# data[].attributes.headline
1 out of every 5 women will be raped in her life.

# data[].attributes.subject
1 out of every 5 women will be raped in her life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Female Engineer Powers Pakistan & Empowers Girls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
GE Unimpossible Missions University Challenge Winner

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What If Scientists Were Celebrities? - GE

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Subscribe to the GE Channel: http://invent.ge/1eGgvZK At GE, we're not just imagining a world where brilliant women are the stars - we're helping create it. We know that a company that works to change the world, should reflect the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
So far the solutions have been focused on girls changing their behaviour - like wearing shorts under their skirts - rather than boys being challenged.

This is why I have co-written, with Louise Spilsbury, the first book about feminism to be aimed at primary school children. I believe that if you start learning about these issues from a young age, you can build foundations and principles that stop boys seeing girls as objects, and stop girls believing that they must be submissive and obedient.

This book is the first of its kind in the UK, yet there are lots of books for kids tackling the tricky subjects of race and sexual difference. So why not feminism?

When I go into schools, I can clearly see the efforts made to ensure that racism is obliterated and difference is embraced. You see it written in the pupils' projects on the walls of classrooms, and in the laminated codes of behavior up in the corridors.

Sexism, though, is low priority and not recognised alongside racial, disability and homophobic bullying in Ofsted's inspection criteria. Nor does the Department for Education (DfE) include it in their guidance on preventing and tackling prejudice.

You can get away with sexist talk - it's just a joke, after all. 'Banter'. The boys in my focus group showed me that.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why our 7-year-olds desperately need to learn about feminism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
So far the solutions have been focused on girls changing their behaviour - like wearing shorts under their skirts - rather than boys being challenged. This is why I have co-written, with Louise Spilsbury, the first book about feminism to be aimed at primary school children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Very simply, a feminist is someone who sees men and women not as exactly the same, but equal-due the same pay and advantages, the same respect and the same power over one's body.

I am a parent of three boys, ages two, five and eight, and I've always thought it critical to raise them as feminists. My commitment to this belief was reinforced a few months ago when I decided to share my personal experience of being sexually assaulted by Jian Ghomeshi. It was an exceedingly difficult story to make public, but I wanted to show them how existing cultural and social stereotypes and systemic sexual inequalities meant that even though I was a lawyer and knew the law, I didn't share my story, I didn't go to the police, I didn't take action. As parents it's hard not to worry about the world our kids are growing up in and how it will shape the adults they become. Will our boys always treat women with respect, and will our girls feel like they can speak and be heard? All parents-myself included-need more practical tools for encouraging these ideals. This isn't a revolution as much as it is a daily commitment to be a role model for your kids, to encourage them to be who they are and to share how they feel. We can raise our children to be the change we want-and need-to see.

1. Monitor their media
Most parents have some level of control over what their kids consume online and in the media. This is good-continue on and, if you can, do even more, because screens play a huge part in shaping how kids see the world. "Media plays an important role in forming and reinforcing gender roles and stereotypes. Media violence in particular influences the way kids play and even develop relationships with one another," says Karyn Kennedy, executive director of Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, an advocacy and awareness organization in Toronto that also helps kids at risk of being abused or who have been abused in the past. "Kids who are exposed to media violence are more aggressive in how they relate to others and are more likely to solve problems using violence." Media violence not only desensitizes kids to the effects of aggression, Kennedy says, but it can also dehumanize the victim and reduce kids' ability to feel empathy. Some easy ways to monitor your kids' media consumption include:
-Just being around-I moved all our devices into one (loud!) room, so most of the time, one parent is with them while they are watching TV, playing video games or surfing the web. Explain to older kids why you want to control what they see. I tell my eight- year-old that my job is to prevent him from seeing or hearing things that will make him feel bad or scared. For now, it seems to work.
-Review content in advance to gauge how age appropriate it is. It could be as simple as googling and reading a few reviews by other parents. A bit of poking around can pay off.
-Encourage and support networks like TVO and other non-commercial media-the absence of advertising is a huge help. A show may be fine, but the ads can often be totally inappropriate.
-Instead of watching whatever is on TV, use tools like a PVR, OnDemand andNetflix to make better choices. Shows like Canadian Geographic for Kids, The Magic School Bus and Word Girl show smart, strong female protagonists. Check in with Media Smarts, an Ottawa non-profit organization that promotes digital and media literacy or its US counterpart, Common Sense Media, a group that keeps an extensive and regularly updated list of games, apps, movies and shows all reviewed for age appropriateness and positive messages.

2. Make them media savvy
The reality is that no matter how hard we try, our kids will still beexposed to content that's over-sexualized, gendered and often violent-simply because it's all around us. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that via TV, magazines, billboards and online sites, children view more than 3,000 such images on an average day. Because monitoring can only go so far, we also need to teach our kids from a young age how to look critically at these messages. Watching TV or reading magazines together and then discussing them is one of the best ways to do this. Ask your kids about the characters and images, encourage them to think about who made the show and how they would make it different. Ask "why" a lot. If you pass a poster with a half-naked woman on it, don't uncomfortably ignore it or hope they don't see it. Trust me, they already have-so point it out and ask them what they think the advertiser is trying to do there and why? Besides being educational, these conversations are often fairly amusing.

3. Stop the body shame
Having a comfortable relationship with their bodies is the foundation for healthy sexuality in later years-and it begins with the words we teach them. Using anatomically correct words-as opposed to cutesy or bashful euphemisms-for all of their body parts promotes positive body image, increases their self-confidence and encourages healthy communication, ultimately decreasing their vulnerability to potential abusers, according to sex education experts. If (like me) you didn't grow up with parents who were this open, using words like penis and vagina in conversation with little children can feel odd, especially in public. But push on! It really does get easier, and most importantly, it's the start of a lifelong conversation about sex that you want to be able to have with you kids. As they grow older, encourage alternative ways of thinking about our bodies. When my five-year-old notices those posters and ads showing women's breasts, I make sure to also mention that's how babies get food and that all mammals do this. And don't forget to watch how you talk about your own body as well. A friend recently shared with me the uncomfortable conversation she had to have when her twin seven-year-olds overheard her saying that having kids had "ruined" her body.

4. Instill the idea of boundaries, then respect them
The idea that no means no can start with play. If they're playing a chasing or tickling game and one kid doesn't like it, game over. Implement the concept of regularly "pressing pause" when they're playing-a quick check-in to make sure everyone is still having fun. Insisting your kid kiss or hug a relative or family friend is probably the most common way we ignore our own kids' boundaries.

We have to listen if we want them to believe that no really does mean no, regardless of how awkward it might be on the etiquette front. "Children should be taught that only they can decide how they feel about a touch-that they give permission to be touched. When they learn that they have the right to say no or question the behaviour of others-even grown-ups-they have gained valuable prevention skills against abuse and exploitation," says Kennedy. How do you avoid potentially offending others when hugs are denied? Offer a positive alternative, like blowing a kiss while you hold your child, shaking hands or just waving goodbye.

5. Cultivate their natural empathy
Teaching empathy-the ability to appreciate how your actions may affect others, and then adjust them accordingly-is key toraising emotionally intelligent kids. Studies show that by the age of two or three, children can empathize with feelings of happiness, sadness and anger, since those are emotions they intensely feel themselves. Parents can actively encourage empathy by helping kids to regularly recognize and name what they feel, and then expand on that by asking them to consider how a friend or sibling feels in a variety of everyday situations. Model empathy yourself, too, but there will be times when you don't. Use those examples as conversation starters to discuss what you could have done better and why.

6. Squash stereotypes
According to Lise Eliot, author of Pink Brain, Blue Brain, gender awareness begins around two and a half. By kindergarten, kids begin chastising their peers for gender non-conformity (designating types of toys, colours or long or short hair as being specifically "boy" or "girl," for instance). Challenge this kind of language when you hear it from kids. Ask them why they feel that way and make it clear that all kids are free to make their own choices and have their own preferences. Do away with phrases like "Act like a lady" and "Boys will be boys." Parents can work against stereotypes by never using gender as a reason for your kids to do or not do something-like discouraging boys from figure skating or insisting girls learn to cook. Dreams of being a hockey player, dancer or astronaut are for everyone. This shift has the potential to be uncomfortable for parents-you may worry about your son wearing pink or feel disappointed that your girl isn't girlier, but you have to put that aside. It's more important for them to be confident and happy.

One of the most important ways to treat your boys and girls equally: Nurture them as they experience their full range of emotions-make it just as OK for boys to cry and talk about their feelings as it is for girls. A recent study published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology found that the conversations mothers have with their four-year-old daughters tend to contain more emotional words and content than the conversations they have with their sons. Researchers found this practice unconsciously reinforces gender stereotypes to their kids-and may give girls an advantage when it comes to higher levels of emotional intelligence. In the end, it's up to kids to grow up to be who they really are, regardless of old ideas about what boys and girls should be. And it's our job as parents to create a loving and supportive environment where anything is possible.
Reva Seth is the bestselling author of The Mom Shift: Women Share Their Stories of Career Success After Children (Random House: 2014). She is also the mother of three boys.
Read more:
How not to raise a sexist pig
Why we need to stop teaching our girls to be nice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Very simply, a feminist is someone who sees men and women not as exactly the same, but equal-due the same pay and advantages, the same respect and the same power over one's body. I am a parent of three boys, ages two, five and eight, and I've always thought it critical to raise them as feminists.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When we first posted this list of feminist kids' books in December last year, my niece was only 14 weeks old. Now she's one, and she's walking, learning to talk, and impressing her family members daily with her feats. (I remain confident that she's going to be pretty much a genius.) And what does any budding genius child need? Books. Particularly, books that can help pave their way into a strong, courageous, patriarchy-defeating, feminist adulthood. Books the adults in their lives can read to them, and maybe even learn from themselves.

Luckily, there's been even more out there in 2017 to help my niece, and the small ones in your life, too, become the brilliant, powerful people they're destined to be. Here are a few of my favorites for her growing collection, and maybe yours - now updated with additional books. (Share widely for a better future.)

The Little Book of Little Activists by Penguin Young Readers

Pictures of little kids are cute. Pictures of little kids who care about making the world a better place are even better. In this portable, inspiring book, you'll also find an introduction by Bob Bland, who co-chaired the Women's March on Washington, and an afterword by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, author of Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, the youngest person to march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Shy Rosie loves to invent things, but hides her daring creations away - until her Great-Great-Aunt Rose (you may know her as "the Riveter") comes to visit and teaches her that the only way you can really fail is if you quit. (Also check out Beaty'sAda Twist, Scientist.)

Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History ... and Our Future! by Kate Schatz

When I asked friends for book suggestions for a little girl, this illustrated, encyclopedic collection of ladies who kicked butt and took names was one of the most-repeated titles. My niece won't be able to read it 'til she's older, but in the meantime, I'm gifting it to all my friend's grade-school-age daughters, too. It also comes with a handy list of ways to be rad. And take note: There's also the global-looking Rad Women Worldwide (by the same author and illustrator).

A Is for Activist Board Book by Innosanto Nagara

Occupy Wall Street calls this book "like reading Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, but for 2-year olds." Think: "C is for Co-op, Cooperating Cultures, Creative Counter to Corporate Vultures. Oh, and Cats."

Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio

This book came out in 2012, but it's never been more timely - not only does it explain electoral politics, it also pits a well-qualified girl against a boy who barely tries. Luckily, the best candidate wins. (See also: Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead, by Michelle Markel.)

