Library Shocker

Do you remember hearing about the Stanley Milgram experiments? Or it being referenced in studies and analysis about human behaviour? Tania attended a talk by Gina Perry who investigated this controversial psychological experiment and found shocking unreported methodology.

The short version is Stanley Milgram had participants shock other "participants" when they got an answer wrong. He claimed the study was looking at obedience to authority and social conformity as the participants were bullied into giving increasingly high voltage shocks. What Gina Perry discovered is shocking! She went back to the original data, the original tests, she listened to all of the recordings which took place during the entire experiment, she interviewed some of the participants who were in their 80's today and uncovered more than the truth about this so-called outstanding social psychologist. It's about time we undid some of these "social truths" about humanity and human behavior. Although ethics in research have changed and there are now committees and reviews to ensure there is informed consent and no harm done, psychological or otherwise to the participants, the real outcome now needs to be a re-writing of current scientific beliefs that are erroneously quoted.

The famously quoted result of "65% of subjects" that were willing to give full, harmful voltage shocks to participants because they were directed to by an authority figure meant, in reality, 26 people. 26 people that were bullied. And 26 is questionable too as Stanley Milgram changed his approach and methodology throughout his research. Gina Perry will debunk much of what we know of Stanley Milgram because she went back to the original data. Gina Perry has exposed a psychology farce.  She is re-writing history.

Families welcomed

This sign has it right. Breast, bottle, gender neutral, way to go Melbourne Museum!

Universal Truths

Have you noticed which, if any, inspirational sayings resonate with you more than others? Do you notice when someone suggests a quote to you that it either fits like a glove or just rubs you the wrong way? There are so many quotes that are meant to improve self-esteem or increase self-worth but do they really? When I began doing trauma therapy I bought Louise Hay cards because I liked the messages and thought they were beautiful. I still like them and appreciate the ideas but we don’t need to give them any more weight than a fortune cookie. Let’s keep it in perspective. When these, and other similar quotes are used as a prescription for improving ones life then that’s a good reason for alarm bells to be going off.

Have you ever heard the expression “the universe is telling you something?” No biologist, ecologist or scientist will say “the universe is telling you something.” Unless of course it’s about global warming, that’s it’s expertise. We can have belief systems and spirituality and it’s okay to look at patterns, history and complement this with value statements or inspirational messages but when people use pop-psychology to suggest you need to believe something it can be manipulative. Helping professionals have a great responsibility to be clear about their values and to tread carefully when making suggestions that could unintentionally disempower and isolate people. 

Bullies

This is Ukraine. I was there in 2008. These are the people who live in Ukraine. They make a living growing, farming, fishing and selling their food. Babushkas on the street sell berries and traditional eggs to tourists.

I remember how difficult it was to travel around Ukraine, not only because of the language barrier and lack of tourist infrastructure - which was some of the appeal, but because I met so many struggling, wounded and oppressed people.


Bullies. They are not only in schools. They are countries.

We need Canada to standup against bullying of other countries. If we stay silent we are to blame for the bloodshed.

Complete Sadness

Today I read the news and saw some video clips about Ashley Smith, the 19 year old who died in prison and I am overwhelmed with complete sadness and rage about how she was treated.

"An inquest concluded with a ruling Thursday that teenager Ashley Smith's shocking in-custody death was a homicide.

However, the National Post noted such recommendations are non-binding, which means the Correctional Service of Canada can decide whether or not to implement them.

The homicide verdict means the jurors found Smith's death was neither suicide nor accidental, but that other people contributed to her death, CTV News reported."

Ashley was treated inhumanly.

What happened was complete horror. It was misogynistic. It was abuse. She suffered. If justice is not done in Ashley's name, if people are not held accountable, if policies do not change, if a huge fundamental shift does not happen the message will continue that women are not safe in our society and this is not okay.

Disenfranchised women experience abuse and violence all the time on many levels. Disenfranchised women were girls who experienced at a very young age that the system not only fails them but will hurt them. It is inherent in our policies and practices, from corrections, to health care, including social workers and counsellors. It is misogynistic. If there are no binding recommendations we have failed Ashley one more time. If there are no criminal charges shame on us.

Shame on us.

Using the facilities in Vancouver, BC

Universal Washroom. Finally. Okay, well they could have gone without the stereotypical family depiction however I still give them two thumbs us for stating it's universal.

Hooray for a positive display of abilities - even if you just using the facilities!

Another awesome woman's washroom. (I would have taken a photo of the great guys one too but hanging out with a camera at a washroom isn't something you want to spend too long doing).

Gender Benders Welcomed!

Where do I even start?! I could rant about the pink and blue toy store divide again or that I just received a "Canadian Girls Doll" magazine in the mail... when I emailed the company and told them they have very lovely dolls and awesome accessories and asked them if they have any boy dolls - especially without it all being about trucks, monsters and bad guy accessories, not surprisingly the answer was no. They are thinking about it but nothing is "imminent." Why even ask if we know what the outcome will be? If we don't ask nothing will change.

Boys will be boys because they are given no other options and girls will be girls as they are trained to be.  Before I started this blog I had another one called "STOP THE MADNESS." This was spurred from trying to buy a toddler toothbrush and only having the choice of blue and pink.  This shit starts young. Who knew teeth were gendered?

But to save us from despair I have a few great resources to share:

41 Transgender friendly books for young kids:
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/41-transgender-friendly-books-for-young-kids

Girl clothes without the girly:
http://www.girlswillbehq.com/

Redefine girly and reclaim boyhood clothing:
http://www.pigtailpals.com/whdoregime.html

Coloring books every child should have. Gender Queer and Gender bending.
http://www.girlsnotchicks.com/www.girlsnotchicks.com/home.html