Protest.

There have been riots/protests/parades here for the last week. The streets belong to the people, capitalism is bad, wanting to a new government, not enough support for veterns. From what I can tell it is a whole slew of different people. Check out the photos. Its been safe here-so no worries on that front, but I really wish I could understand everything thats going on. In some ways it is really heartwarming to see people come together-old, young, and the like and try to do something-anything. Its better than being passive I suppose. However, the riot police and throwing bricks can get a bit intimidating...Here are some photos to check out:

http://www.jutarnji.hr/prosvjed-protiv-vlade-u-zagrebu--4--ozujka/929362/

Emily dara.

I have a new webpage! Check it out-it will be getting updated as time trickles on.

Emily dara.: "'PARTLY JUST A MAGNIFICANT ROMP'"

Reading Briefs: Kosovo and the Hegemonic Man

For those of you who don't know Kosovo is the newest country in the world. I wrote about it my blog post about Thanksgiving when I visited Kosovo for the first time. In her article Jamie Munn draws a connection between nationalism and the construction of a hegemonic male norm. Originally when I first embarked on this research project I held many of the same beliefs. I still do, but now I am interested in time when things are settling, the awkwardness of establishing a new identity. Back to what HAS been written. War is gendered. In order to have conflict you must live in a patriarchal society. In many ways women are constructed as the "mothers" of nations-icons of nationhood either to be "protected" (thus REQUIRING the intervention of violent forces-mostly male) or they are constructed as property-spoils of war or "the last frontier" to be conqured by the enemy. In feminist literature on conflict the construction-male as warrior women as mother of naiton and spoil of war-is rather teased out. Rape as a weapon of war, the increased control of womens fertility during periods of national conflict has been seen, documented, and anyalzed to some extent across the globe and throughout time.

The connection between masculinity and nationalism has also been discussed in written about by many feminist scholars. Here are some points I found most poignent in regards to my research. In this section Munn is relying heavily on J. Negal and her book"Race, Ethnicity and Sexuality: Intimate intersections, Forbidden Frontiers".

"It is important to remember that nationalism tends to be conservative and conservative often means patriarcahl-that sees masculinity and nationalism as organising and hegemonic. She continues to assert that this is partly due to the tendency of nationalists to be "retraditionalizers." They embrace tradition as a legitmating basis for cultural renewal and nation-building. These traditions, real or invented, are often patriarchal and focus on the nature of masculine privledge and the connection between nationalism and masculinity" (296)

"projects of state, power, citizenship, militarism, politicl violence, and nationalism are best understood as involving "masculine insitutions, masculine processes and masculine activities" (296)

"She (Enloe) notes that limited change that has resulted from the many nationalist independence movements around the world and observes that in many states it is "buisness as usual" with an indigenuous twist to masculinity, replacing the past at the sear of power" (300)

I think what is striking about these few quotes, and what I have read of Nagel, is this linking wanting to perserve the tradition-which along withit brings traditional gender roles and conceptions of masuclinity, thus intrinsically linking masculinity and nationalism. While I think in reality it is obviosuly much complex than that I see this desire to perserve tradition in the young men I have been interviewing. The percise tradition that people are trying to keep alive, however, is greatly variable and unstable- perhaps contributing to my sensation that gender norms here not necessarily more fluid than in the US, but very much unsettled. . .

A letter from Congressman Cleaver

Dear Emily:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the elimination of Title X funding.  I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue. 

As you may know, an amendment to H.R. 1, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 would end federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  It is important that all Americans have the option to access contraception, as well as quality reproductive health care and sexual health information regardless of income, background or situation. For every dollar spent towards family planning, four dollars are saved.  Additionally, it is my job as your Representative and a federal legislator, to ensure that legislation considered by Congress is clear, simple and responsible. It is important that policies are not confusing and contradictory, especially those concerning the health and well-being of Americans. 

That is why I voted against House Amendment 95, an amendment which would end federal funding for Planned Parenthood.  I have consistently supported women's access to contraception and reproductive health care.  Should this issue come before me again on the House floor, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of further assistance. Also, I encourage you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/cleaver, where you can sign up for my electronic newsletter and receive updates on my latest activities as your Representative.

Sincerely

Emanuel Cleaver, II

Member of Congress

Today I got an email response from my congressman in regards to an electronic petion I signed. I think a couple of things-first it is an awesome way to use technology. Technology has the capability to allow citizens a quicker and easier way of articulating their concerns or feelings to a political repersentative. It also always social organization en masse. However, the possbiliyt for thoughtless support shows its rearing head... a simple click can sign your name on a petition or let you email a repersenative of your choice. That fact aside, I think it is great. From my desk, bed, or even Croatia I can act on my political right.

peakaboo!

"Pan, who and what are thou?" he cried huskily.

"I'm youth, i'm joy," Peter answered at a venture,

"I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg."

This, of course, was nonsense; but it was proof to the unhappy Hook 

that Peter did not know in the least who or what he was, which is the very pinnacle of good form.

--J.M. Barrie