Piggybook by Anthony Browne

This book came out in 1990, and it might feel dated except, aren't we still fighting to get men to do their fair share of the housework (and, oh yeah, there's that equal-pay thing, too)? Mrs. Piggott takes a stand against the three male chauvinists, a.k.a. pigs, in her house, and everyone learns a valuable lesson.

The Gutsy Girl by Caroline Paul

Described as a " Lean In for young girls, a book about the glorious things that happen when you unshackle from fear and open up to exhilaration." Note: I will be reading this to my niece regularly, I think, not just for her, but for me.

The Strategist is a designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best , black T-shirts, fashion-editor-approved jeans, toothbrush, and apartment décor. Note that all prices are subject to change.

If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

7 Highly Giftable Vintage Children's Books from the Depths of Amazon

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
16 Feminist Kids' Books for Dismantling the Patriarchy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When we first posted this list of feminist kids' books in December last year, my niece was only 14 weeks old. Now she's one, and she's walking, learning to talk, and impressing her family members daily with her feats. (I remain confident that she's going to be pretty much a genius.)

# data[].attributes.headline
Being a feminist does not mean you hate en. By definition, it means giving women the same rights as men. I don't think that equality is a crime. However, I think the idea of feminism is what scares most parents into not wanting to talk to their kids about it. However, if we ever want the future to be brighter, kids MUST understand the importance of not just feminism, but equality.

# data[].attributes.subject
Being a feminist does not mean you hate en. By definition, it means giving women the same rights as men. I don't think that equality is a crime. However, I think the idea of feminism is what scares most parents into not wanting to talk to their kids about it. However, if we ever want the future to be brighter, kids MUST understand the importance of not just feminism, but equality.

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up, many kids are not exposed to the idea of feminism. Parents have most likely not introduced the concept to their children , because it simply wasn't something they learned about growing up, so they feel it isn't important for their kids to know growing up. However, we are now in the 21st century, and things like rape, sexism, racism, and the growing wage gap exist more often than you may think. It's important that our generation is informed about this because we are the ones who are creating the 21st century. I believe that this issue needs to be addressed with both girls AND boys because as Kurt Cobain once said, "Rape is one of the most terrible crimes on earth and it happens every few minutes. The problem with groups who deal with rape is that they try to educate women about how to defend themselves. What really needs to be done is teaching men not to rape. Go to the source and start there." The world is a lot more modern now and things like this happens everyday around the world. Girls should know that they are worth it. They can grow up to achieve anything that they want. They CAN be doctors, scientists, and engineers. They are worth 1000 times more than just their looks. And boys need to know that there is no "you hit like a girl" in our world. There is no shame from being outrun by a girl. There is no advantage in our world from simply the gender you were born in. It isn't "gay" to have feelings or show emotion. Being gay is not and will not be a insult. America will not turn their backs on the immigrants that make up America. Women will not submit to the patriarchy. And WE are the future, the future is ours, and we will make it ours. By teaching kids about respecting one another, and showing them the importance of equality for everyone, I believe I can make a truly significant impact on their lives.

# data[].attributes.body
Here's a memo I wrote:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TO: Jonathan LeMaster, ABC Advertising Executive  FROM: Lily McKissen, Advertising Consultant  DATE: December 5, 2016  SUBJECT: Media's Influence on Gender Identity  From the day we are born, society has bombarded us with unrealistic perceptions of how we should look and behave. These gender norm...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
On Intersectionality in Feminism and Pizza | Akilah Obviously

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Spice Girls' hit 'Wannabe' gets feminist makeover

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The father of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, argued, in 1912, that "the Olympic Games must be reserved for men." The Games, he wrote, were for the "solemn and periodic exaltation of male athleticism," and they had "female applause as reward." By then, women were already competing at the Olympics, though they were shut out of many events, something that persisted for decades. There was no women's marathon at the Olympics until the nineteen-eighties, for instance-and there is still a shorter roster of endurance events for women-because some men believed that female bodies could not withstand the mileage.

Shot put has been part of the modern Olympics since the beginning, in 1896, but women did not compete in it until the 1948 Games, in London. And that wasn't the last barrier for the sport, either. Michelle Carter, the Americans' best hope for a shot-put medal this year, believes that there's a stigma in the United States for women who compete in events, like the shot put, that require enormous amounts of brute strength and the bodies that go with it. No American woman has medalled in shot put since Earlene Brown at the Rome Olympics, in 1960.

"It has been a long time," Carter told me at the Olympic trials in Oregon earlier this year. "And it's something I think a lot of girls and women shy away from because it's not looked at as something a woman would want to do or a woman should do." She believes that things are improving, though. "I think now, it's like, 'You know what? We're girls and we can throw heavy balls and be in the dirt and we look good while we're doing it.' I think it's bringing more attention to the sport and girls are realizing, Hey, I can do this and it's O.K. to do this as a girl."

Carter, who is a certified professional makeup artist, is a stylish presence on the field. "For a couple of years, being professional, I kind of questioned myself," she said. "Should I wear my false lashes or take the time I want to take so I can feel good when I go out on the field? Because nobody else was really doing that. And I thought, No: I'm not going to change what I believe I should look like to fit anybody else's standards. I believe if you look your best, you're going to feel your best, you're going to do your best."

At the Olympic trials, with her reddish-pink hair tied up in a ponytail, she licked her palm, cradled the shot between her neck and shoulder, and spun her body in a dizzying circle, releasing the four-kilogram ball into the air with the force of a cannon. The ball flew 19.59 metres away, setting a new meet record and securing Carter, the current American record-holder, a spot on her third Olympic team.

"You have to understand everyone's body was built to do something," Carter said. "I was built to do something, and that's how I was built. I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many."

Carter has made body image a central concern of her life off the field, including promoting a line of makeup, called Shot Diva, and operating a sports-confidence camp called You Throw Girl. She has posed in ESPN's Body Issue and regularly posts photos of herself on Instagram in swimsuits, an effort to refute the stereotype that all who compete in the shot put are simply "tough-looking women."

Carter said she is often asked by parents and coaches to talk to younger female throwers. "The parents say, 'Can you talk to my daughter and say that it's O.K.? That she can have muscles?' They'll say, 'I show her pictures of you so they can know she's good at what she does but still looks like a girl. She wears dresses.' It releases people to be whoever they want to be in the sport."

Carter's father, Michael, was also a world-class shot-putter; like his daughter, he set a national high-school record in the event that still stands. He won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and then was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, ultimately going to three Pro Bowls and three Super Bowls during his N.F.L. career. (He is the only athlete to win an Olympic medal and a Super Bowl ring in the same year.) Carter remembers that, when she began competing on her middle-school track team, in seventh grade, he asked her, "Are you sure you want to do that?" Back then, she added, "I was not aware of what my dad had accomplished. I grew up with him playing football." He's now his daughter's coach.

At the 2012 Games, in London, Carter finished sixth, but her placement has since been moved up, due to retroactive drug testing. It may move again, as podium finishers test positive for banned substances. "It was always a joke that if I wait long enough, I'll get a medal for 2012," Carter said. "I'm patient." (One of Carter's counterparts, Adam Nelson, was awarded a gold medal in lieu of the silver he had received at the 2004 Athens Games eight years after the competition, when the gold medalist tested positive.) "My goal is to beat you whether you're clean or dirty," Carter added.

She will get another shot at that this weekend. The competition at the trials turned out to be the greatest in the history of U.S. track and field: eight women surpassed eighteen metres. Carter took the top spot handily, but at the Olympics she'll face even steeper competition. She believes that she's better prepared than ever. "For me, it's maturity," she said. "You have to grow up and you learn things along the way. But for me it was definitely a process. My body had to mature and my mind had to mature. I had to put these pieces together. I've always been so close."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
You Throw, Girl: An Olympic Shot-Putter's Feminist Mission

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The father of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, argued, in 1912, that "the Olympic Games must be reserved for men." The Games, he wrote, were for the "solemn and periodic exaltation of male athleticism," and they had "female applause as reward."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Themes of diversity and human rights dominated the San Diego Women's March, where as many as 40,000 people walked in a show of post-inaugural solidarity with participants at hundreds of related events across the United States and around the world.

"I march because black lives matter, climate change is real and no men in Washington are going to tell me what to do with my body," said state Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, who spoke to the massive crowd gathered in downtown San Diego.

While clearly a reaction to the election of Donald Trump, the event was not aimed directly at the nation's new president. Instead, it was in support of issues like respect for women, access to health care, reproductive rights, race and gender equality, and immigrants' rights, all of which were points of contention in the presidential campaigns.

"I am so proud of our city," said event organizer Sarah Dolgen-Shaftel.

She said San Diego police told her more than 30,000 people attended the event. A police supervisor said later Saturday afternoon the official crowd estimate was between 30,000 and 40,000 - easily larger than the 22,000 indicated by online responses a day before the event. Organizers and police said afterward the march went off without a hitch.

"Everyone was patient and considerate," Dolgen-Shaftel said. "We had a completely peaceful march."

A few speakers did take shots at the new president. Maria Nieto Senour, a San Diego Community College District board member and San Diego State University staff member, in her brief remarks called the new president "a nightmare."

"He is appointing foxes to guard our precious hen houses," Senour said, and she urged people to stand up for the environment, education and human rights before more damage is done.

One marcher carried a sign that said "Trump Lies Matter."

Participants met at the San Diego Civic Center, with many filling up surrounding streets. After talks that began at 10 a.m. - in on and off rain - they marched in a sea of pink along the 1-mile route on Broadway and then Harbor Drive to the County Administration Center.

The peaceful and enthusiastic crowd was made of up men and women of all ages and included plenty of children.

Along the way, participants chanted slogans like "Women's rights are human rights." A few sang folk songs, but many just chatted cheerfully with one another as they strolled along. Signs varied from handmade to professionally printed, and from the serious - "Only 'yes' means 'yes'" - to the more creative - "Our rights are not up for grabs" and "Free Melania."

No hecklers or counter-demonstrators appeared along the route.

Coincidentally, the fifth annual San Diego Walk for Life sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego also was held Saturday morning. Some of the people walking along Sixth Avenue to the Women's March made a brief detour to join the anti-abortion event at Balboa Park, and for a time the two events proceeded peacefully side-by-side, said diocese spokeswoman Aida Bustos.

Thousands of people participated in the San Diego Women's March, January 21, 2017. The march started at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall, and ended on the steps of the San Diego County Administration Center about a mile away.

(Howard Lipin)

The globe-circling demonstrations are some of the largest in recent history, rivaling the anti-war protests of the 1970s. Women's March organizers have made it clear, however, that their event is not a protest, but a demonstration of support for civil rights, and especially for women.

North County residents held a separate Women's March Saturday that began at San Marcos City Hall and ended at Palomar College, drawing an estimated 3,000 people.
Thousands join Women's March in San Marcos "
Marchers filled in every open cement and grass spot and spilled into the parking lot. Some watched from atop the four-story parking garage and draped banners over the edge.

The turnout was so large that instead of walking on sidewalks along Mission Avenue - a main thoroughfare in San Marcos - as was planned and permitted, people flooded the street, shutting down half of the traffic lanes.

In Los Angeles - where the scheduled speakers included Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other elected officials - organizers put the crowd size at 750,000, although police merely said it was "well past" 100,000, according to the Los Angeles Times. San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose also got large crowds.

The Women's March in Washington, D.C., the main event, drew an estimated 1 million participants, organizers said. The Associated Press reported that the crowd there packed the entire march route, preventing organizers from leading the formal march to the White House.

