MOXIE Minutes
Thursday October 25, 2007
Sorry this took me so long to send out!!
EVENTS:
Erica already re-updated us concerning Hollaback and the self-defense workshop–
Richenda is filing paperwork for clueless.
Eve Ensler–$15,000 to get her to speak, which goes back to V-day. Want to use Moxie (so that it’s coming from students) when asking for money. -Moxie helped sponsor–will be on flyers, have table at event. We need more people for behind the scenes work at “The Vagina Monologues.” next meeting is tomorrow (November 2nd), 4:30pm in 13th street student activities space. first floor, go to left. Need help on organizing, fundraising, flyering, etc.
Discussion:
Abortion Conference Report Back
One person asked, “the argument for being pro-life is taking a life, is there any argument on the pro-choice argument as strong?” All people on panel pro-choice. Response–Can’t consider it a life, so many ramifications if that’s the case. Doesn’t make sense. So many definitions of what counts as a life. 10 major religions accept abortion in certain circumstances, even contraception. There was even a saint that was feminist and pro-abortion. Two on the panel were Catholic, shows that religion can’t be an excuse for being pro-life.
Costumes:
“slutty” costume–debate over whether it’s degrading to women. “bad-girl personas.” “empowered hot” –as “another way women self-sabotage by unwittingly absorbing cultural ideas that are, at first glance, desirable qualities females should have.” Settling for “objectifying socially sanctioned roles–maid, nurse, etc.” expected that a girl has to be showing skin. Guys dressing up women–”funny”. Culturally offensive–geisha costumes, etc. stereotyping culture. “exotic asian women”
Maine Situation:
A middle school in Maine is offering birth control to girls there (11, 12 years old) as a result of an outbreak of pregnancies at the school. Extremely controversial.
The “Rape Condom”:
Intended as determent and prevent spread of HIV/AIDS. It was developed in South Africa. Not a solution necessarily. They are still developing it and getting funding to sell it. More information for the interested here: http://www.rapestop.net/
Suggestions:
“War Zone” movie–woman took camera out on streets, confronted men when harassed. Could possibly show that movie here
Take Back the Night kit –perhaps in warmer months of April we could plan this. Bring in other chapters, such as NYU
Get together with Women of Color, go to one of their meetings and get their presence at our meetings.
