Feminist Men: Increasing Visibility, Wed, 8/19, 7pm

TIMEOUT NY RATES THIS EVENT "CRITIC'S PICK"!!!

Paradigm Shift: NYC's Feminist Community Proudly Presents:
Feminist Men: Increasing Visibility

When: Wed, Aug 19th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: In the heart of the Feminist District
People Lounge, 163 Allen Street, NYC
(Between Stanton and Rivington, F or V Train to 2nd Ave)
Click Here for Hop Stop Directions
Cost: $7.00 if you RSVP to below email address before Aug 19 @ 1:00 PM
$10 at door. Please include full names and emails of all guests. rsvp@paradigmshiftnyc.com
Participate:Calling All Feminists! help promote and we'll help promote your organization!
Email: JWeis@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Featuring:
VINNIE ANGEL
Feminist & purveyor of social justice consumer products

ROBERT BRANNON
Co-Founder, National Organization for Men Against Sexism

JERIN ALAM
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force & Hunter CollegeWomen's Rights Coalition

BEN SEIGEL
Former VP of Hunter College Women's Rights Coalition

PLUS!
several honored guests from the feminist community, including past PShift speakers!!

PORTION OF PROCEEDS DONATED TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MEN AGAINST SEXISM

See Vinnie on Paradigm Shift TV!


Vinnie Angel's Products:

• The famous Vinnie's Tampon Case-
• Cramp Relieving bubble bath-
• Music For Menstruators CD-
• Vinnie's GIANT Roller Coaster Period Chart and Sticker Book-
• Vinnie's Cramp Kicking Remedy Book
  

The Truth About Vinnie's Tampon Case:

Vinnie's Project Goal:
To create an affordable (or free) everyday object that would encourage a positive and non-sexual dialog between guys and girls about a woman's body- in hopes of sparking education that will work towards ending violence against women.

Vinnie's Inspiration: A friend revealed to me her having been kidnapped and raped by a group of strange men when she was in high school. The recurring trauma of her experience compounded by the fact that her family didn't know how to deal with the crime and the fact that the perps were never arrested or brought to justice shook me to my core.

Furious at a society that refuses to develop the tools to deal with such horrific and wide-spread behavior I took it upon myself to attempt to change the environment that allows a college educated male like myself to be willfully ignorant of a woman's well being and safety.

Vinnie's Famous!
Vinnie's Tampon Case has been featured in nearly everywoman's magazine, on countless radio programs, in newspapers across the globe, on TV shows, in documentaries, in books, at the Andy Warhol Museum, offered in stores around the world, given away by Justin Timberlake at his 22nd birthday party, discussed in Harvard classrooms, and, most importantly, discussed by boys and girls on playgrounds.

Robert Brannon
Co-Founder of National Organization for Men Against Sexism
Brannon, Professor, Brooklyn College and NOMAS co-founder. He serves as Men's Studies Association and NOMAS Pornography and Prostitution Task Group leader and is NYS-NOW Task Force Co-Chair on Trafficking, Pornography and Prostitution.The National Organization for Men Against Sexism, founded in 1974, is an activist organization of men and women supporting positive changes for men. NOMAS advocates a perspective that is pro-feminist, gay affirmative, anti-racist, dedicated to enhancing men's lives, and committed to justice on a broad range of social issues including class, age, religion, and physical abilities.

Ben Siegel
Former VP of Hunter College Women's Rights Coalition
Ben helped organize a national women's rights conference, and is a passionate feminist activist.

Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
www.now.org/programs/yf/taskforce/index.html
Jerin Alam, originally from Bangladesh, served as President of the Hunter Women's Rights Coalition (HWRC), a group with several male officers, while attending Hunter College from April 2007 to graduation.Along with HWRC, she helped organize a national feminist conference in which Gloria Steinem and Rosie O'Donnell participated. Her recent efforts with HWRC have included lobbying for immigrants' rights, and events to raise awareness and combat eating disorders and body issues, and fight sexual violence. She set up various anti-violence workshops on campus with Men Can Stop Rape and the Bringing in the Bystander Program, where public safety trainers fromCUNY Central - as well as rape crisis counselors from around the city - were trained in violence prevention.Alam was recently accepted into the NOW National Young Feminist Task Force, and was invited to speak at the NOW National Conference and the Men Can Stop Rape conference.

MORE VIDEOS ABOUT FEMINIST MEN ON PARADIGM SHIFT TV!
ALSO OUR SEE VIEWER FEEDBACK QUESTIONS we want to hear your thoughts!!

I will be speaking at the following event about a topic close to my heart: feminist men. Ben Siegel, former VP of Hunter Women's Righhts Coaliiton, will also be on the panel with me.

