These days it feels like New York City is the center of the country. Along with the ever-growing Occupy Wall Street movement which expanded onto the Brooklyn Bridge last Saturday, a little over two miles away on the same day SlutWalkNY — an anti-rape organization modeled after the “Take Back the Night” movement of the 1990s — held its first demonstration and rally at New York’s Union Square Park. The event drew huge numbers of feminists speaking out against the ‘culture of rape’ enabled by the justice system, the media and popular culture.
Spurred by the injustice shown by the local court system allowing rape charges to be dropped against former IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the behavior of NYPD in response to the Park Slope rapes, SlutWalk’s purpose is to remind us, in very creative ways, that the victim is NOT responsible for their rape. Rapists are. The organization’s mission statement, found here, is summed up this way:
SlutWalk NYC Coalition allies itself with the diverse communities, activists and survivors who live with and fight the effects of rape culture.
The fight against rape culture includes the fight against: Misogyny, Sexism, Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Class Exploitation, Ableism, Ageism, Fatphobia, Xenophobia, Colonialism, Imperialism, Poverty, Police Brutality, Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence, Street Harassment.
The fight for a culture without rape is a fight for: Sex positivity, Body positivity, Sexual freedom, Free and creative gender expression, On demand access to abortion and reproductive health services, Respect in the workplace, Respect on the street, Safer, consensual, informed sex, Safe homes, Safe campuses.
The organization plans a follow-up discussion on how to build a representative and critical movement against rape culture in New York. That meeting is scheduled for October 13, 6-8 pm at the Walker Stage, 53 Walker Street (between Broadway and Church) in Manhattan.
The Daily Astrology column for last weekend noted: “In any case, the Libra Sun is also encouraging expression. It engages the Mars-Vesta opposition, making a sextile to Mars in Leo and a trine to Vesta in Aquarius. Say what you need to say and create what you need to create. If the ‘male desire versus female chastity’ facet of that opposition has been feeling tense for you, the Sun may provide a third-party outlet for that energy: creativity. That opposition is also holding the ideas of ‘do your thing versus get involved’, ‘bravado versus service’, and ‘pride versus humility’. But the expression and creation offered by the Sun seems to say that you can make getting involved ‘your thing’; you can throw your bravado into the service of something larger.”
If in the future you might be lead to believe otherwise, please remember this: the fight for economic justice and sexual justice are not two disparate movements. They come as the direct result of a society and a world that values commodities more than people. If we are feeling the stirring inside of moving forward after years of being batted down and pushed back, we are feeling the power of the current Uranus-Pluto square hitting a bull’s eye on the pulse of the country and the world — and its going to continue to reverberate for the next few years.
If we need more proof that what is happening is supported by the planets themselves, we can wait it out or, as I say in my Fe-911 logo, “life’s an adventure, enjoy the ride.” Remember these days, live them well and give when you can, whatever you can. If you’re in it for the fight to make change for the better, this is what it feels like to be held in the arms of the stars.
“If you are truly empowered and truly not scared, you can do this. If you are truly aware you will realize this will cause, if done in massive numbers, companies going out of business, layoffs, a further degeneration of the economy for a while.”
I agree and have been saying “stop the spending” for sometime now. If you get off the grid and off the spending merry-go-round and help one another (freecycle and bitcoin anyone?) then when the layoffs happen and the shit hits the fan, you will not lose as much because you ALREADY DOWNSIZED YOUR LIFE BY CHOICE in order to change things by way of attrition. The simpler we live, the less we need, the less we will feed The Pig (greedy corporations and shareholders).
Excellent advice!
Kristal 🙂
I am feasting on your thoughtful food, thank you!!
We could indeed make a powerful impact by following these suggestions. I already do some of these steps, but you’ve given me a lot more to think about. Your list reminds me that I can take even bigger changes in how I live that can help propel and prepare the way forward into the New Paradigm shift, thank you !
Hi Mystes!
It’s high schoolers this year, special ed kids at that. Last year I spent several months split between high and middle schools, then in January was full-time high school until the end of the school year.
