tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53559518262392125662024-03-13T03:38:07.249-05:00bideshi blueMy deep thoughts on my activism & research & lived experiences in USA, Bangladesh, and global economy. Assorted intersections and articulations of gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality. Slow food-cooking, vegan & vegetarian life,gardening-flowers.kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-39266262752656959852011-12-10T23:17:00.007-06:002011-12-13T12:29:44.246-06:00Day 16: Human Rights Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/16-banner-large-EN_0.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 452px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/16-banner-large-EN_0.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today has been International Human Rights Day and the last day of Take Back the Tech.<br /><br />This past week, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton gave an extraordinary address on how gay, lesbian (bisexual, transgender) rights now constituted human rights benchmarks for the United States and its interactions-assessments of other countries.<br /><br />for video link: <a href="http://bcove.me/qs3211sh">http://bcove.me/qs3211sh</a><br /><br />for article-video-link to her speech transcript:<br /><br /><a href="http://news.advocate.com/post/13844217337/watch-the-speech-youve-been-waiting-for">http://news.advocate.com/post/13844217337/watch-the-speech-youve-been-waiting-for</a><br /><br />Now if we can continue to make progress on these and other human rights to lives free from violence & war and filled with respect, good water, food, relationships, and peace!<br /><br />For more ongoing actions and ideas, see <a href="http://www.saynotoviolence.org/">http://www.saynotoviolence.org/</a><br /><a href="http://news.advocate.com/post/13844217337/watch-the-speech-youve-been-waiting-for"></a>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-5089919173797120502011-11-27T23:52:00.006-06:002011-11-28T00:24:01.466-06:00Day 3 Be Safe-Secure/Day 4: Ms- Represent and Challenge Stereotypes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/03-banner-large-EN_0.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 452px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/03-banner-large-EN_0.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/node/5161">http://www.takebackthetech.net/node/5155</a><br /><br />Safe Passwords and be Secure<br /><br />Protect and vary your passwords (and keep track of them!). Also <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> share your passwords with others out of love or as a sign of trust relationship or manipulation...they can access your accounts and put you and your friends in danger!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/banner-large-EN_day4.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 452px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/banner-large-EN_day4.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/node/5161">http://www.takebackthetech.net/node/5161</a> Ms-Represent and Challenge Stereotypes<br /><br />Challenge the stereotypes in media and watch a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">video of a tribal Pakistani womn<br /></span> from the Sind province....Sakina...who tells her stories...and shows the strength and wisdom of women in all kinds of settings...as reflected in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhzLudGZ_g&feature=player_profilepage">16 videos for 16 days of activism</a> by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MediaVoicePakistan">MediaVoicePakistan</a>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-88988284686003680712011-11-26T23:05:00.005-06:002011-11-28T18:44:30.928-06:00State sponsored violence & whose culture?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/banner-large-EN_2.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 452px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/banner-large-EN_2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">State sponsored gender violence--often overt & covert--occurs all too often in all of our cultures, especially in response to women's resistance and presence in actions that challenge the state.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Some times women take their actions to their own blogs as in the case of Eypgt's naked blogger, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/18/egypt-naked-blogger-aliaa-mahdy?CMP=twt_gu">Aliaa Mahdy, </a>who posted her nude photo as protest against the cultural hypocrisy of military, police and/or militia who had forced women activists to remove their headscarves and conducted "hymen" virginity checks.<br /><br />On 18 Nov 11 Egyptian American journalist<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a class="contributor" rel="author" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/mona-eltahawy">Mona Eltahawy</a> noted that<br /><br /></div> ...."others did not receive such attention. Samira Ibrahim, the only one of the women subjected to "virginity tests" who is taking the military to court for sexual assault, has neither a dedicated hashtag nor notoriety. Another woman, Salwa el-Husseini, was the first to reveal what the military did to them, but news reports have said she can't raise a lawsuit because she doesn't have identification papers.</div><p style="text-align: center;">Not only did el-Husseini speak out, she courageously agreed to be filmed at a session of testimonies on military abuses. Again, hardly anyone knows her name, her recorded testimony isn't racking up page views, and she was called a liar and vilified for speaking out. Both women have vehemently maintained they were virgins.</p><p style="text-align: center;">If "good girls" in headscarves who kept their legs together only to be violated by the military speak out and no one listens, what's the message being sent? When the military justified its violations by saying "those girls aren't like your daughter or mine. These were girls who had camped out in tents with male protesters in Tahrir Square", what's the message?"</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ironically or in retaliatation for this story?, on this past Wednesday night (23 N0v) Egyptian Central Security Forces <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/27523.aspx"> arrested journalist Eltahawy</a> on a Cairo street, interrogated and sexually assaulted her resulting in broken left arm/right wrist among other injuries. The military forces have apologized for the CSF's actions although working as journalists remains <a href="http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/10/28/kate-adie-and-parisa-hafezi-profiles-of-courage-in-journalism">risky in Egypt and other revolutionary-conflict situations.</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">See <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2011/11/28/as_egypt_holds_vote_journalist_mona">Eltahawy's more recent interview & video with Democracy Now</a> on her experiences, sexual assault on women activists and more. She now has casts on both arms although her voice remains strong. The <a href="http://womensmediacenter.com/blog/2011/11/egypt%E2%8E%AFwomen-reporters-still-at-risk/">Women's Media Center </a>describes even more violence against women reporters in Egypt.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Whose culture(s) condone such actions against women who resist, post, and/or report? Those courageous women including journalists who do report through "official" or informal channels often face scorn, retaliation and competing social media site pages. These pages contest their accounts (including their assailants who rationalize their abuse!) even though the women, police, and others have brought cases on their behalf. Or the state fails to follow their own law and prosecute their cases.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Speak up and support these brave women who chose different paths of resisting authority!<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-988678817181772672011-11-26T00:03:00.008-06:002011-11-26T02:20:11.052-06:00some vegan thoughts on food: eating and repurposingThanksgiving Day in USA generates much food, recipes, and media on how to prepare, store, and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/magazine/rethinking-thanksgiving-leftovers.html?_r=1">transform leftovers</a> into additional meals especially turkeys and meat-based dishes. As a vegan or plant-based person, I have posted many <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/slideshow/1102905/198071/">vegan recipes</a> to friends and on Facebook in not so subtle hints on foods to prepare for gatherings where vegans and vegetarians might be present.<br /><br />Friends at one gathering got the hints, made vegan dressing and mashed potatoes, among other dishes. I brought this<a href="http://www.cookusinterruptus.com/index.php?video_id=246"> sweet potato dish</a> and a big green salad. My friends served a generous plate of the holiday foods that I mixed with two bowls of salad.<br /><br />Now I faced a dilemma of what to do with the take home foods from the gathering and especially two issues of my ongoing diet and food waste. I have adopted a vegan diet to deal with blood-sugar and metabolic syndrome issues, which meant more consumption of whole foods and complex carbohydrates. I still ate occasional vegan desserts. Recently I have adjusted my vegan diet to eat more nutrient dense salads, vegetables and fruits, including beans, tofu and fewer starches according the ideas of the <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/">Eat to Live </a>system. I have been losing weight and my blood sugar has come down/stabilized except during a recent faculty strike when I made <a href="http://www.amazon.com/500-Vegan-Recipes-Delicious-Casseroles/dp/1592334032">mini-mocha muffins</a> for those on the picket line (quality control...<span style="font-style: italic;">must taste</span>).<br /><br />Now what to do with the take home foods that mostly resided outside of this nutrient dense system? Blood sugar registered higher than usual this a.m. and I felt rather sluggish after dinner. Today, I worked in getting my gardens ready for winter and did some yoga. Tonight, I put some of the sweet potatoes in a pot of chili with beans-greens. I perused my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Slow-Cooker-Intensely-Flavorful/dp/1592334644/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322291085&sr=1-1">slow-cooker cookbooks</a> for other ideas for how to handle my leftovers from the gathering. Mix with leafy green and other veggies? Make a nutrient-intense <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Vegetarian-Slow-Cooker-Recipes/dp/0778801047/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322291022&sr=1-1">shepherd's pie</a>? Or combine<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/guest-post/thanksgiving-for-everyvore-two-recipes-guest-post-from-ivy-manning-of-ivys-feast-101574"> sweet potatoes and dressing with vegan sausage</a>? Share the leftovers with hungry graduate students?<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet">Nourishing the Planet</a>, food waste in production (40%) and consumption (30%) hinder efforts to curb food inequities and hunger around the world! Think Progress's <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/10-tips-reduce-food-waste-during-holidays-1322153327">"10 Tips to Reduce Food Waste During the Holidays"</a> has some valuable ideas on reducing waste in cooking, planning, storing, composting, and even recovering-recycling foods-gifts. Some salient tips especially for leftovers: first, plan to cook-consume less and self-serve on smaller plates. I am looking for recipes that incorporate/save my leftovers with my diet. Second, I can share my bounty with others on this occasion as well as when I make a big pot of soup-slow cooker. Third, compost! I can easily compost all my vegan gleanings/scraps and foods and the resulting compost nourishes my raised beds-gardens. Ideally, I can plan ahead for buying, cooking, and consuming. For those of us who buy shares in C.S.A.s (consumer supported agriculture) and/or have gardens, we often have more veggies than we can use. These can be preserved/shared/donated to local shelters, food pantries, and friends-graduate students. I've even shared some veggies with my classes.<br /><br />Alas we may have overly ambitious plans for produce bought in local farmers' market and some of the same hints apply. Today is the last day for the local <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carbondale-Farmers-Market/108003322564892">Carbondale IL Farmers' Market</a> (until 1 April) and I need to stock up on assorted squashes and sweet potatoes for winter dishes. I have bought a winter share in <a href="http://hollowpumpkincsa.blogspot.com/">Hollow Pumpkin CSA </a>and can place online orders for greens and other winter veggies from <a href="http://hollowpumpkincsa.blogspot.com/">Green Ridge farm</a>. Hence, the ongoing cycle of buying, using, re-purposing, and composting continues, while we peruse the seed catalogues and plan for the spring gardening in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150209150487976.332207.711577975&type=1&l=32741d2f17">Cobden Community Garden</a> and another share from <a href="http://clearcreekcsa.webs.com/index.html">Clear Creek CSA.