In San Diego and San Marcos, participants marched for different reasons.

♦ Rita Moreno, 56, a nurse who lives in San Diego, brought a cardboard cutout of the late Princess Diana with her to the march. She stuck a sign on the princess that said "Be Strong."

"She fought for what is right," Moreno said, noting the princess' then-controversial work to raise awareness of AIDS as an example. "I brought her to remind people to continue to be as strong as you can when others try to hold you down."

She said she hoped people would see the princess' image and feel inspired by her legacy of embracing people who are different and showing compassion for those who struggled.

"At an event like this, it's perfect to bring her out to remind people of suffering and challenge, and that everyone deserves fair treatment," Moreno said.

♦ Sam Bybee, 36, of San Diego said he came to the march to support his girlfriend, his mom, his niece and "everyone who's not me - a white, privileged male."

Bybee said being around thousands upon thousands of people demonstrating respect for their fellow humans made him feel better after a divisive election.

"I feel less alone for sure," he said. "We have a good community around us, so that's some solace."

♦ At 80, Sharon Watson says she has never protested, certainly never marched for or against anything. Born in Indiana and raised on a farm there, she is a Christian and a Democrat who has at least once voted for a Republican as president. She said she has never feared the moral compass of any president, no matter the party.

But the election of Trump has left her "heavy-hearted ever since he won" and led her to lace up her tennis shoes Saturday morning and march in San Marcos.

"This man is despicable," Watson said. "He is unfit - mentally and emotionally - for this office, period."

She and her daughter, who live in Carlsbad, held a hand-drawn sign that read, "Sorry World. We're working on it!"

♦ Shianne Montgomery of Lemon Grove said she turned 18 on inauguration day - too late to vote for her preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton. She said not having a voice in the election made her feel helpless, and a little betrayed.

"I feel like people didn't listen to us younger people who had no vote and no say," Montgomery said. "As a woman, I felt powerless, and because of my age."

The march was an opportunity to have a voice in government, and it felt good to participate.

"We're just kids; we can't do anything," Montgomery said. "But we can do this. I'm really happy."

♦ Mary Ann Perri, 68, a retired teacher who lives part-time in San Diego, said marching for women's rights on Saturday felt much different than it did when she marched for the cause in the 1970s.

"We were young and the world was ahead of us," Perri said. "We weren't looking back, we were looking forward."

She and others who marched in the 1970s were fighting to smash the glass ceiling, Perri said. She thought she was about to see that glass shatter in November, but now she doubts it will happen in her lifetime.

"We had everything to gain, and now we have everything to lose," Perri said. "We have to fight for it."

♦ Steph Salazar, 26, a special-needs therapist in San Diego, said he felt it was especially important now to show support for the rights of women, minorities and the LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community. He said it's a scary time for minorities, especially for those in less-tolerant parts of the country.

"I'm gay, and here in California I know I'm safe and protected," he said. "I don't know that's true for the rest of the country."

He said part of the reason he marched was to show solidarity and support for human rights in general, but ultimately, it's just one march.

"It's a start, but it's not enough," Salazar said. "I think a lot of people think, 'Wow, I've done something, I'm doing this.'" But there are 365 days in the year, and there's so much we can do."

The Women's March was the brainchild of a retired attorney who lives in Hawaii, a grandmother of four, who proposed the event on Facebook the day after Trump's election, and the idea quickly took off.
philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Human rights extolled at San Diego, North County Women's Marches

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Themes of diversity and human rights dominated the San Diego Women's March, where as many as 40,000 people walked in a show of post-inaugural solidarity with participants at hundreds of related events across the United States and around the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
SAN DIEGO -- A large crowd estimated by police at between 30,000 and 40,000 people stepped off the San Diego Civic Center complex at City Hall Saturday morning in support of women's rights.

The march came one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump as the 45th chief executive of the United States, and coincided with a larger version in Washington, D.C. and dozens of other marches throughout the country.

The local event began at about 10 a.m. with throngs of people overflowing from the plaza at 202 C St. onto surrounding streets and into the parking structure overlooking the event.

Getting to the area became a challenge as San Diego Trolley service was inundated by demonstrators, causing long waits at trolley stops along the way. Some bus service that normally covers all of the downtown area was halted at City College as the crowds became too large. Two additional Coaster trips were added to accommodate marchers coming from the North County.March participants carried signs reading "We don't want your tiny hands anywhere near our underpants," "Love trumps hate," "Women's rights are human rights," and "Putin's apprentice," as well as other slogans.

Protesters sang the Star Spangled Banner, participated in a drum circle and heard from speakers before beginning the march shortly before 10:30 a.m.

They were joined by elected officials as they headed south on Third Avenue to westbound Broadway before turning north on North Harbor Drive to the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway.

A large police presence kept order and closed streets in the area. San Diego police were assisted in their efforts by the California Highway Patrol, San Diego County sheriff's deputies, San Diego Harbor Police and the San Diego Unified School District Police Department. No one had been arrested as of midday.

By the time the front of the march reached its destination, there were still marchers just leaving the staging area about a mile away.

Organizers said they are dedicated to a free and open society, stand united in respect for all people and resist the marginalization of anyone.

"As a diverse, inclusive community of compassionate people, we seek to strengthen and continue our commitment to work for the protection of women's rights," the organizers said in a statement. "We stand firm in agreement that women's rights are human rights."

About 2,000 people marched Saturday at a separate event in San Marcos.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tens of thousands turn out for Women's March in San Diego

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SAN DIEGO -- A large crowd estimated by police at between 30,000 and 40,000 people stepped off the San Diego Civic Center complex at City Hall Saturday morning in support of women's rights. The march came one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump as the 45th chief executive of the United States, and coincided with a larger version in Washington, D.C.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A former University of San Diego student is suing the school, saying she was drugged, choked and raped in her dorm room and the school mishandled the investigation.

The student, who requested that she be identified only by her nickname "Niki," reported that she was attacked in February 2014.

"I thought the people at the school would be willing to help me," said Niki, who was a student athlete. "I thought that they'd be there for me and do what they could to make me feel somewhat safe, and they treated me like I was the one who had done something wrong."

USD spokeswoman Pamela Gray Payton said that the private Catholic university does not comment on open investigations or pending litigation. She said, however, that the university disputes the description of events by Niki's attorney.

"One of our most cherished values at USD is our commitment to the dignity of each human being," Payton said. "Sexual violence in any form is antithetical to our mission, and we take very seriously our obligations under Title IX."

The year Niki reported the attack, USD reported six rapes on campus. By comparison, the much larger San Diego State University reported 12 rapes on campus in 2014.

Niki was hanging out with her new roommates and their friends in her dorm on Feb. 8, 2014, according to court papers. One of the friends offered to make her a mimosa, Niki recalled.

"When he gave it to me, after drinking a little bit of it, I started to feel very dizzy, very weak," she said in a telephone interview. "It was getting hard to move."

Niki said that her roommates went to bed shortly after, and that's when the man choked and raped her.

She said that as soon as she was able to move again, she fled her dorm room and called a friend for help. In a nearby campus parking garage, she met with an officer from the university's Department of Public Safety.

Niki said she told the officer she was drugged and raped and that she wanted him to call the police. He arranged for an ambulance to take Niki to the hospital.

The officer who wrote the report went to Niki's dorm. From there, according to Niki's lawyer, Carla DiMare, the university botched the investigation.

At Niki's dorm, the officer let himself in and found a naked man asleep in Niki's bed, according to his report. He asked the man what Niki had had to drink that night, and the man answered Four Loko, a malt beverage.

The officer noticed a nearly full can of Four Loko and asked the man if that was Niki's drink, according to the report. The man said no, she had actually had wine and whiskey, the report said.

Two more public safety officers arrived at the dorm. One asked the man if he had sex with Niki. He said, "Yes," the report says.

That officer then gave the man a ride home.

There is no mention in the report of the officers asking follow-up questions or collecting evidence, such as to test the drinks for drugs, or of trying to keep the man from contaminating the crime scene.

Asked about the apparent omission, Payton said, "the Department of Public Safety responded immediately and in a manner consistent with its protocols."

According to court filings by USD, the public safety officers were only aware that Niki might have been drugged when she left in the ambulance. Only later did the hospital inform the university that she said she'd been sexually assaulted, the filings say.

A San Diego police officer came to the hospital to see Niki around 5:19 a.m., according to a police report. Niki's mother said the call to police was made by the hospital. Court filings from the university assert that the SDPD "was notified."

DiMare said that the delayed call to police and the lack of evidence gathered by the university public safety officers hamstrung the investigation.

The district attorney's office decided not to proceed with charges, according to an email written from the police detective to a university public safety officer.

"They definitely believe her that the assault occurred; however, they feel they don't have enough to prove the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt... As you know, [he] admitted to the sex acts, but denies it was forced. It is unfortunate there was not some justice for the victim," the May 1, 2014, email from Det. Tracey Barr says.

The police department did not respond to a request for comment.

Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
University of San Diego botched dormitory rape case, lawsuit alleges

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A former University of San Diego student is suing the school, saying she was drugged, choked and raped in her dorm room and the school mishandled the investigation. The student, who requested that she be identified only by her nickname "Niki," reported that she was attacked in February 2014.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Despite a 5 percent drop in overall violent crime in San Diego County, reported rapes were up by 14 percent last year compared to 2013, according to SANDAG's most recent annual report.

According to SANDAG's findings, the 2014 increase "may reflect the greater inclination by survivors to report the crime and not necessarily an increase in the number of actual offenses."

The study sites statistics in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) which shows that 46 percent of overall violent crime was reported to law enforcement in 2013, while only 35 percent of rape and sexual assault cases were reported.

SANDAG's research says 78 percent of rapes reported to San Diego County law enforcement in 2014 were categorized as "completed" and 22 percent as "attempted."

SANDAG says that when looking historically at the number of rapes reported to officials, it's important to note there has been a "greater number of slight fluctuations" in the number of reported rapes, but only a 1 percent decreased from 1980 t0 2014."

For instance, in 1988 - the most historical year available - the percentages of completed rapes reported to law enforcement and attempted rapes reported were 71 and 29, respectively.

According to the NCVS, the rate of rape and sex assault among women ages 18 to 24 was higher for nonstudents than students. The study says that in approximately 80 percent of the cases, regardless of whether the survivor was in college or not, the offender was known to the survivor.

Nonstudents were also more likely to report a rape to officials compared to those who were students, the study notes. About 26 percent of students and 23 of nonstudents who did not report the crime to law enforcement believed the incident was a "personal matter" and 20 percent didn't report the rape "out of fear of reprisal."

SANDAG's research says that between 1994 and 2013, 16 percent of student survivors and 18 percent of nonstudent survivors of rape and sexual assault received assistance from a service agency after the crime.

The study concludes that the data may dispel some of the myths about rape and sexual assault, " the chief among them that the offender is typically a stranger, when in fact the offender is someone the survivor known in the majority of incidents."

"The personal may be one of the reasons many survivors chose not to report," the study states.

Moving forward, the study says there have been significant changes to what constitutes rape and this is expected to have an impact on the number of rapes reported in 2015, as well as overall violent crime data.

Prior to Jan. 1, 2013, rape was defined by FBI Uniform Crime Reporting standards as "the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will."

The new definition has been broadened to include the victimization of both women and men and now states rape is the "penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part of object, or oral penetration by sexual organ to another person, without the consent of the victim."