Not so brain dead now, but it’s time for bed…
And thank you everyone for making me feel far more adequate. 🙂
How To Productively Effect Change Without Opposition:
Everyone is saying they are committed to change, everyone is quick to tell the government and so many others what they are doing wrong, and what is broken. I challenge you all if you are truly committed, to allow your actions to match your words.
Engage in a Real Revolution…….one of pro-active action that will have some growing pangs but will be the single most effective and efficient means of change and transformation. If you are not willing to do these things, you are truly not yet committed to change.
I have compiled a list of things that would have a huge impact if done in numbers, its called civil disobedience.
• “If” you have money in a bank, remove it or move it to a credit union.
• Lose the bank card and use cash. Bank cards allow banks to track your spending habits. It is none of their business.
• Boycott all top thirty companies on the Dow (difficult at best), these include Coke, McDonald’s, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Intel (with computer companies and their supplier…..do not buy new computers or phones, you do not need the newest, have the older fixed, too many going in landfills anyway) 3M, American Express (cut up your cards and do not pay the bill) Bank Of America (use a credit union) AT&T or Verizon (use a computer program for calls on your computer or some other carrier for your cell phone….do not pay the bill) Boeing, Caterpillar, Chevron, DuPont, ExxonMobil, General Electric, Home Depot, Johnson and Johnson, Kraft, JP Morgan, Proctor & Gamble, Walt Disney, Wal-Mart (That one is huge), United Technologies and Travelers. I understand many of these will be inconvenient to boycott, but inconvenience is worth change is it not. Hit them where it hurts.
• Stop paying all Student Loans, Bank Loans, Mortgages and Credit Cards. Trust me, the banks do not want your houses or stuff if everyone were to stop paying, there would be no one to buy them.
• Do not pay off the bills you left, for example, if you left AT&T, forfeit on the balance owing. The government is not paying their bills, why should you.
• Have rotating strikes in businesses where unfair business practices are occurring.
• Cut up your credit cards, if you don’t think it is good the government live beyond their means, why is it okay with you? If you do not have the money, you cannot afford it, work out a trade of product for services with a friend or neighbor if it’s necessary.
• Buy a bike and look into car sharing. Our vehicles are parked 90% of the time anyway, there is no reason to all own one.
• Grow a garden, build houses with your friends for those in need. Pool your resources.
• Mobilize, empower and reassure as many people as possible. Hanging out near city halls and major financial districts is unproductive. You are not hurting those companies you are protesting.
• Take care of each other. Love each other. Be empowered. Stop waiting for the government or someone else to fix your life, or give you a hand out.
• Look into holistic medicine.
• Do not renew any government license or permit.
• Go off the grid and out of the system as much as possible.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle all you can.
• Share what you have.
• Know what is a need and what is a want and stick with your needs and the needs of others.
If you are truly empowered and truly not scared, you can do this. If you are truly aware you will realize this will cause, if done in massive numbers, companies going out of business, layoffs, a further degeneration of the economy for a while.
It will also empower you, create an independence not yet known and leave no other option for those who are feeling the pain, but to negotiate with you. Then real shift can happen.
Select leaders and organizers in every community who are kind, loving and know what servant management is all about. Inspire each other, formulate pro-active plans every step of the way, help each other and stay calm.
Know that the new that will rise from the ashes will be so much better and focus your energies on the creation of that new as you wait for the effects of your actions to take place.
Know that there will be people so attached to their material life they will hate you for what you have done, love them anyway. When they too are where you are, be sure to welcome them with open arms.
Be prepared to defend yourself if need be, but remain peaceful, loving and protective, not aggressive or panicked.
Things will swirl around you. This is after all, a revolution. But it can be a peaceful one.
Walk the talk, act as you want your government to act by removing the financial power away from the companies, and you will succeed.
Many are called, perhaps only few of you will have the courage to answer. If so, the revolution dies, which is why empowering others is important. Putting positive energy out there for how wonderful it will be instead of scaring people or manipulating them through fear will be so much more effective and in the end, healthier for all.
