The Bee Hive: The Bee is Still Buzzing!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Bee is Still Buzzing!

Hi all!

I just want to say thanks to those of you who take time to visit the blog and share your thoughts, comments, ideas, and viewpoints with me through your posts and your emails.

Been super busy with this wonderful, wild, wacky thing called life, so I know I'm way behind on news updates and other posts. But if you're a regular visitor and you've been wondering where I am, don't worry, I'll be posting some new stuff very soon!

Thanks again, I truly appreciate your time! There are thousands of blogs out there and the fact that you visit mine really means a lot :-)

Peace and Wonder!

1 comment:

AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Greetings The Bee,
Thanks for the invite. The list of humans that i know personally that write and publish professionally just grew with the addition of you.
I would like to invite you to also join Face book. I think you may develop a Bee Hive from the cross polination.
I will remain In Touch.
All Our Relations! Blessings! Namaste! Steve Flowers
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Welcome to The Bee Hive!

Quote of the day. . .

"We are a culture without the will to seriously examine our own problems. We eschew that which is complex, contradictory or confusing. As a culture, we seek simple solutions. We enjoy being provoked and titillated, but resist the rigorous, painstaking examination of issues that might, in the end, bring us to the point of recognizing our problems, which is the essential first step to solving any of them."

-David Simon, From "The Wire: Final Letter"-

"They who ask questions cannot avoid the answers."

-African Proverb, from Cameroon-

Shero of the Week!

Bella Abzug: (1920-1998) Born just one month before the passing of the 19th Ammendment, Bella Abzug was the first Jewish woman to serve in Congress. She was a staunch supporter of peace-justice issues, including human rights, children's advocacy, and women's equality. Thanks to Bella's efforts, Congress passed a resolution designating August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" in 1971. Her passing was a hard blow to the cause of women's rights and equality and a tremendous loss. Her passion and relentless pursuit of social justice is lacking in feminism today. We need more Bellas!!

Hero of the week!

Tim Wise: Lecturer, social justice advocate, and critical race theorist. Wise speaks truthfully, critically, and candidly about issues of systemic/institutionalized racism, privilege and power, sexism, and homophobia. He was the 2008 Oliver L. Brown Distinguished Visiting Scholar for Diversity Issues at Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas, and was the keynote speaker at the 2009 White Privilege Conference, an annual gathering for critical discussions and awareness about diversity, racism and combating oppression. Learn more about Wise's work at www.timwise.org.

News Buzz!

Cause for celebration: Women's Equality Day
August 26 commemorates the ratification of the 19th Ammendment and the efforts of Bella Abzug to declare August 26 "Women's Equality Day." But the fight is far from over folks!
http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=11905

The Lion of the Senate passes away
Ted Kennedy has lost his battle to brain cancer. He was 77 years old.
http://www.thegrio.com/2009/08/-boston-ap----sen.php

Black like me
Microsoft includes a black man in an ad then photo shops his image to look like a white man.
http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2009/08/microsoft-002225.php

Putting straight women on notice: gay men are not your "gay boyfriends!"
Ladies, are you guilty of treating your gay male friends as if they're toys, status symbols, or arm pieces? Then you definitely need to read this article!
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/08/18/rogers_fag_hag/

Keith Ellison Strikes Back
Congressman Keith Ellison is taking the Obama administration's weakening stance on a public option as a call to action. "The fact is that the people who are standing opposed to the public option, these people are standing against reform, they are siding with big insurance industry bosses against the American people. Simple as that. And we're simply not going to stand for it." (At the risk of showing my school girl crush on Keith Ellison, I just have to say: this man rocks!)
http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2009/08/black-caucus-leader-fights-for-002216.php

Too little Too late? Obama releases statement on DOMA
Realizing that he has opened himself up to backlash and loss of support from the GLBT community and GLBT advocates, President Obama has released a position statement on DOMA, stating that it must be repealed by Congress.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid105720.asp

Paying for the government's mistakes
People who have received overpayments in public assistance due to social services agencies miscalculation errors are being forced to repay the excess amount. Gee, let's guess who gets hardest hit by this wonderful little policy. Hmmmm. . .
http://frostillustrated.com/full.php?sid=6214

Calling it like it is
With growing violence, barely veiled racial animus, and far right rhetoric, town hall protesters have gone way past lack of civility straight into Crazy Town, while conservatives continue to fan the flames by appealing to these people's basest, most uninformed, uneducated, and unenlightened instincts. Pamela Reed pulls no punches in her criticism of folks she calls "health care terrorists" whose antics she describes as "sickening and dangerous"
http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2009/08/health-care-reform-terrorists-002193.php

