Movies and Denim

It's been fifteen years since some idiot decided Boxing Helena (1993) was a good idea for a movie, and some days it still feels like not much has changed. Sin City (2006). Hostel II (2007). Prom Night (2008). Drive by any theater in America these days and you're likely to find at least one movie that promotes violence against women (when they're not ignoring women entirely).

But as organizations and individuals speak out against violence against women — famous activists such as Nicole Kidman have called it the "most widespread human rights violation of our time" at a press conference for the U.N. Development Fund for Women, and this week also saw the 10th annual "Denim Day" in L.A., named based on the 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans — I thought it might be worth noting some off the movies that draw attention to violence against women in the right way.

Movies that drive home the point in such a way that you finally get why some women make such a fuss about feminism. Movies that help you understand the depth and pervasiveness of the problem, if you don't, or make you want to get out and do something about it, if you do.

For many of us, the movie(s) that influence us most are ones we see when we're just coming of age. For young women twenty years ago, The Color Purple (1985) might have been that pivotal film; for young women in 2005, perhaps it was North Country, about the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the United States.

For women in their late teens today, it might simply be an episode of Law & Order: SVU, which effectively if depressingly portrays our culture's disturbed attitude towards women on a weekly basis.

For me, the movie was Thelma & Louise (1991). Not yet jaded enough to see it coming, I sat in the back of the movie theater at 15 blinded by rage as I watched Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis drive off that cliff. I was sleeping in my car at the time, and felt a bit vindicated that life as a strong individual woman would end up this way. Thank God I out grew my teenage ignorance...or did I really?


The movie's portrayal of the paralyzing mix of hopelessness, violence, and poverty faced by women every day was searing. I suspect many women were initially lured in to see the film because of the caliber of the actresses and the well-chiseled abs of a handsome new actor named Brad Pitt, only to leave dazed and confused, still hearing Thelma's scornful admonishment to a would-be rapist, "In the future, when a woman's crying like that, she isn't having any fun!"

Then, a few years later, I watched The Accused (1988) and must say that watching this movie would easily be the most painful and powerful two hours I sat through in a non-Erin-personally-being tortured kind of way. The Accused was the first major American movie (that I'm aware of) that directly addressed the issue of collective culpability in violence against women. It, too, became the talk of the nation, both because of its message and its stars, Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis.

The next summer, I watched Angela Bassett battle it out with Laurence Fishburne in the Ike and Tina Turner story What's Love Got to Do With It (1993). This was the summer after I graduated from High School, and really hammered home to me the true amount of abuse my mom had withstood over the years. I had just moved into my dorm when I had received a call from her then husband asking me if I could score him 100 bucks for some narcotics. Needless to say, I wonderd as to the strength of any woman who put up with that kind of abuse. This movie helped me to understand my mother, and other battered women at a much higher level. Ultimately it was enough to send me out the next day to sign up as a volunteer at a battered women's shelter.


Very recently, I also saw "Plenty" with Meryl Streep, which although it isn't set in our times, is basically about a very intelligent, outspoken woman post-WWII who is declared to be mad every time she speaks her mind, sedated and held back to fit in the role expected of her.

Another memorable movie for me was "Extremities" (1986). Although some would say I am way too young to remember this one, I watched this a couple of years ago and it really made me think. In this movie a man breaks into a house and horribly abuses a woman who then proceeds to fight back, eventually caging him in the fireplace. One of the most memorable shots in this film is of her digging up the tomato patch with plans of burying him in it. There's a fantastic performance by Farrah Fawcett, along with wonderful supporting roles by Alfrie Woodard and Diana Scarwid.
Remember November 25th. That's the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as designated by the UN General Assembly. This date in particular was chosen because it was the day of the brutal assassination (strangled and beaten to death) of the three Mirabal Sisters by the orders of the Dominican Dictator Trujillo. This caused outrage in the public, and eventually prompted the assassination of the Dictator 6 months later.

