Are you people watching Lost? I never watched an episode until a recent stint two months ago where I hung out with two male friends and we watched the series from beginning to present. It was an intense experience full of taco bell and barely wanting to leave the couch (are you so jealous?). So, I'm trying to keep up with the season and I'm noticing a pattern of Good, Evil, God, Devil, and a son. I think Richard's character has some similarities to Jesus. He's given the gift of immortality so he's not actually human, as well as the job of watching over the island. Hmmm.
It's definitely not an original story and it is tiring to see white meaning good and black meaning bad (I mean...really?), but it's there without even having to look hard. So my question is...does Richard now have to die just as Jesus died? Will Richard die "for the island"? And so often for each character the island is either a hell or heaven for them so that will be interesting to play out. Either way, this season is getting a little God like and I have no clue if it's going to be a good storyline or an overused cliche.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Rethinking Food...
So, I watched the award winning documentary Food, Inc. last night on PBS (I love that they make these great documentaries and specials available to the public). It was eye opening to say the least. Some background ('cause you know you want to know more about me) to explain my feelings. A little over a year ago, I became a vegetarian. For me, it was more of a health choice (I ate fast food twice a day and my doctor said I should probably wake up). As I progressed in my Women's Studies journey though, it became more apparent that food is very political.
Fresh foods are more expensive, especially when feeding a family on a low budget. Minority groups are more likely to suffer from diabetes and this generation of kids is the first to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (typically seen as an adult disease). It's bad. I've never thought about where my food comes from and after watching the documentary, I am really glad to be a vegetarian. The movie's purpose isn't to gross you out and turn you off meat though, it makes the point that a lot of people can't afford organic meat and that's a problem. Why is it that fast food is cheaper than veggies?
So, I learned to take into consideration where food comes from and the lack of legislation going on to keep it healthy and safe. My personal decision is to now buy organic whenever I can, to support local farmers markets (hello, Yellow Springs!), and to pack my lunch and a bottle of water every day. I chose these changes in my life because I work really hard for my money (3 jobs to be exact) and I don't always have an abundance of it. When I spend it, I want it to work toward keeping me healthy and supporting where I live. I want to be empowered as a single woman working her way through school. Also, I have 3 jobs plus volunteer work and school...I need to be healthy and on the ball (bye french fries). The bible has examples of taking care of ourselves and the world. John Wesley (founder of Methodism) said, "Leave it better than you found it". I don't think we're really doing that these days. The documentary said that as consumers we're more empowered than we think. So for me, you'll see organic across the bar code every week and maybe at the soup kitchens and things I work at we can find organic solutions (when possible). We do a canned food drive every Wednesday yearlong at youth group so it would be awesome for me to donate organic soups or all natural items. Everyone deserves to eat well and future generations deserve a healthy earth. And maybe I'll be brave and start a garden...maybe.
Fresh foods are more expensive, especially when feeding a family on a low budget. Minority groups are more likely to suffer from diabetes and this generation of kids is the first to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (typically seen as an adult disease). It's bad. I've never thought about where my food comes from and after watching the documentary, I am really glad to be a vegetarian. The movie's purpose isn't to gross you out and turn you off meat though, it makes the point that a lot of people can't afford organic meat and that's a problem. Why is it that fast food is cheaper than veggies?
So, I learned to take into consideration where food comes from and the lack of legislation going on to keep it healthy and safe. My personal decision is to now buy organic whenever I can, to support local farmers markets (hello, Yellow Springs!), and to pack my lunch and a bottle of water every day. I chose these changes in my life because I work really hard for my money (3 jobs to be exact) and I don't always have an abundance of it. When I spend it, I want it to work toward keeping me healthy and supporting where I live. I want to be empowered as a single woman working her way through school. Also, I have 3 jobs plus volunteer work and school...I need to be healthy and on the ball (bye french fries). The bible has examples of taking care of ourselves and the world. John Wesley (founder of Methodism) said, "Leave it better than you found it". I don't think we're really doing that these days. The documentary said that as consumers we're more empowered than we think. So for me, you'll see organic across the bar code every week and maybe at the soup kitchens and things I work at we can find organic solutions (when possible). We do a canned food drive every Wednesday yearlong at youth group so it would be awesome for me to donate organic soups or all natural items. Everyone deserves to eat well and future generations deserve a healthy earth. And maybe I'll be brave and start a garden...maybe.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Why I do What I do
So, Dartmouth is continuously on my mind today. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it meant to me the first time I heard a professor say, “You can be a feminist and a Christian!” For me, I really struggled with my faith and spirituality once high school hit. It was so hard to see people using Christianity to spread hate. I think as a whole we see people on television holding up signs that say “Gays are going to hell” and we see that as extreme. But whenever I hear anyone saying, “It’s fine to be gay…just not for my kid!” that’s spreading hate. It’s an underlying more subtle hate but I tend to think it’s the same message.