Women: Natural born leaders
Carol Smith, Senior VP of Elle corporation, explains why women are naturally better at management and leadership positions: "I’m a leader. . . but I’m always feeling like I’m part of the gang. I don’t instantly sit at the head of the table. I sit in the middle of the table, always. I don’t want to sit at the head of the table. I want to be part of the process and part of the decision."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/business/26corner.html

Playing it straight
African-American actor Doug Spearman speaks candidly about racial bias in the GLBT community:"People tend to believe that racism, on all sides of the color lines, is something that stops at the gates of the LGBT community… It just doesn't happen that way." Read the full piece at HRC
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/08/equality-forward-doug-spearman/

The shattered bonds of kinship
Dr. Pamela Reed explores one of African enslavement's most devastating impacts: the causes and effects of the perceived rift between Africans and African-Americans
http://www.thegrio.com/2009/08/secretary-of-state-hillary-clinton.php

Pressure under fire: Campaign to punch Glenn Beck in his pocketbook working
The Color of Change campaign is working! Major advertisers continue to pull their dollars from the Glenn Beck show. Geico is the latest to join the defection
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-rucker/geico-pulls-its-ads-from_b_256724.html

The moral imperative of health care
Senator Michael Bennet argues that health care is not just an economic issue, it's a moral issue
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-michael-bennet/health-care-is-a-moral-ob_b_256147.html

Confirmed and sworn in: Sonia Sotomayor becomes first Latina Supreme Court justice
It's official. Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor is now Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Saturday, August 8, 2009 will go down as an historic day for women, people of color, and America.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/08/sotomayor-to-be-sworn-in-_n_254560.html

Voting Rights Act turns 44, but many still disenfranchised
44 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, those with past criminal convictions find themselves without a vote or a voice.
http://www.thegrio.com/2009/08/voting-rights-in-the-21st-century.php

Shades of Little Rock
Pakastani women and girls face down armed Taliban soldiers in defense of their right to attend school as granted under the Pakistan Constitution and United Nations treaties. http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/080609.html

Quaker youth stands up for peace and conscientious objection
The ACLU is representing a young Quaker man who is suing to have conscientious objector status included on the federal draft registration form. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/30/Quaker-sues-over-draft-registration/UPI-84721248989280/

Don't ask, don't tell, don't pass any ammendments!Representative Al C. Hastings says the White House forced him to withdraw an ammendment that would have gotten the nation closer to ending DADT. View the clip of Hastings expressing his anger over the debaucle to Rachel Maddow. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/30/alcee-hastings-withdrew-d_n_247726.html

Go girl! Sudanese journalist stands trial for wearing pants
Lubna Hussein was arrested for daring to break a law barring women from wearing pants in public. And the coolest part?: she wore the same pants (again!) to her trial! Is this woman a warrior or what?!http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/29/lubna-hussein-pants-trial_n_246901.html

Lakota Nation leader Peltier: Never forget
Leonard Peltier, a hero and political prisoner to many, a dangerous threat to some, faces parole on July 28, 2009 after 33 years in prison on charges of domestic terrorism http://blackcommentator.com/334/334_ror_peltier_indigenous_lives_meaning.html

The truth about single-payer health care: What you need to know
Representative John Conyers, co-sponsor of HR676, outlines the facts about single-payer health care coverage. What a shame so many Americans are allowing special interest groups, the insurance companies, conservatives, and so-called Blue Dog Democrats to stoke the flames of fear. http://www.johnconyers.com/hr676faq

Senate Armed Services Committee to hold DADT hearings
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “This policy is wrong for our national security and wrong for the moral foundation upon which our country was founded.” http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid101452.asp

Race/class bias rears its ugly head: Woman faces jail time for son's obesity
A single black mother who works 3 jobs has been arrested and charged with "unlawful neglect" despite her attempts to follow court mandated eating guidelines and numerous pleas for help for her son's food addiction. Jail time? Do middle and upper class women with obese children get charged with neglect? Of course not, because they can afford TREATMENT!http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2009/07/child-abuse-or-racism-002144.php

Five year old girl develops homeless project, raises nearly $4,000
An incredible example of what "scary" words like empathy and compassion can lead to. This little girl is the embodiment of the spirit of activism! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toan-lam/5-year-old-girl-feeds-nea_b_244854.html

"Doctrine of Discovery" finally seen for what it really is
The Episcopal church passed a resolution denouncing the 1823 Supreme Court ruling that gave Congress plenary power to essentially strip Native Americans and other indigenous groups of their land and rights; urges U.S. government to adopt the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/51572857.html

