Don't Rape

Open letter from Graduate Women’s Studies Students Association to the York Community.
Re: sexual assaults on campus.

We’re writing this letter because we’re angry.
Why?

First, because women at York are being attacked, sexually assaulted and raped. Like everyone, we have the right to study and work without fear of violence.

Second, we’re angry because instead of hearing a loud and repeated condemnation of sexual assault, we’re told how to avoid being raped. York administration’s security bulletin calls on us to be “vigilant” about our safety. Women have heard this before: don’t make the same mistakes as ‘those’ women; don’t go out alone at night; don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time; basically, don’t get raped.

We’re angry because this is about our bodies, our lives, our dignity. But our anger about York’s official response does not stop with administrators: when they imply the perpetrators are strangers with no ties to York, no one has to take responsibility. Rape is a public relations nightmare, but denying its rootedness in the York community will not protect us.

Sexual assault and rape at York is done by people from York. We’re angry because we want to trust the people we live, work and study with. We want to be in a community that does not tell us, tacitly or officially, “don’t get raped,” but instead, values women enough to say, “don’t rape.” Rape is not accidental, and it is not isolated. It thrives in a culture that is tolerant of violence, especially violence against women. Currently, it thrives here, at York.

We want this culture to change, and that takes work. Security cameras and extra lighting are not the kind of “vigilance” we need.

We want to feel safe and respected. So you be vigilant: don’t rape.

The GWSSA

Why?

I have friends who are afraid of being alone, without a guy. They say "I don't need a boyfriend" which is somewhat true, but they still feel the need to have lots of guys to talk to as "potentials".
Even when they do have a boyfriend, they still keep those other guys around "just in case".

The worst is when they keep their exes around. I don't have a problem with being friends with your ex, but it is a problem if you're being friendly just so you can have someone to go back to in case things don't work out between yourself and your new boyfriend.

Brandon says:
a lot of young females can't feel (as) good about themselves without the constant sexual tension and attention they receive

This irritates me so much that I cannot be good friends with girls who do this. Worse still is that I being to doubt myself. If all my friends do this, how come I don't? Is their way the right way?

Neo-Nazi Russians

From Russia With Hate
- for comments and discussion

From Current TV

www.current.com

War and Religion

The first map looks at conquests in the Middle East, while the second map looks at how/where/when various religions began and grew.

http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf

http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/Religion.swf

Conversation with D

Thank you.

"The circumstances in which you live determine your reputation. Your beliefs and values, the truth you believe in, determines your character. Someone said your reputation is what people think of you, and your character is who you really are [...] Reputations have the power to make you rich or poor, but your character determines whether you are happy or miserable. Your reputation is what you have when you move somewhere new; your character is what's left behind when you leave. Reputations are sort of like first impressions. They're made in a minute, so it's never the complete picture of a person [...] It takes an entire lifetime to construct your character..."

No one knows anyone/Do things yourself.

The only thing you know of someone is the impression you received of them, and you are responsible for the conclusions you came to.
Do not accept dishonesty and superficiality. The truth may hurt, but it is always right.

Do not depend on anyone to make your dreams come true. Those are your dreams, and the world is in the hands of those who have the courage to make their dreams realities.
How can you expect someone you do not know to realize your dreams?

I believe in striving with determination, embracing life and living with a passion. I believe in losing with grace and class and winning with pride, because success belongs to those who work for it.

And when you are fighting for something, it is impossible to believe life is meaningless.

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Wait -


They don't love you like I love you.