</a>...kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-88006493153094436442011-11-25T22:53:00.006-06:002011-11-25T23:59:10.681-06:0025 Nov International Day Against Violence Against Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/sites/all/themes/tbtt6/img/logo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 173px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/sites/all/themes/tbtt6/img/logo.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Once again, <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/take-action/2011/11/25">16 days against violence against women by Take Back the Tech</a>, and please undertake one action per day to fight violence against women, children, and men.<br /><br />This program starts on 25 Nov, which is the international day against violence against women, marked by many events and processions, even in <a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=211675">Rangpur, Bangladesh.</a> Unfortunately, this day receives little attention in the usa owing to the sad timing of post Thanksgiving shopping day;. However, many of us refused to buy into the consumer hype and observed "Buy Nothing Day" or "<a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Boycotting-Black-Friday.html?soid=1101376877315&aid=4MIQcAqazzs">Boycotting Black Friday</a> (sic)".<br /><br />For a roundup of usa and international events, see this <a href="http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/11/22/dont-ms-women-march-on-zuccotti-park-londoners-take-back-the-night-and-more/">Ms. blog post</a> and the <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/">Take Back the Tech site</a> or #TakeBackTheTech, which is mapping events and actions. Many of us have taught, posted and protested against the ongoing violence against women in military, revolutionary, and resistance scenarios such as Arab Spring, USA military in Iraq & Afghanistan, reiterating that <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/why-gender-matters-building-peace-1322238038">gender matter</a>s every day and especially on these sixteen days of action.<br /><br />In my blog posts over time, I have noted the absence of any laws against domestic violence in Bangladesh. Some of us thought this had changed at the end of last year. The Bangladesh government finally framed " The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2010", which became law 30 Dec 10. <a href="http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/national/41364.html">Yet nearly one year later, the government has yet to generate the rules for enforcement and no woman can file a case for domestic violence!</a> Meanwhile, women continue to be abused, injured, and murdered by their family members and near & dear ones among others. Hence, the ongoing need for effective laws and enforcement in Bangladesh as well as change in minds, cultures, and behaviors on these issues in all countries-settings.<br /><br />As Day 2 argues, <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/take-action/2011/11/26">"Violence is not our culture! Change it!"</a> identify spaces such as Facebook pages, news media, or other social media that promote violence against women and protest! Or identify progressive spaces and practices!kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-50168645791244632472010-12-02T22:34:00.005-06:002010-12-02T23:12:31.152-06:00Day: 8 Seek Our Solutions/Make Our Own Headlines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiTP2ijrXRva_2dJ2_yO8mFzENRQQX8-J2j1wWN1QAuXOcsbfG0xU5mtKRoZIOAXRMPLuRxE7roysQMGRSGwJmKp4qLGmGrMIMvEFU6hCgnxTfapn9AA7RhNo6cFgbJ8nRYRjnh1nUL66/s1600/banner-large-EN_2dec2010.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiTP2ijrXRva_2dJ2_yO8mFzENRQQX8-J2j1wWN1QAuXOcsbfG0xU5mtKRoZIOAXRMPLuRxE7roysQMGRSGwJmKp4qLGmGrMIMvEFU6hCgnxTfapn9AA7RhNo6cFgbJ8nRYRjnh1nUL66/s320/banner-large-EN_2dec2010.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546311630085681202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today focuses on acts of empowerment & solutions by and for women and generating our own media. This can occur through social media, twitter (I'm still not tweeting), blogs, zines, and other retro formats such as newspapers.<br /><br /><br />From TTBT:<br /><br />"Search for creative, innovative, groundbreaking initiatives taking place near you, and let the world know. Share it as a tweet to @takebackthetech and let's create our own Twitter paper on<br /><a href="http://paper.li/takebackthetech" target="_blank">http://paper.li/<wbr>takebackthetech</a>. Take it offline and share it with the editors from your local newspaper."<br /><br />See <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/take-action/2010/12/2">today's activities</a> for a creative media list to get stories and messages across to our groups as well as larger groups, such as:<br /><br />1) search local, national, and global media on issues important to you, solutions, and then share via tweet #takebackthetech <br /><br />2) write politicians and newsmedia again and again. use the monthly reminder service given in the actions for this day<br /><br />3) make your own headlines on these issues and solutions through tweets or a tweet newspaper aggregator as discussed in the actions<br /><br />My own suggestion....share this TBTT day-link (and others) with all the media people that you have friended on facebook and other networks. This can bring local, national, and international attention to causes, issues, and solutions.<br /><br />My recent favorite headline comes c/o The Daily Star in Bangladesh, 30 Nov 2010.<br /><h1><a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=164160">Youth held for nuisance on Facebook</a></h1>A young engineer was arrested yesterday for harassing a female university student on the social networking site Facebook.<p style="text-align: left;">Arrested Aleem Uddin, 28, an assistant engineer of Western Marine Shipyard in Chittagong, hails from Noakhali.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Police said Aleem had opened a fake account of the victim, whom he termed his former girlfriend, on the networking site two months back. </p><p style="text-align: left;">He started posting indecent pictures and abusive words using the profile.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Getting verbal complaints from the victim a few days back, Kotwali police started tracing the fake account and other accounts of Aleem and his friends on the Facebook. The crime busters found the allegations to be true.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On receiving a written complaint from the victim on Sunday, a team from Kotwali Police Station raided Lalkhan Bazar crossing in the port city and arrested Aleem yesterday around 1:00am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The girl, a Chittagong University student, filed a case with Kotwali Police Station accusing Aleem under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and ICT Act yesterday morning...</p><p style="text-align: left;">go to <a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=164160">original article</a> to read more</p><p style="text-align: left;">Well done for the Chittagong female student who filed the complaint and for the arrest by the police. I hope that justice will be served in this case and that the Daily Star will follow up on what happens with this case....a failing of Bangladeshi and other media that only report sensational news with little or no coverage over time.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We need more attention to such solutions for mis-use of social media such as harassment, stalking, posting false info-photos as well as courageous people who stand up against such behaviors and bullying.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /> </p>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-64991575876343777652010-12-02T01:33:00.003-06:002010-12-02T01:40:50.317-06:00Day 7: World Aids Day--<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBh6bsXJlMWORrSNhLPUQLVTzUf6USN-frol0sljAkJ7phmnvm8SOeUxFRTAT-weZtt3lI2qYBr8_XcQj3By6qsqgvODbboCG3bCDFAm7WxQn9ub-LFsCPqX9bZYmN7JiGSzHoUQyOiW-/s1600/Mr.+Bunny.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBh6bsXJlMWORrSNhLPUQLVTzUf6USN-frol0sljAkJ7phmnvm8SOeUxFRTAT-weZtt3lI2qYBr8_XcQj3By6qsqgvODbboCG3bCDFAm7WxQn9ub-LFsCPqX9bZYmN7JiGSzHoUQyOiW-/s320/Mr.+Bunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545985048324864226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today, I have reposted my <a href="http://pagolnari.blogspot.com/2007/12/day-seven-1-dec-world-aids-day-talk.html">Mr. Bunny picture and post from 1 Dec 2007.</a> The clever (chalak) Mr. Bunny starred in a safe sex poster that I made for sex workers and others when no human male person would hold a condom. For the bangla translation and story about safe sex in Bangladesh, read the post! I'm sure that Mr. Bunny has continued his dushto ways with his abba Mr. Ripon.<br /><br />And as I tell my students, "no glove, no love"!kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-47601713548489753522010-12-02T00:04:00.011-06:002010-12-02T01:31:12.319-06:00Day 6: Grrls & Technology/what happened to Nari Jibon (a brief tale)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWx04evCkCrIHUPyRFq8iahnGnLEeqGm5rhdAUm6T0gaGqjbiOfG5dyCN_RS9PxJarIougRMeYyXPhn43VjIZba3zSJzTDdXX6Esjox9xt4K5BM1FHlHEUFfVqD8Cr0JoO6PhNJvo366o/s1600/06-banner-large-EN_1.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWx04evCkCrIHUPyRFq8iahnGnLEeqGm5rhdAUm6T0gaGqjbiOfG5dyCN_RS9PxJarIougRMeYyXPhn43VjIZba3zSJzTDdXX6Esjox9xt4K5BM1FHlHEUFfVqD8Cr0JoO6PhNJvo366o/s320/06-banner-large-EN_1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545961978728263506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/take-action/2010/11/30">read some important women creators and doers in ICT herstory and actions for this day</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">From 2003-2008, Katie Zaman and I worked with girls/young women on ICT access and training in Bangladesh at the Nari Jibon project and earlier projects. You can read more about those activities in my blog as well as their blogging activities in 2007-2009 through a Rising Voices blogging grant to Nari Jibon. From 2006-2009, Nari Jibon project provided classes in english, computers, graphics as well as tailoring. Some students received work-study (leikhapora chakri)to attend classes full time and gain work experience. Most students paid moderate fees to attend classes and fees to use the cyber cafe to practice their skills.<br /><br />Nari Jibon had the only woman-only cyber cafe in Dhaka with multiple computers, access to internet, printer, cameras (digital and video). The cafe provided a safe space where girls and women could learn how to really use english and develop real skills in computers, graphics, internet. I tried to structure the cyber cafe staff, fees, and use to move toward sustainability and income generation for Nari Jibon, but some staff undermined these efforts in the cyber cafe, other classes, and Nari Jibon operations. Further, NGO registration faced many obstacles such as expensive bribes to ease the registration process. Sadly, I had to to stop sending funds in the beginning of 2009 and health issues have precluded return visits to Bangladesh. When the staff could not find other donors or sponsors for the well-equipped computer lab/facilities, Nari Jibon moved to a residence, and closed its doors/classes in summer 2009.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK7SGTQRBICfqYPjDdUriCrk1XO3pwjg8qrPdcf1XOVrYA95GRbuiX_s9VPeH2YgJRTfl0NkmCMU3wqjumE0jj2Ja_HrOUvS_rRsB5EfSHZvWbC4FLA6rTpNJi1evQXorHDxfmwSqMd45/s1600/computer+lab+naric.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK7SGTQRBICfqYPjDdUriCrk1XO3pwjg8qrPdcf1XOVrYA95GRbuiX_s9VPeH2YgJRTfl0NkmCMU3wqjumE0jj2Ja_HrOUvS_rRsB5EfSHZvWbC4FLA6rTpNJi1evQXorHDxfmwSqMd45/s320/computer+lab+naric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545964860405634338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I took this picture in summer 2008 in the cyber cafe...<a href="http://www.k-minos.com/?p=613">Kira Kariakin</a> and I worked with the students to actually blog and take pictures (some teachers had made excuses for why the students weren't so eager to blog, but we found much interest in blogging). Many students set up their own blogs in english and bangla and continued that fall with visits/video from <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2008/09/02/nari-jibon-using-blogs-to-give-bangladeshi-women-new-skills/">David Sasaki</a> (then coordinator of Rising Voices) and <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2008/12/11/nari-jibon-featured-in-venezuelan-national-newspaper-tal-cual/">his translation of Laura Vidal's article</a>. You can read <a href="http://pagolnari.blogspot.com/2008/08/nari-jibon-project-and-its-bloggers.html">my 2008 post about the bloggers. </a>Some of our students had the computer and photo skills to gain jobs registering-photographing for Bangladesh's id cards among other jobs. You can read more success stories-herstories on <a href="http://www.narijibon.blogspot.com">www.narijibon.blogspot.com</a> or herstory on <a href="http://www.narijibon.com">www.narijibon.com</a><br /><br /><br />Alas with our departures , loss of enouragement-support (except for visit from <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2009/03/03/nari-jibon-welcoming-spring/">Rezwan Islam</a>) and the search for donors in spring 2009, the women stopped using the internet, blogging, and facebook use. I continue to wonder how the students are doing these days. I've seen facebook use by only two of our formers students and no blogging. I want to also acknowledge the hard work by our computer teacher, Taslima, who moved on to computer programming jobs.