Last night, I had the pleasure of meeting Lydia Cacho, Mexican, feminist, journalist, human rights activist -- and overall badass in general. Thursdays are my crazy days because I have 7 and half hours of classes, but I couldn't pass her up. Because, after all, I am a sucka for hot, feminist, women of color getting the recognition they deserve for feminist advocacy. She was at my stomping ground, University of Michigan, receiving the Wallenberg Medal L. And, I must say, the Lydia Cacho experience was such an affirmation to my quirky black-girl self. It reminded me that although things like the George Sodini murders or the threat of rape keep me up some nights, I cannot allow the ills of sexism to jade me. I always have the resources to share a smile, count my blessings and prioritize love on my to-do list.
Her feel-good points were like India Arie's third album rolled into a lecture. She spent a large part of the evening explaining to over 100 students and Ann Arbor residents that, unequivocally, we all had the right to sexual pleasure and to live free from violence. While these concepts may be Women Studies 101 for some folks, many audience members were having an a-ha moment. It was a beautiful thing. The part of her talk I enjoyed the most is the notion that we can be change agents and enjoy this life thing along the way. Sounds good to me.
I had to take all this seriously because Lydia's story is the story of resilience so profound, it will give you pause. After calling out a prominent businessman in Mexico for protecting child pornographers, she was illegally jailed, beaten and abused. Amidst intimidation threats she is still at it -- determined to tell the truth about child trafficking, femicide in Juarez and sexism. She is the founder of a shelter for children and women, Ciam Cancun. There, she and a team of psychologists and sexologists rehabilitate survivors of child trafficking and provide resources for survivors of violence.
She acts locally back in Mexico but issued a challenge to the audience that I found incredibly intriguing: globalize love. It's the answer to the question, how can we invent a new language for love in a world like ours? It is a grand task, but it feels so good that it's worth giving further consideration. In parting, she recommended salsa, tequila and love to help us all along the way. Take that Elizabeth Gilbert!
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I go to a school in Michigan close to Ann Arbor. I wish I had known she was in town. She sounds extremely inspiring.
"hot"
you just had to add "hot" to your description of this intelligent activist. Damn.
and you had to include that in your reason for going to hear her lecture...double damn.
even here.
damn racism/sexism combo.
damn damn damn
Her being hot doesn't seem to be the substantial reason for going to see her - I think Rose's four full paragraphs demonstrate that "hot" wouldn't have been enough.
And plus, she can't be hot? And "hot" can't mean anything besides "how heterosexual men want women to look"?
That made me feel icky, too. Why is "hot" the first adjective? I know the rest of the post is about her accomplishments besides being "hot," but why on earth should "hot" be the first thing we know about her????
nothing wrong with finding someone sexy or "hot". finding someone sexy is not always based only upon looks. sometimes it's a mix of being attracted to a person's amazing mind plus finding beauty in their physical appearance, whether or not the person fits into society's beauty standards or not. :-) in the author's context, i think there is that mix, as opposed to if we were on some sexist dude site. i could be wrong, though. :-)
Rose, thank you for this post! Out of anything I have read online, almost ever, your account of meeting Lydia Cacho (and her activism) was a total love-and-activism-inspiring kick in the pants. The way your piece touched me at the right moment, with a perfectly timed sentiment, is a testament to what blogging can be. Many, many thanks for talking about recognizing--and challenging--injustice and enjoying life in the process.
Here's to globalizing love!
Thanks for this post, Rose! and for writing about UM/Ann Arbor stuff - I'm here quite a bit and wish I had known about this!
Great article and as a latina I endorse our "hotness" .
Come on guys some of read Vogue and Latina and Essence; care about fashion and make up as well as social issues and think being attractive is nothing to be downplayed.