San Diego County law enforcement agencies began using the new definition of rape in January 2015.

Survivors of rape or sexual assault can report the crime by calling 911. In San Diego County, survivors can call the Center for Community Solutions 24-hour hotline at (888) 385-4657. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) also runs a 24-hour hotline on its website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 Percent Rise in Reported Rapes: Report

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Despite a 5 percent drop in overall violent crime in San Diego County, reported rapes were up by 14 percent last year compared to 2013, according to SANDAG's most recent annual report. According to SANDAG's findings, the 2014 increase "may reflect the greater inclination by survivors to report the crime and not necessarily an increase in the number of actual offenses."

# data[].attributes.body
Rapes in San Diego
(per 100,000)
2001: 342
2002: 330
2003: 406
2004: 373
2005: 376
2006: 348
2007: 296
2008: 376
2009: 318
2010: 300
2011: 293
2012: 304
2013: 316
2014: 371
2015: 566
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-San-Diego-California.html#ixzz4YVhcAGqN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Crime in San Diego, California (CA): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
San Diego, CA California murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map

# data[].attributes.body
Though we can see that STEAM principles among girls is not very strong in middle school, at Stone Ranch, more than half of the science fair winners were girls. The number of girl science participants however, decreased through each grade. Perhaps this is because as girls get older, it isn't as "cool" to be interested in science, rather than things like boys and makeup and popularity. Also, as girls reach their teenage years, their self-esteem is extremly sensitive and they strive to fit in and be liked. The video "Always #LikeAGirl is a great way to explain this:

# data[].attributes.body
In my eighth period GTT class, Mrs. Garver teaches us about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathmatics) We do cool projects and labs that test our abilities to access situation, and solve problems. These are very important skills. Howver, in my class of about 28 kids, there are only SEVEN girls including myself. What kind of message does this send about girls?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Members of the San Diego Women's Foundation have been changing our community for 18 years. Join us for an evening of inspiration as we celebrate the power of women in philanthropy!

During this special program, we will showcase the impact of our currently funded Community Partners and announce $200,000 in new grantmaking.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Members of the San Diego Women's Foundation have been changing our community for 18 years. Join us for an evening of inspiration as we celebrate the power of women in philanthropy! During this special program, we will showcase the impact of our currently funded Community Partners and announce $200,000 in new grantmaking.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Disney Princess Rapunzel Love Story & Barbie Rock 'N Royals Dance DisneyCarToys

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Washington Protests Against New Trump Administration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Washington Speech Anti Donald Trump Protest Ashley Judd

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
America Ferrera Addresses Women 's March on Washington Actress America Ferrera

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Protesters Burn Limo Car & Fighting Police

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
America Ferrera DESTROYS Donald Trump at "Women's March" In Washington DC (FULL SPEECH)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
America Ferrera Addresses Women's March on Washington Actress America Ferrera speaks to protestors gathered for the Women's March in Washington, D.C. to protest the policies of the new Trump administration.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Washington Speech Anti Donald Trump Protest Ashley Judd

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Women's March 2017: Natalie Portman Calls Out President Trump: 'You Just Started the Revolution'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More from Entertainment Tonight: http://bit.ly/1xTQtvw The pregnant actress made a moving speech at the Women's March in Los Angeles on Saturday.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Rowan Blanchard Britney Spears Impression & Celebrity Crush

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Rowan Blanchard & Sabrina Carpenter Talk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Girl Meets World: Rowan Blanchard On Gender Inequality | Entertainment Weekly

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Girl Meets World star Rowan Blanchard is one among the many actresses who have started speaking out about gender inequality in Hollywood. However, at age 14 she is likely the youngest among them. Subscribe to ►► http://po.st/SubscribeEW Watch interviews with your favorite celebrities from the world of fame.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rowan Blanchard talks about feminism at We Day 2015

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
She inspires the world with every word. I'm so proud of her!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Emma Watson to United Nations: I'm a feminist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Plus-size? More Like My Size | Ashley Graham | TEDxBerkleeValencia

# data[].attributes.body
"Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Woman are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength." - G.D Anderson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
by Anne Haule

By Anne Haule
On Mother's Day, a group of about 30 women (and a couple men), some of the women mothers and some not, gathered at the Lyceum Theater to celebrate with champagne and listen to a panel of experts discuss "The (True) History of Feminism in San Diego". The panel, assembled by the Women's Museum of California, preceded a viewing of "Rapture, Blister, Burn", a contemporary Pulitzer-nominated play by Gina Gionfriddo - a funny and poignant feminist play running for another week that I highly recommend.

The panel, consisting of a politician, a research psychologist, both a professor and a masters student in women's studies was moderated by Ashley Gardner, the Executive Director of the Women's Museum.

First up was former United States Congresswoman, Lynn Schenk. Lynn shared her hurdles, being one of San Diego's first women attorneys in the early 1970's. She recounted her disappointment in not being accepted at her first choice law school because it had already filled its "quota of women". While in congress she noted that many of her male counterparts, although supportive of the feminist agenda, were not supportive enough to "horse trade" women's issues. Acknowledging many victories since the 70's, she opined that feminism today is harder than in times past because discrimination is much more subtle.

Next up was Anne Hoiberg, former president of WMOC and currently responsible for its education program. Anne became a feminist in fourth grade when she was the first girl shortstop on the little league team of all boys. As a research psychologist, she studied the military and concluded that women in the military were more efficient than their male counterparts.

The third speaker was Doreen Mattingly, a professor of Women's Studies and soon to be Chair of that department at SDSU. She proudly reminded the audience that in 1970 SDSU had the first Women's Study Department in the country - a department that is thriving and teaching more students now than ever before in its history. She was optimistic that "there is something big happening" - as evidenced by the extraordinary numbers of high school student feminist clubs springing up all over the county. She believes that the young people view feminism as a collective issue rather than a personal issue. She also believes that immigration has fuelled a fresh new passion among its youth.

The last speaker was Emma Fuller, who is a grad student and is working on a certification program with Planned Parenthood. This program would offer a certification in reproductive justice for entities that provide a living wage, paid leave, anti-sexual harassment education, and climate action recycling programs. She stressed the "intersectionality" of today's feminist movement.

I found the panel discussion to be particularly interesting as regards what is happening now among younger people and most specifically how the movement has broadened in its focus and is being fuelled in part by local immigration.

The Women's Museum of California is a significant asset to our community and I recommend participation in its various events to educate and keep the cause of feminism alive and well in our community.

Rapture, Blister, Burn

By Gina Gionfriddo
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Showing: April 21 - May 15, 2016
Where: Lyceum Space, Horton Plaza
BUY TICKETS

Related

Filed Under: Activism, Culture, Editor's Picks, Education, Film & Theater, Gender, Media, Politics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Feminism is Alive and Well in San Diego . . . but the Fight is Getting Harder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On Mother's Day, a group of about 30 women (and a couple men), some of the women mothers and some not, gathered at the Lyceum Theater to celebrate with champagne and listen to a panel of experts discuss "The (True) History of Feminism in San Diego".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hillary Clinton's defeat is wreaking havoc in the sisterhood. Celebrity feminists are especially distraught. "Girls" star Lena Dunham developed hives and fled to Sedona for spiritual renewal. Katy Perry took to Twitter to declare "THE REVOLUTION IS COMING." For feminist icon Robin Morgan, the election is proof that "a diseased patriarchy is in a battle to the death with women."

But less-excitable analysts are drawing more sober conclusions: Perhaps the women's movement is too elitist and out of touch with ordinary citizens, especially working-class women. That seems right, but I would go one step further. Today's feminism is not merely out of touch with everyday Americans; it's out of touch with reality. To survive, it's going to have to come back to planet Earth.

First of all, it's time to stop calling the United States a patriarchy. A patriarchy is a system where men hold the power and women do not. Women do hold power in the United States - they lead major universities and giant corporations, write influential books, serve as state and federal judges and even manage winning presidential campaigns. American women, especially college-educated women, are the freest and most self-determining in human history. Why pretend otherwise?

Feminism is drowning in myth-information. Advocates never tire of telling us that women are cheated out of nearly a quarter of their salary; that one in four college women is sexually assaulted, or that women are facing an epidemic of online abuse and violence.

Such claims are hugely distorted, but they have been repeated so often that they have taken on the aura of truth. Workplace discrimination, sexual assault and online threats are genuine problems, but to solve them women need sober analysis, not hype and spin. Exaggerated claims and crying wolf discredit good causes and send scarce resources in the wrong direction.

Today's women's movement also needs to reckon with the fact that men struggle just as much as women. Modern life is a complicated mix of burdens and advantages for each sex. Too often, feminism focuses on gender inequities among elites: CEOs, MIT astrophysicists, U.S. senators. It is true that there are too few women in those positions, but we need to consider the entire workforce for context. Most backbreaking, lethally dangerous jobs - roofer, logger, roustabout and coal miner, to name a few - are done by men.

It is men - especially working-class men - who are disproportionately crushed, mutilated, electrocuted or mangled at work. Activists lament the dearth of women in the Fortune 500, but they fail to mention the Unfortunate 4,500 - the approximate number of men killed on the job every year.

Men are also the have-nots in education. Hispanic and Native American women are now more likely to attend college than white men. Unless we find ways to help them, a large and growing cohort of young men - white, black, Hispanic, you name it - are unlikely to find a place for themselves in the modern economy. When men languish, so do the women who love them.

Within living memory, the American women's movement was a valiant, broad-based vehicle for social equality. It achieved historic victories and was rightly admired for its determination and success. But today, Big Feminism is a narrow, take-no-prisoners special-interest group. It sees the world as a zero-sum struggle between Venus and Mars. But most women want equality - not war.

Men aren't their adversaries - they are their brothers, sons, husbands and friends. As Henry Kissinger reportedly said, "No one will ever win the battle of the sexes. There's too much fraternizing with the enemy."

Robin Morgan's death match with the patriarchy has always had limited appeal. Feminism needs to take women as they are, not as it wishes they would be. In a 2013 poll, Pew asked American mothers about their "ideal" working arrangement. Sixty-one percent said they would prefer to work part-time or not at all. Catherine Hakim, a sociologist at the London School of Economics, found similar preferences among Western European women.

As journalist Tina Brown said, "There are more tired wives who want to be Melania sitting by the pool ... than there are women who want to pursue a Ph.D. in earnest self-improvement."

When women want the "wrong" things, feminists tend to write it off to entrenched sexism and internalized misogyny. But it's 2016, not 1960. Why not credit women with free will and respect their choices?

Women's activists are now planning a Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21. The organizers want to remind the new administration that women's rights are human rights and for the world to "HEAR OUR VOICE," in all caps. If I may offer some unsolicited advice: If that voice is calm and judicious rather than hyperbolic and harping, people just might listen.
Sommers is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. She is the author of several books including "Who Stole Feminism?" and "The War Against Boys." She wrote this for The Washington Post.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hillary Clinton's defeat is wreaking havoc in the sisterhood. Celebrity feminists are especially distraught. "Girls" star Lena Dunham developed hives and fled to Sedona for spiritual renewal. Katy Perry took to Twitter to declare "THE REVOLUTION IS COMING." For feminist icon Robin Morgan, the election is proof that "a diseased patriarchy is in a battle to the death with women."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Crowd scientists estimate that at least 470,000 people attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration. There were people from all backgrounds who protested the inauguration, supporting a wide range of issues from reproductive rights to racial equality and immigration reform.

