In a span of less than four months I will have driven over 3,000 miles. I am developing a certain kind of exhaustion from my peripatetic behavior, but with experience comes skill. I am becoming a well-honed road-tripping person. At the same time, there are always a few new weird firsts.
For example, I am a master of the road trip music mixing. I have my own comfort blend between different musical genres for all points in the journey with a good mixing of public radio thrown in to balance the sound waves out. At the same times, this upcoming journey will be my first where I stay in a hotel room by myself (in America).
I have stayed a number of place on my own before, but always as just a launch pad for exploring the area. Who cares about sleeping in a cold, damp hostel room when you spent the day roaming Venice and eating gelato? (Okay, I cared a little bit. I don't think I was properly dry till I was home for a week afterwards.) It is different, however, just to spend the night somewhere because you know your body is physically incapable of continuing to drive.
I am trying to view this trip as an opportunity to explore my overnight location, but I'll honestly probably want to go lounge in a hot tub curl up under lots o' blankets and sleep a solid nine hours. Sometimes having a home away from home isn't so much of an adventure and more of a necessity. Anyways, I'll see how it goes.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Should rape be considered a special class of violence?
Trigger warning: discussion of rape and sexual violence
Caitlin Moran, a columnist for The Times Magazine in the UK, wrote an article back in January advocating that we need to start seeing rape as just another form of violence. I only found this piece yesterday after finding a link she posted to the whole article without having to pay to read it. I wanted to talk about her article and the question of whether or not violence that involves sexual acts deserves a special kind of consideration. I want to start of by saying that I think Moran is shining a light on an important problem surround dealing with sexual violence, and I think her article is a piece worth reading, but I still have a lot of reservations and concerns.
Moran's argument stems from the complicated relationships human beings have with sex and its related subjects. She argues that because of our confused, conflicted and complicated relationship with sex as a species, we should stop using the words rape and sexual crime. As she states, "A word so hard for an injured woman,--or a man, or a child--to say, now that we've used it in too many places, for too many disparate things, for it be functionally descriptive of a crime." She offers alternative names for these crimes, such as internal assault, intramural attack or even just assault.
It think Moran is absolutely right that sexuality can often blur subjects that are actually quite straightforward. If it didn't, there wouldn't be so many conservatives in America claiming they want less government regulation while working to place laws on the books allowing businesses to discriminate against homosexuals. The issue, I think, is that Moran's argument jumps from "sex confuses us as humans" to "therefore, we should leave it out of our considerations of crimes." But, she never examines whether or not sexuality deserves any separate consideration in criminal proceedings.
Rape and other kinds of sexual crimes are clearly seen as acts of violence in cases like the one Moran examines (more on that below), but what about cases of spousal or partner rape? What about cases of manipulation that never reach the point of penetration? Is there a good reason why people seem, in general, more offended by a person raping a child than beating them?
Sex is complicated, but I think for a range of reasons that cannot be easily dismissed. Some of them are just poor cultural constructs, taboos. However, sex is also one of the bigger acts of physical trust we will make with another person. I would also argue that it is, for many, one of the biggest acts of intimacy, of emotional risk-taking. Sex is not just culturally and politically charged because of patriarchy (though I do not wish to dismiss that factor, either). Sexual acts and behaviors have value to people as people. They become parts of our identities: we go so far as to gather under flags with the people like us and who support us in our sexual orientations, identities and behaviors. Sex is not the only important factor in how we see ourselves and our value in the world, but it sure as hell is one of them.
Moran sets her article in light of a comment of the defense lawyer representing three of the men charged with the gang rape and murder of woman on a bus in Delhi, India. The lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, said, "Until today, I have not seen a single incident or example of rape with a respected lady," and insisted the woman was "whole responsible" for her death. I think Moran correctly points out that, when dealing with sexual crimes, we often see the victims as attacked below before we recognize them as attached above: "It's become another argument about men and women and desire and politics and culture. Rather than what it is--what all rapes are: one human ripping another human being to pieces."
I think this is where Moran makes her strongest point, which is that we should never use the sexual aspect of a crime to down play the fact that it is a crime. No matter how the harm is done, no matter the gender, number, intoxication, age, relationship, etc. between the persons involved, it remains harm. Our first concern should be for justice for the victims as whole persons, not as sexual objects. It is never just a crime from below.
