Personal is Political

In early October I stopped shaving my legs. I stopped for two reasons, the first being I broke up with the person I was seeing, the second being I kind of wanted to see how long I could go without doing it. I started when I was 13 and since then I've probably not gone more than three weeks without.

Now, almost six weeks later, I'm kind of disapointed that the hair seems to have stopped. Unless you're looking my ankles you probably can't tell I stopped, or you catch my legs in the right light. Quite frankly, it ain't much different. And I'm considering stopping altogether. This shall be my experiment for the winter.

While I suppose I've always known that shaving for women becomes a political issue, I was still shocked when I realized that's what it's become for me. Now that I'm thinking of never shaving my legs again, I realize just how political it is.

The other day I was trying on shoes and I covered my bare legs so the sales girl couldn't see the hair. As soon as I realized what I'd done I stopped trying to hide it (no one noticed anyways). I haven't told anyone that I'm not shaving, but now I have to weigh who I will tell. If I tell certain people they might applaud me, others will tell me girls aren't meant to have hair, others will shrug it off. The hair on my legs will be scutinized. How bizarre is that!?

I feel like I've had some sort of weird epiphany, despite identifying as a feminist for a number of years now. And all it took was putting down the razer.

*As a sidenote, I really really want try to stop shaving my arm pits, but I'm too paranoid because I have over-active sweat glands.*



And...


I know I said I would write about seeing Jean Kilbourne speak, but I just haven't been in the mood. Quick little blurb, she was good, but I wasn't blown away. Four days before seeing her live I saw (again) "Killing Us Softly 3". Before Dr. Kilbourne began her presentation she did warn us that it would be similar to the film, but it was nearly identical except, including the exact same jokes. I was disapointed. The reason she was in Winnipeg was for a conference the next day on tobacco and body image, but apparently that wasn't the subject of her talk at the University of Winnipeg (which was free).

All in all, while she does amazing work, I was not wowed by her in-person presentation skills. I realize she does this same talk over and over, but it would be nice if it could be jazzed up a little, at least don't recycle identical jokes. A couple of my class mates picked up her book. I hope to borrow it in the new year to see if it's good.

Personal is Political

In early October I stopped shaving my legs. I stopped for two reasons, the first being I broke up with the person I was seeing, the second being I kind of wanted to see how long I could go without doing it. I started when I was 13 and since then I've probably not gone more than three weeks without.

Now, almost six weeks later, I'm kind of disapointed that the hair seems to have stopped. Unless you're looking my ankles you probably can't tell I stopped, or you catch my legs in the right light. Quite frankly, it ain't much different. And I'm considering stopping altogether. This shall be my experiment for the winter.

While I suppose I've always known that shaving for women becomes a political issue, I was still shocked when I realized that's what it's become for me.

I know I said I would write about seeing Jean Kilbourne speak, but I just haven't been in the mood. Quick little blurb, she was good, but I wasn't blown away. Four days before seeing her live I saw (again) "Killing Us Softly 3". Before Dr. Kilbourne began her presentation she did warn us that it would be similar to the film, but it was nearly identical except, including the exact same jokes. I was disapointed. The reason she was in Winnipeg was for a conference the next day on tobacco and body image, but apparently that wasn't the subject of her talk at the University of Winnipeg (which was free).

All in all, while she does amazing work, I was not wowed by her in-person presentation skills. I realize she does this same talk over and over, but it would be nice if it could be jazzed up a little, at least don't recycle identical jokes. A couple of my class mates picked up her book. I hope to borrow it in the new year to see if it's good.

More News from Status of Women Canada

I saw Jean Kilbourne on Thursday, and I will be writing about that when I have a little more time. For now,

A few weeks ago I sent my MP, Steven Fletcher, an e-mail to try and get to him to do something regarding Status of Women Canada. I recieved this letter last week.

Dear (Wrong Name that isn't mine),

Thank you for taking the time to submit your comments and concerns regarding Status of Women Canada.

Canada's New Government is committed to ensuring the equality of all its citizens. Liberals funded study after study, held consultations and talked, but they got no results. Our government is a government of action and we will fight for women's equality through positive proactive policy. Canada's New Government will focus its effots:

- protecting women against violence;
- giving children safe family home without abuse;
- helping older women escape poverty; and
- making sure immigrant women are able to use their foreign credentials to contribute to Canadian society.

Canada's New Government will act and make a difference to women and children in their communities and homes.

Again, thank you for submitting your concerns.

Kind regards,

Steven Fletcher

I like how he completely side-stepped any mention of Status of Women Canada except for in his little intro to the letter. I also suppose his "action" is to cut funding to women's rights group. What an asshole. Couldn't even address it to the right damn person.


But in brighter news.
By virtue of status report.

BIG NEWS! On October 31, 2006, the following motion was passed at a meeting of the House of Commons Status of Women Committee. The motion was initiated by Maria Minna, Status of Women critic for the Liberal Party. Official meeting minutes can be found here.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? A recommendation in the form of a motion passed by a committee gets presented to the House of Commons in periodic reports from the committee chair. The chair of this committee, Judy Sgro, will nudge this resolution along, and we'll keep you posted on its progress on this page.

Minna's motion regarding recent Cuts to Status of Women Canada:

Whereas the recent $5 million in cuts to the operating budget of the Status of Women Canada places in jeopardy the valuable work done in this department to promote the equality women and;

Whereas these cuts will make it harder for women across the country to participate in the economic, social, cultural and political aspects of society and;

Whereas the draconian changes to the Terms and Conditions to the Women’s Program under Status of Women undermines the very basis of our democracy – the ability to advocate on behalf of vulnerable groups and;

Whereas removing “equality” as one of the goals of the program sends a chilling message to the dedicated equality-seeking organizations throughout the country.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women (SWC) recommends that the government reverse the $5 million in cuts to the operating budget of SWC and re-instate the original Terms and Conditions of the Women’s Program and that the Chair report the adoption of this motion to the House without delay.

PASSED.