People marched against the inauguration in every populated continent and though it was inspiring to see the world come together in support against Trump, one faction of the protests diluted the whole message: white feminism.

White feminism is a form of pseudo-feminism that usually consists of straight, cisgender white women with messed up priorities. White feminists are the women who seem to pinpoint their focus on the most trivial issues. They are the ones who seem to care more about getting called a "b***h" and being slut-shamed than they do about the systematic oppression of minority women.

Issues like slut-shaming are incredibly important to talk about on a wide platform, but white feminists tend to ignore the bigger issues altogether. One of the biggest problems with white feminism is the exclusion of trans women and the casual transmisogyny incorporated into women's movements.

Many posters at the marches equated womanhood to having a vagina or uterus, and that message excludes a lot of trans women in the country. Trans women are some of the most vulnerable people in America right now, and feminism is not real feminism without supporting all women.

According to a national survey conducted by the LGBT Task Force, 24 percent of transgender American Indians, 18 percent of transgender people identifying as multiracial, 17 percent of transgender Asians and 15 percent of Black transgender respondents experienced sexual assault in K-12 education settings - much higher rates than cisgender students.

Nearly 30 transgender people were killed in 2016, and almost all of them were transgender women of color. Trans women face some of the highest percentages of sexual assault within the LGBT community, and they desperately need feminist support because they often live in fear of abuse or death.

"Intersectionality simply means that there are lots of different parts to our womanhood," said Brittney Cooper, an assistant professor of women's and gender studies and Africana studies at Rutgers University, in a Vox.com article. "And those parts - race, gender, sexuality, and religion, and ability - are not incidental or auxiliary. They matter politically."

Intersectionality has been missing from the white feminist movement since white women fought for their right to vote.

"In 1870, the suffragists found themselves on opposing ends of the equal-rights battle when Congress passed the 15th Amendment, enabling black men to vote (at least, in theory) - and not women," said writer Monee Fields. "That measure engendered resentment among some white suffragists, especially in the South."

On election day, some women who voted for Hillary Clinton put their "I voted" stickers on Susan B. Anthony's grave, but they ignored the fact that Anthony did not fight for all women. Anthony helped white women win the right to vote, but she did not do much to help minorities.

After white men, white women are the most privileged people in the country. White women must come to terms with this fact and use their privilege to help those less fortunate than they are.

If something is only beneficial to white women, it is not beneficial to all women. Feminism is about bringing everyone together and supporting true equality and liberation throughout the genders as well as everything else.

In Trump's America, the only way through is to stand together. Feminism is a central part of the movement, and if the community can focus on being all-inclusive and welcoming, then the country just might have a chance at overcoming the next four years.
Lynne Bunch is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from Terrytown, Louisiana.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Opinion: Women's March highlights need for inclusive feminism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Crowd scientists estimate that at least 470,000 people attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration. There were people from all backgrounds who protested the inauguration, supporting a wide range of issues from reproductive rights to racial equality and immigration reform.

# data[].attributes.body
"He is the present, sadly, but he is not the future. You are the future. Your strength is a million times his. Your power is a billion times his. We will acknowledge this result, but we will not accept it. We will overcome it, and we will defeat it."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vox's home for compelling, provocative narrative essays.

Dear America,

Amidst the confusion, and despair, and disbelief, it was suggested to me by a very close friend of mine (I won't say her name to protect her identity) (Ann. It was Ann) that perhaps a few people would enjoy hearing my thoughts on this election. So I sat down at my computer, cleared my head, and opened a document.

Then I started crying. So I had some hot chocolate, and my close friend (Ann) rubbed my back for a while, and I got myself together, and sat down. And started crying. Then more Ann comforting me, and more hot chocolate, and back and forth like that for about six hours or so, the chain of hot chocolate and back rubs only interrupted briefly when I had to run to the store for more hot chocolate packets ("Just give me all of them, all the boxes," I remember saying, through tears, to a very scared stockroom boy), and now I am ready to go.

When I was in fourth grade, my teacher Mrs. Kolphner taught us a social studies lesson. The 17 students in our class were introduced to two fictional candidates: a smart if slightly bookish-looking cartoon tortoise named Greenie, and a cool-looking jaguar named Speedy. Rick Dissellio read a speech from Speedy, in which he promised that, if elected, he would end school early, have extra recess, and provide endless lunches of chocolate pizzandy (a local Pawnee delicacy at the time: deep fried pizza where the crust was candy bars). Then I read a speech from Greenie, who promised to go slow and steady, think about the problems of our school, and try her best to solve them in a way that would benefit the most people. Then Mrs. Kolphner had us vote on who should be class president.

I think you know where this is going.

Except you don't, because before we voted, Greg Laresque asked if he could nominate a third candidate, and Mrs. Kolphner said "Sure! The essence of democracy is that everyone-" and Greg cut her off and said, "I nominate a T. rex named Dr. Farts who wears sunglasses and plays the saxophone, and his plan is to fart as much as possible and eat all the teachers," and everyone laughed, and before Mrs. Kolphner could blink, Dr. Farts the T. rex had been elected president of Pawnee Elementary School in a 1984 Reagan-esque landslide, with my one vote for Greenie the Tortoise playing the role of "Minnesota."

After class, I was inconsolable. Once the other kids left, Mrs. Kolphner came over and put her arm around me. She told me I had done a great job advocating for Greenie the Tortoise. Through tears I remember saying, "How good, exactly?" and she said, "Very, very good," and I said, "Good enough to-?" and she sighed and went to her desk to get one of the silver stars she gave out to kids who did a good job on something. And as I tearfully added it to my Silver Star Diary, she asked me what upset me the most.

"Greenie was the better candidate," I said. "Greenie should have won."

She nodded.

"I suppose that was the point of the lesson," I said.

"Oh, no," she said. "The point of the lesson is: People are unpredictable, and democracy is insane."

Winston Churchill once said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried." That is perhaps a pithier and better way to get my point across than that long anecdote about Mrs. Kolphner. Should I just erase all of that and start with this? Whatever. I'm pot-committed now, and is there extra caffeine in that hot chocolate? Because my head feels like a spaceship.

The point is: People making their own decisions is, on balance, better than an autocrat making decisions for them. It's just that sometimes those decisions are bad, or self-defeating, or maddening, and a day where you get dressed up in your best victory pantsuit and spend an ungodly amount of money decorating your house with American flags and custom-made cardboard cutouts of suffragettes in anticipation of a glass-ceiling-shattering historical milestone ends with you getting (metaphorically) eaten by a giant farting T. rex.

Like most people, I deal with tragedy by processing the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. My denial over the election results was intense. My anger was (in Ron's words) "significant." My bargaining was short, but creative - I offered my soul and the souls of all of my friends in exchange for 60,000 more votes in Milwaukee, to any demon who cared to accept. (Tom told me it was a terrible deal, but in that moment I didn't care.) My depression I have already mentioned. Which brings us to acceptance. And here's what I stand on that:

No. I do not accept it.

I acknowledge that Donald Trump is the president. I understand, intellectually, that he won the election. But I do not accept that our country has descended into the hatred-swirled slop pile that he lives in. I reject out of hand the notion that we have thrown up our hands and succumbed to racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and crypto-fascism. I do not accept that. I reject that. I fight that. Today, and tomorrow, and every day until the next election, I reject and fight that story.

I work hard and I form ideas and I meet and talk to other people who feel like me, and we sit down and drink hot chocolate (I have plenty) and we plan. We plan like mofos. We figure out how to fight back, and do good in this infuriating world that constantly wants to bend toward the bad. And we will be kind to each other, and supportive of each other's ideas, and we will do literally anything but accept this as our fate.

And let me say something to the young girls who are reading this. Hi, girls. On behalf of the grown-ups of America who care about you and your futures, I am awfully sorry about how miserably we screwed this up. We elected a giant farting T. rex who does not like you, or care about you, or think about you, unless he is scanning your bodies with his creepy T. rex eyes or trying to physically grab you like a toy his daddy got him (or would have, if his daddy had loved him). (Sorry, that was a low blow.) (Actually, not sorry, I'm pissed, and I'm on a roll, so zip it, superego!)

Our president-elect is everything you should abhor and fear in a male role model. He has spent his life telling you, and girls and women like you, that your lives are valueless except as sexual objects. He has demeaned you, and belittled you, and put you in a little box to be looked at and not heard. It is your job, and the job of girls and women like you, to bust out.

You are going to run this country, and this world, very soon. So you will not listen to this man, or the 75-year-old, doughy-faced, gray-haired nightmare men like him, when they try to tell you where to stand or how to behave or what you can and cannot do with your own bodies, or what you should or should not think with your own minds. You will not be cowed or discouraged by his stream of retrogressive babble. You won't have time to be cowed, because you will be too busy working and learning and communing with other girls and women like you. And when the time comes, you will effortlessly flick away his miserable, petty, misogynistic worldview like a fly on your picnic potato salad.

He is the present, sadly, but he is not the future. You are the future. Your strength is a million times his. Your power is a billion times his. We will acknowledge this result, but we will not accept it. We will overcome it, and we will defeat it.

Now find your team, and get to work.

Love,

Leslie

-written by a member of the Parks and Recreation writing staff
Leslie Knope works for the US Department of the Interior, Midwest Branch, in her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana. And she believes that optimism defeats pessimism. She asks that if you have the means, you kindly make a donation to the ACLU, the International Rescue Committee, or the charity of your choice, to help the country and those most in need.
First Person is Vox's home for compelling, provocative narrative essays. Do you have a story to share? Read our submission guidelines, and pitch us at firstperson@vox.com.

Watch: The long fight for a female president

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A letter to America from Leslie Knope, regarding Donald Trump

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Vox's home for compelling, provocative narrative essays. Dear America, Amidst the confusion, and despair, and disbelief, it was suggested to me by a very close friend of mine (I won't say her name to protect her identity) (Ann. It was Ann) that perhaps a few people would enjoy hearing my thoughts on this election.

# data[].attributes.body
"I can't blame him for not knowing about these things, because most people I know don't even take them into consideration. These aren’t issues you typically learn about in school or see discussed on TV. It’s not a passion for most people, so it doesn’t interest them enough to research the topic further.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to Unprofessional Advice. With zero professional experience and a complete lack of credentials, I'll take on your issues with compassion and humor (and I'll keep it anonymous). Got a question for the column? Email me.

Dear Kelsey,

I've been with my boyfriend for five months, and I'm very much in love with him. But, of course, we've had our falling-out moments, and have had to re-evaluate if this was the right time for us. One conflict, which almost forced us to break up, is our differing values when it comes to social and political issues. The most significant topic - on which he has made an effort to hear me out - is women's issues, rights, and equality. I often clash with him on this, since he can be old-school sometimes, when it comes to his thoughts on women. I have been repulsed by how ignorant he is of the woman's struggle within the dynamics of media, culture, ethnic prejudices, cultivation theory, etc.

I can't blame him for not knowing about these things, because most people I know don't even take them into consideration. These aren't issues you typically learn about in school or see discussed on TV. It's not a passion for most people, so it doesn't interest them enough to research the topic further. But advocating for women's rights and equality is a big part of my life, and it's something I plan to pursue professionally. But I'm afraid my boyfriend is resistant to learning about any of this. His indifference or apathy toward the subject has challenged our relationship already, and I'm afraid it will come back up, and inevitably break us up in the end.

We have talked about this many times, and I'm lucky that he is open to discussing this. But I don't know if he cares enough to support me in this movement. What do you think would be the best approach to this?

