What Does Women's Suffrage Have to do with Modern Liberal Feminism?

In contrast to the modern definition of Liberal Feminism, it is understandably difficult to associate it with the traditionally held understanding of women’s suffrage movement of the early Twentieth century. The goals that were introduced at that time were arguably less prodigious than those of modern day feminists. However, those goals were the beginning of a concept of equality under the law that persists as the basis for the modern day Liberal Feminist Movement. Many feminists at that time were hoping merely to add their voice to the democratic process without the need to be married and vote vicariously through their husbands. Yet, as that voice gained courage and momentum feminists sought, not only influence the government, but to be considered equals under its jurisdiction.


Click Here to Continue

Women's Empowerment in the Workplace: Why Equality Doesn't Cut It

When Peggy McIntosh wrote her ground-breaking treatise on white privilege her beginning statements outlined that the impetus for her ability to notice these privileges was born out of her research on male privilege in general. It was this inception which allowed her to extend her understanding of a hierarchical society to include white privilege as a whole. Meaning that, while men in general have intrinsic privileges that women do not, white women are also intrinsically over-privileged, with relation to black women and men because of their color.

Her premise in “Unpacking the Invisible Backpack” mentions a school-mate and colleague, who puts it quite succinctly,

“Whites are taught to think of their lives as a morally neutral, normative, and average, also ideal, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work which will allow “them” to be more like ‘us’.”

While she was referring to the on-going problem of racial privilege, it also quite aptly describes the innate problem with the emergence of women’s rights with in a man’s world.

Click Here to Continue

How Racial Profiling Makes Justice Harder On Everyone

Racial profiling is an exceptionally sloppy method of detective work for any crime, including those that have a racially identifiable suspect. The officer is in effect using a process of elimination technique as a means of uncovering evidence and subconsciously begins avoiding other avenues of investigation. A detective cannot afford to be ignoring vital clues at any period in his search, but especially not so early on when the situation is at its most sensitive period.

Click Here to Continue

Full Frontal Feminism Leaves Few Options for Teen Girls

Jessica Valenti is a popular, outspoken blogger from the feminist website Feministing.com who has taken her column to print in her new book, “Full Frontal Feminism”. The book touts itself as a wake-up call for a generation of young women who have grown up in a world spurred on by feminists but where the actual word “feminist”, carries for them a negative social connotation of pushy, angry, self-absorbed, man haters. While some view her book as an excellent primer for a group of girls not yet versed on the basics of feminist theory, others see it as an immature hodgepodge of dumbed down, self-help sound bites that neither educates nor adequately portrays neither the feminist struggle nor the ideals to which the fore-mothers of the women’s suffrage and feminist portions of the civil rights movement gave their passion, sweat and blood.

Click Here to Continue

Immigration Laws Cause Breakthrough.tv to Change Campaign Message

Breakthrough.tv is a non-profit multi-media organization that is based out of India and the United States whose mission is focused primarily on raising awareness for social justice issues such as: violence against women, HIV/AIDS, immigration and racial issues. Fundraising galas take place annually and are frequented by many high profile guests such as John Sykes, President of Network Development at MTV Networks, legendary soul and funk star Asha Puthli, and Emmy-, Tony- and Grammy Award-winner, Cynthia Nixon. In 2006 the organization was recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative for their work in raising awareness of unjust immigration laws in the U.S. called, “Value Families”.

Click Here to Continue

What You Don't Know About Being Homeless- But Need To.

Close your eyes if you are afraid, if it scares you. You feel an uncomfortable emptiness in the pit of your stomach and a catch in your throat because you don't know what to say. Try to think of something else; anything.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. This is far too uncomfortable and the answers that exist are not going to make you feel worse. The sights, the smells, the uncontrolled madness.

It doesn’t wait for you; but continues whether you choose to open your eyes or not, if you walk down the wrong street, at the wrong time at the right time, all the time.

Don’t breathe, because they can tell when they can look at you; they're about to corner you; they can smell you; you're not one of them. And you are so afraid.

They touch you just to watch you squirm. They must be mentally ill. They must be alcoholics, lazy or on drugs. Why don't they go to a shelter? Why won't they just get a job?

Close your eyes. You're home now. Lock the door. Check it. You're safe; for now.

Click Here to Continue