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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tell President Obama and Minority Leader Pelosi to Stand Firm Against Cuts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tell Congress to give all students the safe campus that they deserve!
Sincerely,
N. Jerin Arifa
National NOW Board of Directors
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)
It's finally happening. For over 10 years SAFER has been speaking out against the rampant sexual violence on our college campuses and members of Congress are starting to listen.
The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, S.834, H.R. 2016 (Campus SaVE Act) will require universities to take crimes such as rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence seriously. Urge your senators and representatives to co-sponsor this long-needed act!
Tell Congress students deserve a rape free campus.
Campus SaVe will improve the safety of students and their communities by requiring campus authorities to inform and assist with filing reports to local law enforcement and obtaining no-contact orders. It will also increase accountability through equal rights for all parties in the complaint, evidentiary standards, and hearing decisions. It also provides more transparency in reporting domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking incidents.
Help make the Campus SaVE act a reality and end campus sexual violence.
Universities will be required to provide vital education about sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking throughout the school year. A new, innovative collaboration will be established between the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, and Health & Human Services to develop best practices for campuses seeking to prevent violence.
Help us SaVE our campuses from violence
>>Invite your friends to join this petition by forwarding this email! <<
Monday, June 27, 2011
NOW Conference Condemns War on Women, Calls for Better Social Security Benefits and "Medicare for All"
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Reflections from a male feminist: NOW Conference 2011
Sincerely,
N. Jerin Arifa
National NOW Board of Directors
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)
Right now I'm sitting in what passes as the "Business Center" here at the Embassy Suites hotel in Tampa. In a half-hour I leave for the airport, and a couple of flights back to my home in Altadena, CA — a lovely community a few minutes north of Pasadena (home of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl) made up of artists, activists, street people, malcontents, studio musicians, environmentalists and JPL scientists. No wonder Ellen and I fit right in.
I'm reflecting on my experiences over the past few days. This was my first-ever National NOW convention, and the first time I ever presented a workshop and participated in the convention itself. My co-presenters, Micah Bochart and Ben Atherton-Zeman, along with our amazing and gracious moderator N. Jerin Arifa, have a lot more combined experience at this than I did.
As the "new kid on the block," I was amazed at the wide range of topics presented, the incredible diversity of those in the audiences (such as ethnicity, age, religious affiliation and yes, even gender!), and the intensity of emotions, thoughts and feelings from all involved. Nobody was "loafing" or just getting by at this event!
Of course I was nervous at how our workshop would be received, "Raising The Bar For Feminist Men: Promoting Equality In Relationships". I needn't have worried. We were warmly received, and everyone in our audience was attentive and "with us." As feminist men, one of the reasons we were doing the workshop was to acknowledge that the track record of feminist men hasn't always been so great. We sometimes have created more problems than not, just by being clueless as to what is really needed and wanted by women in the cause of equality, justice and recognition.
So, we took that on right at the start. We wanted people to know that they had every right to be leery about our participation, and even question our motives for being there. All 3 of us panelists had admitted, when meeting for the first time a day before the convention started, that we all had known or observed other men whose motivations was not always admirable. We were here to question, to be in an inquiry, as to why more men don't identify as feminists, what forces keep them from becoming one, and what problems arise even for those who say they are. And finally, how to distinguish the pitfalls in personal and/or romantic relationships men have with strong, self-expressed feminist women… pitfalls that can easily magnify themselves when brought into the workplace, the world at large, and "the cause." Or as I put it, "Feminism starts at home."
It was an honor and a privilege to be in the company of such amazing, talented and indefatigable women. And there were many high points for me, but one in particular stands out.
On Saturday evening, after we had finished our workshop that morning, I was in the hotel restaurant having dinner alone (yes, I know — it IS sad!), when I overheard a rather loud man sitting at the next table. He appeared to be in his mid-30s and was sitting with what appeared to be his family: wife, daughter, and mother and father. The guy was pontificating, "what IS it with these NOW people anyway? Don't they know how great women have it in this country? Why don't they just go home!"
One of the things we emphasized in our workshop was that, as feminist men, we cannot and should not stay silent when other men say stupid things. Optimally those are degrading or harassing things about women, or to women… but I felt this also qualified as a really stupid thing. So, after I paid the bill, I walked over to his table and said "pardon me for interrupting, but I couldn't help but overhear what you said about NOW a little while ago. Would you like to know just why all these people are here, including me?" (I then flashed my NOW Convention badge.) He said "sure, you tell me," and swung a little in his chair to face me, with a classic "show me what you've got" look on his face.
It wasn't hard. I reeled off the stats: how 1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime, how we still have less than 20 percent female representation in government, how only 15 percent of women in the entertainment industry (my field) work in writing, directing, producing jobs etc., how less than 15 percent of women comprise political commentators (and most of them are conservative), both on TV and in print, and on and on. The guy's eyes glazed over. I said "do you want me to go on?" And he said, "no, thanks, I think I get it."