Food for thought………..xoxoxoxox
These posts are great — thanks, everyone! It’s so nourishing and satisfying to be part of this community. Really helps to keep me sane. 🙂
Fe, I so agree with what you wrote:
“…I think to move past the inertia of a system built up over time, there will be a needed push of energy, and since there will be resistance, there will be a fight. But I also see this “fight” as a birth, given the cardinals, and a chance to bring something NEW into the world.”
Maybe it’s a matter of semantics. I agree that the push of energy will evoke resistance. I guess I’m hoping it doesn’t result in energy-wasting fight responses to the resistance. Did that make any sense at all?
I think this was addressed very nicely in today’s mailing, “2012 Letter: Not Your Parents’ Activism”. The whole vibe described is what I’m hoping for.
Brendan! as usual you make four or five cogent points in the most off-hand, casual, easy-to-comprehend way. But being exhausted* has the weird effect of making us looser and more spontaneous, and diminishing our self-assessment skills.
I love seeing your name on the blog. Nap now, wave later.
(* you teach middleschoolers, no? isn’t every day humpday?)
yay mysti! that is great to hear.
brendan — you are not inadequate. not by a long shot.
Woohoo!! My 16-year-old *asked* for logistical support today so he could participate in Occupy Austin! http://occupyaustin.org/ I am working all of this week, but will be providing what the kids need (there are maybe 20 of ’em in his cohort). Water, food, sunscreen at first, but then we’ll see how this evolves. If it turns into a true occupation, tents, lights and sleeping bags will go on the list.
I am in San Marcos, but will be running supplies for this. Contact me (the name will take you to my info) if you’d like to help!
M
Brendan – It is always nice to hear from you, brain dead or not. (Is brain dead an oxymoron?) Your friend from Bellingham, Kat
Okay, I’m officially tired and need a nap: “The fuel for the fuel” is a bit redundant, no? You know what I meant. I blame the cat: she keeps waking me at 3:30 each morning, and she’s not helping one bit…
I wish could be somewhere nearly as fluent as everyone here today. I can feel so inadequate it hurts at times, and I feel as if I can come nowhere near the level and depth of the discussion. I feel equally so about the astrology, gladly accepting what others bring forth, as I am but a mere student when it comes to the heavens.
So, my spirit alone must fly above those in NY and elsewhere, urging them on in the good that they seek. We need it all, this venting of anger and concern, after the frustration of the Bush years and truly many of the years before that. It’s just taken time to come to a boil, like any good pot of water before you put the rice in, and now is the time it seems.
The fuel for the fuel for this stove of change has been the idiocy of the politics of our times; when one side defines itself as genuinely ignorant of and uncaring for the majority of the people, it is time to take them on. I’m glad it is ‘now’ that this is happening, rather than in the greater heat of the election year, and is not yet lost in the glare of that spectacle.
This Aquarian is ready for change, and lots of it! I’m done with work for the day, and I’m going brain dead.
Thanks everyone!
“I have to keep focused and look at the greater good aspect. I’m glad they have these things and are using them as powerful tools – and they are standing for changes that ultimately would affect “poor people”. I know a lot of “poor people” who are f*n jazzed about this whole movement- they are not in a position to go down & rally but believe me, they are “there” in another capacity, with them in spirit. ( as they wash dishes, dig holes, turn down beds, mow fields, teach children, drive schoolbuses, arrange apples at the grocery, etc. etc. etc.”
Perfectly written, Stellium. I feel like one of those people who, while seeming not to be poor because I have a computer when many others don’t, I feel the squeeze of being close to not having enough to feed my family and I am too busy keeping that roof over our heads to go out and protest too. Thank goddess for all of them then. My spirit is with them because they march for ME but even more importantly, for my kids’ futures.
great thoughts re: using the term “fight.”
i’ve been wondering about that one, too. i remember a conversation with a friend last yea who shares my birthday but is a good 25 years or so my senior. she was talking about the idea of simply “standing for” who you are/what you believe in, as opposed to “fighting against” or even “fighting for.”
it made a lot of sense to me, though it is difficult in our culture and conditioning not to get sucked into “fight” mentality and energy.
of course, when you simply “stand for” or stand your ground or just *stand in* your truth, forces will come up against you. there may be struggle, or there may be a tai chi-style ability to let energy pass through and into the ground, neutralized. i can’t say i’m all that practiced in it to be able to say much more…
be:
You’re the best.
eris:
More power to you all. Set the path right and raise each other.
