rabble.ca - Constructing change: the activist toolkit

Constructing Change: Celebrating the Day of Pink

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:17:24 +0000

This Wednesday was the International Day of Pink, a day of action created to fight homophobia, transphobia and bullying. Jer's Vision celebrated with hundreds of youth activists, community leaders, queer allies and celebrities at their seventh annual gala. Jack Layton and Rick Mercer were recognized for their work against queer bullying with youth role model awards.

Jer's Vision does amazing anti-queerphobia workshops with youth in schools all over Canada and are in desperate need of funding! See their website for how to donate and help them continue to create inclusive, safe spaces in schools.

Constructing Change: Challenging racism

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:32:54 +0000

Ottawa celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Racism this past weekend with a march around the city to expose and oppose racism. More than fifty protesters walked in solidarity along with folks representing Moe Harkat, Students Against Israeli Apartheid, POWER, Independent Jewish Voices and OPRIG Ottawa.

I spoke with protesters throughout the march and found that although they support different causes, racism affects all struggles. Look for tools on the toolkit to help challenge racism!

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be Televised" by Gill-Scott Heron

"Hahahahaha jk" by Das Racist

Constructing Change: Occupy spring

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:52:41 +0000

Spring has sprung, the grass is green, where has Occupy Ottawa been? According to activist Obert Madondo, working harder than ever. From managing multiple working groups to community collaborations, the activists have their work cut out for them.

I spoke to him about their new website and if the warmer weather means another Occupation is in the works. Plus how to turn your street art green with guerrilla gardening and sustainable recipes. Help rabble.ca Occupy spring!

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be Televised" by Gill-Scott Heron

"Summertime" by Pocketbooks

Constructing Change: Radicalizing consent

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:21:11 +0000

Consent is often mentioned retroactively, as a response to violence. But when radical consent is exercised from the start along with a sex positive dialogue, it can really make a difference. The Consensuality Collective held a consent cabaret in Ottawa.

I caught up with poet, activist and playwright Luna Allison about her performance, consent and how sexual abuse can be misconstrued in activist communities. Her one-woman show "Falling Open" just finished at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

Constructing Change: Ain't I an activist?

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:32:44 +0000

This show focuses on feminist organizing tools and local efforts in honour of International Women's Day. The Vagina Monologues is happening at Carleton University this weekend, with proceeds going to V-day and the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre. I spoke with co-director Luxey Segaram about why she decided to organize the play.

http://rabble.ca/whatsup/vagina-monologues-2012

Find more ways to celebrate IWD on the Activist Toolkit.

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

"Aint Cha" by Annette Hanshaw

"Let's hear it for me" by Tarnz Blackheart

Comments, questions and suggestions: steff@rabble.ca

Extradition injustice: The case of Hassan Diab

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:36:19 +0000

This week on Constructing Change: Extradition injustice: Hassan Diab was an Ottawa University professor who had his life turned upside down when he was accused of a Paris bombing in 1980, charged and detained. He has maintained his innocence.

Because of unjust extradition laws, the French government was able to request Diab's removal and use weak evidence that would have been thrown out in a Canadian court. The French government's claim of top-secret "intelligece" that was not revealed at the hearing was enough to convinct Diab according to extradition law. He could not challenge it, because he was never told what it was.

Constructing Change: Decolonizing activism

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:19:29 +0000

Stories of personal loss and tragedy at the second annual memorial for missing and murdered aboriginal women on Valentine's Day in Ottawa, by Families of Sisters in Spirit. Plus, the struggle in Attawapiskat to get a real school.

Find more tools for indigenous organizing at www.rabble.ca/toolkit.

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

Song by the Minwaashin Women's Drum Group

And the talented Charlie Angus, singing "Diamonds in the Snow" accompanied by Ottawa school children

Comments, questions and suggestions steff@rabble.ca

Constructing change: Everything you wanted to know about organizing but were afraid to ask

editor@rabble.ca (editor@rabble.ca) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:44:56 +0000

This week on Constructing Change: organizing for sex workers, how to build community, know your rights, stop prostitution sweeps and more. Plus an interview from the Ottawa sex workers' union POWER about how police patronize prostitutes with a serial killer on the loose.

Intro theme: "The revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

Superman theme by SoundCloud.

Comments, suggestions, questions: steff@rabble.ca