Hey Everyone

I have an article published in the newest edition of Voice Male magazine (Summer 2011)! Check out page 27-28. For those who are unfamiliar with Voice Male, it is published 4 times a year and is a great resource for men looking for ways to become involved in ending gender violence. Lots of great articles written by lots of great people. It is definitely worth flipping through a few pages to see what others are doing around the nation and around the world in order to end sexism and sexist oppression.

I highly recommend this for anyone trying to find a consistent resource for their community, organization, or campus. It does a great job keeping relevant with pop-culture and mainstream movements.

Let me know what you think!

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So, porn has always been a well debated topic in the movement to end sexual violence and sexism. There are those who say porn is bad and there are those who say porn is liberating. In fact, I once heard an off-handed remark that an anti-porn political ideology is the one thing traditional feminists and religious conservatives can agree upon. Kind of satirical, but kind of true?

And then there are those who say, “porn isn’t going anywhere so we might as well figure out how to have intelligent conversations about it.” Here is a quick video from a debate between Dr. Gail Dines and porn star Ron Jeremy. What I think is interesting about Dines’ position is that she keeps references studies from within the porn community; i.e. even the people who make porn understand how damaging it can be. Emphasis on the can be. This is not to say that “porn is good” or “porn is bad.” What it does say is that porn causes people (specially men) to act in a certain way and we should be conscious and aware of these actions/behaviors/thoughts.

Additionally, I’ll give a quick plug to Dines’ book “Pornland: How Porn has Hijacked Our Sexuality.” I haven’t read all of it, but I have read excerpts and reviews. From what I can tell, it seems well researched and worth the read.

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It’s been a while since I gave an update on 1,800 Miles: Striving to End Sexual Violence, One Step at a Time. Well, here’s some promising news: it’s gaining traction on Amazon! Not only is it hovering around the Top 100 bestsellers in Volunteer Work list, but it’s also getting placed onto those “Customers who bought this book also bought…” list. Oddly enough, the first book it paired with was Toni Morrison’s The Bluest of Eyes. My guess is that this was in connection with some college students’ textbook lists.

Of course, the book wouldn’t have such great exposure with out your help. Thank you so much to everyone who has bought the book, talked about the book, recommended the book, or simply reposted blog entries from this site. I’m still pressing hard and aiming for higher goals. Amazon bestseller list? NYT? Emptying my house of the remaining 2,000 copies? Anyway, here are a few ways you can still help spread the word and support the work:

1. Buy the book on Amazon! Get your friends to buy the book or buy multiple copies as gifts! If you buy the new ones, you can get free shipping!

2. Press the “Like” button on the Amazon page!

3. Visit my Amazon Author page (you can “Like” this as well)

4. Become a Fan on Facebook and recruit your friends. I still have big dreams of getting 1,800 fans. Right now I’m at about 47.

5. If you work at a school or community organization and are looking for a speaker, contact me. I’m always on the road and I’m always looking for new opportunities to speak all over the country.

Thanks again for all your support. I couldn’t have made it this far without your help!

Joshua Daniel Phillips
PhD Student, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Author, 1,800 Miles: Striving to End Sexual Violence, One Step at a Time

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So, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take one day of blog-posting to introduce you to the newest member of the family, Huxtable. He’s an 11-week old Chocolate Lab who was born on June 6th. He’s pretty much amazing, really smart, and knows about a dozen commands already (although he is still at the stage where he mostly performs them for treats). Oh yeah, and he might be the cutest puppy ever. I’m just saying. Anyway, hope you enjoy the picture!

Huxtable

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Here is a great story about police going to the heart of prostitution: arresting the men who pimp out young women! Too often, women are targeted by law enforcement and social mores when it comes to prostitution. This stories illustrates how pimps are the ones who manipulate young women into prostitution and men are the ones who should be held accountable.

On a side note, I never understood why women are the scapegoat when discussing prostitution. In the larger picture, women benefit the least. Men who pimp out women get the money and men who buy women get the service. The women who are prostitutes get all the heat and none of the benefits of the sex trade.

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I urge you all to get involved and stay updated on these situations happening around the world. Currently, there claims of rape and abuse coming out of a factory in Jordan that supplies lots of material goods to several U.S. based stores. So, if you shop at any of the stores listed, then you have a vested interest in making sure the goods you purchase are created in a safe and fair environment.

Always research your purchases!

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Philip Zimbardo did a TED talk on “The demise of guys?” I stole this link off a friend’s FB page and I’m interested in hearing what you have to say about the clip. Here’s my quick take: Yes, there is a “demise of guys” as we have come to know guys in the traditional sense. However, I don’t think this is a bad thing. I think guys have been taught how to be traditionally masculine and in a changing world that allows women more access to opportunities, many guys are going through identity crisis. Now, the world is far from having gender equality, but there are pockets where traditional forms of patriarchy are no longer accepted as the norm; e.g. women work outside the home, men participate in household duties, women are at the head of major companies, schools, and governments. In the end, I think guys simply need to adapt to a changing world, understand that being a man doesn’t mean you are better than women, and ultimately discover new ways of expressing their masculine identity in ways that don’t marginalize women.

Thought?

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Here’s an update on the Warren Jeffs situation: he got life in prison with the possibility of parole.

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I have to give big props to the student of the University of California, Irvine for their video post on sexual consent. I love seeing young students taking initiative and having the courage to put their views on the line in the interest of starting conversations about ending sexual violence in our communities.

Support their efforts and check out the video.

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I have to give a HUGE plug to a former CMU alumni who recently opened a book store in Mecosta, MI. “Like” J&J Book Dealer on Facebook. Support your local bookstores, support literacy, support reading.

Have a great day. Now, I’m off to read a book.

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