julieb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,845
Jul 3, 2014 16:02:54 GMT
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Post by julieb on Aug 9, 2015 16:02:49 GMT
15 minutes of unnecessary fame.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Aug 9, 2015 16:24:04 GMT
What? Inability to see privilege? I'm privileged because I have access to menstrual products? I think I should probably be insulted by that insinuation, but I can't muster it. What I can do is say that if there's a worthy cause out there, then enlighten me. Just don't do it by dripping blood all over the place because that's disgusting and puts me off the cause. Actually yes, yes you are. Not only that but you have access to a private toilet and fresh running water. You're so privileged, you can't even see it.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Aug 9, 2015 16:29:36 GMT
I disagree. While some may see an attention whore who is gross I see a woman who gets that forcing a Catholic hospital to provide birth control and slut walks is low on the M'effen totem pole. Getting raped while returning from the hole in the ground you call a bathroom and dropping out of school because you bled a couple days a month should trump the former...most issues my feminist friends think are important make me want to jump. Also off to the grocery store! I try and get one divacup per trip it adds about the = of 2 bottles of wine.. I subscribe and save the Insteads directly to my friend. It's about 3.00 a month and I laugh thinking about her stockpile and how it's not cluttering my tiny apartment. I don't think she's an attention whore at all...I'm not really sure where you got that impression. I also don't think she's being disgusting or unsanitary or whatever phrase her admirers want to get pissed off over. I just don't buy her "activist" claim...I really think she's covering up for laziness or an accident. And hey, more power to her. Seriously you are accusing a marathon running of being lazy? What the heck are you thinking? She is trying to bring about a conversation regarding menstruation and the issues of women in undeveloped countries have to deal with.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Aug 9, 2015 16:31:55 GMT
This race happened in April and this is the first I'm hearing about her "campaign"? She has truly set the media on fire. Seriously, I looked all over her race jersey for any indication of what her cause was and I don't see anything on it, however I could be wrong. So if she's not wearing anything to indicate the reason for bloodstains, how is that letting people know what she's doing? It just looks like she got her period during the race and in what way is that letting people know about the plight of less privileged women? That must be it, she suddenly realized, mid-race, that her period had started and spent the rest of the race plotting a way to cover up her embarrassment. Glad someone found her out.
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Post by peatlejuice on Aug 9, 2015 18:53:05 GMT
I don't think she's an attention whore at all...I'm not really sure where you got that impression. I also don't think she's being disgusting or unsanitary or whatever phrase her admirers want to get pissed off over. I just don't buy her "activist" claim...I really think she's covering up for laziness or an accident. And hey, more power to her. Seriously you are accusing a marathon running of being lazy? What the heck are you thinking? She is trying to bring about a conversation regarding menstruation and the issues of women in undeveloped countries have to deal with. Just because we give 1000% in one area doesn't mean we aren't lazy in another. I stand by my theory.
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Post by peano on Aug 9, 2015 20:16:32 GMT
This race happened in April and this is the first I'm hearing about her "campaign"? She has truly set the media on fire. Seriously, I looked all over her race jersey for any indication of what her cause was and I don't see anything on it, however I could be wrong. So if she's not wearing anything to indicate the reason for bloodstains, how is that letting people know what she's doing? It just looks like she got her period during the race and in what way is that letting people know about the plight of less privileged women? That must be it, she suddenly realized, mid-race, that her period had started and spent the rest of the race plotting a way to cover up her embarrassment. Glad someone found her out. No, the article clearly states that she got her period the night before the race and decided to make a "statement" about it. My point is that because it seems like a last-minute impulse, rather than a thought-out act (where she could have had some sort of info on her running jersey or SOMETHING to let people know what was going on.)
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Post by Sam on Aug 9, 2015 21:01:58 GMT
What? Inability to see privilege? I'm privileged because I have access to menstrual products? I think I should probably be insulted by that insinuation, but I can't muster it. What I can do is say that if there's a worthy cause out there, then enlighten me. Just don't do it by dripping blood all over the place because that's disgusting and puts me off the cause. Actually yes, yes you are. Not only that but you have access to a private toilet and fresh running water. You're so privileged, you can't even see it. I see it. I know exactly how privileged I am (and how thankful I feel for that) but I'm not going to take a shit in your pond to demonstrate it now, am I? I'm SMH over the comments that she is unsanitary as though it's some major health risk to others. The only thing this young lady is doing is ruining her running pants and trying (fairly unsuccessfully) to draw attention to her cause.
