Where’s the Purple?

It is a sea of pink out there during the month of October.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  I have done the Avon Walk numerous times, worn pink, jeans on certain days of the month and many, many pink ribbons. Everything is pink this month has a price and proceeds go towards research and finding a cure for breast cancer.  It's wonderful.  But where is all the purple?Purple is the color for Domestic Violence Awareness.  October is its month too.  Yet it is rare to see a purple ribbon on someone's lapel or anywhere else.  I have one on my car all year.  Today I saw a woman in a mental health clinic wearing one.  That's it.  That is all I have seen. Did you even know that purple ribbons stood for Domestic Violence Awareness?  … [Read more...]

Looking Good No Matter What?

When you look at this ad what do you see? What comes to mind? Are you distracted by the couch? Do you think of Mad Men? Do you see the necklace as a strangulation device? I'm partial to that last one. When I first looked at this photo my first thought was that the necklace and the man had sinister intentions. When I saw the black eye and the slogan, "Look good in all you do" I was appalled. My question is this- are you offended? Do you see this ad as controversial and depicting domestic violence as acceptable? And to think that I was all set to post this photo only. It seems that "my sensitivity", my "political correctness" is too high these days. Maybe its because I'm an emotional mum who has two kids starting school this fall. Maybe the 11th anniversary of my grandfather's death just … [Read more...]

Glamour Magazine, Joe Biden and Domestic Violence

I haven't been a reader of Glamour magazine since my college days, but I just might pick up the June issue. In it readers will find an interview with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden as they talk about a cause they hold very dear to them, domestic violence. For over twenty years the Biden's have worked on this issue. I applaud that. Biden's likening of domestic violence being "worse than prison" is quite accurate. It works perfectly with Glamour's 'Tell Someone' campaign.Personally, I feel that this issue isn't played up enough. We have just past the one year mark for Yeardley Love. I live in a state that has the worst policies in the country for domestic abuse victims. Sixteen years after my own "prison break" I still suffer nightmares, flashbacks and the odd ticks … [Read more...]

“Little Pukes” Piss Me Off

From the files of... 'Not So Quietly Seething', I bring you this little tidbit about a certain entertainer. Though really? Is he entertaining anyone these days? I wish he were entertaining the idea of jail time but sadly it is not going to happen.Hours after Chris Brown is sentenced for abusing his girlfriend Rhianna he is seen at an LA Club, clearly already violating his sentence. *Sigh*Where is this dudes parole officer? Seriously?! I feel the waves of an angry mob coming on. I'm hoping another report comes out soon about how many of the women in that club doused him with their drinks and forcibly removed him from the club. Is that too much to ask? Photo courtesy of TMZ. … [Read more...]

Dating Violence: Is Your Teen Getting the Message?

I was fourteen when I met a boy who I thought was of no consequence. I figured I would date him for a month tops and then it would be over. He was so persistent. Five years later I found myself sitting in a my university's counseling center sobbing uncontrollably over the monster that that relationship became. The one that tried to swallow me whole like it was some mutated Cracken from the sea. I got through it and came out stronger, vowing to tell my story and educate others from my experience.Now Macy's leading the way with its support for the RESPECT! Campaign, which offers the tools parents need to define and promote healthy relationships, and intervene effectively if abuse begins. FVPF (Family Violence Prevention Fund) states-"Teens across the United States are experiencing high … [Read more...]

My Boycott of ‘The Hills’

At first, it was just that smarmy feeling. A tiny alarm bell that went off in the back of my brain as I watched 'The Hills' transfixed by the vapidness of it all and the clothes. Ah, the clothes. The first bell sounded when Heidi moved out of Lauren's apartment to move in with Spencer. I thought, "Well, no good will come of this."The following season it happened again. I watched with more alarm and a bit of foreboding as Heidi lost all her friends and was humiliated at work and in front of her co-workers (Vegas style). At the time I was angry at her boss for placing the blame on her and not her douche of a boyfriend, Spencer. He is clearly a boy, not a man, with whom she has no control or power over and yet she was the one being penalized. It wasn't right. Yet, I continued to watch. … [Read more...]

Thirteen Years Ago I Needed ‘Click To Empower’

This morning I put out four bags of clothes onto my front step for donation pick up. It was then that I realized that I didn't have any purses in the bags. Nothing in that capacity to even donate either. I felt a bit guilty too. As if I am not doing my part to help with a cause I hold near my heart despite not always wanting to and wish I didn't have to.What the heck am I talking about?It's October people. It's not just awareness month for the pink ribbons but also for Domestic Violence. From now until October 3 many Allstate insurance agencies will be working with Dress for Success to collect purses and professional bags to help women get back on their feet and back to the work force prepared and in style. So be generous! Find that Allstate agency near you and give yourself an excuse to … [Read more...]