claire.she.goes

Author: Claire

  • Why Christian?

    I mean, really. What’s the point anymore?

    I know some people are asking themselves that question. Especially in an age where fundamentalism seems to be the dominant public face of the religion.

    That question is also the title of a conference headed by Rachel Held Evans and Nadia Bolz-Weber: Why Christian?

    I found out about their gathering yesterday. It’s definitely piqued my interest.

    When I saw the page featuring their speakers, I smiled.

    If I may be frank with you, I’ve never seen so many women of colour on a conferenced helmed by two Caucasians. From what I’ve seen, such diversity is normally included when a conference’s founders are people of colour.

    Although I still know very little about Why Christian?, there was something else about it that struck me as unique. I couldn’t put my finger on it at first…And then, Rachel dropped this tweet:

    Confession: I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Christian conference (hereafter called a “CC”). Yet I’ve seen plenty of their websites.

    Why is it that many CCs that have predominantly (white) male speakers are marketed to everyone within their demographic? (By “everyone” and “demographic”, I’ve seen pages for conferences for church musicians, youth leaders, you name it–yet there’s no discrimination among the gender of those who are expected to attend.) Meanwhile, when a CC lineup features a predominantly black or female group of speakers, then that’s exactly who I see in footage of its audience. (The only exception are a handful of Caucasians or men that I’ve observed.)

    I used to assume that these unique attendees were family or close friends of those who are a part of said conferences’ mainstream. However I realize that in making such a conclusion, I’ve ruled out another option. What of the man or woman who has looked at a conference’s web page and said, “I am a Christian. I believe that the people who are going to to speak will be saying something that is relevant to my walk with God….”?

    Hence, they decide to attend regardless of the risk of being perceived as an outlier.

    Our perceptions of who belongs where need to change. Especially in religious circles. Or for the sake of this piece, Christian ones. Just because a speaker doesn’t appear to match perpetuated norms, don’t assume that you won’t learn from them.

  • I still think I’d watch.

    The Cosby Show, I mean.

    I heard that over on the Q web site they’re going to eliminate Jian’s interviews. My first reaction was to enter into a mild panic: “Man, what’s next? Cosby Show DVDs?” I don’t say that to insult the scores of women who have come forward. Rather, to speak the truth about a childhood memory. For you see, for me, watching that show was not all about him.

    The other day I saw this article with a link to a page that explained how people could watch episodes of The Cosby Show…Sans Cosby, I suppose? I know that a lot of fans are facing an odd predicament. They want to enjoy their beloved sitcom without the spectre of the alleged horrors that the program’s namesake has perpetrated. I haven’t followed the link, but I gather that some people have taken the time to scrub Mr. Cosby’s image from the show’s visuals. The reason I never followed through with learning how I could watch The Cosby Show without looking at one of its stars is simple: I’m simply not interested.

    Now when I say that, I don’t mean to insult his victims. I abhor the idea of rape. I know that these days when some people hear Mr. Cosby’s name, they cringe–or worse. But when I think of The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby isn’t the first person that pops into my head.

    I can’t escape the idea that Mr. Cosby was a part of an ensemble cast. In my mind, to disregard the show solely because of him is to insult the talented souls who worked both in front of and behind the camera.

    I get a smile on my face when I read the words “Gordon Gatrell“. And who can forget about the elder Huxtables’ anniversary?

    http://youtu.be/z8nV81QWd4M

    Among the characters in that scene were Rudy, Denise, Vanessa, Theo, Sondra, and Clair Huxtable. Clair Huxtable–a woman who has inspired at least one t-shirt. The only woman who could possibly have replaced my mother if I needed a spare. These are characters that I loved. Just look at this clip from “Off to See The Wretched”.

    Phylicia Rashad and Tempestt Bledsoe were amazing.

    And yes. I know that Bill Cosby was in that scene. I know that Cliff Huxtable was there. Yet again, I assert that The Cosby Show was not a one-man gig.

    Back to those DVDs. NBC has already decided to scrap a pending pilot. Mr. Cosby has cancelled various tour dates. I understand that some venues have offered refunds for folks who no longer want to see his shows. But I’m still not comfortable with the idea of doing away entirely with The Cosby Show. It was one of my favorite programs and a critical part of my childhood. If a decision is ever made to abolish it, I’d be truly heartbroken.

  • Take me away, *How to Get Away*!!

    I really should write a long piece on How to Get Away with Murder.

    Not since Frank Underwood on House of Cards have I been so drawn to–and terrified of–a fictitious person.

    Annalise takes the cake. As my friend Mischa said, she “needs Jesus”.

    And it’s not just her. I swear. Every character is flawed in just the right way to keep me hooked!

    Just last week I was thinking, “If these people weren’t so fascinating, I would be completely disgusted.”

