Not exactly a poem, but I love it.

One of my favorite poems I would like to share :)
performed at a To Write Love on Her Arms event.

The Duggers, the Arkansas family that stars in 19 Kids and Counting, recently miscarried their 20th child. They came under fire, more than usual, when they took photos of the 4oz, 6cm baby prior to a memorial service. It begs the question, when does one become a parent? At birth? At conception? Somewhere in between? When is it appropriate to take photos and have memorial services? Only after a live birth or a full term still birth? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/12/photo-of-duggars-stillborn-baby-released/

Pablo Neruda is one of my preferred poets. No poet has more passionately and thoroughly spoken for his people than Neruda. “Canto General,” his 15-part book comprising over 200 poems tracing the history of Latin America practically unified a country.

Breaking gender barriers in Carnatic music

I found an interesting article that takes a look at the women musicians who contributed to the male dominated world of Carnatic Music.

In fact, there have been many women musicians of the past like Bangalore Tayi, Madras Lalithangi, Salem Meenakshi, Vainikas Dhanammal, Madurai Shanmugavadivu, violinist Madurai Akkammal, flautist Valadi Rukmini Papa, gottuvadyam Mannargudi Savithri Ammal, mridangist Tanjore Kamakshi Bai, magasvaram M S Ponnuthai and composers Tallapakka Thimmakka who have contributed greatly to the field of Carnatic music.

This recording of Bangalore Tayi goes back to the 1930’s

‘Gender-bending’ chemical found in canned foods increases risk of heart disease and diabetes

Just five days of eating canned soup dramatically increases levels of hormone-mimicking bisphenol A. Scientists blame this increase on manufacturers using BPA in the lining of soup tins to prevent them from rusting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/11/23/canned-foods-contain-gender-bending-chemicals_n_1109550.html

BPA is an organic compound that can mimic the body’s own hormones and previous research has warned it can increase the risk of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Good background article about food and gender and their interactions. Its interesting that this stuff involves everyday life but we take it for granted. For me its interesting food for thought- pun intended!

Across many cultures and epochs, people have constituted, expressed, and bridged gender differences through foodways—the beliefs and behaviors surrounding the production, distribution, and consumption of food. Through the division of labor, alimentary exchanges, access to food, and the meanings surrounding eating, men and women have enacted their identity, roles, and power.
……. more of the article after the link:

What gender is your hot sauce?

Is the race for manufacturers to create his and her food brands moving towards the absurd? Seems like it. In the battle to stand out by identifying their food and beverages as male or female, an Ontario based company claims to have created the “manliest condiment ever.” Man Sauce. No lie.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/trends/trends-features/what-gender-is-your-hot-sauce-introducing-his-n-hers-food-brands/article2190895/

How did we come to expect men to eat one thing and women to eat another? Will Moritz of the Yale Daily News offers several humorous theories: 1) The Sciencey Theory, 2) The Badgering Mother Theory, 3) The “You-Are-What-You-Eat” Theory… fun read.

The link between food and gender is undeniable, and not something just for developed countries, this page goes briefly into how gender and food are linked even when there is a lack of food! Very interesting- its something I would love to have a discussion about with someone:the intersection of food, gender, and poverty.