Madeline Furlong

Obama v. Poverty

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:06:10 -0700

This is a good article, but I think the problem with it is that it supports the “poverty as culture” myth. For example, he argues that children from poverty and “deep poverty” will be unable to really succeed in school, even if the schools are good. This goes head-to-head with the mission of public education reform, which argues that all children can learn despite their background or economic status. Tough argues that the break down of the family in poor communities has created “deep poverty,” which in my opinion is just another way to blame communities for their poverty. This argument is very problematic.

Parties Fight Over Single Women

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:51:28 -0700

Parties Fight Over Single Women:

This article suggests that single women will play a role in determining the outcome of this election. Ladies—don’t forget to show up and vote.

NPR: Acid Attacks A Rising Menace for Colombian Women An...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:05:32 -0700

NPR: Acid Attacks A Rising Menace for Colombian Women

An important report on violence against women in a form we often associate with the Middle East. I think this reminds us that not only is violence against women ubiquitous, but that it is not only radical Islam which participates in these horrible acts.

Are Modern Men Manly Enough pt. 2

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:59:08 -0700

Are Modern Men Manly Enough pt. 2:

Amen

nytimes: Are Modern Men Manly Enough?

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:15:00 -0700

nytimes: Are Modern Men Manly Enough?:

This is a really interesting group of short opinion pieces. Some make my blood boil—the ones which reinforce the patriarchy and gender norms. Some challenge the norms which I find refreshing. And some just reflect personal opinions or preferences, such as one woman’s desire to date “hunky,” “meat and potato”-type guys. There is room for a lot of different opinions and debate when it comes to discussions of masculinity/femininity. I wish I could spend a whole class period of a WGST class discussing this NYTimes piece.

"They have forgotten what they were elected to do. I don’t understand why legislatures are..."

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:06:00 -0700

““They have forgotten what they were elected to do. I don’t understand why legislatures are looking to restrict healthcare in any way in a state where there’s dismal access to healthcare of any kind.””

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Felicia Brown-Williams, Director of Planned Parenthood Southeast, on the Mississippi legislature’s attempt to eliminate abortion services in one of the poorest, unhealthiest states in the US

nytimes: Love Among the Spuds

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:44:27 -0700

nytimes: Love Among the Spuds:

Article on the possible first openly gay person elected to the US Senate. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, went to Smith College! A victory for her in the fall would be incredible.

nytimes: The Opportunity Gap

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:35:00 -0700

nytimes: The Opportunity Gap:

Children from different economic backgrounds have different opportunities and the answer is championing marriage before children? This article started out well but then decimated into blaming individuals and the poor instead of the societal structures which reinforce hierarchies.

washpost: Government is the solution

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 06:53:02 -0700

washpost: Government is the solution:

I couldn’t have said it any better. Mr. Dionne highlights the importance of having faith in national government, and not being afraid to say so.

nytimes: Reverse Immigration Difficulties

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 06:19:55 -0700

nytimes: Reverse Immigration Difficulties

nytimes: Being a gay Dad

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 05:17:00 -0700

nytimes: Being a gay Dad:

Happy Father’s Day!

washpost: Warren's heritage "controversy"

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:31:03 -0700

washpost: Warren's heritage "controversy":

“Warren came lean” about listing herself as Native American? Even if she is only a small part Native American, Warren has the right to list herself that way. There should be no shame in identifying with a part of your heritage. Warren should have been honest about how she was identified as Native American, but her hesitancy to admit it stems from our negative view of affirmative action.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles. The new summer read

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:10:59 -0700

Tess of the D’Urbervilles. The new summer read

vincentnappisketchblog

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:14:58 -0700

vincentnappisketchblog

The scent of a woman

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:16:39 -0700

The scent of a woman

huffingtonpost: On Bain Capital & JPMorgan Chase

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:15:20 -0700

huffingtonpost: On Bain Capital & JPMorgan Chase:

Making the important connection

Spot on

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:00:45 -0700

Spot on

That Wasn’t Me by Brandi Carlile

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:55:28 -0700

That Wasn’t Me by Brandi Carlile

washingtonpost: Minority Babies Majority in US

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:10:00 -0700

washingtonpost: Minority Babies Majority in US:

The future of America. I think we’re in good hands :)

washingtonpost: VA blocks gay lawyer from judgeship

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:49:53 -0700

washingtonpost: VA blocks gay lawyer from judgeship:

Another disappointing and regressive move by Virginia in the arena of gay rights.