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Too $hort Calls XXL Video Debacle a Blessing in Disguise

by Akiba Solomon on February 23 2012, 2:20PM

Bad publicity, an enlightening conversation with activist dream hampton and “karma” produce an a-ha! moment for the rapper who instructed middle school boys to “turn out” their female classmates.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Gender & Sexuality, /NOW Blog

5 Things Too $hort & Hip-Hop Media Can Learn About Sexual Violence

by Akiba Solomon on February 23 2012, 11:33AM

Ways to regroup and do better after the debacle of Too $hort’s violent, rape-celebrating XXL.com video.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Arts & Culture, Gender & Sexuality, Too $hort

Film Reveals “The Invisible War” on Women in Our Military

by Rinku Sen on January 26 2012, 9:49AM

A documentary premiered at Sundance that shines light on the ugly secret of rape inside the U.S. military. It’s time we all pay attention, writes Rinku Sen.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality, Rinku Sen, Sundance

FBI Gets Closer to Calling Rape What It Is

by Akiba Solomon on October 21 2011, 9:53AM

The new working definition of rape may become official in December. Thankfully, it doesn’t include the words “carnal” or “forcible,” and it doesn’t exclude victims who aren’t female.

Topics: Akiba Solomon

More Thoughts on SlutWalk: No Attention is Better Than Bad Attention

by Akiba Solomon on October 6 2011, 3:09PM

I was ambivalent about SlutWalk—until I saw this picture.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Gender & Sexuality

FBI to Revise Hopelessly Narrow Definition of Rape

by Akiba Solomon on September 29 2011, 10:05AM

It only took 80 years for the federal agency to acknowledge that “carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will” excludes a whole lot of victims.

Topics: Akiba Solomon

DSK Rape Case Takeaway Number 8: So-Called Credibility Trumps Justice

by Akiba Solomon on August 25 2011, 2:52PM

As expected, Nafissatou Diallo’s inconsistencies have compelled prosecutors to abandon her sexual assault case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn. It’s a sad day in so-called justice.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Charges Against Strauss-Kahn

by Jorge Rivas on August 23 2011, 2:05PM

A Manhattan Judge has dismissed all charges at the prosecution’s request.

Topics: DSK Rape Case, Gender & Sexuality

Is the SlutWalk Movement Relevant For a Black Feminist?

by Akiba Solomon on August 5 2011, 12:45PM

What started among college activists in Toronto has exploded into a global movement, with some fuzzy racial politics. But feminist filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons explains why she’s taking the stage at her hometown’s SlutWalk tomorrow.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Gender & Sexuality

A Few Thoughts About ‘Paying’ Rape Victims

by Akiba Solomon on July 29 2011, 12:47PM

The Beautiful Struggler asks why rape victims who seek compensation are less believable than those who don’t. Good question.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

DSK Rape Case Takeaway Number 7: Alleged Victims Are People, Too

by Akiba Solomon on July 26 2011, 1:48PM

With her credibility in question and the prosecution wavering, Nafissatou Diallo, the Sofitel maid at the center of the DSK rape case, has joined the media circus. Brace yourself for a rape culture extravaganza.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

Violence Against Migrant Women Won’t End After DSK Case

by Michelle Chen on July 12 2011, 10:06AM

From Indonesia to the Congo—and back to the U.S.—migrant laboring women are attacked systematically and with impunity.

Topics: DSK Rape Case, Gender & Sexuality, Global Affairs, Global Justice

DSK Rape Case Takeaway No. 6: Alleged Victims Can Change the Script

by Akiba Solomon on July 11 2011, 10:30AM

The Guinean hotel housekeeper drew the line with the New York Post. I say good for her.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

Who’s Really on Trial in the DSK Rape Case? [Reader Forum]

by Channing Kennedy on July 5 2011, 8:51AM

A very rich, powerful man is accused of raping a woman of color. So why is his accuser’s past on trial? Readers chime in.

Topics: DSK Rape Case, Gender & Sexuality

DSK Rape Case Takeaway No. 5: You Have to Be the Perfect Victim

by Akiba Solomon on July 1 2011, 10:20AM

The prosecution that was once so sure of its case against former IMF chief Dominique Strass-Kahn is wavering. Score one for victim-blaming.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case, Gender & Sexuality

DSK Rape Case Takeaway No. 4: Discuss at Your Own Risk

by Akiba Solomon on May 27 2011, 8:17AM

What do you do when a group discussion about a touchy-but-ubiquitous subject gets dangerously personal?

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

Takeaways from the DSK Rape Case

by Akiba Solomon on May 24 2011, 12:55PM

Hotel housekeepers are catching hell, plus two other lessons we’ve learned from the coverage of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case

The NY Post Makes DSK’s Alleged Rape Victim an AIDS Predator

by Akiba Solomon on May 20 2011, 12:20PM

In its lust for a salacious scoop, Rupert Murdoch’s chronically race-baiting tabloid has made both the alleged victim and her community into the villains.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, DSK Rape Case, Health, Media