Blue Ivy: Catalyst for Change?

If you don’t know who Blue Ivy is …. that shit cray.

Beyonce and Jay-Z’s daughter was recently born and there has been plenty of news coverage, speculation and rumors about her. Proud daddy Jay-Z even created the song “Glory” in her honor.

But this is my favorite article yet.

In his article “Why Jay-Z’s “Glory” Dedication to Blue Ivy Made This Black Man Cry”, Jeffrey Q. McCune, Jr. discusses the implications behind Jay-Z’s lyrics, and how being a father can help create a profound change on how men treat and view women. He writes:

What I hear haunting the tune of “Glory” is the beginning of Jay Z’s recognition that the wreaked “havoc on the world”—through sexism and destructive gender-speak—may need to come crashing to a halt. Knowing that he has such rhetorical power and popularity within the masses, this song may call forth a trend to move from exploitation of women and women’s sexuality to a more mediated location, where women’s sexual autonomy is privileged and their presence is not simply peripheral.

McCune is an Assistant Professor of Amercan Studies and Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland-College Park, as well as author of the upcoming book “Sexual Discretion:  Black Masculinity and the Politics of Passing”.

Egyptian women optimistic

 

Egypt has been in the spotlight lately (hello revolution). And with the assault on Lara Logan, the country’s treatment of women and history of sexual assault have also made headlines.

But in this new era for Egypt, women have found a renewed strength for ending harassment and fighting for their rights.

Eff yes!

Sarah Haskins Is The Shit: Part 99324892830

Sarah Haskins used to have a segment on Current TV until earlier this year. Most of her videos are archived on Current or Youtube. I recommend the “Target Women: Yogurt” episode.

“Yes, I’m a feminist. It is an extension of my lifelong war against pantyhose. To me it means that as women we are individuals before we are gendered people and that we’re not defined by our gender except in the ways we chose to appropriate that definition. We’re in a weird generation, right? Our moms were forced to grapple with that definition more immediately, and I think it’s changed as we’ve grown up. The core issue ‘how do I fight bias against me because of my gender’ is still there but has gotten more complicated and wrapped into all kinds of identity issues about how you present yourself as a woman and I pretty much think it’s your choice. And fuck pantyhose.” 

Hawaii Passes Bill to Allow Civil Unions

“I  have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people’s privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha … For me this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii.” – Governor Neil Abercrombie

Today the Hawaiian legislature passed a bill that will legalize same-sex civil unions in the state. Governor Abercrombie says he will sign the bill, which will go into action January 1, 2012.

A quick rundown of civil unions and same -sex marriage in the U.S. :

5 states + DC issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples

Hawaii + New Jersey allow civil unions

3 states (RI, NY, MD) recognize same-sex marriages from other states

California recognizes same-sex marriages performed during the six months in 2008 before the passage of Prop 8

(^^ FYI “8: The Mormon Proposition” is on Netflix watch instantly!)