<br /><br />What do young women need to have access to and use computers, social media? Have mobiles replaced using computers? How and where do girls and young women gain real computer skills (not just a 'certficate' in Bangladesh and can use safe and secure cyber cafes?<br /><br />I hope that such facilities have continued to evolve and emerge in Bangladesh and elsewhere. For example, please see the good works and blogging projects of <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/">Rising Voices</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><h1 id="profile_name" class="fn org"><br /></h1></div></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-73253842259799616402010-11-29T23:51:00.011-06:002010-12-02T01:43:07.688-06:00Days: 4-5: Be Your Own Expert; Women-Human Rights: Violence is Not Our CultureDay 4: Who's the expert? Break a Myth!<br /><br />See the <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/take-action/2010/11/28">assorted actions</a> that challenge media's self-appointed experts and consider even starting your own wiki (if you are not sick of wikileak stories that ignore women's issues)...<br /><br />We also need to acknowledge our own expertise. In Patricia Hill Collins' book, Black Feminist Thought (chapter 11, 2nd ed): she challenges definitions of positivist experts and proposes a Black Feminist Epistemology (how we know what we know) or four criteria that are helpful for all of us.<br /><br />1) We look at/respect the "experts'" lived experiences and their knowledge-wisdom<br />2) We use dialogue in assessing claims re knowledge or expertise and willingness to share back and forth.<br />3) We use ethic of caring--talking from the heart & respect.<br />4) We have personal accountability for one's expertise and how results or expertise are used; motives<br /><br />These four points are in contrast to positivist methodology that emphasizes:<br />1) distance between research and subject;<br />2) absence of emotions;<br />3) "value" free<br />4) adversarial debates decide truth<br /><br />For dealing with statistics and VAW, Hill Collins' criteria have guided my own work as a sociologist-feminist from the North. I value women's lived experiences with VAW and their own lives through my own research and spending time in women's lives and experiences in Bangladesh. I listened to and engaged in dialogue about my own understandings and women's and men's understandings. I also learned to be open about my own values, roles, and perspectives in gathering the oral and statistical data. Some times, based on these experiences, dialogues and feedback with Bangladesh colleagues, staff, and respondents, I changed my research questions, methodologies, and perspectives.<br /><br />For example, instead of just listing signs of an abused woman in the <a href="http://www.siuc.edu/%7Enarijibon/DADV.htm">Bangladesh domestic violence resource brochure</a>, AKM Saiful Islam and I listed the signs of a good relationship (<a href="http://www.siuc.edu/%7Enarijibon/DV/ENG_DVBro.htm">eng p2</a>;. <a href="http://www.siuc.edu/%7Enarijibon/DV/BAN_DVBro_5AUG05.pdf">bn p2</a>) first and signs of abusive relationships second. At the same time, I maintained that VAW was NOT just a matter of culture. Finally, I sought to be accountable for my research and my presence as well as the consequences for women participants and staff as I shared the research.<br /><br />I suggest incorporating these criteria on our ways to empowering women to become experts in their own lives: listen to the women and their expertise because they have lived through VAW and suffered the consequences as well as being experts on survival. Support those who work through legal, political, and institutions to end violence against women. Share your experiences with one another inside and outside of the family to end the isolation and conspiracy of silence to maintain honor. Finally, reach out to one another if you suspect abuse.<br /><br />Likewise, often when men heard that I was doing research on VAW in Bangladesh, they told me that they also<span style="font-style: italic;"> were</span> abused. I started listening to their narratives and learned what experiences they had defined as abuse: harsh words-actions from their spouse, socio-emotional dynamics of couples, and dowry and other pressures from their families. Although none of these narratives justified the physical, socio-emotional abuse, and abandonment of wives, the men's narratives gave me more insights on domestic violence in Bangladesh and possible solutions.<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 5: <a href="http://www.stop-stoning.org/en/node/1452">Violence is not Our Culture--International Campaign</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIXWEeXmuimpo33S3H7ZAac3a-cwXvK_DUkCs011zd79Kr_RfhPloSuEF3hqxiYK6KeSo9gP51i2NuktlcDzolaCe0zV21TX4REH7oHTHsfPMDPxW56RfRHtiRXZoYLNeaEJ4z2Jsgj6W/s1600/violence+is+not+our+culture.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIXWEeXmuimpo33S3H7ZAac3a-cwXvK_DUkCs011zd79Kr_RfhPloSuEF3hqxiYK6KeSo9gP51i2NuktlcDzolaCe0zV21TX4REH7oHTHsfPMDPxW56RfRHtiRXZoYLNeaEJ4z2Jsgj6W/s200/violence+is+not+our+culture.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545218303149216706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><br />Read more about the <a href="http://www.stop-stoning.org/en/node/1452">campaign</a> to stop stoning, honor killings, and other violence against women in the same of culture, religion, or tradition. Support women who bravely speak up for women's and human rights rather than demonizing and punishing them in the name of culture, religion.<br /><br />Likewise, hold politicians accountable for what I call "opportunistic use of gender", where they use women's issues, rights, and/or violence against women as justifications for military action most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other arenas. Then assorted leaders turn to "cultural" reasons for ignoring women rights, empowerment and well-being in these countries' new/old regimes and in the presence of USA and allied forces for nine years! Ann Jones in argues that "<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/154020/afghan-women-have-already-been-abandoned?rel=emailNation">Afghan women have already been abandoned.</a>" For example, escalating violence against women is cited as a reason for the USA presence in Afghanistan despite increasing Talibanization of Afghanistan. Male leaders <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/871756--alarm-bells-sound-for-women-s-rights-in-afghanistan">have excluded women from negotiations-deliberations about reintegration of the Taliban. </a><br /><br />So please read these and the women's stories from around the world on the campaign website...culture increasingly has been used to justify <a href="http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/06/01/patients-remember-dr-tiller/">violence in the USA- Dr. Tiller's murder</a> as well as around the world.<br /><br />See also: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/zainab_salbi.html">Zainab Salbi: Women, wartime and the dream of peace | Video on TED.com</a>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-20481867801417009042010-11-27T22:51:00.016-06:002010-11-30T02:13:47.618-06:00Day 3: feminist slogans, actions, t-shirts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/03-banner-large-EN.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 452px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/03-banner-large-EN.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/image/day-3-feminist-slogans-wanted-wear-your-protest">Daily Actions and Discussion from TBTT</a> (click here)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/buttons/womenbuttons.htm"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kPy40a2bmizzsl0x2Mesp2HyQwuKYtFTmAwmf1Bj25oSyRzJsIuOHNkfiMBXh2tFlap7_Ye7GCAPC3Wo6bRRCCZyxEPSATq-V8E0wZ0o_jktha2tH14ch8WuHtGLbVEWWOakznd0X0-y/s200/women%2527s+place+is+everywhere.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544467568886342194" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Each day, we wear assorted clothes and items from our wardrobes, which can include t-shirts with various trademarks (walking billboards) and/or other messages that we want to convey. Some of us have more agency than others about what we want to wear: social pressures-approval from parents, friends, standards in our countries, our gender-expression, race-ethnicity, class, and even religious beliefs and/or our willingness to draw attention to ourselves also shape what we can wear. In the USA, even the <a href="http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/11/27/who-has-curves/">curvy shapes of our clothes</a> can have gender-race/ethnic meanings. Or in Bangladesh and other countries, shawls and baggy kameez & salwar obscure the curves of women's bodies; burkhas cover even more. However, these clothes can hide many forms of resistance and transgressions.<br /><br />Such clothes make the wearing of t-shirts with mottos and slogans somewhat tricky. Nonetheless, women manage many statements--covered and uncovered--through their t-shirts (diy or <a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/wearables/shirts.htm">bought</a>), chanted slogans in marches and demonstrations, "Hay, ho, patriarchy has got to go!; women united will never be defeated") <a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/buttons/womenbuttons.htm">feminist buttons</a> (click on all buttons for ordering information & items from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.peaceproject.com">Peace Project.com</a>) and/or google for other suppliers or get your own buttonmaker!), and of course, the <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/view/postcards">TBTT's participant generated postcards</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/buttons/womenbuttons.htm"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM8R5sAmWEuCMoCKLSmM8zTYk_FwrpQV6lEfvpzeMQ21RtuKe4JRo9Wn_-r3dQTTsDwyrkDW623ONrBfWiLA5pWJ96H6X61F2dWHC7hM05SleZ8fijzqNqPuuKOeyp-6ItY8LaXfMidBo/s200/never+another+battered+woman.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544468251064460162" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/buttons/womenbuttons.htm"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h_oNNPRiwZPiETjdVwYW5y6jaWjp0ILGitOZ7AFNcZ1pU3E6hyphenhyphenUP2cPBrRKiAKe4ySLB9klz8hNXbcjy6wmhCX8te_fC8gn7XX8lHd3EvZO9FKNKWkSc59sC8WNG5a3DgwN7I5OoZghi/s200/no+means+no.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544468575738015426" border="0" /></a><br /> <br /><br />I can trace my own feminist herstory through the feminist-activist t-shirts (and buttons) that I have worn over time: take back the night marches in Iowa City, Iowa and Carbondale, Illinois; Emma Goldman women's clinic (abortion and reproductive services), 1985 anniversary <a href="http://www.michfest.com/">Michigan Women's Music Festival </a>(motto: see you in august!), and one of my own diy: outlaw virgin (based on Marilyn Frye's argument that we need to reclaim the original definition of virgin--a woman in control of herself/body instead of later definitions of "untouched" by a man. This shirt generated many looks and comments at the local mall and my university. Later I translated this into Bangla for people who inquired about my marital status and marriage resisters: "shakti kumari" [strong unmarried virgin woman]. No t-shirts or buttons, however.<br /><br />I look forward to the generation and proliferation of new slogans in all languages, cultures and formats as we continue to agitate and educate. For example, this t-shirt (and others) that can be purchased from <a href="http://hijabman.com/">Hijabman</a>:<br /><a href="http://hijabman.com/shop/radical-muslim-feminist/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToGb0uaPjgf-jiR5kDrb4KG5oV0Kp9h_VK-o8guGBlqhWyIXh8kAN8-oWMqvJj4IZUNhS9KTtew2nkAbcDq0_fW2-RMoM3aaVYyqLUo1uZ1N3-xvRW81StVbt8Ab_id8yMrvU4jaZtyX0/s200/radical+feminist+muslim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544475800085973778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">click on picture for ordering info and more pithy t-shirts<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.peaceproject.com/buttons/womenbuttons.htm"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe1Sak-emnuLKqK7rM2uNMpf6O7ICxzLlQkrIC3soDeQdeJkyIVo0SxH5ROtoQB80g_ah7qyp5Em4X0siEVUE2nX0mreT8IOULg3ik1YuYnTnJDDZH8SRc11C3e67a59P-Gq4irb7JArJ/s200/real+men.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544468892171320626" border="0" /></a><br /></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-14777575802701188442010-11-26T22:50:00.011-06:002010-11-27T02:00:51.331-06:00Day 2: Get the statistics & petition a politician!<div style="text-align: center;">check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCwK8Y1Unr4">TTBT campaign video</a> and the linked videos below<br /><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/node/4791">Daily Actions</a><br />read more on the TBTT site<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />As a sociologist, I've known the difficulties of collecting and compiling data over time on sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence in my university town(s) as well as my more recent experiences working on domestic violence issues in Bangladesh. "Official" population or survey data are limited owing to the sensitivity of the questions as well as the survivors' experiences definition of harassment, rape, sexual assault and of shame-blame/honor/family and so forth. These data challenges occur around the world.