Bitch on Wheels

Dear you...

Debbie Rasmussen — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:36:40 -0500

We're two days away from 2009, and we need your support to help us reach our year-end goal of 500 new sustainers! If you haven't joined yet, would you please do so? It's quick and easy. Just $5 a month helps sustain independent feminist media—media that caters to you, our readers, not to advertisers.

Or go here to make a one-time donation.

Our hugest thanks to everyone who's signed up so far. As of today, we have 448 bees in the B-Hive. We're thrilled and grateful that so many of you recognize the importance of building a healthier, stronger Bitch.

As a token of our thanks, we've created a special "behind the scenes" B-Hive video

We realize that many worthy nonprofit organizations are asking for your financial support right now, and we hope Bitch is among those you choose to support. We need your help to continue moving the politics of feminism, of social/economic justice to the center of our cultural dialogue.

On behalf of the staff and board, thank you for your continued support! We're excited to be entering a new year, excited about the change we can make together!

Best B movie ever!

Debbie Rasmussen — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:33:09 -0500

We hope you'll agree, and that after you watch it, you'll join the B-Hive! Feminist, nonprofit media needs YOU!

Here's the script:

First scene: a cool bee (CB) is hanging out and a new bee (NB) flies up to her

NB: Hey, I haven’t seen you around in awhile. Where have you been?

CB: Oh, nowhere special. I’ve only been hanging out at the b-hive!

NB: The b-hive? What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.

CB: (scoffs) You’ve never heard of the b-hive? It’s a cool club for sustainers of Bitch magazine. It’s only the best place to hang out. EVER.

NB: The best place ever? What kinds of bees hang out there?

CB: Well, there are five levels of sustainers, so there are five types of bees that hang out in the hive (duh). There are:

Busy Bees
First scene: Busy Bee with glasses and notepad, “12 Words from the Chief Rocker” by De La Soul plays in the background

Honey Bees
Second scene: Honey bee with big lips, “Honey” by Mariah Carey plays in the background

Bumble Bees
Third scene: Bumble bee who is all furry, “Bumble Bee” by the Casual Dots plays in the background

Queen Bees
Fourth scene: Queen Bee in crown, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen plays in the background

And of course, Killer Bees
Fifth scene: Killer Bee in spiked collar, “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads plays in the background

CB: I’m a Killer Bee, obviously.

NB: Wow, the b-hive seems great!

CB: Yeah, and not only do we have an awesome time, but we’re also supporting independent feminist media. And, we all get free subscriptions to Bitch magazine, so you know, bonus.

NB: So how do I join?

CB: Just go to bitchmagazine.org and click on the b-hive. It’s bitchin.’

Consumerism turns deadly

Debbie Rasmussen — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:34:21 -0500

A Long Island Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death this morning as over 2,000 shoppers pushed and shoved their way through the doors at 4:55 a.m., five minutes before the doors were set to open.

The New York Times reports that people didn't stop to help Jdimypai Damour, 34, who had been waiting with other employees in Wal-Mart's entryway, nor did they stop running through the store after medics arrived. According to officials, even as they tried to perform CPR, hundreds of people continued to stampede through the store.

Don't let another one close down!

Debbie Rasmussen — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:22:23 -0500

In the lovely city of Milwaukee lies an amazing feminist bookstore called Broad Vocabulary. I had the pleasure of visiting the store this summer, on a fundraising trip for Bitch. It was truly one of my highlights: I love bookstores, I love feminist bookstores, and I especially love feminist radical bookstores like Broad Vocabulary.

I guess I can't say I was too surprised when I heard the news yesterday that they might be closing -- feminist bookstores (and independent bookstores more generally) are closing left and right these days, the most recent one being Word Is Out in Colorado.

Upon further research, I discovered that a newly-formed cooperative -- A Broader Vocabulary -- has been formed and is working hard to keep the doors open -- they're looking for donations and people to get involved.

If you live in Milwaukee, please attend their fundraiser this Sunday and get involved in efforts to keep the doors open. Everyone else, please spread the word!

PHOENIX RISING EXTRAVAGANZA FUNDRAISER

This Sunday, November 30, from 11 am to 5 pm

Broad Vocabulary, 2241 S. Kinnickinnic

All day: Fantastic arts and crafts by local feminists on sale! Join our Femiknits Knit-a-thon! Other events still being scheduled!

