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Showing posts from 2013

I believe the word you want is 'rape'

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(updated tw - generally discussion only of use of terminology of rape and sexual abuse, but note near end of piece briefly mentions an incident of rape) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I am so angry right now. Furious, in fact.  That kind of anger that makes you feel like you’re physically shaking even when your body is still, that makes your hands hot, and your mind feel hectic to the point of being unable to focus on any other thing, your outrage snatching your mind right back to its source every time. I’ve just read the Evening Standard’s article * on the case of a 23 year old Roma woman being raped by two members of staff at Yarl’s Wood detention centre.  Only they describe the incident as follows: “Staff sacked over sex with detainee”   “Two staff at a privately-run immigration removal centre for women have been fired for engaging in sexual activity with a detainee.   A third employee at Serco-operated Yarl's

On fear and being far from home when the fascism sets in

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Many others have already written about the tragic and brutal murder of Lee Rigby last week, the aftermath that we have witnessed, and what this signifies.  You can read some brilliantly on point blog posts as follows: @WarOnWar - The Woolwich Reaction @AssedBaig  - Woolwich and the Muslim Response @SamAmbreen  - IC A Muslim There’s also this post , brought to my attention on twitter by  @izzykoksal , on the EDL and fascism:  The above 4, between them, have probably already said a lot of what I feel.  But here goes anyway. There have been moments when I found myself shaking in reaction to events at the EDL/counter-demo this afternoon. And I’m not even in london.  Reports from those attending the antifascist march are terrifying.  Not least because of the sudden swell in support for the far-right ideologies being spouted, following a week which saw a massive outpouring of hatred and violence against muslims and those ‘appearing’ to be.   Not least