I am glad people like Moran are writing about this subject and making it a part of our cultural conversation. We certainly do need to rethink how we discuss and approach crimes involving sexuality, but I do not think we can simply subtract the sexual aspect from these cases. Sex is too much a part of being human, and ultimately justice is for the protection of humanity in its variety. I will stand with Moran in saying that I hope we can all stop using victim-blaming or a persons sexuality or sexual behavior (real or simply perceived) to make judgement about those coming forward with criminal complaints. It is a favor we can extend to all victims, to all criminals, to see them as whole, dynamic and immensely complex human beings for whom we we will work for justice.
Caitlin Moran, a columnist for The Times Magazine in the UK, wrote an article back in January advocating that we need to start seeing rape as just another form of violence. I only found this piece yesterday after finding a link she posted to the whole article without having to pay to read it. I wanted to talk about her article and the question of whether or not violence that involves sexual acts deserves a special kind of consideration. I want to start of by saying that I think Moran is shining a light on an important problem surround dealing with sexual violence, and I think her article is a piece worth reading, but I still have a lot of reservations and concerns.
Moran's argument stems from the complicated relationships human beings have with sex and its related subjects. She argues that because of our confused, conflicted and complicated relationship with sex as a species, we should stop using the words rape and sexual crime. As she states, "A word so hard for an injured woman,--or a man, or a child--to say, now that we've used it in too many places, for too many disparate things, for it be functionally descriptive of a crime." She offers alternative names for these crimes, such as internal assault, intramural attack or even just assault.
It think Moran is absolutely right that sexuality can often blur subjects that are actually quite straightforward. If it didn't, there wouldn't be so many conservatives in America claiming they want less government regulation while working to place laws on the books allowing businesses to discriminate against homosexuals. The issue, I think, is that Moran's argument jumps from "sex confuses us as humans" to "therefore, we should leave it out of our considerations of crimes." But, she never examines whether or not sexuality deserves any separate consideration in criminal proceedings.
Rape and other kinds of sexual crimes are clearly seen as acts of violence in cases like the one Moran examines (more on that below), but what about cases of spousal or partner rape? What about cases of manipulation that never reach the point of penetration? Is there a good reason why people seem, in general, more offended by a person raping a child than beating them?
Sex is complicated, but I think for a range of reasons that cannot be easily dismissed. Some of them are just poor cultural constructs, taboos. However, sex is also one of the bigger acts of physical trust we will make with another person. I would also argue that it is, for many, one of the biggest acts of intimacy, of emotional risk-taking. Sex is not just culturally and politically charged because of patriarchy (though I do not wish to dismiss that factor, either). Sexual acts and behaviors have value to people as people. They become parts of our identities: we go so far as to gather under flags with the people like us and who support us in our sexual orientations, identities and behaviors. Sex is not the only important factor in how we see ourselves and our value in the world, but it sure as hell is one of them.
Moran sets her article in light of a comment of the defense lawyer representing three of the men charged with the gang rape and murder of woman on a bus in Delhi, India. The lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, said, "Until today, I have not seen a single incident or example of rape with a respected lady," and insisted the woman was "whole responsible" for her death. I think Moran correctly points out that, when dealing with sexual crimes, we often see the victims as attacked below before we recognize them as attached above: "It's become another argument about men and women and desire and politics and culture. Rather than what it is--what all rapes are: one human ripping another human being to pieces."
I am glad people like Moran are writing about this subject and making it a part of our cultural conversation. We certainly do need to rethink how we discuss and approach crimes involving sexuality, but I do not think we can simply subtract the sexual aspect from these cases. Sex is too much a part of being human, and ultimately justice is for the protection of humanity in its variety. I will stand with Moran in saying that I hope we can all stop using victim-blaming or a persons sexuality or sexual behavior (real or simply perceived) to make judgement about those coming forward with criminal complaints. It is a favor we can extend to all victims, to all criminals, to see them as whole, dynamic and immensely complex human beings for whom we we will work for justice.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
What's on the reading pile?
I had nice stroll up to my public library today. The ability to read books from across the world for free (almost always) is pretty fucking amazing. Additionally, I have had the great fortune of so many great librarians helping me research my own personal interests, for school and for work. I grew up in near a town without a public library beyond the school, so college was the first revelation to me of what an amazing public service these places are for our communities.
