Author Archives: Maia

It is our right

Posted on November 24, 2006 by Maia

We had a Reclaim the Night March last night. It was a truly awesome experience, and just so powerful to have so many women working together at dusk. We were doing some really great chanting. It was wonderful to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 9 Comments

Occupation isn't liberation

Posted on November 19, 2006 by Maia

This was how Tony Blair’s Al Jazeera interview was reported in the Sunday Star Times: Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted the Irqa war has been a disaster, in an interview on Arab TV channel al-Jazeera. Challenged that western intervention … Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq | 16 Comments

Tonga

Posted on November 19, 2006 by Maia

The New Zealand government has sent troops to Tonga to prop up the Monarchy, and help squash pro-democracy protests. Agitation against the current situation in Tonga has been growing, there was a huge public service strike last year, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, International issues | 1 Comment

The Wind that Shakes the Barley

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Maia

I ran into a couple of friends after they’d been to see The Wind that Shakes the Barley and they described it as a great movie, very harrowing. This seemed to me to be a good reason to avoid it … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, International issues, Popular (and unpopular) culture | 7 Comments

Isn't it good we have men to tell us what to do

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Maia

Sailorman (who occasionally comments on Alas) has an interesting new argument. He believes that the only way anyone should use the word ‘rape’ is to reflect the exact legal definition of where they live: Anyone who frequents feminist blogs has … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 130 Comments

Justice for Janitors

Posted on November 16, 2006 by Maia

More than three weeks ago now, cleaners in Houston went on strike, in an attempt to get the big cleaning companies to negotiate a union contract. Most cleaners are paid on, or close to, minimum wage and don’t get sick-leave, … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Feminism, sexism, etc, Gender and the Economy, Race, racism and related issues | 3 Comments

Man-hating

Posted on November 15, 2006 by Maia

I have been wanting to write about male violence within activist scenes for a number of weeks. I haven’t known where to start. So I thought I’d talk a little bit about my personal experience I feel very hesitant about … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 31 Comments

It's our fault – for being ignorant

Posted on November 9, 2006 by Maia

The Labour government is obviously committed to doing something about the wage-gap between men and women – they’ve released a study. This study compares the wages in male dominated industries, such a building and painting, with wages in female dominated … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Feminism, sexism, etc, Gender and the Economy | 39 Comments

I love other people's elections

Posted on November 8, 2006 by Maia

Other people’s elections have two important elements that make them better than my own, first my emotional detachment and my intellectual detachment match. In NZ elections I know Labour sucks, and I know it’s not going to matter that much, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion & reproductive rights, Elections and politics, Feminism, sexism, etc, Race, racism and related issues, Same-Sex Marriage | 20 Comments

A remedial lesson in consent

Posted on November 7, 2006 by Maia

I’ve already mentioned that a police officer is on trial for rape. The defense has an interesting new definition of consent: Mr Gotlieb told a jury in Auckland District Court today that five defense witnesses would be called. He said … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 28 Comments