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Post by RiverIsis on Aug 9, 2015 21:05:26 GMT
That must be it, she suddenly realized, mid-race, that her period had started and spent the rest of the race plotting a way to cover up her embarrassment. Glad someone found her out. No, the article clearly states that she got her period the night before the race and decided to make a "statement" about it. My point is that because it seems like a last-minute impulse, rather than a thought-out act (where she could have had some sort of info on her running jersey or SOMETHING to let people know what was going on.) Blame Harvard school of business. That is where she graduated and I'm sure they covered marketing at some point. She is also an accomplished drummer for M.I.A. who is a fairly respected recording artist. So maybe it was more of an artistic statement rather than a marketing statement. Artists tend to do things on a whim and live with the consequences. Personally I would like to thank her. I can't remember how many times I was desperate in HS with no bathroom breaks and an unforgiving class schedule running me all over the building so no chance between class and I would have to literally run home at the end of the day praying that the situation didn't get worse before I could strip off, sort it out and get back up to school for my after school activity.
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Post by RiverIsis on Aug 9, 2015 21:06:02 GMT
This seems like a good thread to share some of my favourite period-related links, websites, and videos: Days For Girls: a volunteer effort to supply women in developing countries with reusable pads and washing-up supplies to help them be able to function during their periods and also help remove the stigma and shame surrounding menstration in their culture. Plan UK: founder of the fabulous #justatampon campaign, also supply sanitary supplies to developing countries and other pro-women movements. V-point: sometimes hilarious, always insightful, modern discussion regarding everything from menstruation to sexism to racism. This link takes you to their articles regarding menstruation. Really really really funny video about how men think tampons work: just watch it. Plus, they're all British so it's extra awesome. That is really funny!
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Post by wholarmor on Aug 9, 2015 21:55:46 GMT
I do know that marathon runners have peed and pooped on themselves during a race. That is also gross. At least I haven't heard them claim that it was for a cause... I'm all for periods/menstruation/Aunt Flo- whatever you want to call it to lose its stigma. I'm not sure that this is the right way to go about it.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Aug 9, 2015 23:24:06 GMT
That must be it, she suddenly realized, mid-race, that her period had started and spent the rest of the race plotting a way to cover up her embarrassment. Glad someone found her out. No, the article clearly states that she got her period the night before the race and decided to make a "statement" about it. My point is that because it seems like a last-minute impulse, rather than a thought-out act (where she could have had some sort of info on her running jersey or SOMETHING to let people know what was going on.) I was being sarcastic.
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Post by circusjohnson on Aug 9, 2015 23:38:49 GMT
While I am slightly grossed out by it. I get her reasons. Feminine hygiene is a huge issue for girls. Days for girls is an awesome charity if your inclined to do something to help. Our Young Women's group at church had the opportunity to help with a project. It was very eye opening. www.daysforgirls.org/Tina
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frostybuns
Shy Member
Posts: 22
Jun 14, 2015 8:04:52 GMT
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Post by frostybuns on Aug 10, 2015 2:29:39 GMT
I actually think what she did was incredibly effective. It got people talking about a huge problem. I work with a non profit that makes reusable sanitary napkins for women in developing countries. There is so much stigma and a HUGE dropout rate of females in schools because they don't have access to supplies. The kind of stuff we use in developed countries doesn't work for them because they have no place to dispose of them. Check it out: daysforgirls.org
If you are interested, the founder gave a 20 minute TED talk about how she founded he organization and the kind of obstacles these girls have to overcome (link found on the above website under media). It's a huge problem that most of us can't even fathom dealing with. I applaud this runner.
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Aug 10, 2015 2:35:15 GMT
Her periods must be much lighter than mine was my first thought. Followed closely by, how did American women do it before such wonderful inventions as tampons and pads? Why can't they do that wherever she's talking about? And finally: why the HELL do women put up with this?
I think the bigger problem is that societies take such a dim view of womanhood in general. The price and availability of feminine products is only a symptom of the disease here.
And why does missing school for periods lead to dropping out? I missed plenty of school for it but still caught up. Are they not letting them make up the work? Are the school supplies so few that they CAN'T make it up?
I'm finding some real food for thought here. And I find I can do it all why still thinking that blood is gross and being grateful for my privilege.
And I wonder, will there ever be a point where these things change?
I find her actions gross (and suspicious as pointed out earlier), but I think the fact she needed to even make the point in the first place far more disgusting.
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Post by penny on Aug 10, 2015 3:07:42 GMT
And why does missing school for periods lead to dropping out? I missed plenty of school for it but still caught up. Are they not letting them make up the work? Are the school supplies so few that they CAN'T make it up? I only skimmed the posts so maybe I'm missing something, but the problem as I understand it is in countries/cultures where girls are either forced to drop out when they get their period, or are not able to attend school because they don't have options that will work/be accepted... Some schools don't have bathrooms for girls, and they're not allowed to use the boy's bathroom once they've begun menstruating (as in for life, not for that month)... Because I Am A Girl is a campaign by Plan that focuses on girls and women's issues - access to bathrooms, supplies, prenatal care, etc...