    Here’s what’s coming next week:

  • PodPost: Show Your Work

    In this episode, I review more of Austin Kleon’s books–including Show Your Work. I also share a bit about my adventures in yoga.

  • Sporty Sexism

    It’s now evident to me that when I’m about to fall asleep, I need to resist the urge to check my phone. Chances are I’ll find something that leaves me vexed and itching to write an essay.

    Consider last night. Meet Exhibit A:

    MensHealthSexistSports

    Hmmm.

    I don’t follow sports very closely. Yet during the World Cup, I was mesmerized. My poor mother had to put up with me sitting in front of the television yelling

    Kick it. KICK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!!

    over and over again.

    As for the article itself, it was everything that that tweet suggested. The original title was “The Secret to Talking Sports with Any Woman”. I don’t know if Men’s Health let it see the light of day. Nevertheless, basically, it stated that when it comes to sports, women will be able to relate to the action on a field if they share a connection with the players who are running around on it.

    And how is such a connection forged? Through regaling us with tales of compassion from the players’ lives. To break it down further, we “need story lines”.

    I don’t know. In the moments when Soccer Fever took over, do you think I cared one whit about who was invested in whose life, or which players paid attention to Charity XYZ?

    Nope.

    In all seriousness, Journalists, we women do not need so-called manly things to be softened in order to appreciate them. We can enjoy pastimes like sports just as they are, no primping required.

  • Hustle On!: Farewell to How She Hustles

    Today’s the day!

    Emily - HSH - 2013

    Emily and Team HSH - 2013
    Photos of Emily Mills and her team, circa 2013.

    After a successful five-year run, the last How She Hustles brunch is being held today in Toronto.

    I can’t attend this year. Still, I have fond memories. I went last year. In a few short hours I met professionals of all stripes who led double lives. They were everyday superheroes—women who dared to pursue their dreams beyond their day jobs.

    I would like to thank my friend Emily Mills for taking the time to organize this event. Every year, she works hard with her team to create something truly meaningful: A space for women to gather and bond over their willingness to pursue their passions in spite of life’s craziness.

    My time at How She Hustles will always be precious to me. The event is a genuine celebration of sisterhood that I will sincerely miss.

  • Remember what I said about How to Get Away with Murder?

    The spoiler, I mean?

    Well…Forget it. I’d made an assumption. The truth is, things look like they’re worse better weirder than I thought.

    I’m not going to reveal anything for now. Instead, I’ll encourage you to keep watching. Here’s the promo for the third episode:

    Ah, Murder. Every time I see that shuttle captain from Star Trek Annalise’s lover, I get nostalgic…

  • PodPost: The Firestarter Sessions

    Yes, this is about 2 years old. I don’t mind. Do you? 😉

    I don’t know if you remember this, but when I first thought about podcasting, I did an episode on The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte.

    It’s still one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read.

  • Watch It!: How to Get Away with Murder

    This post contains a major spoiler. If you don’t want any, don’t read it.

    Lately I’ve been trying to take better care of myself. Part of my improved routine involves getting to sleep–or at least into my bedroom–at a decent hour.

    In light of this, if I want to see a show that airs after 9, I try to tape it.

    This week, I set my PVR for How to Get Away with Murder. I finally watched the pilot, and I have questions. See this post by Sarah from The Social. (She pretty much covered everything I was wondering.) When the show finished, my brain was somewhere between, “Give me more!!” and “What was THAT?!?”

    “Every year I choose four students to come work for me…” And kill someone.

    I’m convinced that there’s a special place in hell for people like Annalise. This week I hope to find out how much closer she is to getting there.

  • Who’s baking your kid’s biscuits?

    Somewhere in America, an elementary school teacher let a feminist bake her class some cookies.

    I’m a feminist. Hence, I can understand looking at that sentence and thinking, “So what?”

    Well…There’s more.

    This woman didn’t just bake any cookies. She made VAGINA cookies.

    From Reddit:

    …Friday rolls around and the kids are excited. Autumn Lily Speaker [pseudonym] comes into the classroom with a pan full of treats and brings them to me and says with a smile “I decided you can use these to teach the kids about the woman’s vagina today”. Baffled and completely caught off guard I slowly peel the aluminum foil off the pan to behold a plethora of sugar cookie and frosting vaginas. Not just any old vagina, but ALL KINDS OF VAGINAS…

    I wish I made that up, but, well…If you didn’t already, click the link above.

    Now, I didn’t post this to insult feminists. Like the redditor who posted it said

    Feminism is about gender equality and shouldn’t be grouped with off the wall people like this.

    All I can do is shake my head. I am seriously concerned for that woman’s children.

    HT: Kari, an online friend who linked to the story via MadameNoire.