Results matching “walmart”

In response to the constant objectification of women, the recent gang rape of a 15 year old girl in Richmond, CA, the unjust incarceration of Sara Kruzan and even the highly publicized violence faced by Rihanna, conscientious rapper and activist Jasiri X has put out a track that discusses the injustice and inhumanity of these crimes.

Love it. Lyrics after the jump.

Pic via Deanna.

Last night, after finding out about the Amazon craziness, I immediately called my editor, Brooke Warner, over at Seal Press. (Especially because Full Frontal Feminism and Yes Means Yes were two of the books affected.)

She spoke to their Amazon rep today, and he told her it was definitely not a glitch. From Brooke's email to me:

Basically he said that amazon has been experimenting with the way they dole out content specifically so that people who are searching Harry Potter or whatever won't run into links to products that might be offensive.

...It's super fucked up, but apparently he's saying that Amazon is a bully when it comes to stuff like this and it's all about sales for them and it's not about censorship. [He said t]hat they love you, love Seal, but that this is mandated from their bosses, who essentially want to be Walmart.

...He also said no human is responsible for the decisions per se, and that it's all about tagging and feeds which are constantly being tweaked. He does think that amazon will retweak the tags based on the uproar that happened over the weekend.

It's also worth noting that some folks, like the fabulous Deanna Zandt, believe that the reps may not know what they're talking about. "I'm almost positive at this point that it was a scripted (automated) thing someone figured out how to exploit," Deanna told me via email.

So that's what I know so far. Will update this post again if I hear anything different...

Walmart is trying to convince an appeals court that the 1.6 million women who joined a lawsuit against them for discrimination on the basis of sex should be considered individually, not as part of a class action lawsuit. The Wall Street Journal reports:

A ruling in the case by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco could have broad implications for future discrimination lawsuits, according to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which last week filed a brief supporting the class certification that Wal-Mart opposes...The EEOC says that if Wal-Mart's argument is successful, it would effectively preclude claims for punitive damages and back pay in cases in which plaintiffs -- or the commission itself -- prove that there has been a pattern or practice of discrimination.

Class action is important for many reasons, especially in cases of sex discrimination in the workplace. For starters, it cuts down on legal fees (one giant case vs. 1.6 million smaller ones) and speeds up due process so that people see justice and move on with their lives.

But on a more psychological level, class action status allows an aggrieved population, in this case women workers, to stand together and seek parity through their collective strength. Enduring the bureaucratic battles, media attention, and scrutiny of this kind of legal procedure with a giant corporation is basically soul-killing if done alone.

The solidarity inherent in a class action suit is not only crucial for these plaintiffs, but imperative legal precedent moving forward. What good will the brand spankin' new Lilly Ledbetter Act do if no one has the resources or the stamina to stand up against their employers all alone?

You're heard of the slow food movement, right? Well now folks are bringing that same sensibility--a mindful, patient, sensual exploration of the full enjoyment of the present moment--to one of the fastest of mediums: the blog.

The New York Times had a fascinating story on this trend on Sunday. It turns out that there is even a Slow Blog Manifesto, written in 2006 by Todd Sieling from (of course) Canada. Sieling writes:

Slow Blogging is a reversal of the disintegration into the one-liners and cutting turns of phrase that are often the early lives of our best ideas. Its a process in which flashes of thought shine and then fade to take their place in the background as part of something larger. Slow Blogging does not write thoughts onto the ethereal and eternal parchment before they provide an enduring worth in the shape of our ideas over time.

It got me thinking...what are the effects--both short and long term--of our speed as feminist bloggers? Sometimes we will have an activist goal in mind--eg. get Walmart to pull their sexist, violence-promoting t-shirts or make sure that Bush keeps his paws off our bodies in these last legislative days). In these cases, time is of the essence. It is less important that we write well, or get at the deepest recesses of the issue at hand, as it is that we get the content out there, incite outrage, and create collective action.

But other times, we feministing editors do try to insert some slower, more reflective posts. Vanessa thought back to her own experiences working in direct service with girls last week. I tried to introduce some of the ongoing questions in my own head and heart as I continue my feminist journey (interestingly, commenters were quick to speedy answers rather than the slow reflection I had intended.) I think sharkfu's beautiful stuff, more than anything on feministing right now, tends towards the reflective (even when it has decisively time-sensitive content).

So while I certainly don't see feministing as a member of the "slow blogging movement," I do think that we try to balance our quick hits with our slowly-developing consciousness, our action-oriented items with our reflection-encouraging content, and our sass with our search. What do you all think? Do you ever wish we were "slower" or "faster" (haha, sounds like we're doin' it)? For those participating in the community blog (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU), what do you notice about your own literary instincts in this regard?

*For more interesting, and very slow, writing on blogging, check out Andrew Sullivan's piece in this month's Atlantic.

It's been a couple of weeks since we've put out a video, sorry about that! This week's 'fuck you' was inspired by Ann's post about the latest anti-choice pharmacy and Pharmacists for Life International (who incidentally has called us "radical feminazis" and "radical abortoholics" on their website). Enjoy!

