Monday, October 7, 2019: Exploring Blackness and Policing of Black People in Europe

Margo and Vanessa

Margo

Interview with Vanessa Eileen Thompson

Margo Okazawa-Rey, gender studies professor and a member of the legendary Combahee River Collective, discusses the similarities and differences between anti-Blackness in the U.S. and in Europe with Afro-German scholar Vanessa Eileen Thompson.  Thompson is a researcher at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and a former visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Department of Ethnic Studies. She is one of the organizers of the upcoming symposium "On the Matter of Blackness in Europe: Transnational Perspectives" to be held at UCLA October 11-12. Find out why a symposium on racism in Europe is being held in the United States!

Click here to listen to the entire interview with Vanessa. 30:33 min

Vanessa Eileen Thompson is a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Sociology at Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany. Previously, she was a guest lecturer in gender studies at the University of Cologne and a fellow at the Department of Black Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research and teaching are focused on critical race and racism studies, black studies (with a focus on Black Europe), gender and queer studies, post- and decolonial feminist theories and methodologies, critical security studies, and transformative justice. Thompson is also engaged in these fields as an activist.  Her current research project focuses on racial gendered policing in Europe and transnational articulations of abolitionist visions and alternatives from a black feminist perspective. Vanessa has published articles on the work of Fanon, black social movements in Germany and France, and racial gendered policing in Europe.


Film: The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo

Then we listen to excerpts of the brilliant documentary "The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo", which chronicles the career and writings of one of the foremost African feminist writers. Aidoo, the author of nine books, two plays and many short works, also served as Ghana's Minister of Education from 1982-1983. After eighteen months, she concluded that she would not be able to realize her goal of free universal education because nationalist ideals had been subverted by the elite. In 2000 she founded the Mbaasem Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Ghana with a mission "to support the development and sustainability of African women writers and their artistic output."

Much love to all of you who have supported me and KPFA Women's Magazine over these many years. -Kate Raphael

Click here to listen to the show. 59:50 min

Monday, July 22, 2019: Police and Corps out of Pride, Women Led Resistance in Western Sahara

Today on Women’s Magazine we look at the resistance to the mainstreaming of Pride events in San Francisco and nationally.  We talk to Mary Sue from Gay Shame and artist and activist Alex U. Inn about the demonstration at SF Pride this year against the presence of police and large corporations and the resistance nationally. Click on Alex's name to see how to elect her to the SF Pride Board of Directors. July 22nd is the deadline to become a member so you can vote for Alex. Also check SFPride.org for more information about the Board of Directors and more.

And Sharon Sobotta talks to the film team of the new documentary Western Sahara: Africa's Last Colony which they produced in collaboration with the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley about the women who are resisting the last colony in Africa. Watch the movie on DemocracyNow.org

Click here to listen to the show. 59:50 min

June 16, 2014: Today on Women's Magazine-Film about the New Jersey Four. Musician and Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo

Today Lisa Dettmer talks NJ4, Renata Hill and Patreese, two of the young African American lesbians who were incarcerated for fighting back after a homophobic attack, and the filmmaker Blair Dorosh-Walther who made the riveting documentary about their struggle "Out in the Night", featured at the Frameline Film  Festival next week.  And Angela Wellman talks to grammy award winning musician Angelique Kidjo  about her new CD "Eve", her new autobiography "Spirit Rising" and her foundation for girls.  Kidjo is performing in SF at the Norse theater on June 21st.

In 2006 seven young African American lesbian identified friends where walking in the gay area of NYC, the West Village,  and were were physically and verbally assailed by man because they were Queer. They fought back to protect themselves and instead of the man being arrested the women were. The NYC police and media vilified the women as a pack of lesbian wolves and FOX TV called this a hate crime against all straight men.  Over charged with over a half dozen felonies by a racist and homophobic DA, in 2007 an all white jury convicted Venice Brown (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20) and Renata Hill (24), the 4 women that refused to plea bargain but fought to prove their innocence,  for up to 11 years despite their being no serious injuries. This is yet another case of women being punished for fighting back against male violence not unlike the case being brought against domestic violence survivor Melissa Alexander and others around the U.S.  

