Weekly Newsletters, Fall 2008-Spring 2009

Sunday, October 26, 2008

A Woman Leads Muslim Prayer in Britain For the First Time
By Fatemeh Fakhraie
October 22, 2008

The landmark event depicts a religion in transition, but what of the criticisms that it's just a publicity stunt?

Last Friday, Dr. Amina Wadud led a mixed-gender congregation of 15 people in prayer in the U.K. This is the first time that any Muslim woman has done so in Britain, and the second time Dr. Wadud has led a mixed congregational prayer (she made history by leading a congregation in New York City in 2005).

Plenty of less-than-enthusiastic Muslims lined up outside to protest Dr. Wadud because they feel Islamic law does not permit women to lead prayer. Several prominent Muslims in Britain, including the Vice President of the Muslim Association of Britain, issued statements opposing the sermon. On the blogosphere, there have been mixed reactions. There are people who are down with the idea, people who aren't aren’t, and some in between.

Personally, I'm in the camp that finds Dr. Wadud and her work to be awesome, including her leading prayer. My only major qualm is with the media presence: the cameras make the event look like a publicity stunt (which is one of the accusations made by those who disagree with Dr. Wadud) which would lessen its value. I can understand the desire for transparency and wanting to share this occasion with others around the world. But frankly, it doesn’t good when cameras outnumber actual worshippers.

Still, the critical point here is that Dr. Wadud’s work illustrates that Islam is not a stagnant religion and that Muslims aren’t religiously-programmed robots. For many people, Islam is not rigid or immutable, but changes as we and our societies evolve. This is an example of what can happen when a fresh pair of eyes delves into Islamic theology and law. Dr. Wadud’s work is not presently accepted by the majority of Muslims, but it is important work nonetheless.

Bio
Fatemeh Fakhraie is an Iranian-American Muslim woman who writes articles about race, religion, and feminism in different outlets, and speaks publicly about issues that Muslim women face from an Islamic feminist viewpoint. She founded and currently serves as editor of Muslimah Media Watch, a website that critiques media images of Muslim women.
This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me - Changing Attitudes on The Blame For Rape
http://www.thisisnotaninvitationtorapeme.co.uk/

A great campaign that started in Scotland. The campaign uses provocative and interesting imagery to expose to the way rape culture promotes victim-blaming. Some of the topics covered are dress, intimacy, drinking, and relationships. This is a great resource for people who wish to learn more about rape culture
An Open Letter to White Non-Muslim Western Feminists
by Fatemeh, muslimnista.org

We need to talk.

Having the economic privilege to spend a few summers in Cairo or to study abroad in Dubai does not give you the authority to speak about Middle Eastern culture.

Dating a Saudi guy does not give you the authority to speak about Islam. Or about Muslim men.

Knowing some Muslim women through work or as friends does not give you the authority to speak for them or the rest of Muslim women.

There are those of us who suffer. But don’t speak of us as victims if we are not dead. Don’t deny the agency with which we become survivors and active shapers of our lives. Don’t ignore the fighting we do for ourselves.

We can—and do—speak for ourselves. So stop speaking for us.

I notice a lot of condescension and arrogance when you talk to us or about us. Let me be clear: you do not know more about us than we know about ourselves, our religion, our cultures, our families, or the forces that shape our lives. You do not know what’s best for us more than we do.

So please check yourselves.

Being an ally does not mean speaking for us, making choices for us, or figuring out what’s best for us. It means supporting and defending the choices we make and the voices we use.

If we want help, and ask for it, then do only what you’re asked. Don’t invent new ways to characterize us as oppressed or agitate for the solving of problems that aren’t pressingly important. Case in point: if we want better divorce laws in a particular country, don’t agitate for the abolishing of mandatory clothing policies.

If you can’t do that, then don’t bother. It’s better to just stay out of our way. Passing judgment on and mischaracterizing our choices, our religion, or ways of life does us more harm than good; with friends like that, who needs enemies?

