Planned Parenthood Blogs

Two new inside looks into Planned Parenthood:

"Over My Med Body!" - blog post from a med student doing part of his residency at PP
http://www.grahamazon.com/2007/10/planned-parenthood-aint-abortions/

and, an "official" PP blog: http://www.iamemilyx.blogspot.com/

Hello, world! I am Emily X. I am Planned Parenthood. Day 13 of 40: "... protesters are holding up signs like the one above. One was even holding a sign that read, 'Planned Parenthood: where money matters and people don't.' Have they seen my paycheck? I don't spend my days here for the money. I spend my days here because the women who are in our waiting room when I walk into the clinic matter to me, and I know they matter to Planned Parenthood." Click here to read more of Emily X's blog and pledge your donation for every protester she encounters. We're in the middle of something here at Planned Parenthood (where I work) that's spread way beyond the clinic in Aurora, Illinois, you helped us open last month — although it's happening there, too. The anti-choice people call it "40 days for life." I call it another day at the office. Basically, a bunch of big anti-choice groups all got together and decided to picket more than 80 Planned Parenthood clinics across the country, 24 hours a day for 40 days. They're claiming it's "the largest and longest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in American history." I'm used to picketers. Planned Parenthood is used to picketers. It bothers me very much that the picketers aren't just picketing our clinics — they're really about making it impossible for women to get health care. But...we don't let them faze us. As for me, the more picketers there are, the harder I want to work. So, I've decided to do something a little different. I'm inviting you to come to work with me. Seriously. Every day, I'm posting to my blog — some notes about my day, some photos, some video. I want you to know what it's like to work for Planned Parenthood. That's not all. Since the 40 days thing began, various friends and supporters have emailed us saying they'd like to donate money for every protester that shows up. So, we set up a little system where you can pledge 5 or 10 cents for every protester I encounter. Sort of like a walk-a-thon. You make your pledge, and we'll let you know how much you owe at the end of the 40 days on Nov. 4. Don't worry, you can put a cap on your donation in case I encounter a LOT of protesters (I hope I don't!). Oh! And if you have a medical appointment at one of our health centers -- don't worry! Planned Parenthood works around the clock to protect your health, safety, and security. Plus — the protesters aren't at many of our clinics (that would be pretty hard, since there are more than 800 clinics), and, well, Planned Parenthood has been doing this for 90 years. We're pretty good at making women and their families feel welcome and well cared for no matter what. C'mon down! Thanks for reading this. Thanks for your support. I am Emily X. I am Planned Parenthood. P.S. See my blog, pledge-a-protester, tell your friends, and find out more ways to help here: www.iamemilyx.blogspot.com/

More Nooses

some really scary shit:
http://jackandjillpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/09/another-noose-incident-near-jena.html

more noose stories:
http://www.racialicious.com/2007/10/10/nooses-when-retro-goes-too-far

more:
http://www.racialicious.com/2007/10/10/yet-more-nooses/

Civil unrest in the Congo

about the femicide going on in the Congo...WOAH. that is all i can say.
http://brownfemipower.com/?p=1884

Anorexia, Human Trafficking, Fucked Up Movie Studios

Understanding Anorexia: A Thin Excuse
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/63285/
delves beyond the usual quick n' easy media explanations for anorexia into some more subversive territory

Short Film: Garbage Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKIrhuBUjrU
about an Egyptian boy who collects and resells recycling for a living ... very inclusive of connected issues

No Fair Trade for Trafficked Women
http://www.alternet.org/rights/63791/
a new movie called "Trade" and a brief overview of human trafficking in the world right now and how women are banding together to change it globally

Warner Bros bans Films starring Women
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/warners-robinoff-gets-in-catfight-with-girls/
yeah. cause when some dumbass action flick fails, it's because the female lead wasn't hot enough, not because the dudes who wrote, directed and produced it were at all at fault

Affirative Action

Good read for refuting ignorant anti-affirmative action opinions
http://halfricanrevolution.blogspot.com/2007/10/maybe-clarence-thomas-should-ask-dubya.html

i've found some other really good stuff in the past couple days too, but have been to busy to post it, i'll have to catch up!