<br /><br />In the USA, we have had access to such data since the 1980s and we still have varying estimates such as 1 in 3 women experience sexual assault in their lifetimes and 1/4 domestic violence. Definitions also vary among researchers in USA and else where. Do these estimates refer to harsh words, grabbing, hitting, injuring, rape, and/or some combination, including death? Some women seek an order of protection, which may restrict contact with an abuser, but doesn't provide ironclad security against another assault. The filing of charges and convictions are even lower although changes in laws, police enforcement, legal advocates, and support have improved reporting and sanctions from previous levels. For example, when I started teaching at my university in the early 1980s, women students who reported stalking by men had few legal options. These newer laws had provided some legal recourse (although still difficult to charge and prosecute).<br /><br />All these factors have led to ongoing underestimates of the problems and less attention to the causes and solutions by lawmakers, legal authorities, governments, and civil society. Ironically, domestic violence shelters have seen more demands for their services during the ongoing economic recession, while the state governments and funders have dramatically cut their funding. So one action for these 16 days might be to donate money, goods, and time to local domestic violence shelters and programs.<br /><br />This use/misuse of ICT has received some attention mostly in widely publicized cases of abuse/bullying on basis of gender, sexuality, race-ethnicity (or intersections) on social networking sites by fake accounts, mobiles-cell phone use of photos, videos, sexting, and other activities. These forms of harassment have led to suicides, deaths, and socio-emotional trauma and only then do we hear about more cases across the USA. At the same time, some cell apps such as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/nyregion/08hollaback.html?_r=2"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hollaback</span></a> can help pinpoint harassers and their locations. Once again we need more systematic data on these abuses as well as timely education and solutions on bullying, abuse of power, and harassment via newer forms of ICT such as social networks, smart phones, video cameras, and more!<br /><br />In contexts where government and legal authorities have ignored or paid limited attention to sexual assault and domestic violence in the paucity of laws or enforcement and gathering data, we need to encourage the gathering of good, quality, and unbiased data on these crimes and their legal outcomes as well as concrete action and education. Meanwhile governments, schools, and parents will continue ignore how harassers and abusers find ways to use ICT to harass and abuse women through phone calls, social networks, sexting, broadcase of videos-photos (from mobiles and webcams) and more. Education also includes training young women and men on the vagaries and respectful use of ICT. For example, when posting "fun party" pictures on the internet, many people remain unaware that their images and words will stay on the internet and social networking sites. These materials can be retrieved by employers and future partners & in-laws by a simple google search. Some posters/postees have lost their jobs as a result. Likewise, adda-gossip-<span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> facts about certain domestic violence-murder cases that went viral out on social media continue to circulate. This information can serve to inform-alert as well as serve as cautionary tales for what happens if women do and/or do not speak up. The TTBT site has many good suggestions and ideas for safe surfing and participation.<br /><br />This brings me specifically to Bangladesh, which only in spring 2010 approved legislation against domestic violence despite rates that rank among the highest in the world. Unfortunately, the enforcement of laws against violence against women such as sexual assault, acid throwing, and sexual harassment, eve-teasing, and bullying have been limited and politicized. As more girls and young women attend schools, eve-teasing (illegal in Bangladesh) has limited women's education and mobility (see<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DK03QIzIxw&feature=player_embedded#%21"> Bangladesh battles sexual bullying</a>) and increased young women's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIFwaHUCbu0&NR=1">suicides</a>. In response the government has increased some police patrols outside of schools and some undercover women police in schools. This media report 500 arrests...and I wonder how many convictions and actual punishment for these actions and when eve-teasers turn on guardians?<br /><br />As more and more Bangladeshi have acquired mobiles, such devices have become another vehicle for communication and harassment (ofen anon.) especially among young women and men who have little experience with respectful communication with each other. I observed this among male staff in a research project who used their mobiles in courting phone calls (bhalobashi kotha--love talk--I called it). Computer teachers and I talked with young women who came to the now closed Nari Jibon office in their mobile and internet communication including voice chats. We tried to provide some training on safe use of the internet and ICT. I wonder how they are faring in the expanded use of mobiles as well as the limited safe cyber cafes-spaces of the internet?<br /><br />This can even affect bideshis (foreigners) as myself with unwanted phone calls by men who randomly call numbers until they reach a woman, esp foreigner (I've written about this in earlier blogposts). I threatened to call the mobile provider and police if he persisted in his phone calls. If politicians and law enforcers lack the will to deal with existing laws while insisting that every cell phone be registered to a listed person, then once again overburdened women's organizations and like-minded allies-- including the media-- must document and publicize the various ICT abuses and incidents.<br /><br />So reach out and "touch" some one respectfully with kind, thoughtful words via your venue of choice...and insist that we have good data and practices dealing with those who abuse ICT.<br /><br />In line with Day 3, on slogans....Refuse to be Abused....<br /><br /><br /></div></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-11473272677737827322010-11-25T22:38:00.008-06:002010-11-25T23:27:46.963-06:0025 Nov 2010 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 2010: 16 days of activism<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL7F0JgN_qlNdMOmjbdF8D9JERhvTomdIe6uyrzORnOHCuq-mCW3c9sUK9xFgUtAR3OvPJZOFkCeZMjOmejiWusfhMmrfK8vEHnWeAvNTV9Q7HOaEhMAtAu_OUXJB8FjrWjJb2Rd-tYSE/s1600/ttbt+2010a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL7F0JgN_qlNdMOmjbdF8D9JERhvTomdIe6uyrzORnOHCuq-mCW3c9sUK9xFgUtAR3OvPJZOFkCeZMjOmejiWusfhMmrfK8vEHnWeAvNTV9Q7HOaEhMAtAu_OUXJB8FjrWjJb2Rd-tYSE/s320/ttbt+2010a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543721296762867826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg"><div class="uiAttachmentTitle"><strong><span><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TakeBackTheTech</a></span></strong> </div><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.takebackthetech.net</a><div class="mts uiAttachmentDesc">Take Back The Tech! is a collaborative campaign that takes place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (25 Nov - 10 Dec). It is a call to everyone - especially women and girls - to take control of technology to end violence against women.<br /><br />Please check out the TBTT website for daily actions, resources, videos, and activism. You can also sign up for the Take Back the Tech group on Facebook and/or follow via Twitter<br /><br />You can view their <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/category/tags/video">video</a> as well as others around the web.<br /><br />On going illness has continued hinder my writing, reading, and postings. This year I intend to return to my daily blogging on these issues and others, which have remained very important to me and many others. I have done some of my writing and commentary on my facebook and delicious accounts where I have posted-book marked relevant articles as well share them with my students. <br /><br />For example, I will note-discuss the ongoing problems of VAW with eve-teasing in Bangladesh and other countries where the<a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=160354"> harassers have returned to murder guardians </a>who protested their harassment and other issues such as implementation of the new domestic violence laws. I will continue to share resources-research such as my <a href="http://www.siuc.edu/%7Enarijibon/DADV.htm">website on Bangladesh and USA resources on domestic violence</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.outagainstabuse.org">Out Against Abuse site</a> for South Asian diaspora (also on Facebook)<br /><br />Finally, I remain interested in issues of women, work, and empowerment in the global economy as well as emerging interests in social justice, commodity chains, food, security, and plant-based and vegan diets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-89866243386779990462009-11-26T00:59:00.007-06:002009-11-26T02:09:15.053-06:00International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc7uuFvMS_V3GT979QUKJgsTkLLi7rw-Jd4Y3mJ3Jg_Df9mVfb2V4s8pLSzRma0gyojPk_QfZC7KcPPARqN3nPMSb4tvnIJr38qIUcvcV3dK3ORhKHyuVYg4Z5IaG8Vw2N6-alUwI9Bng/s1600/banner_16_days.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc7uuFvMS_V3GT979QUKJgsTkLLi7rw-Jd4Y3mJ3Jg_Df9mVfb2V4s8pLSzRma0gyojPk_QfZC7KcPPARqN3nPMSb4tvnIJr38qIUcvcV3dK3ORhKHyuVYg4Z5IaG8Vw2N6-alUwI9Bng/s320/banner_16_days.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408314280280599778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is my late start of 16 days of blogging on Ending Violence Against Women as observed starting on 25 November by many international and local organizations, NGOs, and activists. In particular, I'm interested in the technology activities from <a href="http://takebackthetech.net">Take Back the Tech</a> activists who post up daily activities, actions by various bloggers, tweeters, and other media activists. Every year, their efforts and activities grow in scope and complexity. I continue to be amazed by all the blogging, tweeting, photo-video-making, social media activism around the world and the positive impacts and changes that they have generated.<br /><br />Alas I never enrolled in Twitter last year, but am thinking about it again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My meager offerings for this first post:<br /><br /><ul><li>overview of posts on ending violence against women in Global Voices: <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/specialcoverage/ending-violence-against-women-2009/">http://globalvoicesonline.org/specialcoverage/ending-violence-against-women-2009/</a></li></ul><br /><ul><li>a series of videos on VAW as compiled by <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/">Global Voices</a>' energetic video editor,<a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/juliana-rincon-parra/" title="Posts by Juliana Rincón Parra">Juliana Rincón Parra</a> <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/25/video-end-violence-against-women-around-the-world/"> http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/25/video-end-violence-against-women-around-the-world/</a> (available in English y Español)</li></ul><br />I will continue my discussions later today and in future posts will address issues surrounding violence against women in and around the military, in war zones, in USA, ongoing violence against women in Bangladesh including Awami League youth members' rapes of young women in Bangladesh, and other related topics.<br /><br />This also a busy time for assorted events:<br /><br /><ul><li>to my Muslim friends, Eid Mubarak </li></ul><ul><li>to my friends gathering for Thanksgiving--safe travels as well as remembering the indigenous people who suffered greatly colonial takeovers.<br /></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In response to the onslaught of conspicious consumption commercials for post-Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas sales, I will be observing international Buy Nothing Day, 27-28 Nov.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuAMIien16Duax6dbPyeIk_grcjNf9FM5ZTFaJ1kLC0jSTb_tzpcE5Gw5m5tWzWS3l9859noa7zixCgv0foDUjiCAVXK5R4jNCIm8cgEO3qLfqUcqxMMMU813cqJ11FcEPkenm8pxCZuE/s1600/buy+nothing+day+2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 86px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuAMIien16Duax6dbPyeIk_grcjNf9FM5ZTFaJ1kLC0jSTb_tzpcE5Gw5m5tWzWS3l9859noa7zixCgv0foDUjiCAVXK5R4jNCIm8cgEO3qLfqUcqxMMMU813cqJ11FcEPkenm8pxCZuE/s320/buy+nothing+day+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408313900750611282" border="0" /></a><br /></li></ul><ul><li>Last not least, I will be making this semi-locavore-fairtrade vegan dish--<a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/10/lemony-quinoa-with-butternut-squash.html">lemony quinoa with butternut squash.