Anyways, rather than raving to the internet void about my love of libraries, I thought I would share what is on my reading pile, today, courtesy of my local library.
1) "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," by Christopher Moore
This irreverent novel gives a glimpse into the earlier years of life of Jesus through his often sinning best friend, Biff. I'm about two-thirds of my way through this one. I think it's probably funniest to those who had a Christian upbringing and have the context for more of the jokes. I'm reserving judgement until I finish.
2) "Crazy Horse and Custer," by Stephen E. Ambrose
Boy, I have been working on this one for awhile. Despite not being a history lover, I have been enjoying this book, but it also comes with the price of many annoyances if you are much informed about Native American history or culture. I only get through a chapter every couple days, but I think I'm going to stick it out.
3) "East of Eden," by John Steinbeck
Okay, should have called this list "List of books I'm taking forever to read." I started reading "East of Eden" over a year ago, but then I was traveling a lot and I am just now getting back to picking it up. I hated the first Steinbeck novel I read, "The Pearl," but only because the story was sad and I was 16. Now, a couple more novels in, I am in love with the storytelling.
4) "The Meat Racket," by Christopher Leonard
I just picked this one up today. I've been looking forward to reading Leonard's expose on the meat industrial complex in the United States. I'm not looking forward to how dead depressing it is likely going to be, but to have the in depth analysis this book is suppose to provide will be very helpful, I think, for determining my own approach to the problem.
There are, of course, many more books in the pile, but these are the ones I am most actively pursuing currently. What are you reading? Any good suggestions?
Anyways, rather than raving to the internet void about my love of libraries, I thought I would share what is on my reading pile, today, courtesy of my local library.
1) "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," by Christopher Moore
This irreverent novel gives a glimpse into the earlier years of life of Jesus through his often sinning best friend, Biff. I'm about two-thirds of my way through this one. I think it's probably funniest to those who had a Christian upbringing and have the context for more of the jokes. I'm reserving judgement until I finish.
2) "Crazy Horse and Custer," by Stephen E. Ambrose
Boy, I have been working on this one for awhile. Despite not being a history lover, I have been enjoying this book, but it also comes with the price of many annoyances if you are much informed about Native American history or culture. I only get through a chapter every couple days, but I think I'm going to stick it out.
3) "East of Eden," by John Steinbeck
Okay, should have called this list "List of books I'm taking forever to read." I started reading "East of Eden" over a year ago, but then I was traveling a lot and I am just now getting back to picking it up. I hated the first Steinbeck novel I read, "The Pearl," but only because the story was sad and I was 16. Now, a couple more novels in, I am in love with the storytelling.
4) "The Meat Racket," by Christopher Leonard
I just picked this one up today. I've been looking forward to reading Leonard's expose on the meat industrial complex in the United States. I'm not looking forward to how dead depressing it is likely going to be, but to have the in depth analysis this book is suppose to provide will be very helpful, I think, for determining my own approach to the problem.
There are, of course, many more books in the pile, but these are the ones I am most actively pursuing currently. What are you reading? Any good suggestions?
Friday, April 11, 2014
The Idols of Categorical Thinking
Today, I read Cindy Hoang's blog titled, "What It's Like to Be a Girl Who Codes." One thing she said stuck out: as a clear demonstration of how gender inequality impacts everyone negatively: "During that entire week, I struggled to see the guys as equals. To me, they always seemed to know so much more, use bigger words, and essentially, be better programmers. "
There is nothing beneficial about making gods of a group of people or an individual. Role models, people who inspire us, people who encourage us to be better versions of ourselves--a good things. But, when we use categories to make people into pure saints (or sinners), we are denying the most basic aspects of humanity--most especially its complexity. Even the best among us have made, make and will make more mistakes. Sometimes the best role model is the person who teaches us how to admit to making bad choices and to move forward, making better ones for the future.
When a woman enters a so-called "male domain" with the connected belief that it is a male domain because men are best at that thing, it can decrease her willingness to question the behavior of these "superiors." Alternatively, when a person enters a domain with a belief that they are systemically inferior to the majority in that system, the opportunities for manipulation and abuse grow.
