What is Reproductive Justice? Find out from the folks who gave birth to the idea: SisterSong, a Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.
Tag: economic justice
We need good jobs with living wages
Without good jobs, survivors are faced with the choice of ‘staying’ or ‘having nowhere to go’.
Money has a lot to do with domestic violence
Not having the money they need to take care of themselves and their children was one of the top reasons survivors gave for staying in or returning to an abusive relationship.
News you can relate to
Some stories that caught our eye this week:
15 Inspiring Grad Caps That Honor The Sacrifices Of Immigrant Parents “For every time I was told I couldn’t…For the huge obstacles my parents and I had to overcome to get to this moment. For the many times I had to prove myself to others. For the times I had to “earned my way into spaces not meant for me”.
4.2 Million Salaried Workers Will Soon Be Eligible For Overtime Pay “Our whole mission here is about strengthening and growing the middle class. In order to do that, we need to ensure that middle class jobs pay middle class wages.”
It Doesn’t Matter If You’re An Oscar Winner “I am ashamed that I hesitated for a moment to speak out against the selection of Woody Allen’s latest film, Café Society, to make its North American premiere as the Opening Night Film of our much beloved Seattle International Film Festival. I guess I didn’t want to offend the people I consider friends and colleagues at our hometown film festival. But then I realized that this very type of rationalizing is what helps fuel rape culture in America.”
Preschool problems
I’ve got a problem. My little girl needs to go to preschool next September and after weeks of research and help from fellow parent friends I’ve found one―ONE!―school in my neighborhood that I can afford that might work when pieced together with, literally, four other childcare options like drop-in daycare and kind friends. And only if I also rearrange my work schedule, which I’m super lucky to be able to do because I work part-time and have a very understanding supervisor. The number of balls in the air here are dizzying and just might crush me if they all drop.
But then I think about how much harder it could be. How on earth do single parents do this, or parents in a toxic relationship? My partner is loving and supportive, but I’m still the one doing all the research, comparing preschools, visiting the schools, and rearranging my schedule. The title of this Slate article sums up what so often happens: When childcare costs more than rent, women stay at home. Of course, even that is not an option for many families.
The issue of childcare has a huge impact on people in an abusive relationship. Having a job can be a literal life line for someone being abused. It means time during the day when you are not isolated and can build relationships with other people, and it means a paycheck. Money gives you options and the power to make your own decisions. No one who is trying to keep themselves and their children safe should have to struggle to find affordable childcare so that they can keep their job. That’s my hope for everyone.
News you can relate to
Some news stories that caught our eye this week:
Angela Y. Davis on what’s radical in the 21st century. Enjoy this gem of nuance and wisdom from an elder who is still “committed to transforming this country.”
Serena Williams lays some truth on a reporter who asked why she’s not smiling. Serena Williams is the greatest athlete of her generation but this guy felt the need to remind her that women are expected to smile pretty when in front of the cameras.
Watch: An Illinois Democrat’s Epic Speech Against The Demonization Of The Poor. Litesa E Wallace goes to bat for poor women and domestic violence survivors in this concise, powerful takedown.
News you can relate to
Some news stories that caught our eye this week:
A profile of the incredibly brave Dr. Willie Parker: “The protesters say they’re opposed to abortion because they’re Christian. It’s hard for them to accept that I do abortions because I’m a Christian.” (explicit language)
An incisive and necessary rant: The NFL sends the message that it’s better to hit a woman than smoke pot which leads Keith Olbermann to wonder why the NFL doesn’t think women are worthy of “basic human respect.”
News you can relate to
Some news stories that caught our eye this week:
Men or Women, what’s the problem? “I never thought about what it would feel like to have to decide which bathroom to use. And I certainly never thought of the humiliation and violence that trans people endure as a result. In that ah-ha moment, the light bulb went on in my head (and heart). The best thing about being human is gaining knowledge and then acting on it.”
Beware of the friendzone “It should go without saying that women aren’t carnival prizes to be won. But just like with lots of things that should go without saying, it needs to be said, as there still seems to be some debate as to whether women are autonomous humans with the right to give as much or as little of themselves to people as they want.”
Abuse comes in many forms “Advocates are catching on that many survivors are seeking shelter because they can’t afford to be anywhere else,” Pentico said. “They don’t have the financial services to fly to a parent’s house or rent a hotel room. In a sense, many women are being battered because they can’t afford to not be battered.”
News you can relate to
Some news stories that caught our eye this week:
- Did you know that seventy-four percent of domestic violence survivors stayed with a partner longer than they wanted to because of financial concerns? Here’s a great video on how abusers use money to control their partners.
- The good news is that Marissa Alexander is getting a new trial! And yet we still need to examine all the reasons she was convicted in the first place.
- Our own Kelly Starr was featured by Q13 Fox in their Domestic Violence Awareness Month coverage. Go Kelly!
News you can relate to
Some news stories that caught our eye this week:
- The folks behind Pink Loves Consent struck again this week, pranking Playboy by putting out a Top Ten Playboy Party Commandments list described as “the ultimate guide to a consensual good time.” (explicit language)
- The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it was extending minimum wage and overtime protections to the nation’s nearly two million home care workers.
- RH Reality Check has a great article about abusers and guns: “ the risk of homicide against women increases 500 percent when a gun is present in domestic violence situations.”
Can You Relate? 