Sincerely,

An Islamic feminist who has met one-too-many white non-Muslim feminists that assume that they know better

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Newsletter 10/25/08

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 25, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: There will be no F.O.R.C.E. meeting this Monday, October 27, because of the Prop 4 Forum

This week…

October 22, 2008 - November 02, 2008
Refugee Camp in the Heart of Los Angeles
9:00AM - 5:30PM
Los Angeles: (Crystal Springs Picnic Area, Griffith Park): October 22 - 27
Santa Monica (Santa Monica Pier): October 31 -November 2
Step into the lives of refugees who have fled their homes.
"A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City," an outdoor interactive exhibit organized by Doctors Without Borders, asks visitors to imagine they are among the world's 42 million people forced to flee their homes because of war or conflict.
Will I be safe? What will I eat? How do I find water? Can I get medical care? Where will I live?
Experienced aid workers from Doctors Without Borders guide visitors through structures such as a cholera treatment center, emergency refugee housing, and nutrition and vaccination tents while they explain challenges that refugees face in finding food, water, shelter, and medical care. The exhibit is made up of actual materials the organization uses in its medical humanitarian work around the world.
Event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessbile.
For more information visit: www.doctorswithoutborders.org/RefugeeCamp

Saturday, October 25
headRush presents “Tour for a True Democracy”
Echo Park, CA
Use the arts and popular education to spark civic engagement and explore the issues surrounding the upcoming election 2008!
Fall 2008, headRush takes their wild multi-media satire to theatres, colleges, and public spaces throughout the country to ignite a community-based dialogue on the current state of affairs and our collective power to create the kind of democratic structure that truly represents us.The Throwdown brings street theatre to the stage and takes the audience into the imagination of a young man struggling for a "true" democracy. Through spoken word comedy, surreal musical numbers, and visual projections, headRush takes us on a psycho-political trip through this homeboy’s subconscious where elements of the corporo-tocracy take superhuman form, a world where powerful fiends use hyper-surveillance to maintain their grip on inner city youth, manipulate Homeland (In)Security over the US/Mexico border, and flood consumers with endless glittering golden distractions. This hybrid performance invites audiences to participate in a collective vision of our potential for change.
The cost is $10 to 25 sliding scale but no one will be turned away!

Monday, October 27
Prop 4 Forum
12:00pm-2:00pm, in room LA3-108
F.O.R.C.E. is hosting a forum to discuss both sides of Proposition 4 on the California ballot. The event will raise awareness about the importance of voting on this issue. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend, or special on a particular side, if they wish.
NO ON PROP 4: http://www.yeson4.net
YES ON PROP 4: http://www.yeson4.net
Facebook event page: here.


Tuesday, October 28th
Prop 2 Teach-In (Cease Animal Torture)
1:00-2:00pm, on the upper campus quad near KJazz
An event to raise awareness about the importance of Prop 2 on the November ballot. Information on the ballot available here.

Tuesday, October 28
ITVS DOCUMENTARY SERIES presents a screening of LIONESS
7:30pm, The Egyptian Theater, Los Angeles (Map)
They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did. LIONESS, the provocative and powerful documentary from Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, tells the story of five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Free Admission! First come, first served. Panel Discussion participants to be announced. About ITVS Community Cinema: ITVS, the co-presenter of Independent Lens, presents ITVS Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series, offered in over 50 cities throughout the U.S. www.itvs.org , www.pbs.org/independentlens

Tuesday, October 28
I.O.U.S.A. Film Screening
Doors open at 5pm, Panel at 6:45pm, Sneak preview Monday Oct. 27 at 5pm
USU Beach Auditorium
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBo2xQIWHiM
The Financial Management Association (FMA) will present
the Sundance Award-winning film I.O.U.S.A. on Monday, October 27 and
Tuesday, October 28 in the USU Beach Auditorium. This is a
critically acclaimed documentary that discusses government
debt, liabilities, the trade deficit, personal debt, and
leadership/ethics. FMA has been granted exclusive rights
to show it at the university with no admission charge. As
a matter of fact, the CSULB will be hosting the very first
university release of this film in the western United
States.
Both screenings of I.O.U.S.A. will begin at 5 PM. However,
the October 28th showing will be the official event, as it
will be followed by a panel of experts at 6:45 PM.
Confirmed panelists are Drs. Michael Solt (Finance Expert and CBA Dean), Edgar Kaskla (Political Science), Lisa Grobar (Economics), Steven Yamarik (Economics), and F. King Alexander (President of CSULB)

Wednesday, October 29
CSULB No on Prop 8 Protest
12:30pm-2:30pm, Friendship Walk
http://www.noonprop8.com
Facebook event page: here.