A campaign of resistance was organized by FIERCE and others progressive Queers helped to get the NJ4 out early but only after they had all served a minimum of 2 and up to 7 years.  Now the new film Out in the Night explores the racism, homophobia and sexism of  this case and the lives of these women and the campaign to free them.  In this next interview  Lisa Dettmer  talks  to NJ4, Renata Hill and  Patreese Johnson  two of the young African American lesbians who were incarcerated for fighting back after a homophobic attack, and the filmmaker Blair Dorosh-Walther who made the riveting documentary about their struggle "Out in the Night," which is playing at the Frameline Film Festival next week.


In our second interview Angela Wellman interviews Grammy award winning Beninoise singer and songwriter and activist  Angelique Kidjo about her new CD "Eve," her new autobiography "Spirit Rising" and her foundation for girls, Batonga. Kidjo is described as undisputed queen of African Music. Her new CD called EVE is number one on the world charts.  Kidjo works on fighting poverty against women in Africa and talks about her work with the  foundation she co-founded, Batonga, which supports secondary and higher education for girls in Africa and micro loans to African women.  Kidjo played at the Norse Theater in SF on June 21st  and in this interview she talks about growing up a woman in Africa,  being a woman in the male dominated music business,  the importance of speaking out about violence against women, and her new book and music.

Click here to listen to entire show. 59:50 min.

May 5, 2014: #BringBackOurGirls

On April 15, more than 270 girls were abducted from a school in Chibok, Nigeria. The group suspected of being responsible for their abduction is Boko Haram, an al-Qaida-linked jihadi group. The girls were taken at gunpoint and thrown into trucks and vans, and have since disappeared without a trace. 


On Saturday, May 3, women all over the US rallied in solidarity with Nigerian women, who mounted a Million Woman March on Sunday to #BringBackOur Girls.

In Oakland, about 200 people gathered at Lake Merritt, wearing red and carrying signs saying Bring Back Our Girls.  They joined the family of Alan Blueford, who was murdered by Oakland police two years ago. Blueford's mother had previously called for a Unity March to Heal Our Community.


The two groups marched together around the lake to say, "All lives, including Black and Brown lives matter."


Kate Raphael spoke with Faiza Farah, founder of Oakland #BringBackOurGirls.


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More events are planned. Stay informed. Join this movement.

April 22, 2013: Earth Day on Women's Magazine: Ecofeminism, Animal Rights and Factory Farming

Katie Cantral of Factory Farming Awareness Coalition

Did you know that factory farming has polluted over 35,000 miles of rivers in the US?

In this segment, Sharon Sobotta interviews Katie Cantral, Executive Director of the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition. 99% of animal products come from factory farms. Ten billion animals are raised every year in the US on factory farms. This method of raising animals is cruel to the animals, bad for the environment and a huge source of labor injustices. Katie says it takes 2000 gallons of water to raise a pound of beef and 35 gallons of water to raise a pound of vegetables. Chemicals used in the production of milk have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Katie gives us an enlightened and empowering way to make a difference on all aspects of this important cause.

Listen now or Get MP3. 35:09 min. 

Interviews with Ecofeminist Foremothers Marti Kheel and Wangari Maathai

In the next segment, we hear past interviews with two ecofeminist foremothers who have since died: Lisa Dettmer speaks with Marti Kheel, founder of Feminists for Animal Rights and author of Nature's Ethics.

Marti Kheel

Preeti Shekar sits down with Wangari Maathai, Nobel Laureate, founder of Green Belt Movement and author of Unbowed and Replenishing the Earth.

Wangari Maathai

Plus poetry by Kathryn Kirkpatrick. Click here to listen to poem by Kathryn Kirkpatrick or Get MP3. 1:23 min.

Listen now or Get MP3 for the interview with Wangari Maathai. 10:48 min.

The Marti Kheel interview can be heard here. Audio 28:48 min.

To listen to entire show click here. 59:38 min.

February 7, 2011: Women Demand Respect and Freedom

Preeti Mangala Shekar reports on International Solidarity Day in the Bay Area and Eryn Mathewson talks with Jean Denton-Thompson about her participation in the Freedom Rides and the American Civil Rights Movement.

Mugshot of Jean Denton Thompson on May 24, 1961 in Jackson, MS. Photo from Mississippi State Department of Archives and History's Sovereignty Commission Online

Listen to the entire show.