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Post by RiverIsis on Aug 10, 2015 4:19:50 GMT
Maybe it is privilege talking here but 1st world problems with tampons - not all bathroom stalls are created equal. I don't have the slenderest thighs and sometimes it is a real struggle to sort myself out in a public toilet because there is like a nanometer of space either side of the toilet itself. I guess I'm pointing this out because even though we have 1st world privilege on this we are still getting treated like, dare I say it, crap.
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Aug 10, 2015 4:44:09 GMT
And why does missing school for periods lead to dropping out? I missed plenty of school for it but still caught up. Are they not letting them make up the work? Are the school supplies so few that they CAN'T make it up? I only skimmed the posts so maybe I'm missing something, but the problem as I understand it is in countries/cultures where girls are either forced to drop out when they get their period, or are not able to attend school because they don't have options that will work/be accepted... Some schools don't have bathrooms for girls, and they're not allowed to use the boy's bathroom once they've begun menstruating (as in for life, not for that month)... Because I Am A Girl is a campaign by Plan that focuses on girls and women's issues - access to bathrooms, supplies, prenatal care, etc... Which goes back to the misogyny I was pointing out as the true disease here. With the mindsets that some of these cultures have, as necessary as sending fem products is, it's just putting a band aid on the real problem.
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Post by penny on Aug 10, 2015 10:34:45 GMT
I only skimmed the posts so maybe I'm missing something, but the problem as I understand it is in countries/cultures where girls are either forced to drop out when they get their period, or are not able to attend school because they don't have options that will work/be accepted... Some schools don't have bathrooms for girls, and they're not allowed to use the boy's bathroom once they've begun menstruating (as in for life, not for that month)... Because I Am A Girl is a campaign by Plan that focuses on girls and women's issues - access to bathrooms, supplies, prenatal care, etc... Which goes back to the misogyny I was pointing out as the true disease here. With the mindsets that some of these cultures have, as necessary as sending fem products is, it's just putting a band aid on the real problem. I can only speak about the organizations I've read about... They do education presentations/town meetings with the people, with the school teachers/administrators, and work with the governments also... It's not like they're just tossing a bunch of tampons at them and leaving... Putting a bandaid on this problem does do good... It means girls can stay in school, so they get an education... Educated women are able to push the boundaries of cultural traditions... They are able to work in positions not previously possible... The most effective way to change a culture is to empower the women, and you do that most effectively by educating the girls... A tampon can mean the difference between literacy, an education, and independence, and being dependant on the male providers of the society for everything...
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Aug 10, 2015 18:17:48 GMT
Which goes back to the misogyny I was pointing out as the true disease here. With the mindsets that some of these cultures have, as necessary as sending fem products is, it's just putting a band aid on the real problem. I can only speak about the organizations I've read about... They do education presentations/town meetings with the people, with the school teachers/administrators, and work with the governments also... It's not like they're just tossing a bunch of tampons at them and leaving... Putting a bandaid on this problem does do good... It means girls can stay in school, so they get an education... Educated women are able to push the boundaries of cultural traditions... They are able to work in positions not previously possible... The most effective way to change a culture is to empower the women, and you do that most effectively by educating the girls... A tampon can mean the difference between literacy, an education, and independence, and being dependant on the male providers of the society for everything... I am all for female empowerment. My point was that people are missing the point that it's about bigger issues than just tampons. They are focusing on how the message was delivered and not on the message itself, much less the bigger picture.
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Post by not2peased on Aug 10, 2015 19:29:47 GMT
In 2011 a report found only 12% of Indian women used sanitary pads. The linked article is about an Indian man who improved the lives of rural Indian women by making a machine they could use to make and sell their own pads. It changed lives, girls could continue education, improve their lot etc. Bathrooms are not common, remember the cases of girls and women being raped on their way to open fields to defacate. It is easy to forget toilets, bathrooms, privacy, etc are not afforded to every woman. The article linked is long but so worth a read www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26260978 what she said
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Post by not2peased on Aug 10, 2015 19:31:27 GMT
It's a start. Awareness often must come before the campaign. It may be, but I found this story on social media. Most people didn't touch on the issue; they focused on her. So while a handful, like you, see how this can be good, most aren't even discussing it. obviously one is more than zero, but it's definitely not sending out the message she had hoped for, as the majority on social media are focusing on her and her bloody pants, not why she did it. the only people I saw focusing on her bloody pants was here on two peas-the discussions I have seen were all about why she did it
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Post by Dictionary on Aug 10, 2015 20:26:40 GMT
Ew, Ew, Ew..just Ew..doesn't she realize that is a health hazard? Seriously there are better ways to draw attention to those in need, this was not one of them.