Thursday, October 30
“Know Your Props” Information Fair
12-3pm, on the Friendship walk on upper campus
CA propositions on the November ballot
Groups that will be featured: Campus Progressive Collective, F.O.R.C.E., C.A.T., W.S.S.A., Environmental Science & policy CLUB & More

In November and December, F.O.R.C.E. will be taking on international women’s issues. We will be having a zine, a “Die In,” and we will be working with various other organizations on events that promote peace and equality on a global scale. Please email us if you want to be involved in any way!

Friday, October 31 – November 9
AFI Fest 2008
AFI Fest is a film festival featuring documentary and feature films from around the world. Independent cinema and foreign cinema are well represented.
http://www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2008/default.aspx

Next week...

Saturday, November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

In November and beyond...

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA, Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Date TBA
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

New Documentary: "Saving Africa's Witch Children"

Channel 4's Dispatches to investigate Nigerian 'witch children'

From The Guardian UK: Oscar-nominated actor Sophie Okonedo is to narrate a hard-hitting Dispatches programme for Channel 4 (UK) about children in Nigeria who are tortured for being witches.

The new programme... will look at the phenomenon of children who are blamed for catastrophes, death and famine and branded witches in some of the poorest parts of Nigeria.

Saving Africa's Witch Children follows Briton Gary Foxcroft, who has devoted his life to raising money to help the children and who works with Nigerian Sam Itauma, who runs a shelter for children accused of witchcraft.

The documentary will feature shocking stories of torture inflicted on children, including a 13-year-old who was tied up with chicken wire and starved and beaten for two weeks, and a 14-year-old girl who was burned with acid before her mother attempted to bury her alive.

Read the full article here.

Afghan gets 20 years for women’s rights talk

Afghan gets 20 years for women’s rights talk
Death sentence quashed, but student is jailed over Islam questions in class

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence Tuesday for a journalism student accused of blasphemy for asking questions in class about women's rights under Islam. But the judges still sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

Read the story here.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Newsletter 10/20/08

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 20, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

The first F.O.R.C.E. zine of the semester, The Sex Positive Zine, is finished! There are lots of great articles, stories, poems, and art work in the zine. If you would like a copy, they are $1.00. Please email us at force4change@yahoo.com

This past week…

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
Pictures: here.

This week…
In the state of California, in order to be eligible to vote in the statewide election on November 4, 2008 (General Election), your registration must be postmarked no later than October 20, 2008
Register to vote HERE.

Monday and Tuesday, October 20th and 21st
Disability Awareness Days: Open Your Mind to Our Endless Abilities
Monday: Mental Health Awareness keynote speaker 12-1:30pm, panel discussion 2-3:30pm (USU Ballrooms)
Tuesday: "Take a walk in our shoes" reflection, movie screening "Darius Goes West" (Anatol Center)

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21st and 22nd
CSULB Project Safe & Clothesline Project
11:00am-7:00pm
In recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness month...
Survivors speak out, stories of hope, and candlelight vigil. Speak Out is an open mic oppurtunity for survivors to share their stories in a supportive environment and for the community to learn about the true impact of domestic violence and dating violence. The silent vigil will honor survivors and join the Long Beach community together to end domestic violence.

