What about the White Guys?

Ever hear white heterosexual men complain that there isn't a White History Month, a Straight Pride Parade, nor a rally about men's rights?

Well, if you are upset about that, check out this video by a white heterosexual man.

Columbus Day: Not Everyone Does It

In NYC, many people are celebrating in the streets as the Columbus Day Parade is about to launch.  This may seem like a time honored tradition, but did you know that it was declared a federal holiday less than 100 years ago in 1937?

Also, did you know that not all states in the US celebrate Columbus Day? 

Alaska, South Dakota and Hawaii don't observe Columbus Day at all.  Furthermore, many counties, cities and towns have renamed this day to honor another part of his-story, aptly named, "Indigenous People's Day" or "Native American Day."

Not everyone does it, but I challenge you today to honor the many generations of people who respected and honored this land long before Columbus sailed his ships.

You can watch the video below to reconsider, reflect and then repost. 

Reconsider Columbus Day:

Gangnam Style: A Commentary on Classism

Have you read Open City Mag's article about the popular song Gangnam Style by PSY?
See link below.

According to this article, the song and video is a social commentary about the
economic inequities in Korea. I liken it to the consciousness raising efforts of the US's Occupy Wall Street.

Please take a peek at the article and let me know what you think.

http://opencitymag.com/beyond-the-horse-dance-viral-vid-gangnam-style-critiques-koreas-extreme-inequality/

Reflect, Reconsider, and Remind Others About the Truth Behind Columbus Day

This week, I have been reminding students that day and evening classes at the college have been cancelled for Monday, October 8th.  Almost all the students smile and express gratitude for the reprieve.  Some students get excited as they share their three day weekend plan with me.  Some express excitement about the upcoming Holiday Sales!

I, on the other hand, will not be enjoying the traditional American holiday known as Columbus Day nor am I interested in participating in the ongoing sales offered by corporate America.

I will, however, be reflecting, reconsidering and reminding others about the truth behind this holiday. 

Please join me in this endeavor by sending people to this blog/video.

Please watch and "Reconsidering Columbus Day" on Youtube by clicking this link or clicking the video below.  You can also post, tweet, or blog about this and comment on this blog below.

Whatever you do with your Monday, please do reflect, reconsider, and remind others about how we, as a nation, owe a great debt to the indigenous people of this land.

Videos For and By Men

I am inspired by men who speak out against sexism and mysogyny, especially in video form.  It is something that I have yet to do, but I plan on it within the next year.

Below are three of my favorites.  Please enjoy.


"As With Most Men" - Mark Gonzales

"Slip of the Tongue" - Adriel Luis

"Male Characters in Hollywood" - Jackson Katz

There Ain't no Sunrise

Like most mornings, this morning the sun shone through my bedroom window.  It warmed my face, shoulders and arms as it gently woke me up.  After taking in the sounds of the peaceful morning and a few stretches and yawns, I realized how much I actually enjoy the sunrise.  As I climbed out of bed and then stumbled into the rest of my morning, I started to remember that the sun doesn’t actually rise in the morning. 

I mean, we all know the sun is at the center of our galaxy, yet the truth seems less likely here on earth.  Every day, when I think of the sun traveling across the sky from east to west, I am mistaken.  My earth centric perspective tricks me into thinking this is real.  How can it be that although I know the truth, my mind refuses to accept it?  I know that the sun does not rise, and that it is the earth rotation that brings the morning, but the language and thinking doesn’t match.

 

This is what being a feminist is like for me.  Every day, I know that men and women should regarded equal, but my male perspective sometimes clouds my judgment.   For instance, during the RNC and DNC, I couldn’t help but to notice the way the speakers dressed, and more importantly how I valued one gender’s voice over another because of their dress.  Ties made me think “professional,” whereas “bare arms” suggested approachability and softness.  The values expressed in the speech is what I should have been paying most attention to, but I couldn’t help be distracted by the dress, and therefore the gender of the person speaking.  How can it be that I know better, but my mind refuses to accept that? 

I wonder how many other people do this.  Are you better at recalling the truth which sometimes hides behind the cloud of oppression?  If so, please offer some suggestions below to help me and others learn your secret.

Until then, I am going to forget about the color, price and style of each speaker’s wardrobe, and listen again to their speeches without watching through my blurred vision. 

And tomorrow morning, when I awake, I am going to think about how I enjoy experiencing the earth rotating towards the sun.  My mind just flipped at that thought!

Feminism is What You Do!

Recently, I have been challenged with questions about feminism.  What is it?  Well the following video will help explain what feminism is.

And so now you know what a feminist looks like.  You also know the characteristics of a feminist. However, I ask you to include one more idea about feminism, which is that feminism isn't just about ideas for the social, political, and economical eqaulity for all.  Feminism is what you do!

Will you take action and vote this fall?  If so, please watch these videos to learn more about our choices.

Michelle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPdKUA9Ipg
Bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzDhk3BHi6Q
Barack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekltAFvycSk
Mitt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMuU-EwcIzs