JanerBlog

Women of Color and Rape Culture

Delux-Vivens and She Who Has Hope each have really excellent posts talking about how the experiences of Women of Color are all too frequently left out of discussions of rape. Please read both; they're important.

How to be "That Guy," a concrete example

Since I linked to Cereta's post on Rape and Men a few days ago, I've been thinking a lot about the topic and talking to Paul about it as well, talking about ways that guys who genuinely want to make a positive difference can politely step in when they see an uncomfortable situation.

It got me to thinking about something that happened to me while some friends and I were hitchhiking across Ireland some years ago. Two of my male friends and I were in Dublin, at a popular tourist bar. There was a big, happy, high-energy session going on in the center of the pub; I was on one side of the session and my friends were on the other. I was snugged in underneath one of those elbow-height bar tables with my sketchbook open drawing the sessioneers, and my friends were seated at a table drinking beer.

All of a sudden, this seriously drunk guy loomed over me, and started hassling me. I was polite and tried to fend him off as best I could, but he was really, really drunk and kept insisting that I draw him instead of the sessioneers. He was so drunk that after about five minutes of me trying to politely dismiss him, he actually leaned over and goobered a mouthful of vomit-smelling drool on my arm. (I was wearing a windbreaker, but still.)

That's when I looked over at my friends. They were on their feet, palms flat on the table, making direct eye contact with me. Their looks both said "All you have to do is nod your head and we will flip over tables and chairs and elbow playing musicians out of the way to get to you and make sure you're safe."

I cannot tell you how much that meant to me. It meant that my buddies had my back -- but it also meant that they were willing to let me make the call whether I wanted them to get involved.

I raised one hand, palm-out, in acknowledgement, inclining my head: "I've got this, it's okay." They sat back down, but kept their eyes on me as I moved to a safer place across the room and away from Drunkie*. They never stopped checking on me as long as we were separated.

So there, if you want a concrete example of How To Intervene Well, that's mine. It helped that we were travelling buddies in a strange city and had to keep tabs on one another; it helped that I was sober, it helped that the crowd was friendly -- strangers handed me kleenex from purses to help me clean off my arm -- but none of these things was as important as the fact that my friends had my back, and respected my judgement enough to allow me to decide whether or not I needed rescuing.

A scenario like this is definitely easier if you know the other person, but I still strongly advocate for this type of backing-each-other-up. If you see someone you think may be in trouble socially, even across a crowded room, make eye contact with them. Incline your head, change your posture to indicate that you're at the ready if they need you, all while telegraphing "Are you all right? Do you need me to say something?" Give them the chance to accept or decline. That can make all the difference, just knowing there's someone else who notices the situation.

Thank heaven, I am one of those few lucky women who have never been assaulted or raped or physically threatened, so I am speaking from a place of privilege, and speaking from another place of privilege as a middle-class white woman. In comparison to the hundreds of other stories on Cereta's post, mine is laughably minor -- but I do know how much it means to know you have backup in an uncomfortable situation.

*Ten minutes after I got drooled on, Drunkie started clapping along with the session, and literally blundered into the middle of it. The uillean piper, kit still attached, stood up, grabbed Drunkie by the shoulders and shoved him backward into the crowd, then called the manager to have him ejected.

Shoutout for Steve Leiber and Sara Ryan

Steve Leiber has some incredibly good news lately... he and Jeff Parker's long-awaited spelunking comic (yep, a comic about cave exploration and rescue) is here:

It's soliciting in Diamond's July PREVIEWS to ship in September, so head on down to your LCS and pre-order yours today!

His other good news involves a movie based on a graphic novel he illustrated a while back called Whiteout. After several delays, it looks like it may be nearing theatrical release. The book is wonderful -- can't speak for the movie yet because the movie execs yanked the trailer before I could watch it. But you're going to need to read the book before you see the movie, right? right?

See, there's a reason why I'm telling you to buy Steve's books. It's because in addition to his really good news, he also had some stupendous bad news today:

My wife and I were just burgled. They stole our laptops, so we have no computers at home anymore, and we've got several days ahead of us of running around dealing with police, insurance, checking to make sure backups work, etc. This means that all the time at home I'd planned to spend doing promotion is gone, as are the machines I'd planned to it with.

