Inspired by Mo’Nique’s accep...

In her acceptance speech for her Best Supporting Actress award at the Golden Globes last week, Mo’Nique spoke to victims of childhood sexual abuse, saying “it’s now time to tell.” I support Mo’Nique and think acknowledging childhood sexual abuse is an important, positive...

Standing your ground when you’re o...

As someone who spends a lot of time reading, commenting, and writing online, I consider myself adept at arguing with people on the Internet. When I come across bigotry or ignorance or misinformation on the web, I enjoy educating, enlightening, refuting, and smackin’ down. But, as I was reminded...

Lessons from Home...

Via Cayusa @ Flickr. I forget that I live in something of a progressive/feminist bubble, both in NYC and on the internet, so when I go to west to Small River Town to see my mom, I invariably get a little shellshocked about what I see and hear.  I hadn’t been there in two years, so it was perhaps...

Don’t Carry the Blame: An Overshar...

***TRIGGER WARNING*** This post is by an anonymous friend of the Harpies. We felt her story was important and her message worthwhile, so we agreed to run this guest post. Over Thanksgiving, I caught up with one of my childhood friends. She was clearly distressed and needed to talk, and it was not an...

The First Lady’s Roots...

According to aides and relatives, First Lady Michelle Obama grew up with a vague sense of her ancestry. The New York Times recently traced Obama’s lineage back to her great-great-great-grandmother, who was a slave in South Carolina. I’ve read about, and seen, this story about Michelle Obama’s...

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation...

Via quacktaculous @ Flickr. I’m home, and since school is about to begin, I thought I’d get out my No. 2 pencil and write that time-honored back-to-school essay.  My next few posts will be related to the concerns that arose during my vacation, away from the feminist /progressive /urban /pointy-headed...

Women’s Work: Birthday Edition...

It IS the thought that counts. Via faeryboots @ Flickr.So, yesterday was my birthday (which was very very nice, thank you for asking), and among the other cards and gifts I received was a ridiculous “HAY GURL!” card from one of my aunts. This card was actually a step up from years past,...