A lot of the people I’ve met over the years are good people who have just been taught that tolerance is evil. When I was in youth group and heard my youth pastor say, “There is such a thing as being too open minded”, it crushed me.
So after hearing these types of messages and at the same time seeing my parents as the only Christians in the world (that’s how it felt at the time) who truly loved people for who they were, I just thought Christianity was the problem. To learn that the Bible doesn’t actually say what people claim it does, is the most freeing experience.
I imagine it’s very similar for all religions. I’m so tired of hearing “Muslims believe this, Christians believe this, Democrats believe this, etc.” Why do we all have to be in a box? I want to identify as Christian but that doesn’t mean it is my sole identity. A lot of factors go into my ideals. For instance, when I was five and learned that some of my friends couldn’t go to the doctor for check ups like I could, that goes through my head… saying I was starving and my dad taking me to a homeless shelter soon after…that goes through my head. Every second of my life has mattered, does matter, will matter. Even if it’s the worst mistake ever and I’ve forgotten it and moved forward…at the time, it mattered.
It’s why I can be a feminist and a Christian.
A lot of the people I’ve met over the years are good people who have just been taught that tolerance is evil. When I was in youth group and heard my youth pastor say, “There is such a thing as being too open minded”, it crushed me.
So after hearing these types of messages and at the same time seeing my parents as the only Christians in the world (that’s how it felt at the time) who truly loved people for who they were, I just thought Christianity was the problem. To learn that the Bible doesn’t actually say what people claim it does, is the most freeing experience.
I imagine it’s very similar for all religions. I’m so tired of hearing “Muslims believe this, Christians believe this, Democrats believe this, etc.” Why do we all have to be in a box? I want to identify as Christian but that doesn’t mean it is my sole identity. A lot of factors go into my ideals. For instance, when I was five and learned that some of my friends couldn’t go to the doctor for check ups like I could, that goes through my head… saying I was starving and my dad taking me to a homeless shelter soon after…that goes through my head. Every second of my life has mattered, does matter, will matter. Even if it’s the worst mistake ever and I’ve forgotten it and moved forward…at the time, it mattered.
It’s why I can be a feminist and a Christian.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Okay, I will warn you that I am angry. False, I am a little bit enraged. For good reason too. One of my friends (let’s call him Brad) is trying to give my other friend (let’s call him Derek) dating advice (both are white males). Brad is in the process of convincing Derek that any time (no exaggeration) a female approaches a male, she is flirting and that Derek should take opportunity to pursue her.
This angers me. Has my feminism done nothing to save my friends from heteronormative, sexist, outdated, and potentially threatening conquests? Have I failed? No, I haven’t but Brad sure has.
1) Viewing every women (or man) that you meet isn’t the best idea. For one, you turn the other person into their sex, gender identity, etc. rather than a human being. You also create an expectation, or a sexual script rather than two people genuinely getting to know the other. Plus, if none of the other reasons appeal to your senses, it puts a lot of pressure and makes you look like a douche. As a woman…who talks to other women…we know when you’re doing that , it’s not subtle, and it’s a huge turn off.
2) It adds to the discourse that women aren’t safe in any space. Think about it, men can go as they please, read alone in a coffee shop or whatever. When women do that, men approach us and spoil our alone time. Not saying that friends aren’t welcomed to say hi or any other extreme lesson, but to be actively even aggressively pursued is so uncool. Women (in general) don’t do that to men so don’t do it to us!
