Violence against women an epidemic???????

After reading so many books and watching films on violence against women internationally, you can almost believe that this is not a real problem at "home" or in the United States. Well, you would be very wrong in thinking that! According to Amnesty International in 2013, violence against women is becoming an epidemic of huge proportions and that includes the United States. I was disgusted to discover that one in three women worldwide will be physically, sexually, or mentally abused during her lifetime!  In some countries the rates reach up to 70%.  This violence affects women's basic human rights at times, such as access to quality health care, fair employment, and education. Not to mention the self-esteem issues that occur as a result of abuse. Abuse can prevent women from raising healthy children and being contributing members of society. We can all help by turning the one in three ratio around by getting involved in local organizations and by taking action. We can write blogs like these, organize events, and even write to congress. Lets commit to ending violence against women one person at a time!
Julian Goss

When is standing up for education a dangerous thing?

Well, when your name is Malala and you happen to live in Pakistan! Even when she was a young child Malala defied the Taliban in her village and demanded that girls be allowed to get educated. We Americans take this basic human right for granted and don't realize how women are not privilege to this right in many other countries. Malala may have been a target because her father founded the school she attended. At the  tender age of 14, Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban on her school bus. The gunman came on the bus and asked which one was Malala. She was transferred to England after suffering a very severe skull injury. But, I am happy to say that she survived and has even thrived to the point where she still speaks up for the education of women. In October 2014, Malala inspired the whole world when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize at the young age of 17. Girls and women around the world celebrated a feeling of complete joy and pride. So, sometimes, you have to stand up for your beliefs, even if there is danger lurking.
Julian Goss

Response to MAC Blog

The MAC blog caught my eye because I have heard my mother and sister so many times say that omg they are out of their MAC lipstick. So I read alittle bit more about the make-up line that sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy labeled MAC Rodarte after a city in Juarez, Mexico. These sisters, who shockingly have a Mexican grandfather, must not be in touch with the reality of current day Mexico. More then 500 women have been murdered in the Mexican border city of Juarez  . Many of the murders are a result of the drug wars that exist there. Hard to believe that a company would exploit themselves for the glory of a sale. Well, next time I hear my mom and sister say they are out of their MAC lipstick, I will suggest another brand and explain why!!!
Julian Goss

Punished for Peaceful Protests???

Well, that's exactly what happened in in Harare and Bulawayo on September 19th and 20th, 2013! The organization WOZA or Women of Zimbabwe Arise, is an activist group that strives to aid women in Zimbabwe a unified voice and also encourages them to stand up for their rights and freedoms. The hope behind this organization is to empower female leadership in the community. There are over 70,000 members and many are men. The founding member Jenni Williams however, has paid a hefty price for her commitment. Since the organization has begun, Jenni has been arrested over 40 times! On September 19th and 20th of 2013, Jenni organized a peaceful march to celebrate the UN International Day of PEACE and as a result she was beaten by police and arrested! So, I ask, where is the peace in that UN?
Julian Goss

What is November 25th??

Well to be honest, I just found out myself. I was  reading  an article about brave women and found out that it is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. My first comment is that it is pretty pathetic that we even need a day to still bring attention to this issue. We all know about the amazing Malala, but there are also many other brave women and girls around the globe that I  never heard of. One woman I read about that I thought was beyond brave was Mao Hengfeng a Chinese activist and fighter for women's rights. She refused to abort her third child and as a result was detained and subject to torture by the Chinese government. She didn't let that deter her from protesting and fighting for the rights of women. Today she has suffered many health problems but continues to fight for human rights!
Julian Goss

I wanted to rant alittle about violent protests verses peaceful ones. I am all for freedom to protest anything, such as  freedom to protest for union rights. However when protests become violent, as in the case of what took place in Ferguson following the lack of conviction of the police officer who shot Michael Brown and following the murder of Treyvon Martin then I have to question the nature of protests. Reacting in a violent way because of something that occurred that was unnecessary and violent may defeat the purpose of the protest in the first place. I believe people in Ferguson and around the world for that matter have every right to feel anger and perhaps even violated but breaking into innocent peoples businesses and lootings should have no place in this. America is so great because we have freedom to protests, to gather, and to speak our mind but lets just do it as peacefully as possible.
Julian Goss

Protest

I totally believe in peaceful protests in light of the ferguson action. I feel for the families of Michael brown as I do for Treyvon Martin. However, I am upset when the protests become violent, let's not fight for human rights with violence, that in itself is an oxymoron , let's fight for our rights and for fair and just unions in a peaceful mannor!
Julian Goss

Date rape drug

I recently read  an article  about a nail polish that can detect the date rape drug. This product was created by 4 students at North Carolina and I support and commend them. I have a sister and this product will help women who have been slipped the drug identify it right away makes me feel better. I think it is so disgusting to drug another person and so pathetic that the only way these criminals can physically be with someone else us to drug them. Jail is not good enough for them. Way to go Tarheels!
Julian Goss

Seen not heard

Wow, so I just got done watching the very short but extremely powerful video called seen not heard. All I can say is that my mom and sister would be cheering the artist all the way. Her words were so powerful and yet so simple. The message came across loud and clear in such a cleaver way. I loved the mention of the jeans and one of my moms favorite poets, Maya Angelo. But the difference she points out between cultures is offensive to women in opposite ways . This was a very powerful few minutes!
Julian Goss

Response to chapter one Banaeras

I do agree with the comments on the importable working conditions these Bananeras had to endure. However, as I read on, my feelings of anger and disgust soon became feelings of genuine pride.  I felt so proud of these brave women who worked up to 14 hours some days with such little pay. They went on to fight for their rights and form unions with all odds against them! They went from being working women with low self esteem to a sisterhood  of  brave, fierce and intelligent women. It was so great following the path of their journey and I was rooting for them all the way.
Julian Goss

Reaction to Chapter 1 Book: Bananeras

I thought slavery was over?! I guess not. The first chapter in the book Bananeras (by author Dana Frank) talks about how women, mostly single parents, are working 8-14 hours for six days a week sometimes even 7! Not only are these women working for such unimaginable hours, but they are doing it for, at most, $10 a day. This is very annoying and very frustrating to hear that this is going on. I cannot imagine doing what these women are doing. Why is this going on? How is this even possible? Why aren't we doing anything about this? I know that i am not the only one who thinks that this is absurd. These women are working in conditions that are just not humane. Having to work in an assembly line for 8-14 hours, standing on their feet all day in 105 degree weather is just insane. I wish that this could change. I wish that we could help. How and where do we start to get this to come to an end?