Recently in Community Posts Category

In our everlasting quest to make Feministing better, we've implemented a new function that allows editors to "front page" a community post. Basically, that means if we see a community post we really don't want readers to miss, in addition to recommending it, we'll reprint it on Feministing's main page. (It will stay on the Community page as well, of course.)

We'll be testing it out soon, so be on the lookout for some great posts from our amazing community bloggers.

Related: Don't forget that if there's a particular community blogger you like, you can subscribe to their RSS feed by clicking on their profile name!

It's been over a month since we launched the community blog, and already you've written 400 entries! Because the blog is still kind of in experimental mode, we've got some bugs to fix and things to get it right. One thing we thought might be helpful was a more detailed guide to becoming a Feministing community blogger. If you've wanted to try it but been hesitant, or if you're already blogging but a little confused about how the whole thing works, below the jump there's a more detailed guide to using the community blog.

Carolyn Frederickson of the ACLU's DC office writes on the community blog:

Yesterday, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report [PDF] on government efforts to address the abuse of domestic workers by foreign diplomats within the United States. The report confirmed what advocates, service providers and victims have long known: that this deeply troubling problem runs deep, and through its inaction and dilatory behavior, the State Department has unwittingly facilitated the exploitation, abuse and enslavement of poor, vulnerable women, some in the shadows of the nation's capital.

Go read the rest. The ACLU's site has more information about these women, including audio clips of them telling their stories. One woman, Raziah Begum, came to New York from Bangladesh to work for a Bangladeshi ambassador to the UN. And then:

Upon Ms. Begum's arrival in the United States, the Ahmeds confiscated Ms. Begum's passport and forbade her to set foot outside of the apartment.

The Ahmeds forced Ms. Begum to perform housework from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week without a single day off. They paid her $29 per month -- approximately six cents per hour -- which they never paid her directly but sent to her son in Bangladesh.

The Ahmeds forced Ms. Begum to sleep on the hard floor without a mattress or a blanket. They forbade her to eat at a table or sit anywhere in the house except on one stool in the kitchen. When there were visitors to the apartment, the Ahmeds required Ms. Begum to remain in the kitchen where she could not interact with the guests. When there were overnight guests, the Ahmeds made Ms. Begum sleep under the dining table so that she could not be seen.

The ACLU is pursuing a court case, legislation, and a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of women like Raziah Begum.

So this was my first time really sitting down and looking at the community blog. You all rock! Thanks to everyone who is contributing, I'm really impressed and psyched to have so many new voices at feministing.

Here are a couple of posts that caught me eye:

All this gas talk reeks of classism from SmartLikeMe. I like the play on words.

A different take on the same sex parent debate: My Two Moms by Rachel Setzer

More on the Brooke Hogan debacle: A profound and groundbreaking analysis: Gossip Blogs Edition by Snampire

A review of Mamma Mia! Rave: Mamma Mia by Katz518

A really awesome (and really nerdy) mathematical proof for the anti-choicers: A Simple Mathematical Proof by Rebecca

Happy Friday everyone!

Community blogger Nell (also of Abortion Clinic Days - a blog of abortion providers telling their stories) asks readers, "What makes for a good abortion?"

We often share your stories with our own patients. Hearing that someone else has walked that path with strength and grace--and that they're not afraid to tell their story--our patients describe as the most precious gift they can receive from the women in their community. The abortion stories women provide that describe isolation, suffering or painful rumination--those teach us something too. We should be listening to these women to understand the qualities that contribute to their suffering so that no woman has to describe her pregnancy or abortion experience in this way.

So how can you help the women you love to have positive memories of their abortions? I would love to hear from readers about the factors that made a difference in their abortions being positive or negative memories.

If you have a story to share, or would like to comment, please do so on Nell's post.