Sincerely,

Conflicted Feminist

Dear Conflicted Feminist,

Years ago, a cousin of mine (and a good gal pal) started dating a guy who was iffy on abortion rights. He described himself as an out-and-proud liberal, and totally pro-choice. It was just that, when it came to things like late-term abortion - what he then called "partial birth" - he just felt kinda weird about it. Maybe there should be some restrictions, or something. It just made him a little confused and uncomfortable.

When she told me this, I basically screamed at her to, "Dump him! Dump him now! No, wait, I will dump him for you, just give me his number." Though my response was, perhaps, a little knee-jerk, it also made a certain sense. We're women, and we live in a culture which, at best, is confused and uncomfortable with women's equality in general. Anyone who doesn't see that, and recognize it as a huge, urgent problem, has no place in our lives, and certainly not in our hearts.

But I was wrong. This guy was actually a good guy, and because she didn't take my screechy advice and dump him, he became an even better one. They stayed together and got closer and had all sorts of talks about the things that mattered to them, including this very issue. They educated each other on all kinds of things, and today, he is an A+ boyfriend and an actively woke dude who stands up, speaks out, and volunteers. I was right about the principle, but wrong about the person. I'm so glad she didn't listen to me.

Your guy may have the same potential. I'd like to say we should give everyone a shot to have their mind cracked open and to re-examine all the faulty wiring they may have been living with. But sometimes, it just doesn't work. Your guy may be un-wake-able. And sometimes, it's not worth the effort. You're not responsible for teaching this guy - and I'm gritting my teeth as I type this - that women's equality is a thing. You have a choice. And yes, I do see the irony in that sentence.

Option A) Dump him, cry, and never look back. You don't need this casual, lazy misogyny.

Option B) Keep him around, and keep him talking.

These are both totally valid choices, and both will be difficult. But please note there is no Option C. I won't tell you what to do, but I will implore, urge, and perhaps even screech at you to please, please, do not stay in this relationship and just learn to be cool with him not giving a shit. It's bad enough that, as a human, he doesn't seem to care about the problems facing his fellow female humans. But it's even worse that he claims to love you, a woman, and still doesn't care. It's double-plus-bonus worse that you plan to make a career out of advocating for women's issues and you're with someone so aggressively apathetic. I'll tell you that much for damn sure.

And I'll tell you another thing: You need a wake-up call, too. Look at the way you're coddling this guy, even in your letter. You say he's "old-school" and that you're "lucky that he is open to discussing this." Woman, come on. Being open to discussing the things that matter to you is not some premium perk in a relationship. It's a given. He doesn't get extra points for that. And, I'm sorry, but, "old-school?" Oh yeah, I'm sure it was super nice for women back in the old days when men always held the door open and paid for dinner. That really softened the blow of not having the legal right to vote.

I get it. You love him. Life is complicated. If you stay in this relationship - or any relationship - you will have to compromise, and so will your partner. Even A+ boyfriends will never be perfect, and guess what? Neither will you. But some things, you don't cede, because to do so would compromise your very sense of self. That's not okay. And no one who actually loves you would want you to do that.

This is a conflict, but it shouldn't be a fight. People learn by listening, and it's hard to listen when you're on the defense. So, no matter what you decide, try to make this a good, heartfelt talk. If you go, let him know exactly why you're going. If you stay, tell him what you need to change. Infuriating though it may be, it's much easier to brush aside issues when they're just "politics." But this is personal, and he needs to understand that. Then he will have a choice to make, too: Will he stay and start really engaging with you on this, not just because it's important in the big picture, but important to you? Or is this something he just can't get on board with?

Either way, you will have done something good. You will have gotten him to consider this, finally, for real. You may not get the answer you want. But you will know that, at long last, you've gotten him to start questioning.

Sincerely,
Kelsey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Unprofessional Advice. With zero professional experience and a complete lack of credentials, I'll take on your issues with compassion and humor (and I'll keep it anonymous). Got a question for the column? Email me. Dear Kelsey, I've been with my boyfriend for five months, and I'm very much in love with him.

# data[].attributes.body
Patriarchy: the society in which there is unequal power relations between women and men whereby women are systematically disadvantaged and oppressed.
Internalized Misogyny: where woman involuntarily repeat sexist messages that have been spoken to them so often that they have become internalized.
White Feminism: a set of beliefs that allows for the exclusion of issues that specifically affect women of color; a “one size-fits all” feminism, where middle class white women are the mold that others must fit
Division of Domestic Labor: The idea that "men's jobs" include handy work, and "woman's jobs" are to keep a household.
Misandry: a hatred of men (feminism is not the same as this!)
Misogyny: a hatred of women
Objectification: Treatment of somebody as a object rather than a person
Wage Gap: the difference between the amounts of money paid to women and men, often for doing the same work
Slut - Shaming: attacking a woman or a girl for being sexual, having one or more sexual partners, acknowledging sexual feelings, and/or acting on sexual feelings
Intersectionality: concept used to describe the ways in which oppression (racism, sexism, homophobia, trans-phobia, able-ism, class-ism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Figuring out the correct usage of feminist terminology can be confusing. Even though I've been studying feminism, feminist history, and feminist theories for over a decade, I have still found myself googling certain words and vocabulary.

But feminism doesn't need to be complicated. If you're new to feminism, I can help! This is the first in my series on Feminism 101.

I've spent more than a decade explaining some of the basic concepts behind feminism to people who ask me about it, so I've finally decided to consolidate what I've learned in one place.

The best place to start? With feminist vocabulary!

To any feminists reading these posts: this is very much an introduction to feminism. I'm sticking to the basics for now. I'm happy to point you to more advanced feminist writing if you're interested.

To everyone: I am not a perfect person, nor a perfect feminist, but I do spend as much time as possible becoming a better feminist, and thus a better person.

Let's start with the most basic question of Feminism 101: what is the definition of feminism?

Huh, there's nothing about burning bras ( a myth, for the record) or misandry in that definition, straw feminist depictions that irritate me the most. Like Sarah Bessey said in her book Jesus Feminist, "At the core, feminism simply consists of the radical notion that women are people, too."

Feminism 101 Vocabulary
Unless otherwise linked, feminist vocabulary definitions also come from merriam-webster.com.
Ableism: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities

Androcentric: dominated by or emphasizing masculine interests or a masculine point of view

Asexuality: the lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or low or absent interest in sexual activity

Benevolent sexism: a subjectively positive orientation of protection, idealization, and affection directed toward women that, like hostile sexism, serves to justify women's subordinate status to men

Biphobia: aversion toward bisexuality and bisexual people as a social group or as individuals

Bisexuality: an identity for which sex and gender are not a boundary to attraction

Christian egalitarianism: all people are equal before God and in Christ; have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God; and are called to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race

Cisgender: denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity conforms with the gender that corresponds to their biological sex; not transgender

Creep(er): a strange person who you strongly dislike; an unpleasant or obnoxious person; someone who causes you to feel nervous and afraid

Complementarianism: a theological view that men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, religious leadership, and elsewhere; these separate roles preclude women from specific functions of ministry within the Church

Cultural appropriation: when members of a dominant or privileged group exploit the culture of a marginalized group, often without understanding the latter's history, experience, or traditions

Double standard: a set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another; especially a code of morals that applies more severe standards of sexual behavior to women than to men

Fat-shaming: unkind and usually public criticism of someone for being overweight

Hegemony: preponderant influence or authority over others; the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group

Heteronormative: of, relating to, or based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality

Heterosexual: sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex; based on sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex

Homophobia: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals

Homosexual: sexually attracted to people of the same sex; based on or showing a sexual attraction to people of the same sex

Internalized misogyny: the involuntary internalization by women of the sexist messages that are present in their societies and culture; the way in which women reinforce sexism by utilizing and relaying sexist messages that they've internalized

Institutional racism: societal patterns that have the net effect of imposing oppressive or otherwise negative conditions against identifiable groups on the basis of race or ethnicity; in the United States, institutional racism results from the social caste system that sustained, and was sustained by, slavery and racial segregation

Intersectionality: concept often used in critical theories to describe the ways in which oppressive institutions (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, classism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another; first came from legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. Brita's Note: Learn more in my 101 post on intersectionality.

Kyriarchy: a concept first created by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza in 1992 to describe her theory of interconnected, interacting, and self-extending systems of domination and submission, in which a single individual might be oppressed in some relationships and privileged in others. Brita's Note: Learn more in my 101 post on intersectionality.

Male gaze: presentation of media, such as films or advertising, from the perspective of a heterosexual man

Men's rights activists (MRAs): people who believe that social, legal and economic discrimination against males is present in society to the extent that fighting it deserves an organized effort mirroring feminism; generally have asserted since the 80s that women and feminism "went too far," and have harmed men in the process

Misandry: a hatred of men

Misogyny: a hatred of women

Nice Guy (TM): men who view themselves as prototypical "nice guys," but whose "nice deeds" are in reality only motivated by attempts to passively please women into a relationship and/or sex. Brita's Note: If I ever refer to someone as a nice guy, without capital letters, I genuinely mean he's a good man. The capital letters refer to the above Nice Guy.

Objectification: the treatment of someone like an object instead of a person

Patriarchy: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line; broadly, control by men of a disproportionately large share of power

Privilege: a set of advantages (or lack of disadvantages) enjoyed by a majority group. Brita's Note: Learn more in my 101 post on privilege.

Purity Culture: the view of any discussion of things of a sexual nature outside of the context of heterosexual marriage as taboo; adherence to a strict heteronormative lifestyle that forbids most physical contact with significant others, as well as engaging in self pleasure, or holding lustful thoughts about another person that is not a spouse; includes an insistence on female modesty and responsibility to shield boys and men from sexual temptation. Brita's Note: Learn more in my 101 post on Purity Culture.

Racism: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race; racial prejudice or discrimination

Rape culture: a society in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender, sex, and sexuality. Brita's Note: Learn more in my 101 post on rape culture.

Sexism: prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially discrimination against women; behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex. Brita's Note: Learn more about the difference between sexism and misogyny in my post on everyday sexism.

Slut-shaming: attacking a woman or a girl for being sexual, having one or more sexual partners, acknowledging sexual feelings, and/or acting on sexual feelings

Straw feminist: a made-up version of a feminist that doesn't really exist, used in straw man arguments against feminist ideas

Toxic masculinity: socially-constructed attitudes that describe the masculine gender role as violent, unemotional, sexually aggressive, etc.

Transgender: of, relating to, or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex [assigned] at birth

Transphobia: intense dislike of or prejudice against transgender people

Victim-blaming: here the victim of a crime, an accident, or any type of abusive maltreatment is held as wholly or partially responsible for the wrongful conduct committed against them

Wage gap: the difference between the amounts of money paid to women and men, often for doing the same work

White Feminism: a set of beliefs that allows for the exclusion of issues that specifically affect women of color; a "one size-fits all" feminism, where middle class white women are the mold that others must fit

Womanism: a form of feminism focused especially on the conditions and concerns of black women

This is hardly an exhaustive list of feminist vocabulary, but it's a start. I will explore many of these concepts in further detail in future posts. For now, I just wanted to put together a Feminism 101 glossary so that readers won't be confused in future posts. I know I've already used some of this vocabulary in previous posts, and I use them frequently on social media.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments. Just know that I might not choose to provide a full answer in the comments if I already plan on addressing that topic in a future blog post.