Lots of folks have asked "what can I do to help?" The answer, if you have a comics audience, is blog or tweet something about the book. Send them to the site, or this specific post, or just tell them that Parker and I have a new Image book coming out. Your RTs and message board notes can make a big difference.

This sucks extra bad because Steve and his wife Sara Ryan are two of the nicest, kindest people you could ask to know. Sara's also a writer and has some really wonderful books out. So you should go and buy her books, too.

Hope your luck turns back to all-good soon, Steve and Sara!

I wore green today.

To stand in solidarity with the Iranian election protesters.

Woodrow Hill has two excellent posts here and here about why it's important to blog about the protests.

Andrew Sullivan's blog has frequent updates from insider sources, and Twazzup.com has up-to-the-second tweets from Iranians at the scene as well as people all over the world.

This is history in the making, and for possibly the first time ever, the mainstream media is solidly behind the curve. Bloggers and Twitterers are taking up the slack, giving eyewitness accounts, flashmobbing help to the injured. This is amazing, this is history, this is full-out rebellion against fascism, and the internet is the voice of the revolution.

Take note: The protesters in Tehran are setting an unbelievable example of bravery, and they deserve our support however we can lend it.

Kids Read Comics -- THIS WEEKEND!

Man, I've been really lax about mentioning my summer engagements this year.

The most exciting one, by a long shot, is coming up this very weekend! It's called Kids Read Comics! and it's brought to you by Dan Mishkin and Dan and Katie Merritt of Green Brain Comics, and it's being held in my home-town of Chelsea.

Paul and I will be there all day this Saturday, and we'll be joined by such awesome comics all-stars as Jim Ottaviani, Michelangelo Ciccerone, Tara Tallan, Mark Crilley, Fred Gallagher and Katie Cook and many many more!

There's programming all day Friday and Saturday, and the event is free to the public, so if you're anywhere in the Chelsea, Michigan this weekend, come on by!

Backing each other up

Last week, LJ user Cereta posted this essay: On Rape and Men. I thought it was very good, and reminded me that I should've blogged about these two projects a long time ago:

Con Anti-Harassment Project

Open Source Women Back Each Other Up Project (and Gentleman's Auxiliary) (see also: here and here)

While I'm reasonably good at standing up for myself, there have been many times when I've been grateful for the intervention of a friend in an uncomfortable situation. Exercise your best judgment, of course -- don't go around white knighting where it's unnecessary -- but most times when it looks like the other person could use your help? They probably could.

If comics are going to live ... we have to save them.

Captain Blood and the Peril of Indie Comics!

h/t to Dirk Deppey at iJournalista!

Mes Bottines Souriantes

So I wanted some fun, steamy boots to wear to conventions this year, and I decided I finally wanted a pair of heels. I scored a pair of Frye Villagers on eBay for about $20 (!) and then steamed them up more by sewing these buttons over each of the eyelets. I wanted to get the effect of this kind of boot, without paying $400.

So I've got them on, and I'm wearing them around the house to break them in, and holy crap three-and-a-half-inch heels are tall. Wow. I mean, it's not like I'm stumbling around, I can handle them just fine, but man, you wear flats all the time and you just forget. I wonder if I'll be brave enough to wear them all day Saturday at Wizard World. We shall see.

Give me your answer, do

I'm working my way through Thoughtcrime Experiments, and my favorite story so far is Daisy, though I've liked all of them that I've read. Have a look!

Second Asian Women's Blog Carnival...

... is up.. Go read! It's good stuff.

Rotten little jerks

While I was away this weekend, the birds ate every single one of my ripe cherries. Every. Single. One.

It's that time of year again: Jane's Mom's Pottery Sale

Saturday June 6, 2009
10 am - 4 pm
609 West Middle Street
Chelsea, Michigan
(corner of West Middle & Wilkinson Streets)

Neighborhood Potters:
Polly Bradburn
Judy Irwin
Thaya Rowe

g a r d e n p o t s • b o w l s • v a s e s • m u g s

Comicsqueeeeeee!

It's new comic book day! Or rather, it's new comic book day, a day late, for Paul and I because we were both sick as dogs yesterday and have spent all but about ten hours out of the last seventy-two sound asleep, getting over the con-crud.

