Wow! I’ve been really bad at writing the last month. I’m going to do the many-short-posts-to-catch-up thing so that I’m not so overwhelmed that I never write anything.
So, here’s the first.
Here’s an article about a new system on the buses in Mexico City. And here’s The Nation’s take on it. I’ve been dealing a lot with the issues of sexism in Mexico, and this was really interesting to see. It’s a bit of validation for how bad it makes me feel sometimes.
Money quote:
There’s no doubt the harassment women face in public spaces needs to be addressed – whether it is on the street, the train, or even the internet. We’ve been subjected to regular catcalls and groping for far too long. But while the idea of a safe space is compelling, this international trend – which often comes couched in paternalistic rhetoric about “protecting” women – raises questions of just how equal the sexes are if women’s safety relies on us being separated. After all, shouldn’t we be targeting the gropers and harassers? The onus should be on men to stop harassing women, not on women to escape them.
Ugh. Your post is aptly timed as I just raised a public concern about what to me was an offensive and objectifying comment (posted on the GSB Google Group). The author responded with something unintelligible and derogatory. (Typical.) I am forwarding you the text via email so you can read for yourself. It made me sick to my stomach.