My nephew is a young man who has been raised by strong parents, particularly strong women and a spunky female sibling. He’s a sweet and loving, poetic soul who also very driven. One of the women in our theater company raised her son as a single mom most of his life, and he’s a fine and strong young man, close to his mother, respectful of women, and living in New York.
It doesn’t have to be an uneasy peace between men and women. We can be here for each other.
Fe,
Thank you again for brain food…breakfast is early this morning! Well..I have raised two beautiful sluts…my oldest brought into thisrld a little boy who has caused the three sluts he lives with to embrace our whoredom! We are making a concerted effort to avoid the shame card with him….although the message is all over the place to fill little boys heads with the worlds view, we plan on debriefing him at every turn!
I often feel frustrated and uninvolved when it comes to standing up for our rights….however I remind myself that the power of speech speaks volumns and I see many people throughout my day to talk about all the injustices we are spoonfed….sooo…my goal today is to educate myself..and at least three others on the protest in New York and the Slut walk! If I can not be on the Brooklyn bridge, I can build a bridge starting at home!
Peace and Love
As a way to understand the us-vs-them element in this discussion, or the idea of a fight or a battle, it is necessary to remember that this country’s progressed Mars (natal Sibly chart) recently turned retrograde and is now at 18+ Libra. Essentially this means we are at ‘war’ with outselves, and in Libra it will express as fighting for balance in relationships of all kinds. As transiting Saturn also occupies this degree and Saturn represents establishment as well as restriction, the present gist of the battle will will take on established attitudes regarding relationship of all kinds.
As transiting Saturn just recently completed the U.S. natal “Saturn Return” as well as a square to the U.S. Sibly Sun, it is perfect timing to make changes to old established attitudes (think Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) regarding how we relate to one another in the various forms we already recognize. But what about the other planets in Libra and what they represent? Will the U.S. progressed Mars also make ‘war’ on Mercury and the Sun? Might that conjunction to Mercury be a movement against how or what information is shared, or since Mercury still rules Virgo, might it mean the battle for jobs and workers rights become more defined? Or could it be about health care reform?
Progressed Mars in the U.S. Sibly chart will be retro until 2086, so yes, this is new right now but there are a lot of battles to be fought right here on U.S. soil and sooner or later your pet grievance will be addressed, and if you live long enough, you too might be walking the talk.
be
oh- just clued in that the fight was part of their mission statement- yeah. someone might want to rewrite that. kind of like the Fight Cancer deal I’ve already talked about.
don’t wage a war on or in your body! heavens no! good body, lovely body, nice body. I am grateful to you body. Amazing body. I love you body.
yeah. language.
provocative threads here-
“there will be a needed push of energy, and since there will be resistance, there will be a fight.”
yes, even Chaos might ensue. especially for those fighting. they are fighters, let them fight. at one point they will fight and bite one another. until they can’t anymore. goodbye.
most of us here are supporters, visionaries, creative flow energy workers, healers, Diviners etc.
a lot of power and momentum in the language we use, even in just ‘mundane day-to-day” matters.
I’m not sure how much longer we can keep even talking about “us” vs. “them” as there are many realities going on now that more & more people are becoming aware of. know what I mean? so it’s almost like before discussing anything one has to sort out which reality is being talked about, where the person is at , etc. this is all good, there is definitely more blending going on- I even notice it with people like my Mom, who is being modified, coaxed, pulled into, whathaveyou into the Aquarian Age, but if I talked to her about it she wouldn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
kristal, I know what you mean about the seeming contradiction between folks on their i-goodies protesting corporations but for me, I have to keep focused and look at the greater good aspect. I’m glad they have these things and are using them as powerful tools – and they are standing for changes that ultimately would affect “poor people”. I know a lot of “poor people” who are f*n jazzed about this whole movement- they are not in a position to go down & rally but believe me, they are “there” in another capacity, with them in spirit. ( as they wash dishes, dig holes, turn down beds, mow fields, teach children, drive schoolbuses, arrange apples at the grocery, etc. etc. etc. ) feelin’ good…………
my .03 cents.
peace.
