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More advice columns and the “where are you from?” question
Feb 29th, 2012 by maysie

So, full disclosure, I’m a vociferous advice column reader. I used to have an online advice column, but really, I’ve enjoyed reading the mainstream (Ann Landers et al) and non-mainstream (Dan Savage) for many years.

A few years ago I wrote about a Miss Manners column that blew my mind with how (mostly) wonderfully she answered a question from a reader about being asked the “where are you from?” question.

Today, while innocently reading Carolyn Hax’s advice column “Ask Carolyn” I came across this letter:

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Romeo Saganash and the white left
Jan 11th, 2012 by maysie

The New Democratic Party, of which I’m a reluctant member, is holding a leadership race to replace Jack Layton, who died of cancer in August 2011.

Here are my thoughts about the NDP in general. They are all still true.

Romeo Saganash is Cree, he’s a lawyer and MP, and he is a survivor of residential schools, the active colonial structure in which legal, spiritual, emotional and sexual violence was perpetuated on Aboriginal children and youth up until 1996, when the last residential school closed.

1996.

That’s 16 years ago. That’s not ancient history.

Disgusting and shameful.

Romeo Saganash is running for the leadership of the NDP. He was elected to Canadian Parliament in May 2011 for the riding of Abitibi–Baie James–Nunavik–Eeyou, in Northern Quebec.

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Sexism and misogyny
Jan 5th, 2012 by maysie

I seem to have a theme going on these days.

First, the bad news.

From Jezebel.com: Can You Tell the Difference Between a Men’s Magazine and a Rapist?

According to a new study, people can’t tell the difference between quotes from British “lad mags” and interviews with convicted rapists. And given the choice, men are actually more likely to agree with the rapists.

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A letter to Renata Ford
Dec 31st, 2011 by maysie

Dear Renata,

I don’t know anything about you, but I do know some things about abusers, the cycle of abuse, and feeling trapped in a life with an abuser.

After the “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” debacle on Monday October 24, those of us who are against your husband’s draconian right-wing policies had a good laugh for a few days. Once again, your husband made a public fool of himself, proving to us once again that he isn’t fit to run for dog-catcher, never mind be the mayor of the largest city in Canada.

But I remember.

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Occupy
Nov 18th, 2011 by maysie

This is What Revolution Looks Like by Chris Hedges

Occupy the NYSE: Huge Crowd Overwhelms Financial District to Kick Off OWS Day of Action by Sarah Jaffe

On state violence, white male privilege and “Occupy” by Nancy A. Heitzeg

Stephen Colbert celebrates the demise of Occupy Wall Street (video)

An open letter to the 1 per cent: You cannot evict an idea whose time has come by Derrick O’Keefe

Racial Fractures and the Occupy Movement by Bridget Todd

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