Fellow feminists, if you have a suggestion for me to add to my feminist vocabulary, please comment below! I especially appreciate suggestions with sources.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Feminism 101: Feminist Vocabulary for Beginners - Belle Brita

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Figuring out the correct usage of feminist terminology can be confusing. Even though I've been studying feminism, feminist history, and feminist theories for over a decade, I have still found myself googling certain words and vocabulary. But feminism doesn't need to be complicated. If you're new to feminism, I can help!

# data[].attributes.body
@rowanblanchard on Instagram

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wow reading the Kirsten Dunst interview in Gentlewoman + came across Roger Ebert's review of Marie Antoinette 💔

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
See this Instagram photo by @rowanblanchard * 65.6k likes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning citizens of seven countries from entering the United States, and halting the acceptance of refugees, even those who were already in route to the United States. Immediately, citizens began pushing back, including three young stars who are fighting the refugee ban with courage and wisdom most people twice their age would envy. Zendaya, Rowan Blanchard, and Yara Shahidi have spent the weekend sharing information on how to help refugees, how to contact senators, and where protests are being held, and their words are incredibly inspiring.

Blanchard took to Twitter to speak out against the idea celebrities should stay silent to protect their brand. The Girl Meets World actor received praise from her fellow Disney star Zendaya, who has taken a similar stance on her own social media accounts. Finally, 16-year-old Black-ish star Shahidi, who is black and Iranian, shared an emotional plea for love and common sense to prevail in the face of Trump's horrifying move to bar refugees from the country.

"I am the result of love," Shahidi wrote in an open letter on her Instagram page. "More specifically, Black and Iranian love." Her powerful post is a must-read, and a reminder that the United States is and always will be a country of immigrants, and is stronger for it. Here is her full message of love: ‌

Stars like Shahidi, Blanchard, and Zendaya not only represent the voices of the next generation, but give their generation the confidence to speak up against injustices before they are old enough to cast their vote. Of the three, only the 20-year-old Zendaya is of voting age, but all of these women are astounding in their level of political activity. They saw the government doing an injustice to humanity and everything the country stands for, and they took it as a call to action. Blanchard had particularly strong words for celebrities who did not use their influence for good over the weekend. ‌

After sharing her thoughts on accountability culture, she then began retweeting ways to help refugees and detainees. She shared tweets from the ACLU, the Women's March account, and kept her fans apprised of victories as the matter was taken to court. By using her social media platforms to share as much information as possible on how to help, she gave those who look up to her, who are just as young, the tools they needed to make a difference. Once again, Blanchard, who has been a tireless advocate for feminism, LGBTQ rights, and human rights, made sure her generation knew they were not powerless in the face of injustice.

Zendaya did her part as well, not only by showing solidarity with Blanchard, but by flooding her feed with images from protests around the country. She turned her Twitter page into a place where her fans could stay informed and feel empowered. She kept her own message short and to the point, but simply tweeting, "resist."

Over the weekend, these young stars proved they shine even brighter when they're not acting. Their desire to help refugees in big ways and small, by sharing their stories and the stories of others is incredibly empowering. With women like these three leading the way, the next generation is sure to be far wiser than the one currently trying to spread hate and fear throughout the country.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Zendaya & More Young Stars Are Fighting The Ban

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning citizens of seven countries from entering the United States, and halting the acceptance of refugees, even those who were already in route to the United States. Immediately, citizens began pushing back, including three young stars who are fighting the refugee ban with courage and wisdom most people twice their age would envy.

# data[].attributes.body
"I am not free any women is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."
"Some problems we share as women, some we do not. You fear your children will grow up to join the patriarchy and testify against you; we fear our children will be dragged from a car and shot down in the street, and you will turn your back on the reason they are dying."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
25 Famous Quotes That Will Make You Even Prouder To Be A Feminist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back."

# data[].attributes.body
#FreeTheNipple
#LoveYourLines
#RedMyLips
#ToTheGirls
#EverydaySexism
#LikeAGirl

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's been a banner year for feminism, and it's only May.

Feminists around the globe have taken to social media to spread their word.They have gathered a notable following in the process, and have given a voice to many women who have previously been silenced - all with the power of the hashtag.

The movements have addressed rape, beauty standards, desexualizing women's bodies and combating sexism, to name a few. Here's a roundup of the most influential feminist hashtags being used in 2015 thus far.

Inspired by New York film of the same name, #FreeTheNipple encourages women to post pictures of their exposed nipples and endeavors to desexualize women's breasts. Women turned this into a global social media movement in pushback against how we hyper-sexualize females.

#FreeTheNipple ultimately allows women to reclaim their bodies as opposed to being objectified by a society which relentlessly sexualizes (and victimizes) women and imposes concomitant pressures.

Two mothers started this Instagram account in a similar effort to reclaim their bodies. Their tagline: "Two moms celebrating real women, real bodies and real self love." With #LoveYourLines, women show off their stretch marks to celebrate the changes women's bodies go through.

Their Instagram account has 125,000 followers and they accept photograph submissions.

Started in 2012, Danielle Tansino's campaign and of the same name gained momentum this year. Tansino started the hashtag after she was sexually assaulted while inebriated. Though Tansino wanted to press charges, her case never went to trial after a female district attorney said they wouldn't prosecute because jurors "don't like girls that drink," to the organization's website.

Since gaining momentum this year, the campaign has been a crucial outlet for survivors who haven't been able to hold their attackers accountable, particularly for those who have been blamed for their assault because they'd been drinking, as well as a way for people to offer support.

#OlderWomenVoices targets those who often face underreported criticism and exclusion. "Seventy-one percent of women are worried about being forced out of their careers as they reach their 40s and 50s," a pilot study on female ageism.

This kind of marginalization, which happens as early as middle age, compounds by the time women actually reach old age. #OlderWomenVoices is a way to push back against this societal double standard and allows older women to offer advice to younger people.

Five young Chinese women protested in the fight for gender equality, the streets in blood-spattered wedding gowns in March to draw attention to domestic violence, in just one example of their activism. Their arrests have sparked international outrage and led to the creation of #FreeTheFive. The hashtag had gained momentum on social media and in in-person protests, with an important message that quelling activism in the fight for equality will not go unnoticed.

"I think we can call them the first modern, independent, feminist, grassroots actors in Chinese history," a feminist Chinese blogger the New York Times.

Young adult fiction author Courtney Summers dedicated April 14 to reaching out to young women and girls online to let them know they're not alone, their voices are heard and women are just as powerful as men. Young girls are an easy demographic to marginalize and often from low self-esteem, which only makes this kind of outreach more important.

This initiative for women around the world to share their experiences with everyday sexism has revealed just how pervasive it is, manifesting itself in even the smallest ways. It's been an important way for women to hold society accountable for the daily sexism they encounter.

While this was started in response to the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations (and, more generally, Hollywood), feminists have used this hashtag to draw attention to the marginalization of women of color.

Many have that the latest iteration of feminism is a white-centric one, which excludes the experience of the struggle of women from different races. This movement advocates for women to have a voice and to push for the inclusion of female ethnic minorities in entertainment.

"Rape culture theory is doing little to help victims, but its power to poison the minds of young women and lead to hostile environments for innocent males is immense," Caroline Kitchens of the right-wing think tank the American Enterprise Institute in Time magazine in 2014.

In response to this and a wave of other writers and thinkers acting as sexual assault victim-blamers, millions of women took to the Twittersphere to hold these people accountable. Spreading the message that sexual assault is a rampant problem and women are not responsible for their assaults is absolutely imperative. This hashtag does both.

For all the ills facilitated by social media, like online bullying and trolling, these are nine powerful arguments for how positive and impactful such platforms can be. Connecting survivors of sexual assault, who so often shut themselves off out of shame and fear, has been tremendously empowering. Coupled with other equality campaigns that help women reclaim their bodies, fight ageism or support global social activism truly makes this one of the best times in history to be a feminist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The 9 Most Important Feminist Hashtags of 2015 So Far

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's been a banner year for feminism, and it's only May. Feminists around the globe have taken to social media to spread their word.They have gathered a notable following in the process, and have given a voice to many women who have previously been silenced - all with the power of the hashtag.

# data[].attributes.headline
Feminism doesn't just work towards equal rights for women. It works for equal rights for LGBTQI Community, equal rights between the rich and poor, and equal rights between all races and religions.

# data[].attributes.subject
Feminism doesn't just work towards equal rights for women. It works for equal rights for LGBTQI Community, equal rights between the rich and poor, and equal rights between all races and religions.

# data[].attributes.headline
How does the media affect women's body image and self esteem?

# data[].attributes.subject
How does the media affect women's body image and self esteem?

# data[].attributes.body
JustSayYes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New Name. New Look. Even Greater Impact!

# data[].attributes.body
"White feminism" is a term used among feminist to describe how feminist of color should/are expected to act vs what the world expects feminist to be. Most peoples idea of feminist is "white feminism," as they fail to understand that intersection feminism includes equal rights for women of color and gender identity.

# data[].attributes.headline
7 Things Feminist of Color Want White Feminist to Know

# data[].attributes.subject
7 Things Feminist of Color Want White Feminist to Know

# data[].attributes.body
From Bustle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Since the now-infamous Miley Cyrus / Nicki Minaj feud back in August, we've been talking more and more about White Feminism - feminism that blatantly leaves out the concerns and issues of women of color. It's not always a pleasant conversation to have, but it's a conversation that is more necessary now than ever. There are a lot of things feminists of color want white feminists to know. Hopefully, now that the feminist movement is finally beginning to address how women of color have historically been disregarded in the fight for gender equality, women of every demographic will start listening to each other.

The hard truth is white feminists are privileged in ways that feminists of color simply can't relate to, and it's not even really their fault. Yes, some white feminists don't acknowledge their privilege, and that's wrong. However, our society is also to blame for pretending that race relations in the U.S. are more advanced than they actually are.

As an individual of mixed race, displays of White Feminism (like seeing white women as the primary spokespeople for feminist theories which women of color created in the first place) are difficult for me to stomach. On a more personal level, I've witnessed hardworking nonwhite women in my family face systemic prejudices that most white women will never understand, such as low-quality healthcare and low-wage jobs that promise little hope of upward mobility.

I know I can't singlehandedly fix all the discord within the feminist community, but I can tell you these seven things this feminist of color wants white women to know.

1. There Is A Lot Of Racism In The History Of Feminism

Some of America's most well-known feminists were unfortunately racist. In the early 1900s, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the leader of the American suffrage movement, expressed anger over the fact that white women were denied the right to vote while " degraded black men" were given the opportunity to line up at the polls. Another suffragist, Frances Willard, refused to support the prevention of lynching in the South because she believed that black men were drunken menaces who were collectively guilty of raping white women.

Moreover, white women leading equality campaigns in Washington, D.C. blatantly requested that black suffragists walk at the back of their parades. As a result, some black women chose not to march at all, refusing to participate in yet another form of segregation.

2. White Feminism Is Very Real

White Feminism marginalizes women of color. White Feminism fails to give feminists of color a platform to discuss how racial inequality relates to gender inequality. It consistently reminds us that the beauty standard in our culture remains thin, blonde, and white.

White Feminism is present in academia, Hollywood, our government, and the Internet. In addition to excluding women of color from feminism, it excludes women who aren't straight or able-bodied as well.

3. We're All Responsible For Making Feminism More Inclusive

It's easy to accuse women like Miley Cyrus and Lena Dunham of promoting White Feminism in the media, but pointing fingers won't help the feminist movement progress. A more useful way for feminists to spend their time is to collectively strive for intersectionality.