A book as made in 1993 by Julia Alvarez, (it can be found in English), and a movie years later, in 2001, with Salma Hayek as Minerva Mirabal, and Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama in Galactica). The book/Movie is "In the Time of the Butterflies"
Ultimately, however, my all time favorite must be,"Fried Green Tomatoes". It handles the subject of violence against women in way that is smart and meaningful to women and maybe a bit reminiscent of "Extremities". The bad guy is brought to justice and the woman is not a victim for long.
Twanda! Or a Chick's version of Cheers to women, denim, and movies!

Doesn't mean you can't roar

"You can be a lion, just because you don't win or you can't control your enemy, doesn't mean that you can't roar!" Steve Erwin.

Wow! who ever thought that not winning or losing control could be synonymous with a Lion?

When I think of a Lion, I think of strength when confronted by the concept of futility, fierceness, stoic patience, and uncompromising principles. These are traits I also believe that positive leaders possess. But then I got caught sitting in DC late last night watching the Discovery channel before I finally was able to fall asleep. I was struggling with the anxiety I was experiencing and the need to sleep. My eyelids wanted to close, but my head wanted to run a marathon. In the morning I would be giving one of the toughest presentations in one of the scariest manners possible, and (needless to say) I wasn't feeling much like a Lion, a Tigger, or anything too terribly inspirational.

Tough: I was about to give a talk on screening and accessing Medicaid to 400 National leaders on Juvenile Justice at 8:30 in the morning on the last day of their conference, AND I only had 20 minutes as part of a panel to discuss it.

Scary: I had to send in the Power Point a month before the presentation, AND I had never done this presentation before. Can you say CONTROL ISSUES! I was losing it. I felt like I was going to throw up all night. After I got to DC at 9:30 that night, all I could do is sit in bed, run to the bathroom, sit in bed, flip through channels on the TV, and go back to the bathroom.

After I had become accustom to my little routine, the channel flipped (as I don't remember changing it), to the Discovery channel. Here I am watching "animals on the prowl", and the announcer starts to describe two lions preparing to fight over their territory or something. I sat there (or rather half sat and half laid down in the hotel bed) mesmerized. One lion had his whole family behind him, and was working on familiar ground. The other lion, well...he kinda stumbled upon the land with his own youthful stupidity and wanted a drink of water and to entertain the local folk. Next thing you know the incumbent lion was in the new lion's face. It really was comical in a way.

The "Newbie", as I will call him from now on, was like "Hey! Dude, you wanna play? I have a good story!". The "Incumbent", as I will call him from now on, was like "Yo! You are in my turf and I am not too pleased? Whatcha doin here?".

Here is how I summarize the conversation between the two lions last night (in my head of course):

Newbie: "Well..ah..I was walking, turned a bit right, turned a bit left, sniffed some flowers, and then someone said..hey come this way. Now I am here. Whatcha up to?"

Incumbent: "What the heck do you care. That is for me to know and you to not ask about...hmmph."

Newbie: "Umm. Okay man. I was just following the flow and...well heck they asked me to come. Didn't mean to crash you.....r.."

Incumbent: "Party not yours. I have been here for 30 years! How dare you come walking in here with your new ideas, your stuff that we tried once and it didn't work, your....well how dare you!"

Newbie: " Okay. Can I buy you a drink? I saw a nice Pomegranate martini a couple of rocks down. How about a peace offering?"

Incumbent: "a Polmmegra?? Huh! get the heck out. NOW!"

Newbie: "Okay...alright... I' m going..."

Girl in the back: "Hey Incumbent! Wait we want to hear the newbie. Wait a minute, don't go! We want to here from you?"

Newbie: "I don't know what I lost, but I can still Roar. ROAR!! [..in other words: See you in the funnies! I am here, just find me when you are ready.]"

I laughed my head off. I had been stressing about walking to some foreign territory, asked to present by some foreign entity(ies) (National Association on State Health Policy as a requirement for the MacArthur Foundation for the National Coalition on State Health Policy...Phew!) in some kind of foreign political battle, with no control over my presentation (Power point released a month ago), and on the last day of the conference. I was allowing the situation to dictate my response, rather than falling back on my character and my natural state of self. No more of that! Thanks Discovery Channel!

