Woman Up with Moana

Put your favourite movies to the The Bachdel Test:

1. Two female characters (preferably named),
2. Who talk to each other,
3. About something other than a man.

       My favourite movies: Labyrinth, The Fifth Element, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

In Labyrinth, Sarah the main character travels through the Labyrinth to rescue her brother from the Goblin King who falls madly in love with her. Almost all the goblins, puppets, and creatures appear male and the two female humans are in a mother daughter role. They do talk about dating, but mostly about her taking her responsibilities seriously. All Sarah's friends in the labyrinth are male.

      In the Fifth Element with Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich there are 2 prominent female characters, Leeloo and Plavalegauna the Opera Diva who take a major part in saving the universe from the forces of evil. Bruce Willis is the brawn weapons expert, witty military hero. The priests are men and all the bad guys are men.

I        n the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (BBC TV movie, 1988), the majority of cast is male, however the main character is female, Lucy, the youngest of the Pevensie children who discovers the wardrobe and first Adventures into Narnia. Her sister Susan also joins her, and there is Mrs. Beaver. All these roles fit the archetype of traditional female roles where Lucy is a care taker and healer, Susan is beautiful, and Mrs. Beaver is a housewife who gets the kids lunches packed for the adventure.

      I never looked at these movies through this lens until now. I was always the girl who would not be held back or told she cannot do what the boys can do. I was always looking for the next adventure. My favourite movies definitely reflect this spirit however it would appear that when you decide to take on the world you do it with a team of guys because that is how you win and survive. When we tell little girls that they can go out and adventure, but always with a man to escort them it takes away from the sense of self confidence and discovery. The common theme of these movies was the success of these women as long as they traveled with brave, brawny, intelligent, or skilled man. I found myself at times of my life defining myself in position to men: my husband, my Father, bosses and coworkers. If I wanted to be among the best in my field I had to find out who those men are and mirror them because that is how you make it. Until now I had never made this comparison knowingly, it was just the way it was.

       Moano is a story of the chief's daughter who is called to adventure on the seas once sailed by her ancestors. In this story she is propelled by a sense of adventure and the duty of being a young ruler and wanting to improve things and make it better for her people. The community is running out of food and resources on the Island but it has been so long since the people have voyaged that they have forgotten how. Moana takes it upon herself to set out and find a way to save her people. The movie satisfies the Bachdel test. The lead character is female and she talks to her Mom and her Grandmother about things other then boys, i.e. how to make a better life for their community. There is a main character, Maui who is male, however there is no romantic attachment between him and Moana, the lead. Instead there is an exchange of aid and skill which does not have Maui rescuing her. There is a fun tit for tat exchange between the two which lends to an entertaining story. In the story Moana is a strong women who displays positive characteristics of love, loyalty, compassion, fortitude, and courage. It is her tenacity and adventurous spirit which comes through to save her people.

   When females are visible in the dominant power structures of a culture it tells young girls that they are valued and can participate one day too. Women in aviation like Amelia Earhart show girls they too can soar. Here is a picture of the new role models for girls to replace the Disney Princess phenomenon affecting young girls around the world. In a world where girls see Ruth Nader Ginsberg in the supreme court or Ellen Johnson Sirleaf the president of Liberia. Author J.K Rowling has shown girls everywhere what you can do as a single mother with nothing more then a computer and time.


   

    

If Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners then Adult Surviros support the FASD Network!

     I recommend the movie Pride, which I was able to watch on Netflix. The story was a coming of age story in that a small, conservative Welsh town of miners grew into the times to become a progressive community which supports contemporary values of inclusiveness and respect for the dignity of all persons. It all started when LGBTQ members marched during the time that there was a strike going on for the miners. One of the main characters, Mark Ashton (a passionate advocate always fighting for the cause type guy) felt a feeling of shared purpose the National Union of Minerworkers fighting for support and recognition in 1984. Both groups had their interested devalued and suppressed by the dominant society. Both were fighting for support and recognition. Both had health and socioeconomic challenges which affect them, their families and the people who loved them.
       As any movie there needed to be some drama where the miners at first did not see how their two causes could share a likeness and they eventually parted ways. But not before some fun dance scenes and a great montage of Welsh miners hitting the gay bars and shaking their groove things in London.
 

       I loved the adorable bashful naiveté of the miners juxtaposed with the sass of the Gays and Lesbians in the story. And of course at the end any one who is passionate about equal right issues and inclusion will cry like a babe. There were some great moments of fear from both parties as they struggled to gain ground.  The miners voted to break ties with LGSM because they were afraid the association would loose them support. In this moment the LGBT felt the blow of being rejected by a group who too was oppressed. Even the rejects rejected them. When the miners lost the strike and returned to work they were forced to feel the same degrading rejection from a community they thought supported them. On common ground again the friends found strength in eachother and the miners came out to support Gays and Lesbians of England when they marched with them in the next pride parade. Try not to cry. This movie would be great to play for students in middle or highschool. The story causes you to get to know the real people behind the labels and it is difficult by the end to deny their humanity. The story is speaks to a sense of fairness in all of us as it is hard not to see our own insecurities in either the miners of the LGSMs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%282014_film%29








      Adult survivors of abuse (ASA) share many commonalities with people who are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Both these populations share similar problems with intelligence and learning; sensory integration problems; behavior and mood problems; and physical or health problems. These challenges make navigating the adult world where there are multiple structures, limits, and challenges on the road to success. ASA may suffer from anxiety disorders which make taking a test, or keeping a regular schedule a challenge. Adults with FASD have difficulty sitting still, and struggle with erratic or compulsive behaviours so they are in the same boat. Both suffer from depression and effects of stress on the body, can be prone to aggression or have difficulty with emotional regulations. There is also a tendency to be less emotionally and behaviourally mature as their peers.