Not exactly news: Study shows poor suffer the most
2009
Milwaukee Health Report just released, shows the poor suffer health problems at disproportionately higher rate than the wealthy (duh!)http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/51529617.html

SG pick too fat? You HAVE to be kidding me!
Critics charge that new Surgeon General appointee (see "Regina Benjamin Obama pick for Surgeon General" post below) is "too fat" to speak effectively on health issues. WHAT????!!!! After the steam stops coming out of my ears you can rest assured I'll have more to say about this one http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2009/07/critics-lambaste-surgeon-gener-002126.php

Women's reality and unique experiences will help, not hinder, society
Dr. Barbara Con Schlatchet explains why Sonia Sotomayor has nothing to apologize for regarding her "Wise Latina woman" comments http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/071509.html

Third Wave Feminism: what's right, what's wrong with post-modern feminism
Heather Tirado Gilligan argues that young feminists have turned the term "feminism" into a catch all word that has little to do with the goal of achieving equality and justice for all peoples
http://www.conducivemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76:drowning-in-the-shallow-end-third-wave-feminism&catid=38:innovative-thinking&Itemid=61

White males and identity: the neutral, objective standard of measurement?
Very interesting editorial by Eugene Robinson who rejects the notion that white males lack identity and therefore represent an objective standard of neutrality http://www.stlamerican.com/articles/2009/07/21/news/columnists/neugene001.txt

Upcoming Peace-Justice & Cultural Events

The Fort Wayne Black Expo: Sunday, August 16 - Saturday, August 22: The FW chapter of the Indiana Black Expo is set to kick off on August 16. A variety of events will be taking place throughout the city, culminating in the annual Summer Celebration at McMillen Park. For further details or information, Contact fwiexpo@yahoo.com or call 260-492-6922.

Unity Walk Celebration/Fort Wayne, City of Faiths: Saturday, August 29. Meet at the Courthouse Green at 9:30 am for a Unity Walk Celebrating Fort Wayne: City of Faiths. For more information contact Mike Spath at mspath@msn.com

Lyrical Liberation: Thursdays @ Eagle's Nest: Lyrical Liberation is a weekly creative writing and open mic workshop geared toward helping people get to the bottom of their issues and look within for answers. Contact Scott Smiley @ http://www.blogger.com/educatingstudents4success@yahoo.com. Eagle's Nest is located at 6011 Hessen Cassel Road.

Mark Souder Town Hall on Health Care Reform: Rep. Mark Souder is scheduled to hold a townhall on health care reform in Auer Performance Hall at IPFW, August 28 at 7pm. Regardless of where you stand on the health care reform debate this is DEFINITELY your chance to be heard!!

Fort Wayne Hedge School/Fort Wayne Feminists
Following are events sponsored by FWHS. For more information contact Emily Hallgren at the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau @ (260) 424-7977 or http://www.womensbureau.com/ and visit the FWHS blog at http://fwhedgeschool.wordpress.com/

-Brown Bag Lunch Talk Series: Presentation topics will include Herstory of Feminism (in Fort Wayne, nationally, globally), Feminism in the Black Community, Pay Equity, Gender Socialization, Intersection of Oppressions, and more! The lunch talks take place every 3rd Wednesday of each month at Noon at the Hedge School office at Calhoun Center, beginning in September 2009.

-Women’s Film Series and Discussion
Takes place 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Cinema Center, beginning in September 2009

-YWCA Women's Equality Day Celebration: August 26 at the Library Plaza of the downtown ACPL branch from 5:30-8pm. FWHS will have an information booth set up.

-FWHS Weekly Meetings: Regular weekly meetings are Fridays from 12-1pm at the FWHS office located at 2513 S. Calhoun Street in the Calhoun Center. Date of the next meeting TBA.

Selections From The Bee Hive Booklist

Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis

The Idealist.Org Handbook to Building a Better World: How to Turn Your Good Intentions into Actions that Make a Difference

Bicycles: Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni

The Bridge Called My Back: Writings By Radical Women of Color by Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Becoming American: The African-American Journey by Howard DodsonThe Spirituality Revolution by David Tracey

Dear Sisters: Dispatches from the Women's Liberation Movement by Rosalyn Braxdall and Linda Gordon

The Bee Hive

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Bee is Still Buzzing!

1 comment:

Content and Sections

Welcome to The Bee Hive!

About The Queen Bee

Quote of the day. . .

Shero of the Week!

Hero of the week!

News Buzz!

Upcoming Peace-Justice & Cultural Events

The Bee Hive Links

Selections From The Bee Hive Booklist

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