God, give me the strength and the wisdom to never, ever become this father. (via Postsecret)
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God, give me the strength and the wisdom to never, ever become this father. (via Postsecret)

Source: postsecret.com

New Mexico official asked to resign after suggesting teen condom use.

This is ridiculous. Use condoms. This is like Roe, people. We had this battle a million years ago. Let’s move on to today’s shit. (via Think Progress)

Diane Tran shouldn't go to jail.

Truancy laws exist for a reason. I get it. But we don’t need to make an example of Diane Tran, a young woman who missed a day of school because she’s been working too hard at providing for her family and staying an honors student.

What we need is more women and men like Diane Tran. Sign the petition. Tell Lanny Moriarty (James’s brother?) to go stuff it.

Source: change.org

Those images are photoshopped and create an unrealistic and warped representation of reality that a lot of young, impressionable people aspire to.
Denise Salceda, in a great piece with a ton of before/after pictures. Oh, Photoshop.

Source: denisesalceda.com

Thanks, Maxim. This was passed around a while ago, and is from an issue a while ago, but it bears comment, because there’s a ton going on here (and it’s a sentiment we still see today). It’s tempting to talk about this picture/language/imagery point-by-point, but I don’t think that’s the most productive way to persuade. Assuming we’re talking to heterosexual men about heterosexual women, here’s what I’d say. John’s take: We’re all feminists. If you’re talking to someone that doesn’t believe that men and women deserve the same opportunities in life, this could be an argument you’re never going to win. Frankly, at this point, I might just agree to disagree. If they believe in equality, but blanch at the word “feminist” or stridently claim that “well, I’m not anti-man, though,” those are indicators that they can be persuaded, although it might take a while. Okay, you’ve established some semblance of shared belief in equality. Here’s the winner: relationships (and sure, sex) are better in a more equal society. I’ll say it again: relationships are better in a more equal society. Equality is a justice issue, it absolutely helps women in concrete ways, but also, feminism benefits all of us. Equality means better communication, rather than the existing ridiculous combination of an increasingly liberated populace and a society that continues to slut-shame like there’s no tomorrow. In order to get to a society with better relationships for everyone, everyone’s choice not only has to be empowered, but equal and encouraged. Everyone benefits when women have greater control over their bodies, their wallets, and their destinies.
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Thanks, Maxim. This was passed around a while ago, and is from an issue a while ago, but it bears comment, because there’s a ton going on here (and it’s a sentiment we still see today). It’s tempting to talk about this picture/language/imagery point-by-point, but I don’t think that’s the most productive way to persuade. Assuming we’re talking to heterosexual men about heterosexual women, here’s what I’d say.

John’s take:

  1. We’re all feminists. If you’re talking to someone that doesn’t believe that men and women deserve the same opportunities in life, this could be an argument you’re never going to win. Frankly, at this point, I might just agree to disagree. If they believe in equality, but blanch at the word “feminist” or stridently claim that “well, I’m not anti-man, though,” those are indicators that they can be persuaded, although it might take a while.
  2. Okay, you’ve established some semblance of shared belief in equality. Here’s the winner: relationships (and sure, sex) are better in a more equal society. I’ll say it again: relationships are better in a more equal society. Equality is a justice issue, it absolutely helps women in concrete ways, but also, feminism benefits all of us. Equality means better communication, rather than the existing ridiculous combination of an increasingly liberated populace and a society that continues to slut-shame like there’s no tomorrow.
  3. In order to get to a society with better relationships for everyone, everyone’s choice not only has to be empowered, but equal and encouraged. Everyone benefits when women have greater control over their bodies, their wallets, and their destinies.