</a> (already purchased ingredients)</li></ul><br /><br /><br /></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-42075653846267683012009-10-15T23:13:00.007-05:002009-10-16T00:36:32.275-05:00Blog action day on climate change/vegan MOFO III<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3930562108_f07c8dec17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 89px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3930562108_f07c8dec17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI45olq42uTn64HemEmFrmYDSdHkXhL9NQ5Qe9FlkcYN3CkDMPEF0g1ajuNxu3ooo0imEwHQtl3tnqqt1a5sQoWK4uk0PU3NFiA2glL1pA0N9fsMOm11eyoZiam1_R_OOXPutMlUYdOUT/s1600-h/8927_153275937707_12185972707_2619045_776270_a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI45olq42uTn64HemEmFrmYDSdHkXhL9NQ5Qe9FlkcYN3CkDMPEF0g1ajuNxu3ooo0imEwHQtl3tnqqt1a5sQoWK4uk0PU3NFiA2glL1pA0N9fsMOm11eyoZiam1_R_OOXPutMlUYdOUT/s320/8927_153275937707_12185972707_2619045_776270_a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393052691768645602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today is return to blogging for me and a two-fer day: <a href="http://www.350.org/media/bloggers">Day of Blogging on Climate Change</a> and <a href="http://kitteekake.blogspot.com/2009/09/vegan-mofo-iii-2009-edition.html">Vegan MOFO III</a> (Vegan Month of Blogging). Ironically my last post in December 2008 was on food....<br /><br />In my reflections-teaching on globalization, the latest economic crises (since November 2008), President Barack Obama's election (!), and ongoing recovery from illness, I've adopted some new interests-actions and personal changes.<br /><br />First, I'm proposing that one solution to climate change is also a change in our diets and eating patterns...in particular to eat more plant-based, local, and seasonal foods in our diets, i.e. vegan diets. In 1978, I became a vegetarian because of inequities in food distribution as well as inefficient food production, for example, ten pounds of grain->one pound of beef. I sought to eat closer to the food chain. In 2008 and teaching about globalization, I also realized that our factory models of meat, milk, and egg production cannot be sustained through free range production around the world (more on this later) as well as the climate change induced by methane, by-products, and land cleared to grow grains to support factory food production. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html?_r=1&emc=eta1">Mark Bittman</a> in Food Matters and his column also inspired me by his exhortation to eat vegan for morning and mid-day meals and whatever you want in the evening.<br /><br />Second, I've transitioned into a vegan diet (all day) while I have been recovering from an <a href="http://thesouthern.com/news/article_80f5d347-e132-536a-a88a-2ecf7c01a669.html">inland hurricane</a> or <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/photo/read/weather/E30DF7FE-F3C1-4143-B98D-B18687911C89">derecho</a> in Carbondale, tick-induced disease, and a flareup of my MS ...and limited energy for blogging, research, and writing. This diet has posed some interesting challenges for buying, cooking, and eating in my current USA location and also for overseas travel.<br /><br />Third, changes have occurred in my activities in Bangladesh, research, and teaching and I will address some of these changes in future blogposts. At the same time, I remain very interested in violence against women in general and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=109013">in Bangladesh</a> (which still does not have a law against domestic violence), global economy & women workers, and empowerment. For example, what are the implications of the global crisis for women workers and their families? Diet and purchasing changes in the North for agricultural workers in the South? Fair trade? Organic? Genetically modified food? Eating locally? Time and $ implications for slow food vs. fast food? Last, I hope to post for the 16 days campaign against violence against women starting on November 25(see <a href="http://www.blogger.com/takebackthetech.net">takebackthetech.ne</a>t)<br /><br />Finally, I leave you with a few of my favorite blogs on vegan issues-recipes:<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.theppk.com/" target="_blank">http://www.theppk.com/</a> <br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://happyherbivore.com/">http://happyherbivore.com/</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/</a><br /></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://thevoraciousvegan.blogspot.com/">http://thevoraciousvegan.blogspot.com/</a><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.rhymeswithvegan.com/">http://www.rhymeswithvegan.com/</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.veganplanet.com/">http://www.veganplanet.com</a></span></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><a href="http://showmevegan.blogspot.com/">http://showmevegan.blogspot.com/</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /></span>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-22646926970475878952008-12-07T00:57:00.011-06:002009-01-25T23:27:13.236-06:00Day 12: Collaborative cooking | Recipes against VAW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day12.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day12.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/12/6">Day 12</a> recipes, techniques, and wikis of action--check them out!<br /><br />However, I am cooking outside of the text again with my favorite recipe-cookbook blogs because I've learned that besides the Twitter, SMS, organizations, blogs, and images, we need roses and bread...or for many women around the world....rice or bhat-caul in Bangladesh.<br /><br />One vegetarian cookbook blog that I adore, save and share recipes: <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/">101 Cookbooks</a>- by <a href="http://www.heidiswanson.com/">Heidi Swanson</a>-a photographer and writer of her own vegetarian cookbook, <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/supernatural/">Super natural Cooking</a> (you want to eat the pictures, too, on both the blog and cookbook).<br /><br />Also this time of year and also during rainy times, Bangladeshis eat and make big mounds of kichuri (mixture of rice, lentils, veggies and spices)--a kind of comfort or soul food--that I never learned to make until this fall (previously depending on my former students and VAW activists Dr. Rifat Akhter and AKM Saiful Islam--who needs to <span style="font-style: italic;">finish</span> his path-breaking dissertation on domestic violence and Bangladeshi NGOs!).<br /><br />This fall, I bought a small 6 cup rice cooker and have been making variations weekly on this recipe since then...in the following recipe...the cup refers to the small cup (3/4 cup) packed with the rice cooker<br /><br />This is my adapted Bideshi Blue kichuri....that makes about 3-4 servings that are good warm-hot and/or as cold-room temperature leftovers for office lunches...and it's not so spicy for bideshis (foreigners). [NOTE IMPORTANT UPDATE--ADD WATER IN STEP 6]<br /><br />1. rinse 1 cup of rice (mine does a great job with brown rice) along with 1/2 c mix of red lentils, moong dal (split hulled mung beans) and/or yellow split peas. rinse several times until water runs clear. put in large bowl.<br /><br />2. make 1 cup of mixed veggies (i use frozen ) and or thinly sliced greens<br /><br />3. chop small onion and several cloves of garlic<br /><br />4. mix veggies, onion, and garlic with rice-lentils with pinches of tumeric, coriander, cumin, and ginger (salt if you like), also add one to two <span style="font-weight: bold;">whole</span> serrano or jalpeno chilis (depending on your heat tolerance) i also add a dried chilepotle pepper (smoky hot taste)<br /><br />5. add 1/8-1/4 cup olive or canola oil and mix with rice, veggie, spice, chili mixture<br /><br />6. stir in at least three cups of warm water-pani (rice cooker size cup) and pour into cooker insert pan-bowl<br /><br />7. put in cooker, set to cook...and let steam for at least 15 more minutes after cooker clicks to keep warm mode (needed to steam and fully cook brown rice). the cook cycle takes about 30 minutes on my cooker. some times i steam more greens (kale, mustard, etc) in the steaming insert...toward the end of the cooking cycle...<br /><br />you can check your email, blog, and/or relax, etc while the kichuri is cooking<br /><br />8. fluff kichuri and eat. some times I add some cilatro sprigs, roasted nuts and/or some sliced baked tofu....by itself, kichuri is complete protein (rice+lentils).<br /><br />Also I like to combine some leftover kichuri with some broth/water (1-2 cups), and after the mixture comes to a simmer, then I stir in one T or more of light miso (keep at simmer) to make soup. See also <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/miso-soup-recipe.html">Heidi Swanson's post on miso soup</a>!<br /><br />This post fulfills the requests of several Carbondale, IL bideshis who have bought rice cookers after the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/dining/01rice.html">New York Times</a> article this fall and my summoning the courage to use my rice cooker.....and a big hat or rice cooker tip to Rifat e Saiful.<br /><br />So what's your comfort food after a hard day of organizing, cold rallies, or computing??kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-73368983759019545742008-12-05T17:33:00.008-06:002008-12-07T00:52:58.034-06:00Day 11: Burst media bubbles | Talk, draw, blog back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 1px; height: 1px;" src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day11.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day11.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/12/5">Day 11</a> I was in a cartoonish frame of mind....and some of my favorite cartoons with attitudes:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gocomics.com/comic_page/view/145518">Danae in Non Sequitur</a> (Wiley)--Danae is my tiny but mighty alter ego....who says what I think and also has an interesting use of Barbies and Ken (not shown) but she also keeps her father's life interesting....as I continue to do with mine!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picayune.uclick.com/comics/nq/2008/nq080322.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 194px;" src="http://picayune.uclick.com/comics/nq/2008/nq080322.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sylvia in Sylvia by (<a href="http://www.nicolehollander.com/">Nicole Hollander</a>)--she says what I will say when I am grown up...she also has a series of books, involving mostly cats (my personal fav: <a href="http://www.nicolehollander.com/booklist.html">Psycho Kitties</a> among others)...that seem to inspire the take back the tech balinese (now one year older).<br /><br /><br />also click on image for Sylvia's home page and location<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nicolehollander.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 169px;" src="http://www.nicolehollander.com/graphics/indexanimnew2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>or you can also catch Sylvia at the very useful and informative <a href="http://www.womensenews.org/sylvia.cfm">Women'sEnews website</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5355951826239212566&postID=7336898375901954574"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 725px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.womensenews.org/images/sylvia_friday.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.dykestowatchoutfor.com/index.php">Dykes to Watch Out For</a> cast of characters)--<a href="http://www.dykestowatchoutfor.com/alison-bechdel">Alison Bechdel</a> -<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.dykestowatchoutfor.com/index.php">her blog</a> and her autobiography, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/books/03garner.htm">Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic</a>. DTWOF was one of the earliest cartoons with <a href="http://www.dykestowatchoutfor.com/cast-biographies">realistic lesbian cast of characters, partners, offspring, and allies</a>, and their various adventures and never in mainstream comics. Although I just discovered that the 2 Dec 08 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/books/03garner.htm">New York Times raved about her latest book, The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For</a>. Check out the <a href="http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/news/?sernum=943&navpath=/entertainment/comics/">DTWOF archive</a><br />and her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zizyphus/2416536152/in/photostream/">Flickr stream link to a cartoon campaign comment</a>.<br /><br /><br />Why don't we have more women cartoonists and uppity women and girls in cartoons and their commentaries?kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-42043027596733666962008-12-04T22:52:00.011-06:002008-12-05T02:37:42.901-06:00Day 10: Controlling images-words ?| Secure online communications | Your right to privacy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day10.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day10.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/12/4_0">On Day 10</a>, please consider the state of your identity in on-line networks, especially social networks. TTBT women have many useful tools and apps on their website.<br /><br />I want to talk about readers, audience, and the possible uses and abuses of social networking sites.....and what recourse we have when some one takes images and (mis)information and posts it to us and/or social networking sites.<br /><a href="http://youngfeminists.wordpress.com/"><br />Ultra Violet</a> has some interesting discussions started by Meena Kandasamy who had continued to grapple with a cyber-stalker, in "<a href="http://youngfeminists.