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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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In the aftermath of the Michele Bachmann Newsweek cover, there have been lots of pundits weighing in. Yes, many conservatives are being opportunistic in defending Bachmann and calling out the sexist coverage from the left. Let’s be real Republicans, you don’t care all that much about sexism in Presidential politics. If you did, you would have called attention to the sexist treatment of Hillary Clinton in 2008. However, some of the coverage of Bachmann is sexist and supports stereotypes of women being “emotionally unstable.”

Even John Stewart of the Daily Show called out Newsweek for its absurd treatment of Bachmann on the cover.

However, Roland Martin of CNN disagrees that the cover is sexist. And I respectfully disagree with Martin. The coverage and treatment of women in politics is historically sexist and comes from both the right and the left.

Thoughts?

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A few weeks ago I posted a similar story about the sexist treatment of Republican women from left-leaning news media. This is yet another example of how sexism works from both the right and the left.

Here’s the quick summary: Newsweek magazine published a ridiculous photo of Michele Bachmann on its cover. It did a similar thing to Sarah Palin when it published a cover pic of her in her running shorts. Newsweek has never done this to a high-profile Republican male candidate no matter how much they might disagree with him.

This quick excerpt sums up my feelings on the piece:

“I hate it when Michele Bachmann makes me defend her, but I’m with Loesch on this one: The Newsweek cover was unnecessarily unflattering. I doubt Newsweek would portray a male candidate with such a lunatic expression on his face. As much as it pains me to admit it Bachmann is a legitimate candidate and major magazines should treat her like one.”

What do you think?

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From CNN.com: “72 charged in online global child porn ring” A heartbreaking story, but important to read.

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Last week I went to a Cardinal’s game with my old friend Pete. While there, I met up with one of the Team Fredbird girls I have known from a few years back at a Central States Communication Conference. We talked briefly about what life had been like for the last couple of years and she also talked about how she was keeping up with CNN’s Freedom Project and looking to get involved with ending human trafficking once her time as a Team Fredbird girl were over.

I too have been reading up on the Freedom Project and recently came across this article about girls being rescued from India’s red light district. Listening to these stories is so important. Please take the time to learn about what’s going on the world. Don’t turn a blind eye. This type of injustice will not go away simply by ignoring it. We must be proactive.

Much Love.

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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It’s been a while since this guy has been in the news. But his trial is final over and Warren Jeffs has been found guilty of sexual assault. I know the legal process can be a very long process and we sometimes lose sight of certain cases, but it’s important to stay up on high-profile sexual assault cases and see them through. Keeping conversations about ending sexual violence in the media is an important step in making sure people know how often it happens and how serious it is.

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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In the past few days, there has been some wide-spread media attention given to the writings of Rosa Parks that detail an attempted sexual assault against the Civil Rights leader several decades ago. There is a good piece posted on The Root that critically discusses this attention and attempts to position Parks as a political resistance leader instead of a helpless victim. I don’t agree with everything in the article, but I think it offers a good place to start some conversations.

The piece also mentions the book At the Dark End of the Street. I read this earlier this year. Great read. Worth a look.

Joshua Daniel Phillips

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So I found this rather interesting piece on CNN.com. Apparently we needed a study to figure this one out:

“Sexual assault, domestic violence can damage long-term mental health”

Joshua Daniel Phillips

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A new report by the Institute of Medicine reports that birth control should be fully covered by medical insurance. After all, Viagra is, right?

Joshua Daniel Phillips

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