great Nancy Wilson of Heart, whom I still consider to be one of the greatest rock guitarists ever.)

I highly recommend all three of these bands, not simply because some of the members are female, but because they are amazing up-and-coming musicians. Here is Halestorm's "I Get Off" video for your enjoyment.

The ERA: 86th time is a charm?

I know I just keep posting news, but it just keeps coming to me:

The Equal Rights Amendment, which if you don't know was first introduced by Alice Paul (another badass woman you should know about; see Iron-Jawed Angels) in 1923. It has been introduced in every session of Congress since then. We only need 3 more states to ratify it.

Here is a bit of news from the ERA website:

The ERA in Congress

The Equal Rights Amendment was reintroduced in the House of Representatives on July 21, 2009, as H.J.Res. 61. Lead sponsors are Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL). The Senate companion bill will be reintroduced shortly.

Looks like we've got some work to do, ladies! Don't let this opportunity slip by. Let's write our people in Congress and let them know how important it is to us! Show your support. Maybe with the administration we have, it may finally pass. I really believe it has a chance this time around.

By the way, Texas is one of the states who has ratified the ERA. Go us!

Another Survivor Comes Forward

Yet another case of kidnapping, rape and patriarchal terrorism. At least this one's going to trial and hopefully he will get raped repeatedly and rot in jail.

Elizabeth Smart is a badass, that's all I have to say. From her testimony and her statements she has truly made the transition from victim to survivor. Now she's becoming an advocate and bringing her rapist to justice. I wish I were half as brave as her and I've never gone through anything close to what she went through.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=8129503