LGBTQIA in Media

Where's the Respect?

This ranty episode discusses topics ranging from wedding frustrations to social policy. Get ready to follow several tangents to get to the end.

Also, the name hasn't changed from WIC, that is the new name. The website was a bit confusing about the name change, so let me know if you could decode it.

Domestic Violence in the Ozarks Part 2

State Shelters: Arkansas: Taylor House
https://www.domesticshelters.org/ar/batesville/72503/family-violence-prevention-inc-taylor-house-for-men#.WQK3qKVOlnE
Taylor House Article
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/feb/11/batesville-nonprofit-opens-domestic-violence-shelt/?f=threerivers
Harmony House Website
https://www.myharmonyhouse.org/
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) Website
https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn

Hotline numbers:
Taylor House - (870)569-8024
Harmony House - (417)864-7233
RAINN - (800)656-4673

Let's Get This Party Started and Have a Thoughtful Conversation

So it's definitely been a minute since I have posted anything. Good thing is I have more motivation to build on intersectional feminism and, of course, piss off trolls!


Recently I went to a student discussion of Intersectional Feminism at the university I attend, which was amazing! The best part was, instead of being surrounded by white middle class women, there was a great mix of people, also know as an intersectional group. I heard some women (and men!) talking about oppression I will never experience. It was eye opening. Many of the women at our table told experiences of being stereotyped in department stores. Because they were not white, they could not walk in the store without eyes on them at all times. WTF!?

The best part of the discussion was talking about the different types of oppression and how they overlap. I am a woman; experienced sexism. I was lower class as a child; some opportunities were missed, but learned independence and hard work. I was not followed in a department store. No one has ever flinched from seeing me (someone said this happens to them, WTF!?). I ask questions when I please in class and my voice is heard.

In one of my favorite podcasts, The Guilty Feminist, Deborah Frances-White explains white men are, for the most part, not shy to raise their hand to give their opinion or ask a question. In a group made up of women, white women tend to be the first person to raise their hand. With this in mind, I did not raise my hand once during the macro discussion. What I learned was even though my voice was not heard in the large room discussion, no one exploded or was tragically disadvantaged from not getting my point of view! I understood the theology of traditional feminism, the oppression of women. I am ignorant in understanding the oppression experienced by people of color (Black, Latino, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc.) and LGBT.

I am so excited to see what the 3rd wave of feminism brings to our society. Every voice deserves to be heard. If you keep hearing your voice or those who 100% agree with you, it's time to sit down and listen or learn to facilitate conversations with those ignored.

This was a short one, but bet your bottom dollar there will be more next weekend about intersectional feminism! Have a great week and remember it's okay to shut up every now and then!

Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist

Say No to Slut Shaming

When you first think of Melania Trump, what comes to your mind? If it helps, write them down on a piece of paper. Now, look at what you wrote down and put a tally by the things that you would have not known if she wasn’t married to Donald Trump, President-elect. I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for the election, I wouldn’t even know her name. I’m not interested in his business antics or reality show.

Now I ask, why are so many people directing their hate and shaming on her? She won’t even be staying in the White House (Trump’s daughter will be his first lady…. yes, America becoming more and more creepy). The slut shaming against Melania has been so blatant and crude, even some of the most liberal people I know are becoming what we fight to end. 

Slut shaming Melania because of a man is playing right into the dirty, greedy patriarchal hands that keep women “in their place.” Instead of shaming another woman to “get at” her husband, we need to come together to ensure knowledge and awareness is spread among our fellow women about policies that will be passed by the dangerous men in charge.

The shaming includes making front of her accent or the fact she is not American born. I understand the hypocrisy by President-Elect Trump, but in the end, she is a legal citizen of the United States. Liberals making rally cries against Melania’s being an immigrant reinforces the conservative notion “that immigrants need to go back from where they’re from.” We have lost the few allies in the executive branch and wasting time/energy by taking cheap shots will not further our goals for equality.

Side tangent: Speaking of equality, I recently got in a Facebook discussion (somewhat respectful) about whether LGBT rights are in danger with the new administration. Pence’s actions while Governor of Indiana, clearly show his dislike of anyone different than him….*cough* *cough* *douche bag*.

I got a little side tracked. Our country is in for rough four years and we cannot break our resilience or conviction. Let’s concentrate on protecting and supporting each other.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Hillbilly Feminist

Equality for All, Not Just "Us"

We need each other to progress.

A little tidbit about myself. I am a pre-admission Social Work student at Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield, MO. I am so far, yet so close to finishing this forever degree. I have an Associates of Degree in Teaching and spent my practicum in the Chadwick (super tiny town southeast of Springfield, MO) school district. My time in Chadwick and Springfield has given me prospective from two completely different views of the Ozarks. While Chadwick has the mentality "everyone knows each other" and might be kin somewhere down the line, Springfield on the other hand let's people be individuals without the stigma of their last name or other family member's actions. While Chadwick will rally of it's citizens to help one of their own, Springfield citizens might be more cautious of helping every individual they see with a need. Both communities have issues, but both have beautiful attributes. Being aware of both the problems and beauty can keep advocates, activists, and policy makers sane.

Picture from transitioningtome.blogspot.com

There are so many social issues being addressed today, such as LGBT rights, domestic violence victim advocacy, homelessness, poverty and many more. All of these issues are extremely important, not only to people being directly affected, but also to those living in this area. Some people see these issues as separate social problems that need to be acknoledged and remedied. I believe the opposite. Social issues tend to not effect one person at a time, instead, it may be a chain reaction. For example, a 17 year old who lives in a rural area comes out to their parents who are not accepting. The teenager may then be kicked out and be forced to be homeless. Due to lack of resources for the homeless in the rural area, the young teen comes to Springfield for shelter (since the teenager is 17, social services may not be called). Or a 23 year old female is in a co-abusive relationship (meaning both partners are abusive to each other). After a heavy night of drinking, the female is beaten to a point of needing to receive emergency services. However, the female does not have a job that provides insurance or makes enough money to go to a clinic. (For this specific case, if she did go to the hospital, a police officer would be called to investigate the industry.) Instead, her injuries are not seen to and neither is her safety.

Above is only two examples of hundreds. As advocates, activists, and policy makers it is our duty to ensure equality of income, assets, rights, and safety for all, not just the group you are apart of.
Thank you to all of the people out there fighting the good fight. Protect self, group, and community!

Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist