Last month the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case, Gonzalez v. Google LLC—the first Supreme Court case to consider the scope of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which immunizes websites from legal liability for content provided by their users.
Indictments and Incitements: Threats of Violence Surround Possible Prosecution of Trump
Amidst the voluminous chatter and commentary about the possible impending arrest of Trump—and the circus-like spectacle it is expected to produce—is an undercurrent of concern and fear about the threat of retaliatory violence from Trump’s supporters. This fear is well-founded.
What’s at Stake in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election
On April 4, Wisconsin will hold an election for a seat on its state supreme court, which has had a clear conservative majority since 2008. Two candidates—judicial conservative Daniel Kelly and progressive Janet Protasiewicz—have advanced out of a four-way primary and are vying to replace a retiring conservative justice. The election, which has already broken records for spending and primary turnout, represents liberals’ first chance in a decade to break the conservative lock.
Media accounts say Wisconsin’s high-profile supreme court election is primarily about two issues: abortion and gerrymandering. That’s true, but the race also tells a broader story about the influence state courts are wielding in the face of divided government and eroding federal rights. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is resolving issues that federal courts and the state’s political branches can’t (or won’t) tackle. Abortion access, electoral maps and executive powers all hang in the balance.
Gender Integration in Sports: ‘I Have Been Suggesting This My Whole Life,’ Says Billie Jean King
Because sports historically have been socially constructed to highlight characteristics of male bodies and to preserve male dominance, sports can be reconstructed to be gender-integrated. People of all genders can and do play sports together in a lot of ways. The real question is whether or not society is ready to let sports start to challenge the gender binary and male dominance, rather than reinforce them.
‘The Martyrs, the Lovers’: Revelatory Fiction Inspired by the Life of German Activist Petra Kelly
Catherine Gammon’s fifth book The Martyrs, the Lovers tells the fascinating story of Petra Kelly, a modern-day Joan of Arc who stood up to the powers that be, and who dedicated her life to causes we are still fighting for. Kelly’s life and mysterious death are carefully reconstructed in a way that is deeply resonant for our current day and age.
Feminists and Friends Reflect on Pat Schroeder’s Legacy
Since the news broke about Pat Schroeder’s death on March 14, there have been thousands of tributes, obituaries, tweets and social media postings in her honor. They described her as a maverick, pioneer, feminist champion, trailblazer, fearlessly independent politician, and an icon and role model for many elected officials, men and women. We agree—but for the feminist movement, Pat Schroeder was much more. On March 22, 2023, the House of Representatives will honor Schroeder with a moment of silence. In honor of this one minute—60 seconds—of silence, we’ve compiled 60 stories from people who knew and admired Pat Schroeder.
“Pat was best known for being a fierce advocate for women. And many young women asked her for advice. She told them to make sure women were in rooms where decisions were being made. And if they were not, to kick the door down and hold the door open for those behind them.”
How HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Tackled Reproductive Justice Issues
Today there are many challenges to reproductive justice. HBO’s The Last of Us raises important questions about those human rights and justice.
Still Waiting for U.S. Constitutional Equality?
I recently attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment—the first such hearing in the U.S. Senate since 1984.
My country, Sweden, is known for its commitment to gender equality, and we have always looked to the U.S. for leadership on issues related to democracy and human rights. So how can I reconcile the vision I have of this great country with the debate I heard in the Senate? How is it possible that equal rights are not yet guaranteed by the Constitution?
For Women in America, the Fight for ‘Real Self‑Care’ Never Ends
An excerpt of Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included) by Pooja Lakshmin, out March 14, 2023.
“The work of real self‑care is about changing our relationships with ourselves, and, in turn, what naturally follows such internal change is a reorganizing of larger systems. … The energy and collective power that was harnessed by individuals in 2021 has led to real and tangible changes at the state level and in the corporate sector.”
Medical Racism’s Role in the Recent Spike in Maternal Mortality
In 2021, more than 360 Black women died of maternal health causes across the country, according to the CDC—up from just over 290 in 2020 and more than 240 the year prior.
Despite advancements in medicine and technology over the years, the racial gap in who is suffering the most severe consequences of childbirth is growing, and most Black maternal and child health experts point to systematic racism as the root cause.