3) As a woman, it makes me less likely to say hi or be friendly (not to say that women ever need to be those things). But if every time I say hi to a guy and he asks me on a date, or gives me his number, or gets angry when I say no, or hell, even acts like I should be flattered by this attention, eventually I’ll stop saying hi. And that sucks for me because my personal choice is eventually taken away. As a woman I no longer feel safe saying hi…super fair, right?
So what to do instead? Enjoy life and all it brings. Maybe it’s just a really good conversation with a stranger or a really cool friendship! Maybe it is a love connection but one that happens more organically rather than taking advantage of friendliness or curiosity.
I feel MUCH better now. P.S. Anyone want a date with “Brad”?
This angers me. Has my feminism done nothing to save my friends from heteronormative, sexist, outdated, and potentially threatening conquests? Have I failed? No, I haven’t but Brad sure has.
1) Viewing every women (or man) that you meet isn’t the best idea. For one, you turn the other person into their sex, gender identity, etc. rather than a human being. You also create an expectation, or a sexual script rather than two people genuinely getting to know the other. Plus, if none of the other reasons appeal to your senses, it puts a lot of pressure and makes you look like a douche. As a woman…who talks to other women…we know when you’re doing that , it’s not subtle, and it’s a huge turn off.
2) It adds to the discourse that women aren’t safe in any space. Think about it, men can go as they please, read alone in a coffee shop or whatever. When women do that, men approach us and spoil our alone time. Not saying that friends aren’t welcomed to say hi or any other extreme lesson, but to be actively even aggressively pursued is so uncool. Women (in general) don’t do that to men so don’t do it to us!
3) As a woman, it makes me less likely to say hi or be friendly (not to say that women ever need to be those things). But if every time I say hi to a guy and he asks me on a date, or gives me his number, or gets angry when I say no, or hell, even acts like I should be flattered by this attention, eventually I’ll stop saying hi. And that sucks for me because my personal choice is eventually taken away. As a woman I no longer feel safe saying hi…super fair, right?
So what to do instead? Enjoy life and all it brings. Maybe it’s just a really good conversation with a stranger or a really cool friendship! Maybe it is a love connection but one that happens more organically rather than taking advantage of friendliness or curiosity.
I feel MUCH better now. P.S. Anyone want a date with “Brad”?
Friday, April 16, 2010
Preparation for Dartmouth aka Staring at a Blank Computer Screen
Well, I'm getting ready to leave for the New England Women's Studies Association in two weeks and so far I have some good research, notes, and a beautiful shiny blank white page on my lap top. That's right, when it comes to writing the actual speech part (you know the reason I'm going), I draw a blank. Maybe it's nerves, maybe it's a meltdown, maybe it's me, maybe it's Maybelline... Either way, blanks. I'm supposed to focus on my activism as a feminist Christian in the classroom and why with a delicate balance of personal experience and research. Splendid. Maybe the kids I babysit will have some ideas.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Good in ATF...besides the mouth watering arena food...
Bonjour les enfants!
Welcome to the last post conerning Acquire the Fire. Please don't cry...save your tears...really.
So I felt theere was some good. It didn't come from the speakers, or the abortion skit, or the emotionally manipulative altar calls...it was the youth group. They are really awesome human beings that I got to hang out with for an entire weekend! We talked about different faiths and spirtuality, high school, parents, college, sexual assault, rape, and my personal way of Christianity. I learned a lot from them. As teens they're so open to these experiences because a lot of it is the first time they're feeling/seeing it. It's so cool to see them learning to deconstruct arguments and things they're hearing claiming to be facts. Already they described to me how it doesn't feel right to them to practice things like denying rights to LGBTQ people.
One of the girls I spoke with said she "I just don't get that." We were speaking about gay marriage as a hot topic and she talked about how she couldn't even believe we vote on gay marriage...it should just be legal she said! How cool is that? They talked about supporting each other and being there through the difficult wonder years. These teens accept people as they are. I think they really get what Jesus was about.
So, when it feels like I'm not making a difference or that I'm so drained, I just remember the youth group. And suddenly I get a little burst of inspiration.
