August 24, 2014
- The heartbreaking death of fifteen-year-old Tina Fontaine, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, gives renewed urgency to calls for an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. For some insight into the history of Canada’s tragic endemic and what can be done, here are a few resources:
- Annie Margaret Clair’s compelling and devastating Coast piece, “The Missing, The Mourned.”
- It Starts with Us, the new collaborative platform for recording and honouring MMIW, a project started by Sisters in Spirit many years ago.
- Chelsea Vowell on the inevitable insufficiencies of an RCMP-lead national inquiry, and the need, nevertheless, for one: “Why I don’t oppose a national inquiry on MMIW”
- Sarah Hunt on how little is being done for Indigenous women
- “Saying nothing is not an option or a remedy. I will not be a bystander or silent witness to injustice, murder, discrimination, character assassination, misappropriation, unchecked privilege and what amounts to state sanctioned terrorism of poor black and brown folk. Silence will not do, but what do you say?” Robyn Boylorn searches for the words to speak about Ferguson in her incredible piece, “Say What?“
- Also, see Colorlines roundup: “Black Feminists Respond to Ferguson“
- Today is the final day of the People’s Social Forum in Ottawa. If you weren’t able to make it to the event, Rabble has been streaming a number of many events, conversations, workshops, and assemblies, available here. Also check out the first issue of Gaggle, a PSF daily broadsheet, which features Nora Loreto’s manifesto on feminist writers: “Feminist writers must find each other. Support each other. Share each others’ work. Find new ways to collaborate and strengthen old collaborations that we’re involved in.”
- Ireland’s abortion laws are in the spotlight after an unnamed woman, who was refused an abortion despite the fact that she was suicidal and protesting with a hunger strike, underwent a Caesarian section. Thousands participated in a demonstration calling for the amendment of Ireland’s abortion laws in Dublin this week. Read Laurie Penny’s 2013 piece for information about women in Ireland’s struggle for reproductive rights.
- Let’s talk about feminist film criticism! Toronto’s cléo, a journal of film and feminism, launched its new labour issue this week. The release features a roundtable that touches on both the brilliance and shortcomings of this year’s abortion movie Obvious Child, an interview with radical Indigenous filmmaker, activist, and storyteller, Alanis Obomsawin, and a consideration of queerness and reproduction in Junior.
- How California’s first licensed architect, Julia Morgan, gave early twentieth-century women space for leisure.
- If you are listening to Jenny Lewis’s new album, Voyager, on repeat, you are not alone. Carl Wilson’s piece from earlier this month will only enhance your listening to these rocking feminist jams.
- Three new lesbian web series to check out, via bitch media
- Whether or not you are going back to school this September, you might be feeling the urge to pick up some feminist texts and get reading. These 17 books that Autostraddle’s readers are reading look like a good place to start.