November 8, 2015
from the bb desk
Guys, gals, and non-binary pals: a gynaecologist agreed with me this week that the majority of gynaecological disorders stem from gendered violence including rape culture, so I’m riding real high. Also, our new issue, FOOD/LAND, started slowly being born! So far we have published our editorial note; a piece on resistance to gentrification and colonialism in Toronto, an open letter about how white people’s predilection for butter chicken is bullshit, a graphic essay on a settler woman reading the hunger in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings, and a meditation on going beyond the binary of veganism/carnivorism to build ethical relations with food. Watch our Facebook and Twitter for new articles as they’re released in the coming weeks!
Okay. The Liberal government. Trudeau answering “because it’s 2015” was not particularly thrilling, for these reasons. Also, I kind of felt that “because it’s 2015” is like “well, I in my high and mighty white man power have decided that women have had enough, so I am graciously bestowing upon them An Opportunity”—as if he’s paternally decided that like, we’ve been in time-out long enough and are allowed to come and play again? YOU’RE NOT MY DAD. Also, like, gender parity rah rah, but—remember that there are more genders than dude and lady please and thank you? The CBC hosted a panel on affirmative action in the cabinet, where Jonathan Kay demonstrated that he is literally a baby, I’m team Scaachi, Canada is a settler state with a white dad in charge of it, I’m doing slightly better than I was on election night but I’m far from creaming myself with joy about parliament.
Here is an explanation of why JT was right not to appoint an First Nations minister of Indigenous affairs.
Uber freaks me out (I have never taken an Uber) and this piece does a great job of articulating some of the hesitation I feel about it.
I rage hard about this a lot; don’t really understand why we needed a fat-antagonistic comparison to make the point though.
Saying “some white people” only makes it easier for an individual to say “that’s not me” and deflect. They can tell themselves “I have Black friends.” They can tell themselves “I don’t say the N-word.” … they can decide that the problem is somewhere “over there.” Racism is never “me.” It’s never their friends or family. As long as white Americans are comfortable deflecting, white supremacy remains strong in this country.
I really like this advice column about the politicality of depression and finding ethical ways of sourcing domestic labour.
This week in masculinity: white men are unimpressive; “it will take you far too long to see is how easy it is to project every bit of shame and anxiety you have about yourself, your body, and your inability to love onto anyone who tries to love you”; Arctic FOXY, a NWT-based sex education collective for gals, is starting to hold feedback-seeking events in the name of creating programming for young dudes. Did you know that they won A MILLION DOLLARS last year, incredible, so powerful, keep up the great work!
Two former TransCanada employees have an explanation for why pipelines sometimes, you know, just explode.
Which of your favourite websites have money and from where? An addendum: GUTS has no money from anybody, dude millionaires or not. You can donate if you are able!
Shout everything that Charlotte Shane writes from the rooftops:
Being good at sex means being attentive and present to what the person you’re with enjoys right then, in that mood, on that day. You won’t find it detailed in a book, and it has nothing to do with perfecting a wrist motion or hip swivel. It means being creative and open and inventive and humble. You can’t do it if you’re too ashamed of your body to focus on anything else.
Such a great essay on the economics of trapping in the Northwest Territories and the impact that colonialism continues to have on Indigenous people in fur industries.
I care very deeply about your sexual health. In honour of this care, please see Autostraddle’s recent Big Queer Guide to IUDs.
Intrauterine Devices, aka IUDs, are all the rage these days for cis women in need of birth control. Many queer cis women, trans men or genderqueer folks might be interested in getting an IUD, either for contraceptive purposes or to take advantage of side effects, but often have questions that they are uncomfortable asking their doctor. Sometimes there are questions that just don’t get answered in the onslaught of purple and teal pamphlets and commercials featuring women frolicking through flower-filled meadows.
Remember: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SENSITIVE AND CONSCIENTIOUS CARE.
Here are some very important vines. Have a great week, team. xo