Also, I'd just like to say thanks to all of the abortion providers out there who literally risk their lives to bring compassionate reproductive health care to women - you are amazing.

whatsername takes on transphobia in online feminism in
"Deconstructing Transgenderism" psssst your cis-privilege is showing;

Grace from the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum talks about vegans/vegetarians of color mobilizing;

juliagoolia asks readers what they think of women's colleges;

and Emily vents over an anti-choice history teacher who says rape isn't that common and women don't get pregnant by rapists anyway. (whoa)

Vintage ad uploaded by Flickr user jbcurio.

Over on the community blog, mland45 recounts an experience she had when she went to an ear, nose and throat doctor to get treated for a sinus infection:

[Receptionist]: The insurance doesn't pay for the rhinoplasty

Me: Well, I'm not interested in the rhinoplasty.

[Receptionist]: You sure? Because your nose is crooked.

Me: I know, but I'm not worried about that.

[Receptionist]: Well let me explain why I'm telling you this. It's such a good price, because you'll already be paying for the anesthesia for the other surgery. It is such a good deal.

Me: Well, since I was never considering cosmetic surgery in the first place, it's not a good deal to me. I never had a serious problem with my nose, but by the time I leave this office I will have a COMPLEX about it.

How infuriating is that? Read the rest here.

Hey all, just a reminder to please recommend your favorite community posts; there a ton of great ones up there so give them some kudos!

(Also, if you see a community blogger you really like, you can subscribe to a RSS feed of their posts - you can find the link in their user profile.)

Happy reading!

Check out these awesome recent posts on the community blog:

• Eight years and one open marriage later, Lauren writes An Open Letter to Brad Henning, the abstinence-only speaker who came to her high school.
• x364173 has noticed that once you tell Facebook you identify as a "she," the advertising starts telling you that you're fat and ugly.
• And we've had some great TV-blogging lately: Pandrosian on father/daughter relationships on TV shows, Starzki6 on the X-Files' Dana Scully: Feminist Icon and JentheFem on how abortion is (or rather, isn't) depicted on television.

Got something to say? (I know you do!) Sign up and get blogging on our community site! Also, remember to recommend (there's a button in the lower lefthand corner of each post) the posts you really love.

From Community Blogger Lauren:

Way back in January there was a post about an abstinence-only video that used duct tape as a metaphor for one's body. The duct tape was being stuck to doors, walls, garbage cans, and a fat girl. It ended by saying "What if two clean pieces stuck together? They could stay together forever!" And that, dear friends, is the set up for a rant.

Read the full post here.

We just approved a whole load of community posts (sorry for the delay, too many of us are on vacation this weekend!) - and they are fantastic. Make sure to check them out; maybe they'll inspire you to start writing as well!

You know that scene in Juno where Ellen Page's character takes pregnancy test after pregnancy test at her local convenience store? Over on the community blog, Aly tells us how the reality can be quite different. She and her friend, both 15-year-olds, went through quite the ordeal trying to buy a simple over-the-counter pregnancy test.

We're in CVS, searching for a pregnancy test. ["Shouldn't they be over here?" "I can't find them! Are they by the tampons?" "Nah, if you're pregnant, you don't need those anymore." "Fuck, should we ask someone?" "Wait, no, I think I found them! No, shit, that's a yeast infection thing." "Aly!" "Sorry! They both make you have to pee on them, I think!" "No, you stick the yeast infection one up your snatch." "Ew, seriously? Sick." "This is not the time for commentary on the world of yeast infections!"]

As you can see, it was quite an adventure.

We finally find them in a small little corner marked 'Family Planning', and we search for the right one. An EPT boasts TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! for thirteen dollars, so we grab that one: two tests means extra reassurance. C.'s hands are shaking so hard that the box is rattling, so I take it away from her and go up to the counter.

The woman in front of us has practically done her grocery shopping here, and is paying in dimes and quarters. We wait for five minutes, Courtney watching the door for my mom.[who is in the car, innocently thinking we are getting pads.] Finally the woman is done, and I plop the pregnancy test on the counter. The clerk is in her late forties, and looks at me, pops her gum, and says, "I'm gonna have to see some ID."

Read the rest. (It's official: I'm in love with our community bloggers.)