    Some ways we can help both parties is to be more flexible with testing procedures. Offer a quiet environment which is free of distractions and allow privacy so students can fidget or move at their discretion. Job positions which are more flexible in their schedule by maintaining non traditional hours for some, or positive mentorship and coaching are ways to support adults struggling with either challenges. Through these types accommodations the community benefits through greater participation and less need for economic and social supports.
   Would Adult survivors of abuse see a common ground with persons with FASD, or would they like the miners, shy away from the association? There is a shame associated with either party. Abuse survivors feel the shame that there is something wrong with them, or some how they deserved the abuse. Persons with FASD are also shamed through their inability to adjust to the normal activities of the modern world. Both did not do this to themselves and the events leading to their exposure were beyond their control. Both are victims. There is a commonality to their experience and perhaps by combining numbers they can raise awareness for physical and mental health, addictions and greater accessibility for all.
    There are many services which could be implemented or broadened to support both persons with FASD and Adult survivors of abuse. Employment and skills training which offer a smaller class size and more one on one training opportunities. An abundance of mental health building opportunities like counseling (individual or groups), art therapy, subsidized physical recreation opportunities. Support for families like conflict resolution and self regulation classes, or support to take respite could strengthen relationships since some of the effects can put strain on the people close to them. These strategies could also have an positive impact on persons with FASD if available on an as needed basis due to the sporadic and impulsive nature of the disorder.


If any of us look around there is someone out there struggling just like us and we all have our own challenges we have to over come. The ability to recognize the humanity in all of use can facilitate the social evolutional push which is all around us today. As all persons interact with the system there is an opportunity to include supports for a variety of needs, this way we can all find commonality as we work through what ails us.
     

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/docs/librariesprovider16/default-document-library/the-long-shadow-adult-survivors-of-childhood-abuse.pdf?sfvrsn=0




https://www.havoca.org/effects-child-abuse-neglect-adult-survivors/




http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/ConditionsandDiseases/BrainandNervousSystemDisorders/Pages/Fetal-Alcohol-Spectrum-Disorder-FASD.aspx

Unfounded

Unfounded

Why police dismiss 1 in 5 sexual assault claims as baseless

In a 20-month-long investigation into how police handle sexual assault allegations, The Globe and Mail gathered data from more than 870 police forces. The findings expose deep flaws at every step of the process

By Robyn Doolittle London, Ont.

Published Friday, February 3, 2017

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/investigations/unfounded-sexual-assault-canada-main/article33891309/

When I first started researching this essay it was after London Police Force said they are investigating unfounded cases and it was linked to the inquiry conducted by the Globe and Mail and the findings published on February 3^rd, 2017. I watched as slowly in the days after many of the rest of Canadian police forces started to release their own statements pledging to review their own 'unfounded' cases. The RCMP responded, then Ontario, then Quebec who have their own provincial police departments. I cried- out loud. I did; and I was at work (in a male dominated, macho profession). I could not believe that someone was taking women seriously. Major police orgaisations wanted to start a serious discussion into violence against women and are taking steps to become accountable. Someone has taken real, salaried, professional hours to conduct research and then published this research for the world to see. Violence against women is a problem today. Today I am crossing my fingers we are finally going to do something about it.

I am still seeing new police forces, from the 873 jurisdictions that were included and supplied their data, come forward to dedicate their organisations to being a part of this research. 2017 is the time for recognition for all Canadian women who bravely carried on after being called a liar. For women who are afraid to come forward because they are afraid of losing credibility or being ostracized at work. I am still reeling. I am scared to hope that this means my daughter will hopefully live with less sexual violence in her life. I wait on bated breath to see how the next years and months unfold. I am not going speak at this time in my blogg about the data or research on this, or really lend a critical eye but instead give a candid reaction to the huge, incredible, affirming, and about f*(&$king time news. I have decided to write my research paper on this as well, so just hold your horses for the real critical analysis on this article by the Globe and Mail. I will post the link later if anyone else wants to read it.

 I have never been forced in to unwanted sex acts but the definition of sexual assault is so vague I do have a handful of incidents in my history which I would consider unwanted sexual attention, pressure, coercion, and harassment. I never told anyone in authority and think I only disclosed to a handful of friends. Some of the perpetrators are my partners in my workplace today. One of them will sometimes fill the role of supervisor to me and other women at work. I never told because I would not be able to prove it (men are smart, they divide and conquer) and it would make things unbearable for me if I did not receive the support I needed.

 My insides did a little leap for joy, with one fist raised to pump the sky. What could this mean? Will there eventually be less sexual assault? Will men be held accountable for their actions? Will sex workers receive more protection? Then I wondered why now? What was the catalyst? Did our First Nations women demanding inquiry into the missing women become catalyst for justice of all women? Were they our sounding board? My thoughts are that the Globe going public on this will finally force public organizations to recognize this issue and pledge time and money to remedy this atrocity of modern society. If you read the article you will see that the data is decades old and been mulled over in private for quite some time. So now I am livid. This better lead somewhere ladies.