• We’re still reeling from the absolutely tragic shootings at UC Santa Barbara last weekend. Conversations about our societal blind spot for misogyny, troubling definitions of masculinity, and the fear of violence that all women face have continued throughout the week. [Slate, The Atlantic]
• A pregnant Sudanese woman sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her Christianity was forced to give birth in prison with her legs shackled. The 27-year-old doctor was convicted of apostasy and adultery and sentenced to death by a court in Khartoum after refusing to renounce her Christian faith during a four day ‘grace period’ while she was eight months pregnant. [The Independent]
• Lupita Nyong has optioned the rights to Americanah, one of the 10 Best Books of the year last year, according to the New York Times Book Review. The love story centers on a young man and woman from Nigeria “who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home.” We’re looking forward to seeing how the project develops. [The Root]
• This week, a teenage girl in Australia had her armpits forcibly shaved by her school teacher in front of several other students. The teacher claimed it was part of the schools’ “life-skills curriculum.” The girl’s mother is fighting back, saying that this “invaded her daughter's rights as a person.” [Sydney Morning Herald]
• Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox made history this week by being the first transgender person to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. Cox tweeted a thank you to fans, whom she credits for pressuring the magazine with #whereislavernecox after it snubbed her for the Time 100 list. [Colorlines]
• Unfortunately, the fight for transgender rights is just beginning. Two transgender women were assaulted on Atlanta’s public transit system this week. The assaults were recorded on multiple cell phones while bystanders did nothing to help them. Transit cops refused to write a report when the women asked for help. Just awful. [Jezebel]
• Siren, poet, and inspiration Neko Case, reminded us this week why she’s amazing. Playboy magazine thought they were giving Case’s latest album a positive review by saying that it transcends the “gender divide in love songs” and then tweeting that Case was “breaking the mold of what women should be in the music industry.” Case’s response: “@PlayboyDotCom Am I? IM NOT A FUCKING “WOMAN IN MUSIC”, IM A FUCKING MUSICIAN IN MUSIC!” If you’re not following her already, you might want to start. [Bullet]
