October 5, 2014
- Yesterday was the national day of vigils to remember missing and murdered aboriginal women. Since 1980, more than 1,000 Aboriginal women have gone missing and many of those cases remain unsolved. Despite recommendations from the UN and Amnesty International, the Harper government continues to deny that this crisis is worthy of a national inquiry. But across Canada people gathered in more than 200 locations, sometimes blocking highways and roads to honour these women and demand remembrance and change.
- Olivia Chow is getting frustrated by all the racism and sexism she has experienced on the campaign trail. At town hall meetings, debates, and most vehemently online, decenters have repeatedly called out hateful things, insulting her personally while never addressing her policies. At a meeting in Toronto’s Corso Italia district, she kinda let ’em have it.
- Candice McGowan is one of the last hold outs in Regent Park. The downtown Toronto projects have been slotted for redevelopment and McGowan has been served an eviction notice but says that she would not have anywhere else to go. Her kids are happy at their schools nearby and have access to good programs and services in the area. This is one incident that speaks to a much larger housing crisis in Toronto.
- And so, relatedly, you should join the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and allies this coming November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to fight for 24 Hour women and trans drop-ins NOW, Open Shelters: real beds, not flex beds, Safe, affordable, and accessible HOUSING FOR ALL!
- And from the world of adorable gender neutrality: the Swedes have started pushing a gender neutral term – hen – for tots in nurseries and day cares. As abominably cute as it may be to refer to your toddler as a chicken, this Slate article raises that ol’ chestnut: if we cannot achieve gender neutrality (or even equality) amongst adults, is it wise to force the changes upon our children? Should the change start with us? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this…
- Definitely something to keep an eye on: A Capetown pilot project which is training sex workers and former sex workers as paralegals to help their sisters on the streets. What genius!
- From the ever-rad Rank and File, some tips for union members on support and solidarity with trans co-workers.
- Is it okay if I just want to post 2 things from the New Inquiry? Too eager? Whatevs: this (Laurie Penny!) and this (white women of Empire).
- And from the bibliophily beat: two librarians, nina de jesus and Lisa Rabey, are rallying support and funds for their defense case against Joseph Murphy, a prominent and popular keynote speaker/consultant. Both women are being sued for libel after calling Murphy out for sexually harassing librarians at professional conferences. If Murphy wins this case it could set a terrible precedent for silencing victims of sexual violence. Please support nina and Lisa as they take on this difficult and costly battle!