The fact is, whether or not someone is better at a given skill or activity than you are, they do not get any extra moral value. You can be a fantastic mathematician and be a total asshole. You can be a fantastic mathematician and still make mistakes.
No category should ever keep us down and out. You should value your skills because they are yours and you can develop and explore them with others. You should see others as worthy of notice in a field not because they are better than you, but because of their efforts in relation to themselves. Often times we have the great fortune of learning from people who have much more knowledge on a given subject, and, when we are lucky, these people help us realize the value of that knowledge for ourselves without idealizing them or degrading ourselves.
There is nothing beneficial about making gods of a group of people or an individual. Role models, people who inspire us, people who encourage us to be better versions of ourselves--a good things. But, when we use categories to make people into pure saints (or sinners), we are denying the most basic aspects of humanity--most especially its complexity. Even the best among us have made, make and will make more mistakes. Sometimes the best role model is the person who teaches us how to admit to making bad choices and to move forward, making better ones for the future.
When a woman enters a so-called "male domain" with the connected belief that it is a male domain because men are best at that thing, it can decrease her willingness to question the behavior of these "superiors." Alternatively, when a person enters a domain with a belief that they are systemically inferior to the majority in that system, the opportunities for manipulation and abuse grow.
The fact is, whether or not someone is better at a given skill or activity than you are, they do not get any extra moral value. You can be a fantastic mathematician and be a total asshole. You can be a fantastic mathematician and still make mistakes.
No category should ever keep us down and out. You should value your skills because they are yours and you can develop and explore them with others. You should see others as worthy of notice in a field not because they are better than you, but because of their efforts in relation to themselves. Often times we have the great fortune of learning from people who have much more knowledge on a given subject, and, when we are lucky, these people help us realize the value of that knowledge for ourselves without idealizing them or degrading ourselves.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Municipal Political Research Quagmire
Despite my job being in political research, I think I find figuring out who and what I support on the ballot just as tough as the next guy. That gets even worse when it comes to my upcoming municipal primary. Sure, a large part of the ballot is running unopposed, but I'm not going to tick a box just because someone's the only person running from my party.
Even in the more contested races, it can be next to impossible to find credible information that can help you decide. In the end, most voters have to vote uninformed in these elections no matter how hard they try. Having to rely political advertisements or auto-biography pieces on campaign websites is no way to make an informed citizen choice.
Until public money starts to pull its weight, voter information will continue to suffer, and not just in these local elections. We need better public education about our political systems and how to making voting choices. We need publicly funded, apolitical voter pamphlets to make information accessible and unbiased. If we cannot get more informed voters into the ballot boxes, how can we hope to lessen the sway of private money on our government?
Even in the more contested races, it can be next to impossible to find credible information that can help you decide. In the end, most voters have to vote uninformed in these elections no matter how hard they try. Having to rely political advertisements or auto-biography pieces on campaign websites is no way to make an informed citizen choice.
Until public money starts to pull its weight, voter information will continue to suffer, and not just in these local elections. We need better public education about our political systems and how to making voting choices. We need publicly funded, apolitical voter pamphlets to make information accessible and unbiased. If we cannot get more informed voters into the ballot boxes, how can we hope to lessen the sway of private money on our government?
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Comfort Cake
When I want to cook something that is totally relaxing and makes me feel snuggled up and cozy, I usually end up making on of my grandmother's recipes. Today, that was raw apple cake.
I've heard over and over that smell is one of the strongest senses for connecting to memory. I don't know if there is science behind that or not, but when it comes to comfort food, it seems true. I love how even after the details have long faded from specific instances of eating my grandmother's cooking, smelling it brings back the same warm, loving feeling that she created every time she cooked.
Food is one of the most literal ways we demonstrate our desire to nurture one another and ourselves. I think that is why I connect so strongly to my grandmothers recipes. They bring me back to that most primitive parts of myself that she fostered in me, that most basic security she provided. I wish that I could give that feeling to each person who eats my cooking just by using her recipes, but the fact is those feelings developed for me because of her constancy and consistency in her care and providing for me.
There's nothing really magical about raw apple cake--well, there is for me, but in general, it's just damn tasty cake. The magic in cooking is the time and effort we give to one another, to give pleasure to our senses and nurturance to our bodies. Even though I can't make this cake magical for you in an instant, I hope sharing it with the people I love can be part of creating that feeling for our whole lives.