Welcome to the last post conerning Acquire the Fire. Please don't cry...save your tears...really.
So I felt theere was some good. It didn't come from the speakers, or the abortion skit, or the emotionally manipulative altar calls...it was the youth group. They are really awesome human beings that I got to hang out with for an entire weekend! We talked about different faiths and spirtuality, high school, parents, college, sexual assault, rape, and my personal way of Christianity. I learned a lot from them. As teens they're so open to these experiences because a lot of it is the first time they're feeling/seeing it. It's so cool to see them learning to deconstruct arguments and things they're hearing claiming to be facts. Already they described to me how it doesn't feel right to them to practice things like denying rights to LGBTQ people.
One of the girls I spoke with said she "I just don't get that." We were speaking about gay marriage as a hot topic and she talked about how she couldn't even believe we vote on gay marriage...it should just be legal she said! How cool is that? They talked about supporting each other and being there through the difficult wonder years. These teens accept people as they are. I think they really get what Jesus was about.
So, when it feels like I'm not making a difference or that I'm so drained, I just remember the youth group. And suddenly I get a little burst of inspiration.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
"I'm a Dirty Whore"...or so say non-denominational protestant Christians...
Before we begin everyone must forgive my lack of updates because I unexpectedly moved the past week. I went to an apartment complex to just look and instead I got approved and left the leasing office with one. It's actually quite frightening considering I've been testing this whole Oprah (Goddess!) thing where you visualize what you want and see what you get? I kid you not I visualized a gorgeous cheap apartment during meditation and low and behold...I now have one. I'm not trying to convert...just saying!
Enough about my life though because while I am a wonderful and fascinating human being...I am not as fascinating as abortion skits at Acquire the Fire. Shocking, I know. In the name of full disclosure I'll be describing the abortion skit with crass and classic Naomi language. In no way do I view young girls as sluts, I am strictly using the language that I heard in this Christian skit.
So, here we go. Yes, at ATF (Acquire the fire) there was a skit. Every year they do a skit however it's really more of a mini play. Usually, this skit lasts the whole weekend and is broken up into chunks. Quite clever, because teens away from home and who haven't slept because they all bet they could stay up all night and used large quantities to do it, have short attention spans. This year was quite different.
This year there was one skit that lasted probably about a full 45 minutes to an hour. They ran it straight through...my theory? It's super controversial (they're actually usually more subtle) and super sexist. I personally believe (the only evidence I have for this is my gut feeling and my oh so amazing women's studies background) that they did this because if it was split up and broken into peices it would be easier for people to question it and talk about it. There were no breaks in between so the kids watched and went right into an altar call. Talk about sex, the future, and abortion to Christian teens and they get upset, emotionally connected and then recommit or commit their lives to Christ. Classic.
The skit was about a white (Oh wait...they were all white!) young, handsome (he didn't quite do it for me) star football player at a super hetero white high school (I know what you're thinking...90210?). So, homeboy is super popular and drooled over by teachers and students, so much in fact that there's an upcoming press conference so he can announce where he's going to college in the fall because everyone wants to know. I mean, that's how I announced my decision so that part's not weird.
So we enter this plot after he and his girlfriend have just broken up because she tricked him into going "further". Apparently everyone in the school knows she's a slut but as described this Christian football player didn't judge her and gave the town slut a chance. Selfless, right? Swoon.
So, she gets pregnant and he bails. He yells at this poor girl saying "What about my hopes, dreams, and futures?" She says, "I know, I know." She then sings a song that says over and over, "I'm a dirty whore". She's on her own so she goes to the local abortion clinic. She passes some protestors and is getting nervous but sits down in the waiting room which is empty except for one other girl. So realistic, right? Because people who run these clinics don't care and just get 'em in and out. So this lone other girl ends up being a Christian who hates protestors and instead sits in the waiting room all day every day (it's implied) telling girls she loves them, God loves them, and even if they go through with the procedure she'll be there to help them through it. Actually not too bad. Unconditional love. Farfetched that this woman has nothing else to do besides sit there but their conversation was actually not bad. There was judgment though I felt when the pregnant girl says, "You're waiting too?" This other woman gets defensive and says, "I'm not in the same situation." The way she said it was defensive and seemed to read more like, "Whoa...I am NOT like you!" But she said no matter what she'd be waiting and there to help. Pretty cool.
