Video comparing 2009 sexism to 1960

Watch this video that compares sexism in politics in 2009 with the situation 50 years ago. Sad how so little changed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpe3BEklpuc

Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW-NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Male perspective: The men who kill women - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News -

The following is a great article by a feminist male friend of mine I had the pleasure to meet at the Men Can Stop Rape Conference in DC in April 2009.

The men who kill women - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

By Ben Atherton Zeman/Local columnist
GHS
Posted Aug 09, 2009 @ 12:20 AM

An excerpt:
We may never know why George Sodini killed three women and wounded nine others this week.

George Sodini clearly had anger and contempt for women. He objectified girls and women, seeming to see them only as potential sex partners for him. In his online blog, he called them "hoez," "hottie" and "very edible." He lamented that he was lonely and isolated.

We may never know what caused George Sodini to shoot twelve women at the LA Fitness Gym outside Pittsburg on July 4. But after reading his writings, it comes as no surprise to me. He wrote about how "a man needs a woman for confidence," and lamented that no woman would date him.

On the same day, Barack Obama celebrated his 48th birthday. It was also veteran White House journalist Helen Thomas' 89th birthday. Obama chose to celebrate his birthday by bringing cupcakes to Thomas and singing "Happy Birthday" to her, along with the rest of the White House press corps.

We may never know what caused Barack Obama to give that gift to Helen Thomas. But after reading his writings and hearing him speak, it comes as no surprise to me. Barack Obama clearly has respect, kindness and good humor for women. George Sodini clearly had hatred, self-pity and contempt for women.

Both men were in their late 40s. Both were surely influenced by how their parents raised them, and by their own choices. Both men took their actions based on a set of beliefs built up over their lives.

To my fellow men I ask: which man do you want to emulate?

...Misogyny and men's violence against women need fertile soil in which to grow. That fertile soil is sexism. By respecting women, we can dry up that soil. We can hasten the day when this kind of violence never happens again.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Media Action Alert: Tell Daily News to stop sexist cartoons

NOW-NYS Demands that NY Daily News Respect Senator Gillibrand.Sexist Cartoon Unacceptable. Speak Up! Speak Out Against Sexist Advertising. Women Deserve Better. National Organization for Women-NYS Tells NY Daily News To Respect Senator Gillibrand Statement by Marcia Pappas, President of NOW-NYS NOW-New York State denounces New York Daily News Cartoonist Bill Bramhall for his inappropriate and sexist cartoon depicting Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as a loud mouth in need of gagging. It looks like the Daily News has a new target for their misogynistic garbage. So what is the message, "Sit down and shut up girls"? And exactly what is Bill Bramhall's gripe? Could it be that the Senator speaks her mind, is a strong advocate for the people of New York, and has aspirations for her career? Possibly it's all of the above. But the cruel reality is that strong women have an uphill battle, simply because many cartoonists, comedians, and average guys just can't handle women who reach for what is rightfully theirs --- equality! Some men look at women like Senator Gillibrand as a threat to their masculinity, their careers, and their power bases. But our Senator is in good company, what with her predecessor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and a host of other women politicians having endured similar treatment. Of course, some men are part of the cure instead of part of the problem. In a October 16, 2006 New York Times article, Bob Herbert wrote: "A girl or woman is sexually assaulted every couple of minutes or so in the U.S. The number of seriously battered wives and girlfriends is far beyond the ability of any agency to count. We're all implicated in this carnage because the relentless violence against women and girls is linked at its core to the wider society's casual willingness to dehumanize women and girls, to see them first and foremost as sexual vessels --- objects --- and never, ever as the equals of men." Bramhall's phallic symbols send a clear message that women are good for only one thing. And the disrespectful cartoon certainly touches on concerns feminists have had for centuries. What contributes to violence against women is the general attitude about women in general. Indeed, we of NOW-NYS is pleased with Senator Gillibrand's standing up and speaking truth to power. We demand that the Daily News show respect for our Senator. And know that our Senator won't sit down, and won't shut up, and won't stand still for the old boys club. The cartoon can be viewed below or at http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/index.html Contact the NY Daily News and express your outrage. The email address for letters to the editor is voicers@nydailynews.com, or fax to 212-210-1505 Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)