January 31: Inside the Tunisian Uprising with filmmaker Kolthoum Bornaz; and Doulas: a New Resource for Women's Health

Inside the Tunisian Uprising: 

Malihe Razazan speaks with Tunisian filmmaker Kolthoum Bornaz about the current uprising as well as her film, The Other Half of the Sky.
Listen now or Get MP3





What's a Doula?

Kate Raphael talks to doulas Kathy Woo, Cindy Whitman-Bradley and Desiree Tamsky about this emerging area of women's health.  For more information on how to find a doula or become one:

Doulas of North America (DONA)

San Francisco Doula Group

Natural Resources

Listen now or Get MP3

We also fill you in on the crisis at Lyon-Martin clinic and let you know about great events women in the coming week.Listen to the entire show

Twice Censored: Underreported Women's and Gender Issues of 2010

The Project Censored List of Top 25 Censored Stories of 2009-2010 includes not one story related to a women's or gender issue. NOT ONE! Does that mean women's issues get lots of attention? We don't think so. Instead, it points to the masculinist bias of even the progressive media and media watchdogs.

So producer Kate Raphael has produced her own quite inexhaustive list of censored or underreported stories related to women and gender in the last year. See what you think. If you want to comment on one of her choices or suggest one of your own, please email us at kpfawomensmag@gmail.com.

Listen to the show, which also includes memorial tributes to Dorothy Height, Wilma Mankiller and Mary Daly.


The list below is not in ranked order, though Kate feels that Iraq does belong at the top.

-- The impact of 7 years of occupation on Iraqi women (Malihe Razazan of Voices of the Middle East and North Africa comments)

-- Sexual assault in the military hits epidemic proportion (includes excerpt of report by Scott Shafer of KQED TV)

-- New mammogram guidelines stir controversy (interview with Barbara Brenner of Breast Cancer Action)

-- Grassroots women's organizations are leading in the rebuilding of Haiti (interview with Yifat Suskind of Madre International [Malihe points out that Madre's website doesn't even mention Iraq!))

-- Pregnant women prisoners in California still face shackling, and thousands of abused women are still in prison for defending themselves (interview with Karen Shain of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children)

-- Victoire Ingebirre Umuhoza was the leading challenger to Rwandan president Paul Kagame, except instead of being allowed to run, she was imprisoned (Ann Garrison interviewed Ingebirre for WINGS)

-- Many women political prisoners in Iran are held in solitary confinement and without access to lawyers, families or medical care (interview with Malihe Razazan)

-- Global gatherings like the Cancun climate conference, the G20 and the U.S. Social Forum were covered from start to finish by progressive media, but several major international women's gatherings didn't even rate a headline. These included the 15 year review of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Global Maternal Health Conference and the third African Feminist Forum (interview with Nigerian feminist scholar Amina Mama).

-- Year of the Disabled Lesbian (interview with Laura Rifkin, founder of the Fabled Asp project)

-- Disabled women led the fight against cuts to In-Home Support Services and other social welfare programs, with ArnieVille, a tent city in Berkeley (Jean Stewart, Jan Santos and Hannah Jo Karpalo talk about the creative protest known as ArnieVille).

-- More bad news for women workers: Republicans in the Senate filibustered to block passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have required employers to prove that wage disparities were job-related, not gender based.

-- Did you know there were women working on oil rigs and leading the clean up of the Gulf? Coastal Women for Change is one of a number of women's organizations that sprung into action when the Deepwater Horizon well blew up. (Merle Savage, general foreperson on the Exxon Valdez cleanup, begs President Obama to make BP give the Gulf cleanup crews respirators and tell them the truth about the risk.)

-- Same sex marriage and Don't Ask Don't Tell were all over the media, both mainstream and progressive, but where were the voices of queers who aren't interested in heteronormative marriage or seeing queers join the imperialist military? (Excerpt from the documentary "Beyond Gay Marriage" by Women's Magazine's Lisa Dettmer)

October 11th: Breast Cancer Awareness Month and an interview with Amina Mama

This week on Women's Magazine, we speak with Nigerian feminist scholar Amina Mama about the growing pan-African feminism and its response to AFRICOM; and we hear about how one woman and her daughter dealt with the challenge of breast cancer. Plus a few words about the corporate campaign against breast cancer and the Women's Community Calendar.