Spoiler alert...she doesn't go through with it and this other woman turns out to be married and wanting a baby. Yep, she and her husband agree to adopt this fetus. Also, our star football player who throughout this abortion storyline has been soul searching, has his press conference where a reporter says, "Hey, didn't you knock your girlfriend up?" He says, "Nope. Don't even know the girl." Everyone who knows about the situation clearly gets mad. And his ex girlfriend slaps him when he tries to apologize for this throwing her under the bus thing (I stood and applauded) but five seconds later forgives him.
1) This whole women trick Christian men and have to pick which "Mary" they want to be is super old. The horse's ashes have been scattered. Move on, people.
2) This girl sees herself as a used, washed up whore and we never address that this football player clearly used her and then dropped her when there were consequences. He had a purity pledge too. We know that kids who sign these are more likely to break then keep them and less likely to use contraception when they do. Condoms are never addressed!
3) There was one woman of color who said she identified with the girlfriend because the woman of color was the adultress that Jesus saved from being stoned. She was an angel in heaven singing a song about how Jesus saved her when she was here on earth actin' a fool with a married man. Way to represent ATF.
4) ATF comes from the assumption that everyone knows abortion is wrong. No other opinions...period.
5) Not everyone has a nice, rich, loving couple to adopt their baby on the spot and pay medical bills. I'd rather give my baby to Oprah. False, I'D rather be adopted by Oprah.
My response:
I'm pro-choice and today's blog isn't me debating why. So, now that we know I do not believe abortion is morally wrong, I'll say that God loves ALL people AS THEY ARE. I do not believe that abortion is a sin and I do not believe it to be an easy decision that anyone takes lightly. How could you either financially or emotionally? Also, this skit made abortion look accessible for a teen girl. Depending on the state she may need permission from a parent, guardian, or judge. Also, it's not exactly covered by every insurance company and there's going to be a difference that needs to be paid if it is. You don't just walk in and get it taken care of on the spot and there actualy are people available for emotional support. Yes, SUPPORT not MANIPULATION! Abortion isn't the right choice for everyone, but how the skit depicted it...um, no. Just no. So I say, no judgments. Jesus didn't practice it...pretty clear example. What would I say to a young woman making the same choice? "I love you, God loves you, whatever you decide is right for you, I'm here...unconditionally." Not because it sounds right, not because I'm hoping she'll choose what I want her to choose, because it's right. Women should be trusted to make decisions for their own lives and bodies. That's my perspective and so far God hasn't shown me I'm wrong on that. So take that, ATF. Tomorrow I'll discuss what was good about ATF. Yeah, I managed to find the good :-). I'm cool like that.
Enough about my life though because while I am a wonderful and fascinating human being...I am not as fascinating as abortion skits at Acquire the Fire. Shocking, I know. In the name of full disclosure I'll be describing the abortion skit with crass and classic Naomi language. In no way do I view young girls as sluts, I am strictly using the language that I heard in this Christian skit.
So, here we go. Yes, at ATF (Acquire the fire) there was a skit. Every year they do a skit however it's really more of a mini play. Usually, this skit lasts the whole weekend and is broken up into chunks. Quite clever, because teens away from home and who haven't slept because they all bet they could stay up all night and used large quantities to do it, have short attention spans. This year was quite different.
This year there was one skit that lasted probably about a full 45 minutes to an hour. They ran it straight through...my theory? It's super controversial (they're actually usually more subtle) and super sexist. I personally believe (the only evidence I have for this is my gut feeling and my oh so amazing women's studies background) that they did this because if it was split up and broken into peices it would be easier for people to question it and talk about it. There were no breaks in between so the kids watched and went right into an altar call. Talk about sex, the future, and abortion to Christian teens and they get upset, emotionally connected and then recommit or commit their lives to Christ. Classic.
