SlutWalk, Bahia-Style

Early this summer, I was in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, directing a five-week study-abroad program for Spelman College students when I began to hear buzz about the upcoming Marcha das Vadias, or SlutWalk. The first SlutWalk was held in Toronto, Canada on April 3 as an outraged response to a Toronto police officer’s comment that, in […]

SlutWalk Delhi Starts “Immodest” Discussion in India

They’ve walked in Toronto, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago. They’ve marched through London, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo and Stockholm. They’re even organizing in Cape Town. And now, women walking to reclaim the word slut and end the practice of victim blaming are moving East–toward India. As the SlutWalk movement grows, its recent expansion to India with […]

Don’t Ms.: WisCon, LGBT Bowling, Slutwalks Galore and More

Los Angeles: The Alliance for Women in Media is holding its annual event honoring the most realistic and faceted portrayals of women in the media. This year’s “Gracie” winners include Alfre Woodard, Claire Danes, Betty White and the Rachel Maddow-hosted special “The Assassination of Dr. Tiller.“May 24-25, The Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, […]

To Reclaim Slut or Not To Reclaim Slut: Is that the Question?

When I initially received my invitation to SlutWalk Los Angeles, I didn’t open it. I was aware of the Internet hoopla around SlutWalk, the anti-rape marches sweeping North America, Australia and Europe. I’d seen enthusiastic online posts from students, friends and much-respected peers. But I couldn’t get past the sensationalist (and attention grabbing!) word slut. […]

Beyonce: Girls Run the World (Cue the Apocalypse!)

I’ve been an admirer of Beyonce since her Destiny’s Child days and always appreciated that group’s “girl power” anthems (think “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Independent Women,” or “I’m a Survivor,” ignoring for the moment that they’ve also put out more submissive songs like “Cater 2  U“–which I’ve been guilty of playing on a loop).  I’ve attempted to […]