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

Survey Says: Feminists report less hostility towards men than non-feminists

Shakesville is a feminist blog, and a feminist's blog.

Man Haterz
| posted by Melissa McEwan | Monday, August 03, 2009

An excerpt from the blog:
I can't imagine the number of times I've pointed out (particularly in regard to narratives about rape) that it is anti-feminists' views of men—and, inevitably, men's allegedly intrinsic male (animalistic) nature—which are always extremely unflattering to men.

Most of these unflattering characterizations, particularly that men are brutish and that men are infantile, are blamed on feminists/womanists, but most FWs eschew such blanket stereotypes not merely on the principle that gendered stereotypes are anti-feminist/womanist, but also because FWs are keenly aware that male privilege is served by those stereotypes of men, as one (brutishness) is used to excuse intolerable behavior of men and the other (infantilization) is used to justify pathetically low expectations of men.

The survey:
http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2009/07/non-feminist_mo
An excerpt from the survey:
Some researchers at the University of Houston decided to investigate whether it’s really true that feminists hate men. They interviewed just under 500 undergraduates, using something called the ‘Ambivalence Toward Men Inventory’.

What they found was that feminists reported less hostility towards men than non-feminists. In effect, not only does this suggest the stereotype is not true, it’s actually the reverse.

Melinda Kanner, one of the researchers, has this interesting observation:

Our work finds that, indeed, non-feminists believe in traditional gender roles such as men being breadwinners and women being caregivers. At the same time, these non-feminists actually appear to resent the confines of the traditional roles they advocate, which presents a paradox for women and men in traditional heterosexual relationships.

(via Emily Kadar, Feminist Majority Foundation)

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

Wed Aug 19- Feminist Men: Increasing Visibility - CONFERENCE

We are involved with the following conference.


Paradigm Shift: NYC's Feminist Community Proudly Presents:

Feminist Men: Increasing Visibility

Featuring:

VINNIE ANGEL
Feminist & purveyor of social justice consumer products

ROBERT BRANNON
Co-Founder, National Organization for Men Against Sexism

JERIN ALAM
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force

PLUS!
several honored guests from the feminist community, including past PShift speakers!!

PORTION OF PROCEEDS DONATED TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MEN AGAINST SEXISM

See Vinnie on Paradigm Shift TV!

When: Wed, Aug 19th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: In the heart of the Feminist District
People Lounge, 163 Allen Street, NYC
(Between Stanton and Rivington, F or V Train to 2nd Ave)
Click Here for Hop Stop Directions

Cost: $7.00 pre-pay/ $10 at door
Tickets on sale soon!

Participate:
Calling All Feminists!
help promote and we'll help promote your organization!
Email: JWeis@paradigmshiftnyc.com


Vinnie Angel's Products:
www.vinnieangel.com
- The famous Vinnie's Tampon Case
- Cramp Relieving bubble bath
- Music For Menstruators CD
- Vinnie's GIANT Roller Coaster Period Chart and Sticker Book
- Vinnie's Cramp Kicking Remedy Book

The Truth About Vinnie's Tampon Case:

Vinnie's Project Goal: To create an affordable (or free) everyday object that would encourage a positive and non-sexual dialog between guys and girls about a woman's body- in hopes of sparking education that will work towards ending violence against women.

Vinnie's Inspiration:
A friend revealed to me her having been kidnapped and raped by a group of strange men when she was in high school. The recurring trauma of her experience compounded by the fact that her family didn't know how to deal with the crime and the fact that the perps were never arrested or brought to justice shook me to my core.

Furious at a society that refuses to develop the tools to deal with such horrific and wide-spread behavior I took it upon myself to attempt to change the environment that allows a college educated male like myself to be willfully ignorant of a woman's well being and safety.

Vinnie's Famous!
Vinnie's Tampon Case has been featured in nearly every
woman's magazine, on countless radio programs, in newspapers across the globe, on TV shows, in documentaries, in books, at the Andy Warhol Museum, offered in stores around the world, given away by Justin Timberlake at his 22nd birthday party, discussed in Harvard classrooms, and, most importantly, discussed by boys and girls on playgrounds.

Robert Brannon
Co-Founder of National Organization for Men Against Sexism
www.nomas.org

Robert Brannon, Professor, Brooklyn College and NOMAS co-founder. He serves as Men's Studies Association and NOMAS Pornography and Prostitution Task Group leader and is NYS-NOW Task Force Co-Chair on Trafficking, Pornography and Prostitution.