The skit was about a white (Oh wait...they were all white!) young, handsome (he didn't quite do it for me) star football player at a super hetero white high school (I know what you're thinking...90210?). So, homeboy is super popular and drooled over by teachers and students, so much in fact that there's an upcoming press conference so he can announce where he's going to college in the fall because everyone wants to know. I mean, that's how I announced my decision so that part's not weird.
So we enter this plot after he and his girlfriend have just broken up because she tricked him into going "further". Apparently everyone in the school knows she's a slut but as described this Christian football player didn't judge her and gave the town slut a chance. Selfless, right? Swoon.
So, she gets pregnant and he bails. He yells at this poor girl saying "What about my hopes, dreams, and futures?" She says, "I know, I know." She then sings a song that says over and over, "I'm a dirty whore". She's on her own so she goes to the local abortion clinic. She passes some protestors and is getting nervous but sits down in the waiting room which is empty except for one other girl. So realistic, right? Because people who run these clinics don't care and just get 'em in and out. So this lone other girl ends up being a Christian who hates protestors and instead sits in the waiting room all day every day (it's implied) telling girls she loves them, God loves them, and even if they go through with the procedure she'll be there to help them through it. Actually not too bad. Unconditional love. Farfetched that this woman has nothing else to do besides sit there but their conversation was actually not bad. There was judgment though I felt when the pregnant girl says, "You're waiting too?" This other woman gets defensive and says, "I'm not in the same situation." The way she said it was defensive and seemed to read more like, "Whoa...I am NOT like you!" But she said no matter what she'd be waiting and there to help. Pretty cool.
Spoiler alert...she doesn't go through with it and this other woman turns out to be married and wanting a baby. Yep, she and her husband agree to adopt this fetus. Also, our star football player who throughout this abortion storyline has been soul searching, has his press conference where a reporter says, "Hey, didn't you knock your girlfriend up?" He says, "Nope. Don't even know the girl." Everyone who knows about the situation clearly gets mad. And his ex girlfriend slaps him when he tries to apologize for this throwing her under the bus thing (I stood and applauded) but five seconds later forgives him.
1) This whole women trick Christian men and have to pick which "Mary" they want to be is super old. The horse's ashes have been scattered. Move on, people.
2) This girl sees herself as a used, washed up whore and we never address that this football player clearly used her and then dropped her when there were consequences. He had a purity pledge too. We know that kids who sign these are more likely to break then keep them and less likely to use contraception when they do. Condoms are never addressed!
3) There was one woman of color who said she identified with the girlfriend because the woman of color was the adultress that Jesus saved from being stoned. She was an angel in heaven singing a song about how Jesus saved her when she was here on earth actin' a fool with a married man. Way to represent ATF.
4) ATF comes from the assumption that everyone knows abortion is wrong. No other opinions...period.
5) Not everyone has a nice, rich, loving couple to adopt their baby on the spot and pay medical bills. I'd rather give my baby to Oprah. False, I'D rather be adopted by Oprah.
My response:
I'm pro-choice and today's blog isn't me debating why. So, now that we know I do not believe abortion is morally wrong, I'll say that God loves ALL people AS THEY ARE. I do not believe that abortion is a sin and I do not believe it to be an easy decision that anyone takes lightly. How could you either financially or emotionally? Also, this skit made abortion look accessible for a teen girl. Depending on the state she may need permission from a parent, guardian, or judge. Also, it's not exactly covered by every insurance company and there's going to be a difference that needs to be paid if it is. You don't just walk in and get it taken care of on the spot and there actualy are people available for emotional support. Yes, SUPPORT not MANIPULATION! Abortion isn't the right choice for everyone, but how the skit depicted it...um, no. Just no. So I say, no judgments. Jesus didn't practice it...pretty clear example. What would I say to a young woman making the same choice? "I love you, God loves you, whatever you decide is right for you, I'm here...unconditionally." Not because it sounds right, not because I'm hoping she'll choose what I want her to choose, because it's right. Women should be trusted to make decisions for their own lives and bodies. That's my perspective and so far God hasn't shown me I'm wrong on that. So take that, ATF. Tomorrow I'll discuss what was good about ATF. Yeah, I managed to find the good :-). I'm cool like that.
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