onebillion rising

[myrt]

onebillionrising.org/

Hello all. I hope you don't think this is a cheek since I haven't posted for a long time... I do read the boards regularly still but actually have very little of interest to contribute - so I don't! I wanted to flag up this very important event which I heard about recently on UK radio.

I watched the film and although it's upsetting it's also uplifting. I hope some of you will take the trouble to read this and spread the word.

Many thanks and my best wishes to any of you that may recall me!

[bixaorellana]

Hi Myrt ~~ I recall you often and fondly. Everything posted on a forum need not be earth-shaking, so please weigh in now & then when you find the time.

Your link is important for earth-shaking in the most positive sense. Thanks for posting it & I'll definitely link it out elsewhere.

[lagatta]

Thanks Myrt. Odd, the event I'll go to if I have time doesn't seem to be on the list for Montréal. It is the march (or solemn procession) about all the missing and murdered Indigenous women. There is a series of such marches throughout Canada. A very disproportionate number of Native women (Amerindian and Inuit) have disappeared. Many in the worst parts of the sex trade, others simply disposed of or who knows what. (Of course the culprits could be Indigenous or other people of colour as well as white, that is not the question).

It is just a great trail of tears.

[myrt]

Hi Bixa, thanks for your lovely support. Maybe I will post if I ever have anything faintly interesting to say. And Lagatta, your tale is not unique sadly....it could make one feel quite desperate but I think this is much more positive and empowering. Unfortunately I seem to have met a tidal wave of complete indifference most places I have mentioned this, apart from an Adult Education teacher who works with abused women who wasn't aware of this, and will now organise an event.

I am on a hospital day ward on the Valentine's Day but I'll make sure I dance somewhere, somehow - even if it's in the kitchen with the curtains drawn and the lights off! 'Life's a Long Song' by Jethro Tull I think.....would seem appropriate in many ways...

[bixaorellana]

I heard from my niece in California via fb that her town will be participating:
www.petaluma360.com/article/20130207/COMMUNITY/130209676/1374/COMMUNITY0301?Title=Joining-the-1-billion-rising

Love your musical choice!

[myrt]

Just thought I'd post this for Bixa and Lagatta:

www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/feb/14/one-billion-rising-live-coverage

I found it all very moving...despite the injustice and repression there are some amazing, courageous people in the world aren't there? Love in its most profound sense all over the world for Valentine's Day....

[bixaorellana]

Thank you so much for that, Myrt. It's stunning to see how women stood up even in places known for repression. It's so great that they're taking a stand for everyone, including those wounded by sneaky, non-physical forms of abuse.

[lagatta]

Yes, it is moving. Sad that the date was also marked by the high-profile killing of Reeva Steenkamp, not long after the horrible gang rape and murder of a much more humble South African girl...

And of course those are just the stories in the public view.