And then he SHOOK MY HAND and said "thank you for explaining that to me." You should have seen the look of gratitude on his wife's face; that said it all. He then asked "when do you think the work of NOW will be done?" I said, "interesting question. I guess when there is true gender equality in the world. When 50 percent of the population is truly represented in all fields, and when gender violence is totally eliminated … then I think NOW's mission would be accomplished. I just hope I live to see that day." And I walked away.
As you might imagine, I can't wait to come back to next year's convention! And I already know what workshop I want to produce: "How to give convincing and effective PowerPoint presentations."
Ken Gruberman
Quill Music™
The Tech Daddy™
Marriage Equality Legislation Finds a Home in New York State
In Solidarity,
N. Jerin Arifa
National NOW Board of Directors
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)
June 25, 2011
Action Alert: 125 chemicals before you walk out the door
It's so frustrating. You do everything you can to protect your family from toxic chemicals. Yet every time you wash your hair, or brush your teeth, the products you use may expose you to chemicals linked to cancer, learning disabilities, and infertility. Even products that claim to be "Natural," "Herbal," or "Organic" can't be trusted, since there is no legal definition for any of these terms. (2)
Enough is enough! It's time to give the cosmetics industry a much needed makeover.
*Urge your U.S. House members to support the Safe Cosmetics Act now!
http://action.momsrising.org/go/1011?akid=2804.1914546.GUlF2B&t=4
Today, Congressional leaders reintroduced the federal Safe Cosmetics Act in the House of Representatives. This bill (H.R.2359) would give the FDA the authority it needs to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful substances like lead, 1,4-dioxane and chemicals linked to cancer.
Of the 12,000 ingredients used in personal care products, only 8 have been banned since cosmetics legislation first passed in 1938. "Companies say, 'We do a lot of testing.' But they're looking for short-term effects like a rash," said Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "They're not looking at long-term health effects like cancer risk."(3)
The existing law, which has not been updated in 70 years, allows companies to use toxic chemicals in products we use on our bodies every day. We know that the U.S. can do better to protect our families and to remain a world leader in the marketplace!
Urge your U.S. House members to co-sponsor the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011.
http://action.momsrising.org/go/1011?akid=2804.1914546.GUlF2B&t=6
*And, please forward this email far and wide to friends and family so they can take action too.
Together we are a powerful force for families,
---Claire, Sarah, Kristin, and the whole MomsRising Team
P.S. Wondering how to reduce your family's exposure to this type of toxic chemicals? Check out our top six safer beauty tips: http://action.momsrising.org/go/1012?akid=2804.1914546.GUlF2B&t=8.
P.P.S. To learn more about the cosmetics industry, here's "The Story of Cosmetics," a fantastic video by our friends at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
[1] Smith, Rick and Lourie, Bruce. Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Dangers of Everyday Things. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint, 2010.
[2] Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: http://action.momsrising.org/go/579?akid=2804.1914546.GUlF2B&t=11
[3] The Dark Side of Beauty: http://action.momsrising.org/go/581?akid=2804.1914546.GUlF2B&t=13
Wed, July 6: NOT DEAD YET Screening Discussion
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tue, 6/28: Rally for Justice on Ex-NYPD Cops' Sentencing Day
Rally with NOW-NYC & Connect the Dots Coalition
Moreno & Mata Sentencing Day - Tuesday, June 28
9 AM, Foley Square, NYC
Sign the petition TODAY to Justice Gregory Carro to ask that he sentence ex-NYPD Cops Ken Moreno and Frank Mata to the maximum of two years for their official misconduct charges. We need 1,000 signatures by this Friday, June 24, when we will deliver the petition to Justice Carro at the Manhattan Supreme Court.
Found guilty of official misconduct but acquitted of rape, these ex-cops made 3 unauthorized return trips to a woman's apartment whom they had been called to help. They even placed a fake 911 call to buy themselves more time inside her apartment. Read more
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Rally to Demand:
- The Maximum Sentence for ex-NYPD Cops Moreno and Mata.
- NO MORE Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Disrespectful Behavior by the NYPD.
- Full Funding for Programs to End Violence Against Women!
- Safe Homes, Safe Streets, Safe Communities & a Safe City!
Learn more about the Rally | See the Facebook Invite!
Subway: 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall | J, Z to Chambers St. | N, R to City Hall
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Learn more about this case:
- Ex-Cops Cleared of Rape, Spark Women's Rights Protests
- Councilwoman, Feminists Blast Not- Guilty Verdict
- Activists Gather to Condemn NYPD Rape Trial Verdict
- Ex-Cops Walk and Talk Trash
- The CSI Effect: Lack of DNA Evidence Spared Cops
- Verdict of "Not Guilty" Does not Hold in Court of Common Sense
RSVP & Join the Coalition: nycconnectthedots@gmail.com
Connect the Dots is a coalition comprised of the National Organization for Women (NOW-NYC), CONNECT, Crime Victims Treatment Center, Feministing.com, The Healing Center, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault and Service Women's Action Network (SWAN).