5:00-10:00 pm -- The party moves to the back room of the Sugar Maple (441 E Lincoln), to include an open mic "adult story time" and special guest Laura from The Tool Shed (Milwaukee's feminist sex toy shop).

Bring: yourself, your friends, your favorite adult or feminist story to share, your hard earned pennies. your check book!

Cost: All events are free of cost, but we need your investment in order to purchase the store! Come prepared to be generous and festive.

For more information, email abroadervocabulary(at)gmail.com

Mail donations to: A Broader Vocabulary, PO Box 070612 Milwaukee, WI 53207

A news story on the B word...

Debbie Rasmussen — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:32:27 -0500

in which Bitch contributor Veronica Arreola defends the use of the word while many others disagree...

Critical Survey Reminder!

Debbie Rasmussen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:05:01 -0500

Our super duper survey is still up and needs your input!

Don't forget to fill it out! This survey, which will stay up until December 31st, is our way of gathering feedback and actively incorporating responses and direction from our supporters for the future of Bitch. By filling out this survey, you are participating in that process--now is your chance to be heard!

Tell us what you want and where to go. What do you expect when you read Bitch? How do want us to expand out from the magazine? Should we launch local chapters? Establish media camps? Land a bitch on the moon? As a small, independent media organization, we rely on the input of our constituents to shape our future and move forward, and we want to hear from everyone.

Your responses will help us set a vision and determine our priorities for the future of Bitch and B-Word. Please take a moment to fill out our survey and please forward far and wide!

artwork by Julianna Bright.

Rosa Clemente

Debbie Rasmussen — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:55:33 -0400

In the past few days, the Green Party has come up in a number of conversations I've been involved in, and I'm continually surprised at the number of people who think Ralph Nader is running for president. That misperception is unfortunate for many reasons, most notably because the Green Party ticket actually consists of two women of color--Cynthia McKinney for president and Rosa Clemente for vice president.

Coincidentally enough, I was alerted this morning to an interview with Rosa done by Adele Nieves, posted over on ZNet.

Rosa Clemente is one of the most prominent activists of our generation. She is a nationally renowned speaker, writer, and journalist - one of the most important independent journalists covering the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina - and in 2001 was a youth representative at the United Nations World Conference against Xenophobia, Racism, and Related Intolerance. She continues to organize conferences focused on the empowerment of young people of color, working in colleges, community centers, and prisons. In 2008, she accepted the Green Party nomination for vice-president on the Cynthia McKinney presidential ticket. This is an interview conducted by Adele Nieves in mid-October.

AN: Tell me how the Green Party is different from the Republicans and Democrats?

RC: Our core principles: democracy, social justice, ecological wisdom, and economic sustainability. Right there, our priorities are different in principle. Concretely, our party does not take any corporate or lobbyist PAC money. The Green Party was founded 30 years ago with the intention to break up the two-party system, and promote visionary
environmental strategies and social justice.

What are the pros and cons of not taking corporate money?

I don't ever see a con in not taking money from corporations. There is not supposed to be a corporate aspect to the government; government is supposed to serve the people. Corporations, especially in these days and times - maybe since forever - are not there to serve the people.

Go here for the rest of the interview!

Wear red tomorrow

Debbie Rasmussen — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:12:06 -0400

and please go to this amazing blog for more information.

"my dad could be a woman, and my mom could be a man!"

Debbie Rasmussen — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:30:43 -0400

thanks to megan for the heads-up, and who's also written a very thoughtful post about gay marriage...

Portlanders: Come out to In Other Words tonight

Debbie Rasmussen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:35:45 -0400

We're excited to be sponsoring an event that showcases the ways in which grassroots media is being used to open up dialogues about social change issues like gentrification. Please join us tonight for "There goes the neighborhood: Changing communities in the time of gentrification." Two videos will be screened--"Moving In: A nonprofit bookstore and the politics of space," by Dawn Jones, B-Word/Bitch board chair and "Locusts," a documentary by Iqaa the Olivetone and featuring MC Invincible (interviewed in the current issue of Bitch).

7:00 at In Other Words Women's Books and Resources.