For more about women's access to prescriptions, click here.

Don't forget to subscribe to Feministing's YouTube channel!

Approximate transcript after the jump...

Are we really surprised?

Planned Parenthood of Central Washington was scheduled to hold an event at a local Wal-Mart on National HIV Testing Day where their Teen Council were simply going to stand outside of the store and hand out information about HIV prevention and testing. But the American Life League got a tip on the event, and urged their supporters to call and complain to the store, after which Wal-Mart succumbed and canceled the event.

You know, because handing out preventative information that saves people's lives is just so not okay. American Life League's statement is horrific, and conveniently makes no mention of what the event was actually for:

“Planned Parenthood is now in such desperate need of customers it’s willing to do anything – even stand outside shopping centers to lure young people into its clinics,” said Marie Hahnenberg, a researcher for American Life League.

"They’re pushing pornography and contraception onto young children – beginning in kindergarten. Now parents aren’t even safe to go shopping without worrying Planned Parenthood will pressure their kids into promiscuous lifestyles that will increase their bloated birth control and abortion profits,” Hahnenberg said.

I just love it when they equate pro-choicers with pushers and pimps. (And on 5 year olds, no less. They're big money, I tell ya!) This is the kind of shit that reminds me just how fucking insane these people are. Their supporters who called Walmart - and Walmart itself - should be ashamed that they believed these horrid lies and, in Planned Parenthood's words, "put the wishes of extremists ahead of crucial community health information that empowers people to make responsible choices."

Call Walmart at 509-628-8420 and let them know just how wrong they were.

Reader Scarlett saw these oh-so-charming panties in the junior department of her local Wal-Mart on Kildare Farms Road in Cary, NC. There's nothing quite like telling adolescent girls that they don't need to worry about finances since they have their very own moneypot between their legs.

Contact customer service here and corporate offices here: let them know that preteen vaginas aren't commodities.

In addition to being heinously ugly, this shirt represents some serious misogyny. And it's being sold at Wal-Mart. A woman in North Carolina who noticed the shirt is also a stalking victim, and she's justifiably horrified.

"People don't realize how serious stalking is," she said. "You constantly live in fear, look over your shoulder and suffer from psychological and physical symptoms due to the stress of the stalker."

She wondered aloud: What's next?

"Some say it's rape, I call it hot sex"? Or: "Some call it domestic violence, I say I'm just teaching her a lesson"?

Exactly. "Joke" shirts like these only further promote the idea that stalking is just romance taken a little too far. It's not. It's about power and control, and it's fucking scary as hell.

The NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence says that they're taking action and have been in contact with Wal-Mart. So far, no response.

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised however, when you consider the company's history with sexist shirts...

Here's some contact info for Wal-Mart's corporate offices, but they seem pretty nondescript. If anyone has better contact information, leave it comments.

Thanks to Alaine for the link.

Here’s some great news for you.

The biggest sexual discrimination case in U.S. history advanced against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday when a top court ruled that more than a million women could join a suit charging bias in pay and promotions.

The plaintiffs estimate they could win billions of dollars in lost pay and damages and that as many as two million women who have worked for Wal-Mart in its U.S. stores since 1998 could join a class-action lawsuit.

Hot damn that makes my day.

Related: Liza Featherstone's Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Worker's Rights at Wal-Mart

The BBC is airing a documentary about the word "cunt."

A quickie with Sarah Silverman.

Why Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton should quit trying to craft their images as caretakers and homemakers.

Harvard considers two women in its search for a new president.

A truly disgusting article about "trophy wives gone bad." Philobiblion has a response.

A pharmacist at a Wal-Mart in Ohio denied a couple's request for emergency contraception. As if we needed a reminder that Plan B isn't really "over-the-counter" at all.

North Dakota considers an abortion ban.

A detailed look at the abstinence-only curricula in Washington schools.

Maine allows gay couples to adopt each other to ensure they get at least some of the rights most states reserve for married heteros.

Apparently some people try to sell housewares on craigslist by featuring photos of women's asses. Nice.

A call for women-sized sports gear that's in the team's colors -- not pink.

Massachusetts may expand its abortion clinic buffer zone.

Katie Couric writes about being the only woman invited to an exclusive press event before Bush's Iraq escalation speech.

Some psychologists make the argument that it isn't necessarily a bad thing when teenagers dress sexy. In related news, the Texas legislature freaks out!

Is it time for a feminist Hanky Code?

Ada Calhoun pleads with media outlets to stop printing ruminations on our "oversexed culture."

You know how anti-choicers are always saying contraception is the same thing as abortion? A bill in the Virginia legislature seeks to define the difference between preventing and ending a pregnancy.

The abortion records seized by former Kansas attorney general Phill Kline have been copied and are now missing. Has anyone checked Bill O'Reilly's office?

Indiana and Virginia are considering mandatory HPV vaccination for all sixth-grade girls. So are Colorado, Kansas and West Virginia.