Thursday, October 23th
Prop 8 Discussion Forum (hosted by Associated Students Inc.)
3:00-5:30 pm, in the Beach Auditorium in the first floor of the University Student Union (USU)
We will be discussing Proposition 8, which deals with the issue of Gay and Lesbian Marriage in the state of California. Hear both sides speak about the issue, and please have questions ready for both!
Maceo Persson, a community organizer, will be speaking on behalf of No on 8
Jeff Parker, attorney, will be speaking on behalf of Yes on 8

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force4change@yahoo.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

Saturday, October 25
headRush presents “Tour for a True Democracy”
Echo Park, CA (We do not yet have the exact address, please email us if you are interested in attending)
Use the arts and popular education to spark civic engagement and explore the issues surrounding the upcoming election 2008!
Fall 2008, headRush takes their wild multi-media satire to theatres, colleges, and public spaces throughout the country to ignite a community-based dialogue on the current state of affairs and our collective power to create the kind of democratic structure that truly represents us.The Throwdown brings street theatre to the stage and takes the audience into the imagination of a young man struggling for a "true" democracy. Through spoken word comedy, surreal musical numbers, and visual projections, headRush takes us on a psycho-political trip through this homeboy’s subconscious where elements of the corporo-tocracy take superhuman form, a world where powerful fiends use hyper-surveillance to maintain their grip on inner city youth, manipulate Homeland (In)Security over the US/Mexico border, and flood consumers with endless glittering golden distractions. This hybrid performance invites audiences to participate in a collective vision of our potential for change.
The cost is $10 to 25 sliding scale but no one will be turned away!

In October and beyond…

Monday, October 27
Prop 4 Forum
Location TBA, 12pm-2pm
F.O.R.C.E. is hosting a discussion on Proposition 4. We invite various groups and individuals (anyone who wants to attend)! We also need people to speak on either No or Yes on Prop 4. We are trying to mix it up, so that people who are voting one way might be arguing for a different side. This should provide for an insightful and interesting discussion.

Tuesday, October 28 – 7:30 PM
The Egyptian Theater, Los Angeles (Map)
ITVS DOCUMENTARY SERIES presents a screening of LIONESS
They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did. LIONESS, the provocative and powerful documentary from Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, tells the story of five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Free Admission! First come, first served. Panel Discussion participants to be announced. About ITVS Community Cinema: ITVS, the co-presenter of Independent Lens, presents ITVS Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series, offered in over 50 cities throughout the U.S. www.itvs.org , www.pbs.org/independentlens

Thursday, October 30
Proposition Fair (hosted by Campus Progressives)
12:00-3:00pm
Friendship walk, Upper Campus
Various different groups will be offering information and tabling for the propositions on this November’s ballot. F.O.R.C.E. will be representing Prop 4.

In November, F.O.R.C.E. will be taking on international women’s issues. We will be having a zine, a “Die In,” and we will be working with various other organizations on events that promote peace and equality on a global scale. Please email us if you want to be involved in any way!

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Date TBA
Die In
To go along with our internation women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA and F.O.R.C.E., Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Monday, October 13, 2008

CSULB Clothesline Project

T-Shirts Needed!
Any size--Any color--Any logo--Any age!
T-shirts are an important and highly visual tool in the healing process of survivors of domestic violence,, sexual assault, and stalking.
We will gladly recycle your clean old shirts. All you need to do to participate is to drop your shirts in collection boxes located in the Women's Resource Center in LA3-105
You will be able to see a powerful display of shirts created by survivors of domestic and sexual assault
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21 & 22, 2008
11am-7pm
In the Free Speech area outside the 49er Bookstore
Domestic Violence Awareness Days 2008
A Project Safe program
for additional information, contact the WRC at (562) 985-8576

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Intellectual Freedom in Dangerous Times

Thursday, October 16:


INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN DANGEROUS TIMES
Presented by the Department of Women's Studies with support from the Provost's Office, the President's Office, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Women's Resource Center


Mari Matsuda of Georgetown University, the first tenured female Asian American law professor in the United States, is the keynote speaker for a day of activities addressing the relationship and status of liberal arts and critical thinking. For information on other activities of the day, including the panel of activists and academics, tabling by grassroots organizations, and a poster session on the liberal arts and critical thinking, conatct the Women’s Studies Department : (562) 985-4839.