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Post by Sam on Aug 10, 2015 20:51:43 GMT
Ew, Ew, Ew..just Ew..doesn't she realize that is a health hazard? Seriously there are better ways to draw attention to those in need, this was not one of them. Could you explain to me how a women getting menstrual blood over the area of her running pants nearest to her vagina and confined to the area is a health hazard? See, I'd 'get' this argument if she took them off and started flinging them around (maybe) but I DO NOT understand this train of thought that a woman who has basically soiled herself needs some kind of major HAZMAT alert or a bat signal to the CDC.
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Post by Dictionary on Aug 10, 2015 21:35:27 GMT
Ew, Ew, Ew..just Ew..doesn't she realize that is a health hazard? Seriously there are better ways to draw attention to those in need, this was not one of them. Could you explain to me how a women getting menstrual blood over the area of her running pants nearest to her vagina and confined to the area is a health hazard? See, I'd 'get' this argument if she took them off and started flinging them around (maybe) but I DO NOT understand this train of thought that a woman who has basically soiled herself needs some kind of major HAZMAT alert or a bat signal to the CDC. Since I don't know what she may or may not have, any exposure to blood or bodily fluids presents a hazard. I don't know if that blood stayed only on her pants, did it drip on anything else, did she sit somewhere tracking blood onto something else. You assume it stayed locally but how heavy of a flow was it, were there blood clots that slipped? Some women have extreme bleeding and clotting you can't rule out that hers was some simple minimal period.
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Post by Sam on Aug 10, 2015 21:41:20 GMT
Could you explain to me how a women getting menstrual blood over the area of her running pants nearest to her vagina and confined to the area is a health hazard? See, I'd 'get' this argument if she took them off and started flinging them around (maybe) but I DO NOT understand this train of thought that a woman who has basically soiled herself needs some kind of major HAZMAT alert or a bat signal to the CDC. Since I don't know what she may or may not have, any exposure to blood or bodily fluids presents a hazard. I don't know if that blood stayed only on her pants, did it drip on anything else, did she sit somewhere tracking blood onto something else. You assume it stayed locally but how heavy of a flow was it, were there blood clots that slipped? Some women have extreme bleeding and clotting you can't rule out that hers was some simple minimal period. Let's hope no-one sneezes on you anytime soon. Blood clots that 'slipped'? You have a somewhat unhealthy and paranoid view of this, IMO.
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Olan
Pearl Clutcher
Enter your message here...
Posts: 4,046
Jul 13, 2014 21:23:27 GMT
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Post by Olan on Aug 10, 2015 23:51:36 GMT
Could you explain to me how a women getting menstrual blood over the area of her running pants nearest to her vagina and confined to the area is a health hazard? See, I'd 'get' this argument if she took them off and started flinging them around (maybe) but I DO NOT understand this train of thought that a woman who has basically soiled herself needs some kind of major HAZMAT alert or a bat signal to the CDC. Since I don't know what she may or may not have, any exposure to blood or bodily fluids presents a hazard. I don't know if that blood stayed only on her pants, did it drip on anything else, did she sit somewhere tracking blood onto something else. You assume it stayed locally but how heavy of a flow was it, were there blood clots that slipped? Some women have extreme bleeding and clotting you can't rule out that hers was some simple minimal period. This response just made my Monday. Blood clots that slipped?
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 10, 2015 23:57:28 GMT
Slipping Bloodclots would be a great band name.
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Post by redayh on Aug 11, 2015 0:36:47 GMT
There are lots of free bleeders running around (yes, that's a thing, Google it), so this isn't super shocking to me It's not something I would do, but it got people talking, which was her point. Why's everyone so outraged anyway? It's not like she was shooting out the plague from between her thighs.
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Post by peasapie on Aug 11, 2015 2:17:41 GMT
Well I for one never gave this a second thought. And now I have, so mission accomplished.
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Post by penny on Aug 11, 2015 2:40:59 GMT
I can only speak about the organizations I've read about... They do education presentations/town meetings with the people, with the school teachers/administrators, and work with the governments also... It's not like they're just tossing a bunch of tampons at them and leaving... Putting a bandaid on this problem does do good... It means girls can stay in school, so they get an education... Educated women are able to push the boundaries of cultural traditions... They are able to work in positions not previously possible... The most effective way to change a culture is to empower the women, and you do that most effectively by educating the girls... A tampon can mean the difference between literacy, an education, and independence, and being dependant on the male providers of the society for everything... I am all for female empowerment. My point was that people are missing the point that it's about bigger issues than just tampons. They are focusing on how the message was delivered and not on the message itself, much less the bigger picture. Ahh - gotcha now... Very good point
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