Why Summer LOV is awesome
Hermanitas has helped me because at school I hear many conversations that are full of lies and I know that that’s not true because hermanitas taught me that. Hermanitas is a summer program run by COLOR that is for young Latinas like myself that taught me a lot. First, hermanitas has taught me that media is full of fake Barbies. Those images are trying to tell me how to dress, how to act, and how my body is supposed to look like. But hermanitas has taught me that I am beautiful no matter what the media says. What I mean by this is that they taught me that media doesn’t define beauty. I do. Another thing I learned in the program was self defense. I have learned how to defend myself in case, I ever need it. That’s why if you are thinking of joining Hermanitas or LOV Summer program, go for it! You will learn a lot of new things, meet girls that are your age, and have lots of fun!!!
By Gianella, 12
For more about LOV, check out www.colorlatina.org.
Do you have questions about sex or sexuality?
Why comp sex ed matters?
The myths, misinformation, and untruths our youth know and take as fact concern and frighten me. They make me pause and think, “If this is what youth believe, how can they be safe? How can they make decisions about engaging in sexual activity when they don’t know the facts?”
Great article on education: http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/04/15/a-view-of-a-classroom-the-role-of-educators-and-the-education-system-in-std-prevention/
What do you think? Do you have a question about sex or sexuality?
All questions are anonymous.
My Moon Cycle
Did you know that you have a magical connection to the moon?
Your period, I know, not something we like to talk about. But humor me, when did you learn that your period was gross? Or even just something we aren’t supposed to really talk about?
What if every time you got your period instead our society celebrated our moon cycle? Would we as women have a stronger bond? Have you and the women in your life noticed that the more you’re together or are around each other the higher the chances are you are all on the same cycle?
It’s important as women, to know that we have a magical link to the full moon and the goddess. The traditional Mayan moon calendar alternating between 29 and 30 days tells us that both the moon and women really do have a special link.
What would change your feelings about your period/menstrual cycle?
I always get crap for being mexican or hear it. you’d think people would become more accepting of other cultures as the decades go by, but I think it’s something that will never end. But I dont care, even though I was born here , I am extremely proud of being Mexican. I’m proud of knowing Spanish fluently. I’m proud of the culture of Mexico. I may have light skin and lightish hair, but that doesn’t mean anything. People come in all different colors and sizes, but that doesn’t change who they are. - | via Tumblr on @weheartit.com - http://whrt.it/YcYjQZ
I am proud of who I am and where I come from.
What’s the deal with equal pay day?
Lorena
For years, society has valued women and people of color far less than men and white people. Until 1913, women were not even allowed to vote. Their opinion did not matter, as it was perceived that the man, if married held the power to make decisions on behalf of the families. During world war two when women entered the job force in droves to support the war effort and their families they were paid less for the same type of work than the men who were off at war.
Equal pay day is a sad reminder that we as women continue to get paid less for the same work as our male counter parts. However, Latinas continue to get paid even less. In my experience a s a working woman, I have experienced pay inequity. I have seen first hand how some employers value white men more than Latinas. I have seen first hand how the barriers that are in place to addressing pay inequity affect a woman in combating discrimination.
In a previous job, I was working as a bilingual program coordinator. My primary responsibilities were to make connections with schools, educate faculty and youth and promote the organizations programs. However, I soon found out that the white man who had my same job, started the job two months after I did, was getting paid $10,000 more than I was. I believe this was due to several factors:
- Men are nurtured to demand compensation for their value. Women, and especially women of color are told by society and culture that we should not ask for money and be grateful for what we get.
- Employers place barriers to prevent employees from discussing their pay with each other to avoid having to pay each person equally.
In addition to these factors, the law that governs our nation states that it is illegal to pay some one less because of a protected class, like being a woman or being a person of color. If it is illegal, why then are we not able to achieve pay equity?
Because when socially devalued individuals fight to be acknowledged for their true worth, the argument, the court cases, the discrimination claims fail. When Women are paid less, they don’t have the same opportunities as their male counterparts to care for their families, pay for health care, education, daily needs. Women who are often the caregivers of the family must work longer and harder to be able to provide the same as men. Today on Equal pay, we must stand and shout for equity. We must declare that today and everyday we will not tolerate discrimination. We will not accept less. We will demand wages that match our worth…. because we are worth it.
Happy Equal Pay Day! Women are still being underpaid all the time!
One in three women on this planet will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.