Prof. Matsuda’s presentation: 4 pm in Lecture Hall 150

Newsletter 10/11/08

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 11, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: This Monday, October 13, we will be meeting directly outside the WRC, on the grass!

The first F.O.R.C.E. zine of the semester, The Sex Positive Zine, is finished!
There are lots of great articles, stories, poems, and art work in the zine. If you
would like a copy, they are $1.00. Please email us: force4change@yahoo.com


This past week…

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
Sex Positive Week
The event was fantastic!! Thank you to everyone who helped out!
Recap of Monday and Tuesday (Wednesday’s recap will be updated this week): HERE.
Pictures HERE.

Thursday, Oct 9: 11:30am – 1:30pm on the Friendship Walk
National Coming Out Day Fair & Open-Mic session
This was an amazing event. Many people told their coming out/support stories, and lots of progressive organizations had tables at the event. We love the LGBT Center!

This week…

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.
We need volunteers to help out with setting up and putting stuff away for the Record Swap! Email us at force4change@yahoo.com if you can help us out! And hopefully, you’ll be attending and bringing your stuff, too!
Volunteers: Wandie 12:15-2:00pm

Thursday, October 16 – 6:00pm
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening and Voter Registration (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, October 17 – 7:00pm
Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes Film Screening + Q&A with Dr. Shirra Tarrant (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 18
“Casualties of War” Art Show Ends
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit is on-going until October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

In October and Beyond…
In the state of California, in order to be eligible to vote in the
statewide election on November 4, 2008 (General Election),
your registration must be postmarked no later than October 20
Register to vote HERE.



Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force4change@yahoo.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA and F.O.R.C.E., Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Newsletter 10/04/08

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 4, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: There will be no meeting this Monday, October 6 because of Sex Positive Week!

This past week…

Wednesday, October 1
"War Is Expensive, Peace is Priceless" Rally (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A forum to discuss the "deeper issues related to U.S. interventions" in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three guest speakers: Maricela Guzman, Anne Wright and Stephan Zunes.

Thursday, October 2
“Night of a thousand conversations”
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (chirla.org) is sponsoring conversations about the violations of human rights and discrimination against undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Pictures from the event: here.

Saturday, October 4
Sarah Palin Protest in Carson, CA
Pictures from the event: here.

This week…

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
SEX POSITIVE WEEK
Information here: http://sexpositivecsulb.blogspot.com
Facebook event page here: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18784789234
If you would like to help/volunteer for Sex Positive Week, please email us the times that you would like to volunteer on Oct. 6, 7 & 8! force4change@yahoo.com

Monday, October 6 – Thursday, October 9
National Coming Out Week (LGBT Center)
Monday, Oct. 6: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
"Safe and Sexy: Negotiating Healthy Sexual Relationships"
Presented by Heidi Burkey from Student Health Services
Tuesday, Oct. 7: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
Sexual Fluidity Panel
Wednesday, Oct. 8: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
LGBT Faculty/Staff Panel
Thursday, Oct 9: 11:30am – 1:30pm on the Friendship Walk
National Coming Out Day Fair & Open-Mic session

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Next Week…

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.

Thursday, October 16 – 6:00pm
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening and Voter Registration (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, October 17 – 7:00pm
Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes Film Screening + Q&A with Dr. Shirra Tarrant (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 18
“Casualties of War” Art Show Ends
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit is on-going until October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

In October and Beyond…

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force@force4change.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women's issues!
Flier: here.

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A campus-wide program with information tables, poetry reading, music and numerous other activities. More information to come!
Pictures from this week's events...

On Oct. 4, Sarah Palin, Republican VP candidate, was in Carson, CA for a fundraiser. We protested. (More)



On Oct. 2, we sat on the grass with some hot tea to have a discussion on immigration reform. The goal of Night of a Thousand Conversations is to "learn how the overreach of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is undermining the civil liberties and human rights of people living in America and discuss how to work together to ensure these rights are restored." Mariana was the moderator. We plan to have this event again. (More)