Without further ado--Raw Apple Cake!
4 cups chopped apples
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of flour
Chop the apples as finely as you like, but at least into 1/2 cubes. The smaller you cut them, the more juice there will be and the more tender, light the cake becomes. Mix the chopped apples and sugar. You can/should cut down on the sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples. For example, today I used only a cup because my apples were moderately sweet. If you use red delicious, I would not go over 1 cup; if you use granny smith, you can sneak up closer to 2 cups. Let the apple and sugar set together to macerate the apples. I try to wait at least 30 mins.
Stir oil, beaten eggs and vanilla into the apple mixture. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl, then stir into wet. Pour it into cake pan (9"x13" ish), and bake for 30-40 mins at 375 degrees ferinheight. Cool slightly, enjoy while still warm.
I've heard over and over that smell is one of the strongest senses for connecting to memory. I don't know if there is science behind that or not, but when it comes to comfort food, it seems true. I love how even after the details have long faded from specific instances of eating my grandmother's cooking, smelling it brings back the same warm, loving feeling that she created every time she cooked.
Food is one of the most literal ways we demonstrate our desire to nurture one another and ourselves. I think that is why I connect so strongly to my grandmothers recipes. They bring me back to that most primitive parts of myself that she fostered in me, that most basic security she provided. I wish that I could give that feeling to each person who eats my cooking just by using her recipes, but the fact is those feelings developed for me because of her constancy and consistency in her care and providing for me.
There's nothing really magical about raw apple cake--well, there is for me, but in general, it's just damn tasty cake. The magic in cooking is the time and effort we give to one another, to give pleasure to our senses and nurturance to our bodies. Even though I can't make this cake magical for you in an instant, I hope sharing it with the people I love can be part of creating that feeling for our whole lives.
Without further ado--Raw Apple Cake!
4 cups chopped apples
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of flour
Chop the apples as finely as you like, but at least into 1/2 cubes. The smaller you cut them, the more juice there will be and the more tender, light the cake becomes. Mix the chopped apples and sugar. You can/should cut down on the sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples. For example, today I used only a cup because my apples were moderately sweet. If you use red delicious, I would not go over 1 cup; if you use granny smith, you can sneak up closer to 2 cups. Let the apple and sugar set together to macerate the apples. I try to wait at least 30 mins.
Stir oil, beaten eggs and vanilla into the apple mixture. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl, then stir into wet. Pour it into cake pan (9"x13" ish), and bake for 30-40 mins at 375 degrees ferinheight. Cool slightly, enjoy while still warm.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Neti Pots: I'm a believer!
I've been told by many a sinus sufferer that neti pots are like a magical soak bath for your mucus sacks (okay, maybe they didn't use those words). I think the only thing that held me back till now was fear of drowning myself/just being to stupid to do it.
If you have any such fears at all and have sinus problems--get over the fears! It is not a cure-all, but it has been a really big help for me so far. I'm just using it every other day, but it is making me feel much better than just taking an antihistamine everyday does. If you are new to this nose party, neti pots are a way to perform nasal irrigation, which is essentially a little rinse for your snot factory. This helps clear out mucus, but also thins it so to help the cilia move the mucus out of your head (instead of getting stuffed up).
My only grip is that the one I found is plastic and claims to need to be replaced every three months. Even though I doubt that timeline, it is incredibly flimsy and I don't think it will have a long life. So, now I'm on the hunt for a more durable option.
Now, you know more than you every wanted to about what I shove up my nostrils! But, seriously, check the neti pots out.
If you have any such fears at all and have sinus problems--get over the fears! It is not a cure-all, but it has been a really big help for me so far. I'm just using it every other day, but it is making me feel much better than just taking an antihistamine everyday does. If you are new to this nose party, neti pots are a way to perform nasal irrigation, which is essentially a little rinse for your snot factory. This helps clear out mucus, but also thins it so to help the cilia move the mucus out of your head (instead of getting stuffed up).
My only grip is that the one I found is plastic and claims to need to be replaced every three months. Even though I doubt that timeline, it is incredibly flimsy and I don't think it will have a long life. So, now I'm on the hunt for a more durable option.
Now, you know more than you every wanted to about what I shove up my nostrils! But, seriously, check the neti pots out.
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