"By definition: pimp n.: One who derives income from the earnings of a prostitute, usually by soliciting business.
"And: prostitute (pros-ti-toot) n.: 1. One who solicits and accepts payment for sex acts, 2. One who sells one's abilities, talent or name for an unworthy purpose.
"Take these words by definition, thinking outside of their traditional use, and relate them to the lives of those who've never sold their body for cash. I see my family, my people, every day in the position of selling their abilities, talents, and names for unworthy purposes. And these motherfuckers sittin' up in the Capitol buildings determining the future of my folks and soliciting their value are, yes, deriving income from the earnings of them. By definition, this country is the biggest pimp of 'em all. Please, next time you feel for those women on the street in that alternate reality on the other side of town, take a moment, too, for my sisters in the maquiladoras makin' your clothes, for my brothers picking your produce, my family washing your dishes and cleaning your house. Please take a moment for all the beautiful spirits that have been labeled criminals and thrown away into prison cells who deserve freedom. Please take a moment for all of those in the position of selling their abilities, talents, or names for an unworthy purpose--the appalling economic wealth of this country."
from his essay "Pimp" in the Working Sex anthology
18 February, 2009
13 January, 2009
Robert Lynd
“There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.”
10 November, 2008
keepin' on
"you can't make us stop loving each other. you simply can't."
Tammy Lynn Michaels, on the passing of Prop 8
Tammy Lynn Michaels, on the passing of Prop 8
07 November, 2008
explaining discrimination
"I have to tell them that America will always break their hearts."
Thomas @ Feministe, on explaining the passing of Prop 8 to his children.
Thomas @ Feministe, on explaining the passing of Prop 8 to his children.
22 October, 2008
Rachel Maddow
to Pat Buchanan, on Sarah Palin:
"I recognize that she did something good once, but she's doing a lot bad now."
"I recognize that she did something good once, but she's doing a lot bad now."
07 October, 2008
Coral Bracho @ Dodge
“You never change things through war. You change it for worse, and then it comes back.”
Sharon Olds @ Dodge
on writing:
"That’s what I wanted to do by writing poems: find my family."
on sexual violence:
"To stop all of it – who knows? To prevent one? How extraordinary.”
"That’s what I wanted to do by writing poems: find my family."
on sexual violence:
"To stop all of it – who knows? To prevent one? How extraordinary.”
31 August, 2008
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