The center of the country? NYC has a population of 20,000,000 and all they could manage was 4000 people……..if my math is correct that is 1 500th of one percent……but my math may be off…. its late at night…..but even if it is just 1/50th of one percent…….that is a far cry from we the other 99% of the country they are claiming to speak for……..lets hope it is only 1/500th of one percent who feel they are entitled to all the social programs they want…..because well they deserve it.
Should our basic needs be met? Its an old argument…..I won’t engage
But…..basic needs to not include Iphones, Ipads and all the other toys these poor deprived people who have nothing are carting around down there…..
How did we ever get to be such westernized people of such entitlement when we have millions of truly starving people without even a roof over their heads or a shower to clean themselves in………….
Some people really need a reality check……..xoxoxoxox
Baycyn:
Interesting point in what you muse about using the word “fight” or struggle. Being that the Uranus Pluto alignment is a square, a struggle might ensue. But since we’re also in the cardinal signs, we’re talking about beginnings.
So in retrospect, you and I agree, though I think to move past the inertia of a system built up over time, there will be a needed push of energy, and since there will be resistance, there will be a fight. But I also see this “fight” as a birth, given the cardinals, and a chance to bring something NEW into the world.
It’s good to see the articulation of the connections among economics, social justice, rape culture, and all the rest of the issues you identify here. Thanks, Fe, for bringing this out. I think that seeing the connections can lead us to the roots, which is where the real work needs to be done.
I’ve been musing about one thing and am wondering how others here see it. Does it really do any good to “fight” these things? Should we continue to use this term and align our energies with it?
I understand marshaling and directing ones energies in service to ones beliefs. I agree that we need to harness creative aggressive (not violent) forces for the betterment of our lives and those of our communities. But does it serve us well to cast these ideas in terms of the old framework we’re trying to change? I keep thinking that a “righteous” fight is no better than any other kind of fight. It still casts “us” vs. “them”.
What do y’all think?
The poem Melanie includes with Lay Down is something like this – quite Vesta, yes?
‘Little Sisters of the sun
Lit candles in the rain
Fed the world on oats and raisins
candles in the rain
Then they lit a fire to the soul
who never knew he had a friend
‘ah men can live as brothers I heard him say
candles in the rain’
I will post your closing words yet again Fe; “Remember these days, live them well and give when you can, whatever you can. If you’re in it for the fight to make change for the better, this is what it feels like to be held in the arms of the stars.”
Beautiful, Fe. Beautiful! Thank you.
Was listening here yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=530Hqoamf3Q
“Lay down, lay down, lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each other’s wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
So raise your candles high
Cause if you don’t we could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain
Some came to sing
Some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away
So raise the candles high……
Fe:
Thank you. Powerful prose, passionate poetry and erudition all in one. Thank you especially for the reminder that there is no separation, no distinction, between economic and sexual justice. Indeed, as you and others have stated elsewhere, it seems that The Movement is back. Now, with the help of eloquent people like you may we be able to also remember that The Movement is One. The personal is political.
“Women demanding the right to be sexual beings without shame is deeply threatening to many.” ~Amanda Marcotte, “Six Reasons Why SlutWalk is Awesome”
“The fight for economic justice and sexual justice are not two disparate movements.” Brava, Fe!
I shared Eric’s photo of the events board at Occupy Wall Street with a friend (he and I both long-time meditators) today, after he had shared a link about the ‘flash-mob’ meditators at Zuccotti park. I noted that the Slut Walk and meditation were both scheduled at noon. “How to choose?”, I queried. “SLUT WALK!”, he replied definitively, perhaps as only a gay man would. He’s French, too–no shame. I love him for that.
Let your freak, er, slut flag fly!
“Remember these days, live them well and give when you can, whatever you can. If you’re in it for the fight to make change for the better, this is what it feels like to be held in the arms of the stars.”
Awesome! Duly copied, enlarged, printed and pasted to the computer to read again.
Thank you PW writers for some incredible, creative and eloquent prose today – and every day.
Thanks.
JannKinz