The National Organization for Men Against Sexism, founded in 1974, is an activist organization of men and women supporting positive changes for men. NOMAS advocates a perspective that is pro-feminist, gay affirmative, anti-racist, dedicated to enhancing men's lives, and committed to justice on a broad range of social issues including class, age, religion, and physical abilities.

Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
www.now.org/programs/yf/taskforce/index.html

Jerin Alam is a feminist activist and presenter at Men Can Stop Rape conference in April 2009.


MORE VIDEOS ABOUT FEMINIST MEN ON PARADIGM SHIFT TV!
ALSO OUR SEE VIEWER FEEDBACK QUESTIONS
we want to hear your thoughts!!

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

Action Alert: Help Pass the Women's Equality Amendment

Join NOW with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney as she Reintroduces the Women's Equality Amendment. Take Action! Send an Email to Congress and President Obama to say "YES" to Women's Equality. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney to Reintroduce Women's Equality Amendment on Capitol Hill Take Action! Tell Congress and President Obama and Congess that it's time! Did you know that women are not represented in the U.S. Constitution? Join NOW and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney as she proudly introduces the WOMEN'S EQUALITY AMENDMENT ON CAPITOL HILL! Tuesday, July 21st, at 10 a.m. House Triangle (on the Capitol side of Independence Avenue across from the Rayburn building). Show your support for putting women's rights in the U.S. Constitution. We need as many organizations and individuals as possible to join the Congresswoman on Tuesday to demonstrate the breadth and intensity of our commitment to equal rights. Please bring signs from your state, your home town, or your organization. Invite friends and family. Include your staff and summer interns. Come watch history being made. Lend your voice to the fight for women's rights! Call of email Congresswoman Maloney and thank her for her leadership: http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=73 Washington Office: 202.225.7944 phone, Manhattan Office: 212-860-0606 phone Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

We Can Do It!

In our quest to make our club space feel more like home, the Coalition is going to be adding a bookshelf to our niche. In true feminist style we are going to make this bookshelf ourselves! Come join us this Sunday night March 8th @ 7pm in TH309 to help us build! We will have music and refreshments! Everyone welcome, no expertise necessary!

Hope to see you there!

Commemorating Women's History Month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXAfeiyNN6A

Watch this video and learn about female leaders around the globe and women in American political history!

Happy Women's History Month!

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

Channeling the spirit of Susan B. Anthony

This article was published on my column on the WORD here:
http://hunterword.com/articles/615

By Jerin Alam, President, Hunter Women Rights Coalition


I and eight students from the Hunter Women’s Rights Coalition attended the annual National Organization for Women Conference in Seneca Falls, New York November 7-9. The conference also marked the 160th Anniversary of the first organized women’s rights conference in America. The experience left us in awe.

We heard dynamic speeches of the great feminists present, including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney,
Ellie Smeal, Executive Director of the Feminist Majority and Past President of NOW, Olga Vives, National NOW Executive Vice President and Originator of NOW’s Merchant of Shame Campaign that exposed the discriminatory business practices of Wal-Mart, and Martha Burk, Author of Your Money or Your Life, and Former Chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations.

We felt great Hunter pride being the largest college group present, as well as having one of the only male feminists there, our very own Steven Beard, Secretary of HWRC.


There were many highlights of the weekend, including a trip to the First Presbyterian Church in Seneca Falls, the place where Alice Paul first proposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Moving speeches by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Eleanor Smeal strengthened our commitment to feminism. We sang along with singer Sandy Rapp, especially during the songs about reproductive justice. Even after returning to Hunter, we were humming the tune and repeating the lyrics, “Get your laws off me … I’m not your property.”

We had goose bumps when the Seneca Falls mayor reminded us that Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton may have walked or sat where we were. We laughed as I kept trying to channel the great feminists, who are important figures not just for feminists, but also for all Americans.

Another treat was the Susan B. Anthony impersonator, who had a wealth of knowledge about the icon. Renee Muza, treasurer of Hunter Women’s Rights Coalition, had a lovely conversation with her during dinner, delighted by her insight about the American leader.

After dinner, it was a testament that the “f” in feminism also stands for fun, because many of us let loose on the dance floor. It was a bonding experience with the male and female feminists, all working toward a common goal.



I was honored to be a co-presenter in one of the workshops, “Young Feminists Working for Equality: Keep the Movement in the Fast Lane: A How to on Young Feminists Mobilizing.” My co-presenter, Susan Stanton, spoke about her experience as an intern in Washington, D.C.; she gave useful advice on how to work with local and national politicians to further our agenda, especially on lobbying the government for equal pay issues.