But! Today brings two squee-worthy events!

First, the pinup I did for Dave Petersen a few years back is featured in this month's issue of Mouse Guard! I'm doubly excited, because this is actually the second time the pinup's been featured in the comic, though you may not have seen it the first time, because it was being all stealthy and stuff. Thanks so much, Dave! I'm really flattered.

Second, Jeremy Bastian's long-overdue Cursed Pirate Girl is finally here! This is another one of those comics about which I just cannot shut up (oh, those poor souls who remember my Long Tail Kitty fixation), but with good reason -- it's brilliant, and gorgeous, and weird, and wonderful. After having finally read the first issue, it turns out that my blatherings are understated, if anything. Seriously, guys. Go get this book right now. Jeremy's illustrations are so tight and bizarre and fun and old-school. Judging by the first issue, the story looks like it's going to stand up to the art, too.

So yes! Much squee from me.

Back from Wiscon

... and had a wonderful time. Ate amazingly good food, saw a bunch of great panels, stayed up way too late, and met a whole lot of awesome new folks, including Sumana Harihareswara, whose new book Thoughtcrime Experiments everyone should go check out right now, not least of all because it's free. It's also published under a Creative Commons license, and the editors include this great explanation of how they did everything as part of the book. How cool is that?

So many other wonderful things went on that I'd spend ages writing them all down, but suffice it to say that it was an outstanding experience.

And now, to sleep off the con-crud that I brought home with me.

Signal Boost

On Monday May 18, 2009, we are asking anyone who identifies as a POC/non-white to post this banner, their speculative short stories, artwork, poetry or simply write a post on their favorite fandom on their blogs as an act of protest to show we will not be silent or invisible. The day of protest is entitled Fen Of Color United or more aptly, FOC_U.

White allies can also show solidarity for this event by posting this banner and expressing the need for diversity and speaking out against the bigotry in the genre, through posts and/or their creative work as well.

In addition, a new community entitled FOC_U has been created. It’s designed to be a safespace for POCs/non-whites and white allies to discuss the issues pertaining to RaceFail and a place to counteract its destructive effects. And it’s also a fun place for everyone to also discuss their favorite fandoms. While memberships and posts are under moderation for the time being (until the community gets more established and input is welcomed), everyone is encouraged to join and make this a home.

I am white as can be, but considering the events of the last few months, I feel that this definitely requires a signal boost.

Edited to add:

Unbeknownst to me at the time of my original posting, there has since been some further discussion on the origin of the community -- but I think that, all things considered, I'm going to leave the link up. I think a lot of good can come from communities like this.

By way of example, here's a lovely post from Shvetufae, a Vögelein fan who took some time a few weeks ago to send me a very thoughtful and eloquent essay on a specific topic about cultural appropriation. Thanks again, Shveta!

This isn't farm life

At work on Friday, I had my iPod set to shuffle, and Greg Brown's song Ella Mae came on. It always makes me cry, and Friday was no exception. I just sat there with my eyes leaking until it was over.

One of the many reasons I love Greg Brown so much (and for that matter, Stan Rogers) is that he captures the quiet dignity, beauty and humor of farm life without turning to ridiculous tropes or redneck-pride stereotypes. There are so few people who can convey that experience well -- even Garrison Keillor is hit or miss, but when he hits, like in his monologue "Hog Slaughter", he really hits it.

Ella Mae, like Canned Goods and Our Little Town just resonates inside me like a memory of someone I used to know personally.

Link post

Here's a really good essay on the subtleties of racism and colorism, by Malcom "Tipping Point" Gladwell. I came across it only a couple of days ago, and was surprised to see it was written in 1996.

LJ user Brown_Betty has written a really excellent post tangentally related to the ongoing discussion surrounding Patricia Wrede's Thirteenth Child. Her essay clearly articulates thoughts I've been struggling -- and failing -- to frame in regards to my own responsibilities to Clockwork Game. It also lets me know that other people besides me are uncomfortable with the old artist's trope that our primary accountability and duty is to our art, and not to our fellow human beings -- or to history, for that matter.

Cheryl Lynn at Digital Femme wrote an incredibly thoughtful, important post about the X-men character Storm, one that made me examine her in an entirely new light.