Breast Cancer Awareness Month - A Critique and a Story

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or more accurately Corporate Breast Cancer Promotion Month. A few thoughts, and an inspiring story. Audio 16:38

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Susie Miller-Reed was a single mother and a self-described workaholic when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. The journey through cancer brought Susie and her daughter Reema al-Zaban closer to each other, and led Reema to create a powerful photo exhibit. Sharon Sobotta reports for KPFA Women's Magazine.

Feminists Respond to AFRICOM: An interview with Amina Mama



Preeti Shekar interviews Nigerian feminist scholar Amina Mama, chair of Gender and Women's Studies at U.C. Davis and Global Fund for Women's Africa programs. Audio 34:05



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or Download MP3

How is AFRICOM, the U.S. Central Command for Africa, contributing to militarization on the African continent? What other trends are increasing militarism on the continent, and how are feminists responding? Scholar/activist Amina Mama discusses the evolution of a pan-African feminism, much of it in the African diaspora, and also how it links to feminist and anti-capitalist movements in other areas such as Haiti.




"All of us have within us the means to join the dots," she challenges both northern and Southern feminists.

Listen to entire show including Women's Community Calendar:

September 13th: Women's magazine features the work of WINGS and the KPFA Apprentice Program

Women's magazine features the work of WINGS (Women's International News Gathering Service),interview with Rwandan political leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza and Irene Florez talks with KPFA apprentice Taishi and speeches from Global Women at the US Social Forum in Detroit.

Interview with Rwandan political leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza.


To listen to the interview click here and look for "audio interview link" on Colored Opinions website

Umuhoza is the leader of Rwanda's FDU-Inkingi Party and of the United Forces Coalition. She was considered the leading challenger to Paul Kagame in the recent election. She has been subjected to arrest and persecution, as have other parties' leaders. In this interview with journalist Ann Garrison, she talks about her struggles and her vision for the country.








Would you like to be on the radio? Do you feel your community's stories are not being heard? KPFA's apprenticeship program might be for you. Audio, 6:22.

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or Download

KPFA's apprenticeship program is designed to increase the participation of women and people of color, and especially women of color, in community media. Find out how you can get involved and learn great skills in this interview with apprentice Taishi by Irene Florez.



The Women's International News Gathering Service is an all-woman independent radio production company that produces and distributes news and current affairs programs by and about women around the world. In our last segment, we'll hear excerpts from a panel called Global Women at the US Social Forum in Detroit in 2010. In this panel, U.S. women activists discuss the usefulness in their work of international conventions on women's and human rights, some of which have been ratified by this country and some of which have not. Audio, 28:49.

The panelists are Erica Swanson of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights; Cindy Domingo, Co-Chair, US Women & Cuba Collaboration and Laura Roskos, Co-President of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom. Jan Strout is the moderator.

The Global Women panel at the U.S. Social Forum was taped by Lisa Rudman of the National Radio Project's Women's Desk and edited for the Women's International News Gathering Service by Frieda Werden.

To hear this segment click here and find the broadcast at the bottom of the page in the file information box.

Listen to entire show for music by Angelique Kidjo and Women's Community Calendar

Monday, August 10: Women In Sports

We look at the state of affairs for women athletes, with a special focus on entrenched homophobia and transphobia in U.S. women's sports. We'll hear excerpts from talks by David Zirin, author of People's History of Sports in the United States and the popular blog, Edge of Sports, and Elizabeth Terzakis, Instructor at Canada College, as well as speak with one of the producers of the extraordinary film "Training Rules" on homophobia in women's college basketball. Plus Jovelyn's World and more.

Download or Listen to the entire show:

Women's Magazine - Women In Sports - August 10, 2009 at 1:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

Training Rules: Homophobia in Women's College Basketball
An Interview with Filmmaker Fawn Yacker (check out their great website, www.trainingrules.com, for lots more info on discrimination against lesbians in women's sports)
Download/Listen to clip:


Download/Listen to interview:


Lesbian Soccer Star Raped and Murdered in South Africa: Read/watch BBC reporting on the rape and murder of Eudy Simelane. Reports allege that this is part of a pattern of so-called "corrective rape" targeting lesbians. We will be looking further at this issue in future shows.