Often, women of privilege don't even realize that they're excluding other marginalized groups. This isn't an excuse for their behavior, but it is a chance for women of color to honestly tell feminists of privilege how their lack of self-awareness affects other women. By helping each other recognize that women of different races, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses experience gender inequality differently, we can all become more inclusive feminists.

4. Some Women Of Color Don't Feel Comfortable Calling Themselves Feminists

Because of the tension between themselves and White Feminism, it's no surprise that many women of color are uneasy identifying as feminists. This doesn't mean that we aren't lobbying for equal rights across the board; we just can't ignore the racism in the movement's history. More importantly, we're hyper-aware of the harmful discourse that has been developed in mainstream feminism, and we're rightfully upset about the fact that our disenfranchisement is largely ignored.

These feelings aren't new. In the 1980s - when pale, blonde Gloria Steinem was the poster child for mainstream feminism - women of color were birthing the womanist and mujerista movements in response to being left out. In her book In Search Of Our Mothers' Garden , Alice Walker defined a "womanist" as a black feminist or feminist of color. Then, mujerista (developed from the Spanish word for woman, mujer) was seized by Latinas to "claim their space over white feminists."

Both of these movements still have their followers today. However, many feminists of color don't identify with these groups either, so they simply don't feel like they have a place in the feminist movement at all.

5. Our Struggle Is Different Than Yours

The plight of a middle-class, straight, white, American woman is not the same as that of an uneducated, gay, American woman of color. While the former fights for equal pay and paid maternity leave, the latter is more concerned with stopping race-related police brutality, acquiring better funding for inner-city public schools, and developing more comprehensive treatment programs for HIV.

In an essay for Salon, Brittney Cooper, professor of Women's and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University, puts it into perspective. She points out that feminists are concerned with equality, while feminists of color (especially black feminists) are battling injustice. She says, "One kind of feminism focuses on the policies that will help women integrate fully into the existing American system. The other recognizes the fundamental flaws in the system and seeks its complete and total transformation."

Until we can all understand this difference and find a way to bridge these two goals, many women of color will refuse to identify themselves as feminists.

6. We Want To Be Heard

As Ijeoma Oluo wrote in a thought-provoking piece for Ravishly, when women of color speak up truthfully about race and feminism, we're either dismissed or "told that our complaints are 'divisive,' and that we should be focusing on the 'real enemy.'" In other words, we shouldn't talk about how racial inequality and gender inequality intersect. For example, when Nicki Minaj used Twitter as a platform to shed light on the lack of representation of black women in the 2015 VMA nominations, Miley Cyrus told The New York Times that she was " not very polite."

Even more troubling than how women of color are underrepresented in the media, though, is the fact that black and Latina women are disproportionately poor and receive very little public aid, and that black women are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

Asking women of color to keep quiet about how racial inequality affects them will keep the feminist movement divided.

7. We Don't Want To Be Spoken For

The overwhelming majority of writers, activists, and celebrities representing feminism are white women of privilege. Think of Patricia Arquette's infamous speech at last year's Oscars ceremony, or Emma Watson's status as ambassador for the He for She campaign. It's not that these women aren't doing good things, but that women of color can no longer disregard the fact that we aren't properly represented in our society or in the feminist movement.

In a memorable debate about the whiteness of feminism between Rebecca Traister and Judith Shulevitz, two senior editors of the New Republic, Traister brought up how ironic it was that both participants were white, educated women from New York City.

Regardless of their good intentions, white feminists should not be the only feminists speaking for women of color. We deserve a platform from which we can discuss how our race impacts our feminism, and we deserve to be included in the mainstream feminist movement. Period.
Images: Gina Florio; MemeGenerator; Giphy (7)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Things Feminists Of Color Want You To Know

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Since the now-infamous Miley Cyrus / Nicki Minaj feud back in August, we've been talking more and more about White Feminism - feminism that blatantly leaves out the concerns and issues of women of color. It's not always a pleasant conversation to...

# data[].attributes.body
Today, there is a clear division between "women's jobs" and "men's jobs". Magazines, social media, and the news deeply impact women body image. Social Inequalities such as payment and jobs can be seen everywhere in our society.

# data[].attributes.headline
What are the five main issues facing modern feminism?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are the five main issues facing modern feminism?

# data[].attributes.body
The article from the NewStatesmen explains the five main issues modern feminist face.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What exactly is "modern feminism"? Whether you're with the Times and see it as "hot, rude and self-confident", with that ubiquitous pub-goer who remonstrates on how it's "unnecessary" because we're not throwing ourselves under horses anymore, or more inclined to agree with this magazine and say that we're all just obsessed with gin and cake, there's no denying that we're seeing something of a new wave.

"But where is the focus of this new wave?" we hear you cry through mouthfuls of Tanqueray and Black Forest Gateau (which, FYI, is making a comeback), "All anyone seems to do is argue on Twitter!" Well, yes, quite. Turns out that, horses aside, there remain some hefty barriers on the road to 21st century equality. Of course, there are the obvious ones: gin, cake, the inability of many of its members to take the piss out of themselves, that douchebag who is suing his gym, and certain bloggers who think the hashtag #killallmen is the embodiment of empowerment rather than straightforward hate speech (apparently it's the same as "tremble hetero swine" or "die cis scum" in a good way, both maxims that are unlikely to overtake YOLO as the phrase du jour anytime soon.)

Obviously, the one main issue facing modern feminism is men, and, though we don't want to kill all or even any of them (nor start a hashtag implying that we might), there's no point hiding behind words like "sexism" or "patriarchy" when considering who's really in charge today, and who has the power to prevent us from climbing up there on the phallic plinth beside them. It's men, pure and simple. But before you start calling us aggressive-looking man-hating harridans (again), let's break that down a bit for the uninitiated. By the end of this article, you'll basically be a Gender Studies graduate.

1. The Division of Domestic Labour

Otherwise known as "the final feminist frontier", we actually see it more as the first, because without this one down, gender equality is pretty much a no-go. Our feminist foremothers succeeded in getting some women out of the kitchen and into the workplace, but eight out of ten women still say they do more housework than their male partners, and those with dependent children are even more likely to be slaving away. Contrary to what the Telegraph might say, being part of a couple where you both do an equal amount of housework doesn't condemn you to divorce, depression, and a dead husband by 33. What we're talking about when we talk about housework are entrenched ideas that housework and childcare are women's work and, because women are paid less than men, they're more likely to give up their jobs to enter a world of underpaid drudgery. It should go without saying that making the choice to stay at home is as admirable as any work, and a choice that deserves social recognition rather than eye-rolling snipes about "desperate housewives", but the point is that many can't make a choice when their hand is forced financially or socially. Obvious solutions, such as improved provisions for paternity leave, subsidised childcare, equal pay, and just generally being more like Sweden are frustratingly still a long way off.

2. The Media

Yep, that thing that we've been banging on about for over a year now: the media does a lot to perpetuate unhelpful stereotypes, and culprits range from Weetabix (whose sexist ad implies your lad can be a superhero but your daughter can't), to Unilever (skinny women aren't "real" women and/or dark-skinned women should get paler), to fashion magazines (skinny women are the only women), to the Daily Mail (eight year old celebrates her curves in unauthorised bikini shot - hasn't she inherited her model mother's legs?) to the sexist scrutiny of female politicians, to the tellybox (just 18 per cent of TV presenters are women over 50), all of which have real-life implications. One study showed that 70 per cent of girls under 7 say they want to be thinner, for example, with the average British woman worrying about their body every 15 minutes. With body anxiety this pervasive, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to media sexism (though more women in top positions is a big one). Campaigns against lads' mags and the Sun 's Page Three have been gaining ground for a while now, and adding your signatures to these is a step in the right direction. Organisations such as Media Smart, Endangered Bodies, UK Feminista and AnyBody are campaigning hard on these issues, while young feminists are lobbying advertisers and engaging in sticker sabotage. Every little helps.

3. The Glass Ceiling

As many commentators rightly pointed out after the death of Margaret Thatcher that Maggie "made it through the glass ceiling, but pulled the ladder up after her": a phrase that reminded us all of how reinforced that glass really is. Thatcher herself wanted none of the feminist cause, frequently referring to herself as an anomaly amongst the weaker sex; women successes of the modern age are slightly more charitable, with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg ostensibly helping to winch her sisters through the ceiling with her bestselling career advice book Lean In. Although Lean In is based around the idea that - in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt - "No one can make you inferior without your permission", the reality of the workplace in numbers is that 22 out of 197 global heads of state are women; the percentage of women at the top in job sectors ranging from government to journalism to law in the UK and US levels out at 22 per cent; 18 of the Fortune 500 CEOs are female; women returning to work after having children are likely to see their careers progress downward rather than upward. Personal ambition is undoubtedly an asset, but acknowledging that we must fight overarching sexist structures in the workplace - yes, even through "positive discrimination" - is key.

4. Social Inequality

Around 58 per cent of carers are female according to the Office of National Statistics, with women in full-time work still more likely to be carers than men in full-time work. Transgendered women remain extremely likely to be prejudiced against; lesbian women tend to experience higher levels of discrimination in the UK than gay men. Black African women who are asylum seekers in the UK have an appallingly high mortality rate, estimated at 7 times higher than for white women. The most persistent health disparities, according to the latest EHRC report, were best illustrated by the fact that a quarter of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women reported a disability in the last census, rising to two thirds of Pakistani women in older age groups. This rather depressing state of affairs shows that issues of race, disability, sexual orientation and gender (amongst many other things) often combine to create a reality of extreme disadvantage for certain groups. Most of the time, these groups are female.

5. Violence Against Women

Although it is no longer the case in Britain, a large percentage of the world refuses to recognise rape within marriage as a criminal offence. Meanwhile, here in the UK, 89 per cent of regular domestic violence victims are women, and two women a week are killed by a male partner or former partner. The "banter" culture that surrounds violence against women - jokes about "rape as surprise sex"; "I'd have sex with her" recast as "I'd smash it" - doesn't do this state of affairs any favours. So long as women are disproportionately targeted for violence, our work is never done - which is why the great work of charities like Women's Aid is so encouraging.

Put like this, sexism today can seem an insurmountable obstacle, despite all of our past collective achievements. But it's worth remembering that often, just drawing attention to inequality can be enough to get people on board with tackling it; consider the huge popularity of Everyday Sexism. If you don't know where to start, places like UK Feminista have a campaign for every form of stigma, ranging from discussions of why people assume that Muslim women wearing headscarves "don't have a voice", to policing plastic surgery adverts in magazines. It's still a tough world out there for The Ladies, and we hope that we've demonstrated how sexism remains at work in 2013. Here's hoping modern feminism will tackle it; as we all know, a fight on many fronts greatly improves our chances.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Five Main Issues Facing Modern Feminism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What exactly is "modern feminism"? Whether you're with the Times and see it as "hot, rude and self-confident", with that ubiquitous pub-goer who remonstrates on how it's "unnecessary" because we're not throwing ourselves under horses anymore, or more inclined to agree with this magazine and say that we're all just obsessed with gin and cake, there's no denying that we're seeing something of a new wave.

# data[].attributes.headline
How Can I Educate Girls AND boys in San Diego About Feminism?

# data[].attributes.subject
How Can I Educate Girls AND boys in San Diego About Feminism?

# data[].attributes.body
Power of One Research Project by Lily Mckissen