One very useful tip was sending unique letters to our representatives to garner attention. Diane Zuniga spoke about young feminists on campus mobilizing around LGBT issues. Rachelle Suissa, CUNY graduate student and Vice President of Brooklyn-Queens NOW, spoke about mobilizing young feminists in the community for fundraising.

My presentation centered on getting funding from one’s own home campus and developing strategies and tactics to combat violence against women, including the difficulty in getting people interested in this difficult topic. It was a lively event, and I walked away learning from my co-presenters and the attendees.

After returning to New York City, we all discussed the play Keep Your Eyes Open, a Best of Fringe Most Outstanding Ensemble award-winner; it gave us hope and reminded us why we fight this battle. Feminism can often seem lonely and isolating, with the popular portrayals of feminists as man-hating, angry crazies. Being surrounded by feminists felt validating and energizing; meeting the 11 year olds who produced and put on the play reminded us why this fight is so important.

These youths have insights that some 30-year-old people do not. It was incredible to watch these young feminists perform, describing their difficulties not being able to eat as much as the boys, being judged for their clothing, misogynistic lyrics in popular music, and a host of other problems both girls and women can relate to. Avigal Nisim, a HWRC member, commented on feeling envious of the young girls, impressed by the knowledge and insight they possess at such a young age.

Apart from the amazing experience, the conference reaffirmed my belief that feminists need to be committed to bridging the gap and working together, even when our viewpoints diverge. One issue that divides feminists and the rest of America is the question of reproductive rights. I am strongly pro-choice, but HWRC has had success working with pro-life feminists on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. The feminist movement would be much stronger if we tried to focus on common ground, instead of allowing the opposition to divide us on diversity of opinion.

The entire Hunter group felt the seven-hour car ride was well worth the trip. Apart from the speeches made by down-to-earth feminist icons, the camaraderie we felt has continued long after the event; we were able to bond together as Hunterites. The trip made me confident there will be many people to continue the feminist work needed here at Hunter in the years to come. Some of the members who attended have become more involved with feminism as a result, and the active members brought back many ideas, including working to push the ERA.

We have to thank NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas for all her help getting us to the conference. The biggest treat for us was the complimentary membership to NOW, thanks to Marcia and the others involved. From the financial help to her hospitality to her help in organizing the conference, we cannot thank her enough.

We also have to thank Trudy Mason, who helped bring Keep Your Eyes Open to the event and helped us Hunterites by trying to schedule a private tour for us to the historic places nearby. We cannot forget the Hunterites who made the trip possible, including Undergraduate Student Government, Student Activities, Dean Michael Escott, and Vice President Eija Ayravainen and her office. Without their financial and administrative support, the trip would be canceled.

I would recommend everyone to get involved with NOW and attend the NOW-NYS conference next year. I can guarantee an unforgettable experience, filled with hope and activism.

V-Day Hunter College 2009 presents: WORLD DANCE SHOW W/WORLD RHYTHM

V-Day Hunter College 2009 presents: WORLD DANCE SHOW W/WORLD RHYTHM

Friday, February 13, 2009 , 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Hunter College, City University of New York
The Lang Theater, 424 Hunter North
69th Street between Lex & Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Come join us for a night of unforgettable dancing, world music & fun! The Vday Team at Hunter College & World Rhythym Dance Troupe join forces to support the fight against violence against women and children. All of the proceeds from this show go to the The Women's Resource Center in Armenia and The NYC Anti-Violence Project as well as Vday 2009 Spotlight Campaign: Power to Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Live drumming! Middle Eastern & modern fusion dance! Make a difference! Support change through the Arts!

$10 tickets
All of the proceeds go to The NYC Anti-Violence Project, as well as The Women's Resource Center in Armenia and V-Day 2009 Spotlight Campaign: Power to Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

World Rhythms in
association w/Groove Fit & Cortes Entertainment
Jannelle Cortes, Artistic Director
Andriette Holmes, Production Manager

Vday Hunter College
Milena Abrahamyan - Organizer
Jerin Alam- PR organizer
Vanessa Codorniu-Collaborator

One Night Only!
Friday, February 13th at 7:30pm

Join us at the after party! Live DJ, drinks & dancing!
Admission free w/World Dance show tix or donation at door!

www.groovefit.com
www.cortesentertainment.com

***V-DAY 2009 HUNTER COLLEGE IS HERE!***

V DAY IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS WWW.VDAY.ORG

This year’s V-Day celebrations are extra special, with 3 different programs, including a play with parts for women and men! Please come join us, and help support an end to violence worldwide.

Sponsored by The 2009 Hunter College V-Day team, Women & Gender Studies Program & The Hunter Women’s Rights Coalition (HWRC)

Contact 2009vday@yahoo.com


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