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/self-expression-and-social-networking-websites/">Self-expression and social networking sites</a>" and pursuant discussions on readers and audience. After anonymous negative comments appeared based on a picture that she posted on her social networking site, she wrote:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Although one is aware that there are laws against defamation in place, how can these be put to use against anonymous trollers and orkut-scrap-posters and their like? Forget the case of independent writers, do we actually have any mechanism to punish ALL those who are abusive on the web because of the anonymity that it provides.</span><br /></div><br />Recently Niveditha Menon asks what are <a href="http://youngfeminists.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/voices-in-my-head/">"the voices in our head</a>"? She discusses our abilities to name and/or articulate our experiences, picking our battles, and who is our audience? In particular,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">how do we know who is in our heads when we write? Who are we writing for? Who are we writing against? Under what social pressures do feminist writers (whether male or female) articulate their experience? How do we know our “authentic” voice, given all this input from friendly and unfriendly sources?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Back to me (my puran-aged feminist self).....<br /><br />Several important issues here....1) using writing and posting to clarify who we are, our place in the world and 2) then how our readers can take and use/mix/abuse our words, images, and some times actions. How much agency and control do we have over our own images, identities? TBTT and others stress using pseudonyms and many do.<br /><br />At the same time, trolls and others hide behind their pseudonyms to stalk and provide misinformation about people, incidents, and episodes...once on the internet...this misinformation is very hard to scrub. As result, stalkers can pursue bloggers and/or people absconding on sexual assault or domestic violence felony charges can set up faux social networking identities complete with 'female friends' writing (interesting gender bending) and/or from the safety of their home country can continue to harass the plaintiff and their families via various internet ISPs...Others join in the discussion and gossip-adda of idiosyncratic personal matters rather than the broader and endemic issues of VAW and abuse. This is not an isolated incident...from some of my earlier writing but also some of my transnational emails and advocacy work on domestic violence.<br /><br />So it's one thing to be clear on our voices, audiences, and purposes for writing, but what do we do when others hide in the anonymity of the internet and social networking sites and faux identities? Adda and gossip ensue?<br /><br />Or how do we handle the announcement of beginning and ends of relationships via little symbols on Facebook? When relationships do not begin as we like and/or they end badly? Scorned persons? Or the uses of our images and videos by others, especially when be-friending people gives them access to our profiles and info? Or when disturbed former spouses-partners post pictures of their ex-partners on the internet-social networking sites. Or batterers claim that pictures of abused partners have been photoshopped....<br /><br />These are also real experiences that brought me to Facebook, and also make me concerned about the uses-abuses of social networking sites. Hence I'm still looking for answers....how how we handle these situations...or when we discuss and use these sites to clarify such issues if that is possible giving the social constructions of our relationships and lives by multiple persons.<br /><br />How do we handle when such (mis)information persists on the internet and is easily retrieved by searching on a person's name? I see these searches nearly every week on my blog. How do we handle troll comments on our blogs and sites?<br /><br />Any thoughts? Suggestions?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><em><strong></strong></em>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-60648125642183354882008-12-03T23:23:00.008-06:002008-12-07T13:16:43.167-06:00Day 9: Break Barriers-Translate-Network and learn!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day09.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day09.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/image/day_9_break_barriers_translate_and_network">On Day 9</a>, I want to give a hat tip to <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/">Global Voices</a> and <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/">Rising Voices</a> b/c they have done excellent work in compiling and translating blogs in multiple languages. Some of the Rising Voice grants are starting to develop blogs in Indigenous languages, for example, Cristina Quisbert's <a href="http://boliviaindigena.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span>olivia </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Indígena</span></span></strong></span></a>, which includes Amarya and Nari Jibon students <a href="http://banglablog-narijibon.blogspot.com/">blogging in Bangla</a> (you may need some Bangla fonts to read this post).<br /><br />Or check out <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/central-american-girls-taking-back-the-tech/">Renata Avila</a> writing about Central American women, ICT, and TBTT in Global Voices and then featured in TTBT site via <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/blog_entry/takebackthetech_campaign_featured_on_global_voices">Manal Hansan's blog</a>.<br /><br />Or <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/aparna-ray/">Aparna Ray</a> who has been a wonderful khala (aunt) to Nari Jibon bloggers, including encouraging and doing translation of some of their Bangla works.<br /><br />Or <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/rezwan/">Rezwan Islam</a>, the mama (uncle) to Nari Jibon bloggers and original editor of Rising Voices blog.<br /><br />Please link up and check out these Rising Voices projects and participants. Share and comment on blog posts that interest you. Look up the regional editors and consider becoming a contributor, encourage them to cover more issues of concern to you such as VAW and women's lives, and/or a <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/lingua/">translator in the Lingua-Global Voices translation program</a>, too. Finally, for those in mono-language mode, please consider learning some more languages....I'm working on my Bangla and Spanish....and enjoying Google Translator, if needed. Yes, I know that it doesn't do a good job, but I can get the gist....and who knows what's next in my studies....<br /><br />More of my favorite links-posts tomorrow. I stayed up too late last night reliving the songs of my wanton feminist youth....for my previous post!kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-81121922363882642232008-12-02T23:45:00.012-06:002008-12-03T15:58:24.498-06:00Day 8: Songs Against Violence: Remember the Women!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day08.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day08.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>On <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/actions/daily/2008/day8">Day 8</a>, I'm sharing some inspirational songs-lyrics from the 1970-80s from mainstream and women's music and before....check out the TBTT site for some interesting ringtones against VAW and other aural items.<br /><br />1) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv6lHwWwO3w">I Will Survive</a>--<a href="http://www.lyricsdomain.com/7/gloria_gaynor/i_will_survive.html">lyrics</a>-- <a href="http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2451">Gloria Gaynor</a>--<span style="font-style: italic;">(</span>facts and ringtone) --usa feminists' disco anthem 1980s<br /><br />2) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrV0c9ETnWo">Respect</a>--<a href="http://www.bluesforpeace.com/lyrics/respect.htm">lyrics</a>---<a href="http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/aretha-franklin">Aretha Franklin</a><br /><br />3) <a href="http://www.earthbeatrecords.com/sweethoney/first.html">Come unto me (sample)</a>--no available lyrics--<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5230825">Sweet Honey in the Rock National Public Radio story</a> long interview-this song and others within interview. you can hear more samples and see all Sweet Honey in the Rock's albums-cds at the <a href="http://www.ladyslipper.org/rel/v2_viewupc.php?storenr=53&upc=08122738292">Ladyslipper Music Site</a><br /><br />4) <a href="http://www.hollynear.com/media/singing.for.our.lives.mp3">Holly Near, "We are Singing for Our Lives"</a><br />We are a peaceful and loving people and we are singing for our lives......<br /><br />Holly Near <a href="http://www.hollynear.com/lyrics/rock.will.wear.away.html">The Rock Will Wear Away lyrics</a> (with Meg Christian)<br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.glbtq.com/arts/christian_m.html">Meg Christian</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJwkEQwbtI">Sweet Darling Woman</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hYobrNI4g">Look Within</a><br /><br />6) <a href="http://www.criswilliamson.com/">Chris Williamson</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxCrjY73lz8">Retrospective</a>--interview-songs women's music herstory <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dpYoK20QpU">Waterfall</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVyWFFhmx6k&feature=related">Song of the Soul</a> (songs for many rallies) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbMFxA-ATcY">Tender Lady</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ncS4V6ka8A">Sweet Woman</a><br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/breadrose.html">Give Us Bread and Give Us Roses--lyrics</a>--Lawrence, Massachusetts Women Workers' Strike 1912,(Lyrics: James Oppenheim; Music: Martha Coleman or Caroline Kohlsaat) (1910s)--sung by <a href="http://www.blight.com/%7Escarlett/traditions/songbook/mp3/judycollins-breadandroses.mp3">Judy Collins</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,<br />A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,<br />Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,<br />For the people hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread and roses!"</div><p style="text-align: center;"> As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,<br />For they are women's children, and we mother them again.<br />Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;<br />Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead<br />Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.<br />Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.<br />Yes, it is bread we fight for -- but we fight for roses, too!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.<br />The rising of the women means the rising of the race.<br />No more the drudge and idler -- ten that toil where one reposes,<br />But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses!</p><br />Finally, a sad farewell to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/arts/music/03odetta.html?">Odetta, the voice of the usa civil rights movement</a> who passed away on 2 December. See the embedded video in the New York Times article link above. See also <a href="http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1863667,00.html">Time</a> article. Some songs (many more on Youtube): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jGSiaDj_fw">Midnight Special-Little Light of Mine</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9R1UhCSyN8">You Don't Know My Mind</a><br /><br />I hope you enjoy some of these songs from my feminist herstory....as I did going to find links to these songs, lyrics, and performers...namaste.....<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-61926806244508452472008-12-02T19:54:00.022-06:002008-12-10T15:18:59.438-06:00Day 7.5 kbw goes for HIV testFor World Aids Day, I encouraged my students and colleagues at SIUC to go and take a free HIV test c/o the local county health department. Much shifting, hemming and hawing among the undergraduates, and I even offered extra credit for end of term motivation. After lunch, I went for my test, but they had lines and I got a safe sex kit to keep me occupied until I could return.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3QXlEIVLOmyYZ_N8vJ81mjd99nTW5jK-TuOE2Oe9EXBDZJh6CH6mriw10YRaI22Vbdzn9qrJSsER-gcrOE8wZdnEIOZkkEYIlDkOhcsK7vY-taMJ5E-ldlcS4c8kPn2pISRUTwRwvHz6/s1600-h/IMG00078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3QXlEIVLOmyYZ_N8vJ81mjd99nTW5jK-TuOE2Oe9EXBDZJh6CH6mriw10YRaI22Vbdzn9qrJSsER-gcrOE8wZdnEIOZkkEYIlDkOhcsK7vY-taMJ5E-ldlcS4c8kPn2pISRUTwRwvHz6/s200/IMG00078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275392785355319074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After office hours and more motivational chats with students, I went for my test, which used an OraSure mouth scraping instead of blood work. This test does not involve blood or needles and is very accurate. My test took place in a private screened area, my long-time friend "Chris" took down my personal information, brief discussion list of any recent-if ever risky behaviors (injectable drugs, sex in exchange for money, drugs, goods, intoxicated sex, and anonymous sex among others), as well as the last time I had unprotected sex.