“We require a notion of masculinity that is not incompatible with a profound need for connection.” From Hasana Sharp’s 2009 speech commemorating the women massacred at École Polytechnique on December 6th of 1989 in Montréal.
Sarah Hunt on decolonizing the roots of rape culture.
“While most violent crime has declined over the past decade in Canada, one violent crime has not: sexual assault.” Kate McInturff on what we know about sexual assault and why we are not doing more about it.
Ontario’s Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan, requires the province’s universities and colleges implement sexual violence response policies by January 1, 2017: Siobhán Saravanamuttu on how university sexual assault policy needs to put survivor’s first.
This week, the US Army Corps announced it will not grant Dakota Access LLC an easement it needs to drill under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe and complete construction of the pipeline. While the announcement suggests there needs to be an exploration of alternative routes, many questions remained unanswered and for Standing Rock Water Protectors, the battle is not over.
Around the same time as the announcement was made, Veterans asked Standing Rock tribe members for forgiveness, acknowledging centuries of colonial violence perpetuated against First Nations.
Grim news: Ohio passed a bill this week that bans abortion after a month and half of pregnancy. Needless to say, given that abortion access is already limited in the state and many people don’t find out they are pregnant after a missed period or two, this bill is not just terrifying and infuriating, but also unconstitutional. If you want to help out, you can donate to Planned Parenthood’s action plan
HOW ON EARTH SHALL THE GREAT MASSES BE ABLE TO REMEMBER MACDONALD, LAURIER, BORDEN AND KING NOW THAT WE’VE CHANGED OUR MONEY? (sarcasm) pic.twitter.com/gU7ShJP0l7
— (tending love) Todd (@ZoeSTodd) December 8, 2016
Listen to Septembre Anderson talk about why Canada doesn’t deserve a Black woman on its money.
“Canada remains a country of immense wealth and twisted priorities.” Desmond Cole on why 2016 wasn’t so great for Canada, either.
Autumn Peltier, from Wikwemikong First Nation, had planned to speak out against the Prime Minister after his recent pipeline approvals. She was interrupted, but you can read her speech here.
How women are the backbone of the standing rock movement
10 Social Justice Organizations that Rocked 2016 – And Need You in 2017
How to self-check the news and get the facts
Harm reduction strategies for DIY venues
Remembering the trans women killed in the Oakland fire, and how the Ghost Ship was a space for Artists, Queers, Weirdos, Dreamers, and Dreams.
“For Black men, the real work lies in defusing our capacities for harm and learning to see each other as compassionate, even romantic beings.” On intimacy and Moonlight
Ottawa residents: pledge your support for the Algonquin nation’s opposition to condo development on sacred lands.
People who menstruate: a helpful guide for finding the best menstrual cup.
I’m repeating myself (and many others), but if you aren’t following Mitski on Twitter, you’re missing out. This tweet, for instance, is perfect to me as a fellow Libra:
I’m a libra so my sexuality is essentially “you can really be any gender as long as you treat me like a princess”
— mitski (@mitskileaks) November 28, 2016
If you need further convincing, just read Jenny Zhang’s profile on her. The formatting is beautiful, the conversation is intimate. I’ve been re-reading it all week.
Black feminist joy: a photo essay
An excellent review of Kai Cheng’s Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars (which I’ve heard so many good things about and cannot wait to read as soon as I’m done my papers!), and, related, an important piece on trans literature and the elusiveness of categories.
“Activism doesn’t happen every four years. Our activism is every day.” A conversation with Janet Mock.
Note on image: T-shirt from Book Thug, who is the publisher of our gutsy pal Erin Wunker’s new book, Notes from a Feminist Killjoy, which is also on my holiday reading list!