Conscience magazine on framing choice.

The "burkini" makes a splash.

On the eve of the Roe anniversary, NAPW's Lynn Paltrow writes about how anti-choicers work against the creation of a "culture of life."

A planned Operation Rescue protest falls flat.

As tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, I know there are probably events going on all over the country. If you know of something happening in your area, leave the info in the comments to this post.

Madeleine Shaw would never be caught taking a pill to stop her period. In fact, she loves and honors her period. And wishes more women would, too.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Madeleine [below right with business partner Suzanne Siemens] is the founder and partner of Lunapads International Products Ltd. Madeleine, now 38, had a lot of different career ambitions in her life, including being part of the foreign service, a fashion designer, and a social worker. But designing and making washable menstrual products ended up being her calling. And her feminist vehicle for change. Here’s Madeleine…

Finally.

After a long battle in which Walmart has continuously refused to sell emergency contraception, the corporation has finally bowed to public pressure and announced that they will carry Plan B in all of their pharmacies beginning March 20th.

Check out their own very brief news release on the Walmart website, where they make it a point to state that they will still maintain their "conscientious objection policy," and will not force any of their workers to dispense EC if they feel "uncomfortable" with it.

Should we be surprised?

Love it. The Associated Press reports that Wal-Mart is now required to stock emergency contraception in Massachusetts. The decision--made by a state board that oversees pharmacies--comes after three women sued the company.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Via Broadsheet.

CNN is polling on whether Wal-Mart should be required to stock emergency contraception. The poll is related to the recent suit brought by three Massachusetts women.

Go vote now!

Backed by abortion rights groups, three Massachusetts women sued Wal-Mart on Wednesday, accusing the retail giant of violating a state regulation by failing to stock emergency contraception pills in its pharmacies.

The lawsuit, filed in state court, seeks to force the company to carry the morning-after pill in its 44 Wal-Marts and four Sam Club stores in Massachusetts.

via AP.

Right on ladies! Just another reason to not shop at Wal-mart as Broadsheet elaborates...

I realize this has been clear for a while now, but given that Wal-Mart pays women less, promotes women less and cares less about whether women have access to the medical remedies to which they have every right, women -- and men -- should not shop at Wal-Mart anymore.

Nuff said.

We've reported a lot on Walmart over the last year (mostly because they've done a lot of sexist shit). Here's a little cherry on that cake for you:

Womens E-News ran a great story yesterday about Walmart's struggle to break out of its rural, Christian mold and expand into urban areas. Turns out, their discriminatory history is catching up to them, and might actually end up hindering their success in more populated areas of the country. As the article states:

Political battles over proposed Wal-Mart stores in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago have demonstrated that what's acceptable in Arkansas isn't necessarily embraced everywhere. While the objections focused on the retailer's low wages, hostility to unions and damage to small businesses, the discount giant's antagonists also pointed to its [refusal to stock Plan B] as an issue.

Maybe, in an attempt to conquer more of the American terrain, Walmart will ease up on its anti-contraception stance.

Why is life always a tradeoff?

From Reuters:

The National Council of Women's Organizations said on Tuesday it would introduce a resolution at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shareholder meeting to make the company offer equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.

"This resolution allows Wal-Mart to do the right thing -- release information on stock option and restricted stock awards by gender and race to let the public know how these valuable forms of compensation are divided among employees."

Women make up 72 percent of Wal-Mart's employees but only one-third of management jobs; those women who are managers make almost $5,000 less than male managers, and women hourly workers make 40 cents less an hour than men.

Let's just hope this latest venture by Burk doesn't encounter the same insane backlash that the Augusta controversy did.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-D) is asking that Americans give great Mother's Day gifts this year--not shopping at Wal-Mart:

DeLauro, D-Conn., wants consumers to join with her in supporting a federal lawsuit that accuses the nation's largest retailer of discriminating against women.

DeLauro also wants the company to turn over wage statistics for congressional review.

Love it. You can participate in the “Love Mom, Not Wal-Mart” campaign at Wake-Up Wal-Mart.

For more info on Wal-Mart's scary practices, you can also check out Wal-Mart Watch and the AFL-CIO.

The blogger tiny purple elephant decided to write a letter of complaint to Wal-Mart complaining about their unwillingness to sell emergency contraception. She got a snotty form letter in return, which she has decided to translate for us.

Dear Fornicating Harlot,

Walmart believes that the “Emergency” in emergency contraceptives is ridiculous hyperbole. How could the possible pregnancies of adulterers, fornicators, monogamous heterosexual married couples, and rape victims be anything but a joyous occasion and source of future cheap Walmart labor? If you want to go against God’s will, you can always go to one of the many nearby pharmacies that we haven’t yet driven out of business.

Go read the whole thing. And when you're done with that, get educated on how to use emergency contraception at Trish Wilson's blog.

Check out Alternet's The Women of Wal-mart for a frightening look into the insane discrimination that women had to endure on a daily basis.