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSxhVwiNPX7iPcsZE9uuMvfwG1ORK-2CFMm0JQ-MouptQLWVkkTuEgvHCTlBBvZgYqj65R-7MCMh0mR9iaPvhia2newfF6CxVLjZOZYyGIbfZdll9EuX0ts1R2rmPbtU4worbnaTmrmOF/s1600-h/IMG00067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSxhVwiNPX7iPcsZE9uuMvfwG1ORK-2CFMm0JQ-MouptQLWVkkTuEgvHCTlBBvZgYqj65R-7MCMh0mR9iaPvhia2newfF6CxVLjZOZYyGIbfZdll9EuX0ts1R2rmPbtU4worbnaTmrmOF/s200/IMG00067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275387068585528914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9L79kJErCAiPflpuF-MeWp8xQaw3SPmwgmiPbJc2ynz40f9OaIwy6zsvs41pqm-PdUfL3YFp7QuTHplC0qVQwg07te8A46qtcLMBQ4T33dqyzHz9d9jZ8I8k26wnryYjg084qnZ54HDP/s1600-h/IMG00066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9L79kJErCAiPflpuF-MeWp8xQaw3SPmwgmiPbJc2ynz40f9OaIwy6zsvs41pqm-PdUfL3YFp7QuTHplC0qVQwg07te8A46qtcLMBQ4T33dqyzHz9d9jZ8I8k26wnryYjg084qnZ54HDP/s200/IMG00066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275387369218054498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then then we opened the test kit...which consisted of a blue plastic scraper with a coated white end for the mouth and a tube for the collected skin cells.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I scraped on the inside of both cheeks and gums and then kept the white end in my mouth for four or so minutes while Chris gave me counseling on what I and family might do if I had a positive result, how I would react (first thought "damn" ) and then seek medical treatment, and that I would have access to local health department facilities around the USA. If negative, I learned what I could do in the future to protect myself and partners, including condoms, dams, and non-microwaveable plastic wrap.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsMV9PdoYfuQlUwSz2IuIXzyRGjn1Bm1Kf6DPhi4oSUEJ663NMJ0poFy_0IrhLFkTfUA8ciiPFgzB1lWPsketbLrjN44G4iqsVAIawfR6qzYu15ekEAzAnb-njO26q5PzfGszvBcBT7rV/s1600-h/IMG00069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsMV9PdoYfuQlUwSz2IuIXzyRGjn1Bm1Kf6DPhi4oSUEJ663NMJ0poFy_0IrhLFkTfUA8ciiPFgzB1lWPsketbLrjN44G4iqsVAIawfR6qzYu15ekEAzAnb-njO26q5PzfGszvBcBT7rV/s200/IMG00069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275386348584968802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOf5EOkyUdjkQBum1Ylj3ox70dnFJkkzsySWkemUHQgR-UqK2wW7VFeFZhNORSLR05th4uJBxqCT12FLqRuaVkOZ8vz_OcYs4Qj34x3Mj2F-KUi3hJ_b6RQg-0vPTv4bu-AEielyb7y7v/s1600-h/IMG00071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOf5EOkyUdjkQBum1Ylj3ox70dnFJkkzsySWkemUHQgR-UqK2wW7VFeFZhNORSLR05th4uJBxqCT12FLqRuaVkOZ8vz_OcYs4Qj34x3Mj2F-KUi3hJ_b6RQg-0vPTv4bu-AEielyb7y7v/s200/IMG00071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275386639857689714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I took the scraper out of my mouth and put it into a small white tube containing preservative, reattached the lid and handed it over to Chris ( no photos of this process). My tube has only an identification number and I am to go and get my results on 10 December with my number and in a private session with a nurse. The entire session took around 25 minutes with some discussion of how to use my Blackberry camera.<br /><br />I got another safe sex kit....for educational purposes, of course....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJlMmAxIqHRB_qSxCFS4HdqvsPV3SKnGYhiZkCI2xnEFQ8w690_IBIPlymNLTedlK4Bn-R5mad_D1GwdNx5-lZ4kLqeKA2PSwJvVq8tiTutNlCzHtqVrGBV9vNqiYomF0uvgRTT2KaU_Y/s1600-h/IMG00077.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJlMmAxIqHRB_qSxCFS4HdqvsPV3SKnGYhiZkCI2xnEFQ8w690_IBIPlymNLTedlK4Bn-R5mad_D1GwdNx5-lZ4kLqeKA2PSwJvVq8tiTutNlCzHtqVrGBV9vNqiYomF0uvgRTT2KaU_Y/s200/IMG00077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275391300117911762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">one small packet holds eight condoms, two lube packets, instructions, local card for information</span><br /></div><br />So there-- stop worrying and take advantage of the <span style="font-style: italic;">free and anonymous</span> HIV testing, which is also held on alternative 1st and 3rd Thursdays , 2-6pm at Newman Center and 2nd and 4th Thursdays at Longbranch Coffee House from 2-6pm in Carbondale, IL<br /><br />I did it...and I encourage others to be brave and check on their status as well...instead of the head in the sand approach that I heard from some of my students today. I will report on my results next week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq01X0JW3S1oRB5Qxedw6BfaDTK0nCzgp6n8o6_kHpDBnsvQQZ4PTwtCnoFLH-NalQFQjqWq16B0p1m8-FY0EGgDInosS0R3zTofMt4hHJ3TymumPjHpbej9YF4qNn0bWEhrSZKyVGTXH0/s1600-h/IMG00079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq01X0JW3S1oRB5Qxedw6BfaDTK0nCzgp6n8o6_kHpDBnsvQQZ4PTwtCnoFLH-NalQFQjqWq16B0p1m8-FY0EGgDInosS0R3zTofMt4hHJ3TymumPjHpbej9YF4qNn0bWEhrSZKyVGTXH0/s200/IMG00079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275392185569348930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Balinese cat Madhu inspects contents of the safe sex kit</span><br /></div><br /><br />Meanwhile, I am locating some music for <a href="http://pagolnari.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-8-songs-against-violence-remember.html">my next post...for Day 8</a>....and will include some Ms. Aretha Franklin, among others.....<br /><br />P.S. I got my "negative" HIV status results on 10 December and based on my counseling I can keep my status that way, too.kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-40187015561806011542008-12-01T23:28:00.011-06:002008-12-01T23:51:54.009-06:00Day 7: World Aids Day-Mob Against Stigma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day07.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day07.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/12/1_1">On Day 7</a>, the TBBT women have some wonderful actions for mass emails sent out about HIV-AIDS.<br /><br /><p> Take Back The Tech! Take part in a text mob against HIV/AIDS related stigma! </p> <ul><li> At 12<strong>.00 noon</strong>, wherever you are, send a message to 10 people about HIV/AIDS.</li><li>You can use twitter, SMS, email, IRC channel, forums, blog comment, call in to a radio programme or any communication channels you have access to.</li><li>We've come up with a few messages to help you get started:</li><li><em>Marriage does not mean automatic consent to sex. Stop HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec - <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" title="www.takebackthetech.net" rel="nofollow">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)</em></li><li><em>No condom no sex. It's about respect, not about shame. Stop HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec - <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" title="www.takebackthetech.net" rel="nofollow">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)</em></li><li><em>Poverty + violence spreads HIV/AIDS. End women's discrimination. Stop HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec - <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" title="www.takebackthetech.net" rel="nofollow">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)</em></li><li><em>Get tested. Get treatment. Get control. Stop HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec - <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" title="www.takebackthetech.net" rel="nofollow">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)</em></li><li><em>Ignorance + fear = stigma. Get facts. Stop HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec - <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" title="www.takebackthetech.net" rel="nofollow">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)</em></li><li>Publicise this call on your blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, myspace, instant messenger status etc, and grow this text mob. </li></ul> <p> Organise with your friends, networks and community. Spread the word & amplify the buzz. </p> <p> This is a really simple action, and yet really powerful if lots of people take part in it. So join the text mob & take action on World AIDS Day!<br /></p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<br /><br />Last night and earlier today, I posted info about Take Back the Tech on several blogs, linked up some friends on Facebook, and then I sent the following message to my students and friends at SIUC (and omitted the testing info for others outside the area):<br /><br />Poverty + violence spreads HIV/AIDS. End women's discrimination. Stop<br />HIV/AIDS! 1 Dec – <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/" target="_blank">www.takebackthetech.net</a> (pass this on)<br /><br />Then I continued:<br /><br />Free HIV/AIDS testing dec 1-3 testing SIUC student center...<br /><br />The Jackson County Health Department will provide free and anonymous HIV testing in Student Center Ballroom B each day, Dec. 1-3, from 1 to 5 p.m. Those tested can get their results in the Mackinaw and Iroquois Rooms at the Student Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily Dec. 9-10. Anyone can participate in the free testing, but at-risk individuals are particularly encouraged to do so.<br /><br />take care and be safe & tested,<br />^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<br /><br />On 2 December, I will go and get tested...and encourage my students and near and dear ones to do likewise.<br /><br />If you still need more to read on World Aids Day and Violence Against Women, check out <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/" title="Posts by Juliana Rincón Parra">Juliana Rincón Parra</a><a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/">'s excellent post and videos on eliminating violence against women</a><a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/"> </a>and h<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Juliana%20Rinc%C3%83%C2%B3n%20Parra%27s%20excellent%20post%20and%20videos%20on%20eliminating%20violence%20against%20women%20and%20her%20video%20blogsite">er AIDS awareness videos</a> and blogsite in general. <a href="http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2008/12/01/three-notes-on-world-aids-day/en/">David Sasaki updates us</a> on his latest adventures in South Africa and his visits with some Rising Voices bloggers living with AIDS and their activism.<br /><br />Enough for one day (including some snow-borof) ...and I still have to prepare a final exam among other things....kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-78063705102306607732008-11-30T14:45:00.012-06:002008-11-30T19:34:44.110-06:00Day 6: How do you keep a social movement alive?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br />On <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/11/30">day 6</a>, I'm going off-the-game script because I found an <a href="http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=D9D7ADD0001E11DDA1F1000423CF382E">inspiring video</a><a href="http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=D9D7ADD0001E11DDA1F1000423CF382E">, "how do you keep a social movement alive: why we can't wait "</a> on this<a href="http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/jumpcut-how-do-you-keep-a-social-movement-alive-why-we-cant-wait/"> website</a><a href="http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/jumpcut-how-do-you-keep-a-social-movement-alive-why-we-cant-wait/">: Document the Violence</a>, which has organized many campaigns in usa and elsewhere to encourage women of color and their allies <span style="font-style: italic;">wear red</span> in april and october to protest violence against women. Most recently, they sponsored the <a href="http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/be-bold-be-red-goes-viral-loco-visual/">"Be bold, be red goes viral loco visual campaign"</a> . This website includes many resources, including the free downloadable <a href="http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/important-women-resources/">"Rape Documentary Study Guide. </a>and essays, <a href="http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/todays-pictures-of-red/">photos</a>, links, and other visuals.<br /><br />Maybe next year, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/takebackthetech.net">Take Back The Tech</a> and 16 Days campaigns can also go glocal and wearing-going viral loco visual red.....<br /><br />and good luck to all the gaming women geeks.....and programmers....kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-66484654168909368432008-11-29T20:21:00.004-06:002008-12-04T22:03:25.811-06:00Day 5: Offline activism | Uncensor your phonebooth-tags-website<div class="post-body entry-content"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW99CyOVzj1SUE3zbWnhBGIJ2uDOTMckYqn26fXWJ5YBI8MNmr84a6SeXb16XLIzbKBQKU8tUdS98AnJsjxcc1mKlW1z-Xuxv-4eGaz_GHlLEpQUpVQTgbIDFebUtQGdr022LmEef9XE/s1600-h/sw+tag+cloud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW99CyOVzj1SUE3zbWnhBGIJ2uDOTMckYqn26fXWJ5YBI8MNmr84a6SeXb16XLIzbKBQKU8tUdS98AnJsjxcc1mKlW1z-Xuxv-4eGaz_GHlLEpQUpVQTgbIDFebUtQGdr022LmEef9XE/s400/sw+tag+cloud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274266650512850050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/daily_actions/2008/day5">Day 5</a>, we are supposed to take back the content of our sites and links through assorted snippets, business cards in phone boooths (the latter rarely exist any more...more like phone shops where you can pay to make a mobile call--and cyber cafes that are unsecure for women).