In light of the murder of Kasandra Perkins at the hands of her boyfriend, Kansas City pro football player Jovan Belcher, I am reminded of my own experience with domestic violence, which nearly ended my life 22 years ago. Much of the early breaking news in this story focuses on Belcher and how disturbing it […]
Author: Shawna Kenney
Shawna Kenney is the author of Imposters and the award-winning memoir I Was a Teenage Dominatrix. She is also the co-editor of Robot Hearts: True and Twisted Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age. Her work has appeared in Juxtapoz, Transworld Skateboarding, VegNews, the Florida Review, Alternative Press and seenallover.com, among other outlets.
The Return of the Headless Woman
While living in North Carolina, I couldn’t help but notice the logo of a chain of local strip clubs—a graphic featuring the high-kicking silhouetted torso of woman within a circle—sans head. Not terribly surprising that a “gentleman’s club” would focus on women’s bodies while deliberately leaving out the part of us featuring face and brain, […]
PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Anyone but Women
PETA’s at it again, pissing people off with their latest “Boyfriend Went Vegan” ad campaign, which critics say is disrespectful to survivors of domestic violence.
When Domestic Violence Enters Cyberspace
Based on previous purchases, Amazon.com thought I “might like to know” that my ex-abuser’s re-mastered CD is now available for pre-order. I have since deleted from my purchase history the items that probably triggered this, hoping this is the last such notice. Our relationship ended more than 20 years ago, with him in handcuffs and […]