Yet another one out of the park by Jay Smooth, this time about Asher Roth. God damn, Jay Smooth is awesome. Seriously, go watch this.

Also, I keep forgetting to post this article about ethnicity in childrens' literature by Mitali Perkins, in the School Library Journal, which was sent to me a couple of weeks ago by Kat Kan. Thanks, Kat!

Nice moment from Wednesday's session

We had a visiting musician drop by the O'Duffy's session this week, a young man from Spain who plays whistle like nobody's business. He visited twice before, last winter, and impressed the heck out of us because he knew pretty much every tune we threw at him, and played a bunch of new exciting stuff as well.

This time, Manuel brought his practice set of uilleann pipes (minus the drones) and though he said he hadn't been at it long, he played amazingly well and brought a new level of lift and draíocht to the session, one that can't really be described unless you've seen it happen.

Toward the end, he set out on a blistering set of whistle reels, unaccompanied except for Aaron's bodhrán, and all the other musicians were just listening, and we all started to pat our feet in perfect time, and it was all so good and right and enjoyable that I don't know how else to describe it.

I don't know why that moment struck me so; it must be because when you listen to a group of people respond to live music, they rarely do so in sync and sympathy with the music. It's about the audience, and the audience's feelings, not the musician's. This was a different kind of moment, one where the other musicians, as listeners, were one with the music even though they weren't playing. Participating, and yet not, propelling the player forward without transposing their own egos.

I wonder if that's not a lot closer to the way music used to be experienced, back when there was no television and radio, when the presence of a wandering minstrel was cause for celebration, cause for stopping your everyday life just to listen.

Cures scurvy, the common cold, and lazy shoggoths

So I finally figured out what was wrong with my sourdough starter, also known as Olmer the Shoggoth. For the last year, it's been turning out these sad, flat loaves. They taste just fine, but they're really uninspired, with a dense, clammy crumb. Lately I've been forced to spike the dough with a pinch of storebought yeast to achieve the leavening I wanted -- which ticks me off, because frankly, that's cheating and defeats the whole purpose of having a sourdough starter.

After a bit of googling, I discovered that starter bacteria require a pretty acidic enavironment to grow and multiply properly. Our water is very, very hard -- to the point where I have to actually scrape off calcium deposits from the sinks and fixtures. Turns out that I'd been slowly alkalizing my bacteria! One website suggested that I crush up a Vitamin C tablet and add that to the starter at feeding time. I was skeptical, but I tried it anyway. Three days later when I opened the jar to check on it, Olmer was happy and bubbling and percolating again, so I immediately split him in half and started baking.

Here's the results:

Pretty, huh? All I use is flour, water, salt and shoggoth.

Eight Days of Happy: Day Eight

I was saving this up for one big happy something, but too many good things happened this week, so here's a bulleted list of happy for you:

• They found Ken Knight! Thank God this story has a happy ending, though I said to a friend of mine on Friday morning that if there were anybody I'd have laid money on to come through something like that alive, it'd be Ken. Go Ken! All us Arkies were praying for you.


• I helped build a play structure and raised bed gardens this afternoon at Peace House. The weather was gorgeous, the neighborhood kids worked even harder than most of the volunteers, and I had a fantastic time. Gonna be soooo sore tomorrow.


• First day of Farmer's Market means saying hello to old familiar faces, buying baby lettuces, and fresh asparagus. Woo! Also, my sugarsnap peas, which I planted on St. Pat's Day, are 10" tall, and my self-seeded arugula and parsley are EXPLODING!


• Dylan Meconis is selling dead-tree versions of Bite Me! at long last! Go get yours now before the first printing runs out, like Kate Beaton's did. Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough.


• Long and wonderful conversations with four dear close friends in the last three days. I am so blessed.


• The new Asian Grocery here in town carries whole frozen teriyaki unagi. Life is good.


• After hearing Steppin' in it the other night, I went to their record label Fox on a Hill Records and bought waaaaay too much music. It showed up today and I spent a while burning discs to my iPod. There're some really amazing Michigan artists on there; if you like good earnest old-time folk and bluegrass retold in a present-day voice, you should poke around their catalogue. I found an awful lot to like.


• This video made me crazy happy.