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I will present at National NOW conference this weekend
Although the conference begins Friday, I will arrive earlier for the National NOW Board of Directors meeting Thursday. I am excited to see the board members, most of whom I have not seen since the last in-person meeting in October, 2010. I am constantly impressed and inspired by the talented members, with diverse backgrounds and skills.
Micah Bochart, my husband and fellow NOW NY State Young Feminist Task Force member, will join me not only for the feminist fun, but also on two of the workshops I will present on. I am excited and nervous about presenting on FOUR separate workshops. There were many workshop proposals submitted; I am honored the conference organizers accepted four of mine. They are below.
I will be live tweeting from the conference, using my Twitter handle @JerinNOW, as well as updating on Facebook. I will post all the photos when I return.
I wish all of you could be there with me, to connect to and be inspired by the hundreds of activists from across the nation. Speaking of inspiration, I cannot wait to meet Sonia Pressman Fuentes in person on Saturday, when she receives an award for being one of the NOW founders. Sonia has been kindly mentoring me the last few months; I am going to give her the biggest hug ever.
Workshops I will present on:
http://www.now.org/
Breakout Session I: Friday, 11:00am - 12:30pm
[ORGANIZING TRACK] Engaging and Mentoring a New Generation of Feminists
Citrus Room
The most important challenge facing feminists is to assure that our movement continues in future generations. Young feminists across the nation are doing great work in attracting fresh faces and new energy. This workshop will share tips, tactics and insights in educating and mobilizing new activists, specifically from the experiences of the National and New York State Young Feminist Task Forces. Suggestions on types of campaigns, actions and issues that appeal to the next generations will be covered. In addition, panelists will talk about the NOW feminist mentorship pilot program intended to bridge generational gaps, share knowledge and provide mutual support. Accomplishments of YFTF leaders, such as passing ground-breaking legislation about phony crisis pregnancy centers and promotion of better campus sexual assault policies, will be highlighted.
Erin Matson and N. Jerin Arifa (Co-Moderators), Elisabeth Crum, Micah Bochart, Dominique Gelen
Breakout Session II: Friday, 3:45pm - 5:15pm
Anti-Immigrant Sentiment, Domestic Violence, and Families: A Narrative of Liberation
Salon B
This multi-faceted workshop will address a series of urgent problems confronting women immigrants and their feminist allies. Panelists will review the extent of anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. and related laws, such as the harsh new Arizona law, SB 1070. They will also comment on the DREAM Act, Violence Against Women Act and the U Visa for battered immigrant women. Panelists will then discuss barriers that battered immigrant women face with abusers' threats, language differences and fears of deportation. Additional topics will cover stressors affecting Latinas and counseling strategies for empowerment. Finally, speakers will describe Project Speak Out being used by Asian-American agencies in New York to prevent domestic violence.
Maria del C. Rodriquez (Moderator), Jeanette Ocasio, Jessica Moreno, N. Jerin Arifa
Breakout Session III: Saturday, 9:00am - 10:30am
Raising the Bar for Feminist Men: How to Promote Equality in Relationships
Salon C
Being a productive member of the feminist movement often requires more conscious effort from men than it does from women. Our male allies get enormous credit for simply showing up, and while that's nice, they sometimes create problems while trying to be helpful. The urge to rescue a "damsel in distress" is still deeply ingrained in our male-dominated culture. The idea of male feminism still remains, at best, a novelty. This multi-media workshop will cover several distinctions: the best ways to live with, support and nurture a powerful woman; identifying the "box" men are in and enabling them to finally think outside of it; and using "partnership" instead of "domination" techniques in a relationship. Come join this interactive and stimulating workshop.
N. Jerin Arifa (Moderator) Ken Gruberman, Ben Atherton-Zeman, Micah Bochart
Breakout Session IV: Saturday, 10:45am - 12:15pm
Behind the Veil: Islam and Women's Rights
Salon B
With the recent burqa ban in France, there has been much talk about the role of women in Islam. Is Islam inherently sexist? Can a woman actually choose to cover herself? As feminists, should we have a goal of helping to liberate Muslim women? What is the role of women in the recent Arab Spring? Workshop panelists include a human rights activist who has traveled extensively in conflict regions; an American of Palestinian and Egyptian descent outspoken on feminism and the Middle East and North African uprisings; and a civil rights legal fellow at the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Tampa. Come to an honest and eye-opening dialogue about the role of women in Islam, and learn how both Muslim and non-Muslim feminists can work together to further feminism.
N. Jerin Arifa (Moderator), Amala M. Abdur-Rahman, Neveen Nawawy, Laila Abdelaziz
Sincerely,
N. Jerin Arifa
National NOW Board of Directors
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force, Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)
Twitter: JerinNOW
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
NOW News & Action Summary: Supreme Court riles up NOW right before national conference
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