BlogHer - Mexico City - Comments

Somebody else's problem

Denise — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:43:37 -0500

Yep, and those somebody else's are not the people "we" care anything about. Blah.

I've been watching the HIV/AIDS issue for a very long time and every year, the numbers in the US scare me just a little bit more. Now, even the gay community seems too complacent from where I sit and I'm worrying even more.

We all need to make this an issue. Right now, in our own families and our own communities.

Thanks, Renée. Good to know someone is listening and thinking about this. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

I agree

cutiebootycakes — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:40:13 -0500

I totally agree with your post. HIV/AIDS continues to impact marginalized folks at alarming rates. This means that mainstream society can nod their heads say tsk tsk and keep it moving.

Unlike the uprising in the homosexual community when AIDS was first on the scene, in minority communities HIV/AIDS continue to largely be a taboo subject. MTV,BET, KnowAIDS, all have tried to get this disease in the face of young people but it is not enough. Until the communities(on a grassroots level) that are being affected are able to stand up and acknowledge that the problem exists we will remain in this state of emergency.

Until it hits home HIV/AIDS is somebody else's problem.

Renée aka Mekhismom
Cutie Booty Cakes

Hmmm...

Yvette Perry — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:22:50 -0600

Would single-race public accommodations shield folks of color from racism?

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Not a good idea...

nelle2nelle — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:10:31 -0600

Segregation always creates other issues. No matter if we do this with schools, with buses, etc there will be other issues that arise as a result of the segregation.

The problem lies in a world where men and women have to live side by side and get along, and creating artificial barriers is the last thing we need to be doing.

We do a poor job of educating boundaries, boundaries we understand and respect and that are with each and every one of us. Single sex groupings does nothing to move us towards this understanding and respect.

nelle

Segregation Will Not Solve the Underlying Issue

sweetmunky — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:31:51 -0600

I understand why a woman, who is harrassed daily, would want to ride in a seperate mode of transportation from her offenders. However, this is only a bandaid to the underlying issue of disrespect for women and equality. I agree with the above comment that it may take generations to make this a nonissue, but it starts with the government not providing or allowing these instances of harrassment and degradation. I think to allow segregation gives the harassor permission and allowance to do so. Like Rosa Parks and others, individuals must stand up even where there is a threat. I am so lucky and blessed to live here in the USA so I can have these opinions and the freedom to not be so overtly harrassed in public. My thoughts are with these women who MUST challenge these stereotypes and threats. Stay Strong!
Heidi
http://blog.sweetmunkies.com

Baby Steps

Sandradginzburg — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:18:30 -0600

Changing entrenched cultural attitudes is a long drawn out process. All of your points regarding the larger implications of single gender buses are well taken but I think a good decision was made to address the immediate problem in the most direct way first. Even, the acknowledgement of the problem in the first place signals a big cultural shift. So no, single gender buses are not ideal, and hopefully, they won't become a permanent feature of the daily commute of Mexican women but sometimes a practical solution has to be implemented before more sociological changes can be effectuated.

I do share, however, your concerns that such an interim solution can become a crutch for the underlying problem. Let's try to be optimistic and hope that things do not evolve that way.

It is really scary...

Crunchy Carpets — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:22:10 -0600

How about just punishing the behavior and educating the WHOLE culture about respect. Might take a couple of generations..but something has to be done.

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