<br /><br />I've done another tag cloud from a <a href="http://pagolnari.blogspot.com/2007/12/international-day-to-end-violence.html">post last December on International Day Against Violence Against Sex workers</a> this post has had many readers, mostly due to the tag words and less so on the content and message of violence against sex workers. I've had similar results when I mentioned sex workers' struggles post Sidr cyclone and the failure of relief agencies to give supplies, protection, and relief.<br /><br />So I am reasserting my own tags, especially those that attract the attention of men looking for certain girls and maybe even a few ISP links and computer users from Qatar and Saudia Arabia (most common) who are searching for such girls!<br /><br />For an excellent blog, articles, and analyses on such issues including sex workers' own voices and phone booths(!), see Laura Agustín's <a href="http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/"><span style="font-size:100%;">Border Thinking on Migration and Trafficking: Culture, Economy and Sex</span></a><br /><br />Here's the <a href="http://www.nodo50.org/Laura_Agustin/sex-industry-cultures-not-just-sex-work-or-violence-or-prostitution-or-women-or-trafficking-or-rights">link/picture of a London phone booth</a> that she mentions in her comment below.<br /><br />Also <a href="http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2008/03/sexdrive_0328">Regina Lynn</a> describes how the <a href="http://www.desireealliance.org/">Desiree Alliance and SWOP (regional sex worker outreach projects)</a> in USA have used Twitter, Tumbler iphones, and Google docs to create media blitzes. The Alliance and projects have their own blogs, for example, <a href="http://deepthroated.wordpress.com/">Bound, Not Gagged</a>. These have evolved around episodes involving sex workers such as Ashley Alexandra Dupré and Elliot Spitzer in New York and get sex workers' voices-perspectives into mainstream media, while fending off reporters' questions on how to find an escort service among other things.<br /><br /><br /></div>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-11561811165459294792008-11-28T23:52:00.013-06:002008-11-29T01:22:01.788-06:00Day 4: Cloud up violence | The power of words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day04_eng_1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 71px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day04_eng_1.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />In <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/actions/daily/2008/day4">Day 4</a>, explore the power of words and cloud tags...and here's one for pagol nari blog done with a different tag cloud tool...ironically many of these words-tags attract male readers around the world who are looking for "girls, mobile numbers, sex, hotels" etc in Bangladesh (that's another post!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdjDOGysykI02rN0lZ2-kKKi5C1fuJj-JkahXHgvEkOhCz4aTCHTMOVX4NRT1XZQbeHAzXfmPfFhS1YiA5yz-pSk3yR_FiDc2PjsUooW91-Eq0AZuGT0_Y-Dyx8qhbUBfIShZ2C7lcCCq/s1600-h/pagol+nari+cloud+tag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdjDOGysykI02rN0lZ2-kKKi5C1fuJj-JkahXHgvEkOhCz4aTCHTMOVX4NRT1XZQbeHAzXfmPfFhS1YiA5yz-pSk3yR_FiDc2PjsUooW91-Eq0AZuGT0_Y-Dyx8qhbUBfIShZ2C7lcCCq/s400/pagol+nari+cloud+tag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273967823795935266" border="0" /></a><br />also be sure to check out the ongoing posts on <a href="http://narijibon.blogspot.com/">narijibon.blogspot.com</a>, or individual blogs such as <a href="http://ahona-hira.blogspot.com/2008/11/stop-violence-against-women.html">Ahona's </a>and her graphics!kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5355951826239212566.post-29592314255299730262008-11-27T23:06:00.020-06:002008-12-04T22:13:29.606-06:00Day 3: Connect and Help and maybe Twitter?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day03.thumbnail.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 70px;" src="http://www.takebackthetech.net/files/images/day03.thumbnail.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/content/day-3-connect-amp-help-twitter-number">Day 3</a>, we are encouraged to explore and empower our selves with some new mobile technology such as SMS to report abuse, actions, and seek help-information. Maybe it's my over-connected self and thumbs tired from texting that have resisted Twittering. My Blackberry and tiny keyboard seem connected to instant messages (Google Talk) among other distractions-instrusions of email, on-line news, and uploading my cat photos to Flickr or Facebook.<br /><br />Or my nearly 40 years of organizing via telephone and in person (landline, letters, magazines, demonstrations, in person conversations) make me a bit leery-weary of the hi-tech and Facebook approaches to organizing. Users can "join" a cause, sign digital petitions, or cut/paste their email messages to politicians-corporations without taking concrete actions or making changes in safety, security or advancing their causes' goals-agendas. At the same time, I have seen the power of Youtube videos in Rahela's case (previous post) or in the recent USA presidental election of Barack Obama!<br /><br />Or maybe the two Thanksgiving dinners that I attended to today have temporarily dulled my technological appreciation!<br /><br />Computer technology has led to websites for help and connection around VAW. Toll-free hotlines have given women new forms of communication about VAW as well as reaching out for help and reporting on their lives and experiences. Recycled cell phones have given new and safer voices to women to make calls to police and shelters that cannot be tracked by their abusers who may have ripped out their landlines.<br /><br />Friends and family separated by distance can also send emails and instant messages via the computer for support. Although many VAW shelters have to stress guidelines for safe computer use for women to protect the privacy of their passwords, email, and communication from jealous partners and abusers.<br /><br />Nonetheless in many countries, access to the new mobile and computer technologies still depend on access to electricity and funds to power their computers, recharge their phones, as well as reliable and cheap internet and connectivity...still in short supply in many countries. Loadshedding means that your computer and internet won't work and/or your mobile providers' circuits are disrupted. Finally, some men have used these technologies to harass and stalk women.<br /><br />Now we have Twitter among other things.....Some women and activists have also adopted "Twitter" a way of sending short 140 character messages to near and dear ones as well as friends and those who care to know about our activities, thoughts, and even music. People can sign up to follow our "tweets", which can also be posted on social networking sites, such as Facebook.<br /><br />On Day 3, the Take Back the Tech women have given a very <a href="http://www.takebackthetech.net/content/day-3-connect-amp-help-twitter-number">informative and creative overview</a> of the ways we can use Twitter and SMS to communicate about VAW, actions, and events. From their feeds, today I have also learned about the ongoing use of such technologies by the AZUR Development group in the Congo, their activities on HIV-AIDs, use of SMS messages and radio:<br /><a href="http://www.aidsrightscongo.org/" target="_blank">http://www.aidsrightscongo.<wbr>org/</a> <a href="http://reseausida.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://reseausida.blogspot.<wbr>com/</a> I'm also proud that they are also part of the Rising Voices blogging grants!<br /><br />At the same time, I hope that we can creatively embrace these technologies without losing some our interconnections built on social interactions, communities, and networks. We have many possibilities for remaining connected. For example, through his Facebook tweets, I can follow the music and adventures of my digital friend, Rising Voices coordinator, and global traveler, <a href="http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2008/11/26/the-south-africa-bloggers-roadshow-and-the-trade-versus-aid-hypothesis/en/">David Sasaki</a>. who just landed in South Africa on a We Blog the World Junket but with no announced sessions-visits to groups dealing with VAW or such issues in South Africa. (Please see <a href="http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2008/12/01/three-notes-on-world-aids-day/en/">David's later post </a>on failure to address these and AIDS issues on the junket). Earlier this fall, David worked with a group of <a href="http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2008/09/27/south-african-seniors-speak-age-demands-action/">South African women elders</a> to set up their own blogs. Finally, through <a href="http://pagolnari.blogspot.com/2008/08/nari-jibon-project-and-its-bloggers.html">Rising Voices grant at Nari Jibon</a>, I've digitally connected with many bloggers and even met some in person!<br /><br />During my writing of this blogpost, David just made a digital introduction of Azur participant with Nari Jibon bloggers and myself!<br /><br />From his recent travels to new technology conferences, David considered the possibilities, usefulness, and challenges of such communications, SMS, especially in his thoughtful <a href="http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2008/10/18/mobile-active-08-65-billion-text-messages-dont-make-world-peace/en/">Mobile Active 08L 6.5 Billion Text Messages Don't Make World Peace</a>. He questions the usefulness of text messaging for peace-political issues and generating action-change. We tend to devalue such communications, "the more we correspond, the less we value correspondence". He also reminds us that a crucial mineral--Coltan--for cellphones &computers is being mined and fought over in the violent chaos of the Congo. Other writers, activists, and <a href="http://www.wmm.com/filmcatalog/pages/c709.shtml">documentary filmmakers</a> have reminded us that beyond displacing women and their families, government and rebel soldiers have raped and abused many women and their children and/or spread HIV-AIDS and STDs.<br /><br />Unfortunately some of these connections-interests also can keep us in our own circles-interests and networks of international tours, websites, and blogs that ignore programs and campaigns such as <a href="http://takebackthetech.net/">Take Back the Tech</a>, Nov 25 as International Day Against Violence Against Women, or even the 16 Days Campaign (which have appeared in only one blog post in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/globalvoices.org">Global Voices</a>, the larger umbrella of Rising Voices) . For an update, please see <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/" title="Posts by Juliana Rincón Parra">Juliana Rincón Parra</a><a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/">'s excellent post and videos on eliminating violence against women</a><a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/01/video-eliminating-violence-against-women/"> </a>and her video blogsite, which provide other forms of communication beyond Twitter. . Some of us are too busy (and/or distracted) to keep track of news-info-events on our own communities and countries much less all the possibilities on the Internet. Or other events intervene such as media attention to the three days of violence in Mumbai & needless deaths of many or the global economic crisis, which will send even more women, children and their families into precarious situations.<br /><br />Hence I encourage every one to access, read, and learn from the Take Back the Tech feeds of SMSs from around the world, use your mobile technology to connect and make a difference, continue to speak up and educate people in your various circles of family, friends, blogs, classes, and media on these issues, donate and/or volunteer to local shelters, and last but not least go to the UNIFEM campaign for signatures: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/saynotoviolence.org">saynotoviolence.org</a> --who knows the petitions just might work! [unfortunately they stopped taking signatures on 25 november!] the site collected over 500,000 signatures from around the world...<br /><br />Finally, I will sign up for Twitter in the morning and as soon as I recover from my Thanksgiving and observe <a href="http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd">"Buy Nothing Day"</a> on the day after Thanksgiving....but I am only blogging about this....<span style="font-size:85%;">well maybe I posted something on facebook...and I still don't have my Twitter account.....<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">P.S. I just learned about some conceptually interesting uses of Twitter, Tumblr, iPhones by sex worker networks in USA. </span></span> <a href="http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2008/03/sexdrive_0328">Regina Lynn</a> describes how the <a href="http://www.desireealliance.org/">Desiree Alliance and SWOP (regional sex worker outreach projects)</a> in USA have used Twitter, Tumbler iphones, and Google docs to create media blitzes. The Alliance and projects have their own blogs, for example, <a href="http://deepthroated.wordpress.com/">Bound, Not Gagged</a>. You can learn more about 17 December Day Against Violence against Sex Workers , related resources and National and Regional events on the <a href="http://deepthroated.wordpress.com/">Bound, Not Gagged</a> and the <a href="http://redlightchicago.wordpress.com/">Chicago SWOP blog</a>s--more details on Chicago in this SWOP blog.<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>kbwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11674316457219600249noreply@blogger.com2