Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Mid-Week Reads

Because yesterday was Women's Day, let's start with some stuff around that. 

Equality for women can reduce world hunger.

Google's page with events around the world.

Why most Women's Day advertising is crap. 

Annie Zaidi on how Indian women are changing. 

My favorite Women's Day read was Chandni's telling of a brave woman's story. 

Added on 10 March: And if you haven't seen this yet, please do.

Now, social media and blogging stuff. 

If you love Amul ads like I do, check them out on the Facebook page. 

I discovered this great blog about parents on Facebook. We've all been stupid, but this is a great way to while away the workday. (Not that I'd ever do that.)

Learning copywriting from Aristotle. 

How to trick people into reading your blog.

Other stuff that I can't be bothered to categorize.

I liked this poem the Mad Momma posted so much I had to read more by the poet. Here's another I liked. 

And my favorite feminist blogger writes about how sometimes the bravest part of being a feminist is admitting that you're a feminist, to people you know.


It really bothered me that these things happened, and I realized that as a man speaking out about these issues I could have an even larger impact because there weren’t (and still aren’t) enough men talking about this. And what we always heard from women about how we could contribute was, “talk with other men.” In that respect and in so many others, we as men who do this work are truly standing on the shoulders of giants, the amazing women who have been doing this work for centuries.

. . .

I think as men we haven’t stepped up and played the role we can and should. I think the feminist movement is still finding the most effective ways to engage men, but the desire has always been there. In terms of men’s role, I think the main thing is that men are playing a role where by and large we weren’t before. Beyond that is the fact that men are often socialized to listen more to men than women; so as men doing this work, our role is to support and back up the things women have been saying to reinforce that message, and to help other men be better able to hear women’s voices

. . .

 I think there is currently a bit of a backlash against re-imagining masculinity and gender equity, but I don’t think it is sustainable. We know what the future looks like, and we’re not going back.


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