I am a Lion, I can always ROAR! And Roar I did.

What happens in Chicago...

This week I had an opportunity to go to Chicago for a business meeting. On Saturday, as I was preparing for the trip, I called my mom. The following is a transcript of our conversation:

Erin: "Hey Mom, whatcha doin?"
Mom: "Just sittin' here at Huey's doing laundry."
Erin: "Sorry to interrupt, but I am packing to go to Chicago and I had a question."
Mom: "Chicago? Wow, how do you get all your work done with all your travel?"
Erin: "I manage. Let me ask..If you got a chance to go to Chicago, what would you want to see?"
Mom: "I don't know. Is that the place with the Sears Tower?"
Erin: "Yes, it is. And it has one of the most famous art institutes in the world as well."
Mom: "I would like to go to the Sears Tower. I heard that is the tallest building in the world."
Erin: "It was, up until a new building in Dubai India was developed. But for all principles, the Sears tower is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. I will visit it for and with you."
Mom: "Ha! that sounds great. Call me when you get there."
Erin: "Will do. Love you!"

Needless to say, Chicago was awesome! I can't wait to go back. As a good friend of mine said: "It's like a clean New York." I totally concur!

Here is a picture of the Sears Tower I took from the street:

When I reached the top of the tower, I called her to describe the scene. I then took pictures of what I saw and described them to her. Needless to say, the view from the "now" second tallest building in the world (over 114 floors above ground) was magnificent and should be a "must see" for everyone. Here are several pictures from different vantage points. My ears actually popped in the elevator on the ride up.

This one is of me looking directly down from the North side of the tower. I had to use the zoom option on my camera to capture the boat:
Facing East as I rose up from the boat. According to the marker at this point, this view spans across 4 states. My geography is horrible so I will let you try to distinguish which ones.
Facing North toward Lake Michigan. I was completely taken away with the Lake. It looks like an ocean. Just over the horizon sits Canada. Here is a shot of a building molded to a similar style as that of the buildings in Marina City. After touring the Sears tower, I decided to wonder around the streets a bit and take in the city. A little people watching proved to be loads of fun as well. One thing is for sure, Chicagoan's love to Honk. Light turns green.."Honk". Light turns red.. "Honk". Guy on the street corner smiles.."Honk". I never once saw the proverbial middle finger associated with a honk, but could visualize it based on the length the author of the honk decided to allow their verb to remain audible. A passenger on the shuttle bus into town warned me, "Stop signs are a courtesy and red lights are targets for pedestrians. You have to out will the drivers to cross the street." Game on.

Here is a shot from the street one block from the Sears tower.
I was trying hard to be tourist but not act too much like one. But I am fairly certain that the camera and Texas A&M sweatshirt kind of gave me away.

One of the most interesting places I stumbled across was the Chicago Board of Trade:

Here is the building that is reflected in the windows from the Board of Trade. I love the shadows from the buildings around it:

Two blocks south of the Trade Center I passed this in the middle of down town: Then there is the food of Chicago. No one can visit and consider their time well spent unless they go to Gino's pizza and have the original deep dish (with the sauce served on top). That and couple of adult beverages, and my first day was complete! On the way, we passed this interesting building. It was built by the same architect that designed Marina City. I really liked how the tree overlaps in front of the building.

On the last day of my visit, I had about 3 hours to kill before my flight left after we finished our meetings for the day. Luckily my hotel was right across the street from the Navy Pier. I had never heard of it, but now consider it one of my favorite destinations.

Here is a picture of Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier from my hotel room:

The front of Navy Pier. I must say this was a very hard picture to take. I actually got blown sideways by the wind a good foot or so while taking this picture.

This is a shot that stretched my camera to its limits. I zoomed all the way in to capture this light house and all the sea gulls. Note how much like an ocean this lake looks like.
Here is a pic of the same light house from the Sears tower:

Here is a good shot of a boat framing the city. I can only imagine how beautiful this would be at night:

A little picture of the "Spirit of Chicago". Check out the windows on the bow. Wish I could have road it out on the lake:

And a close up of the Ferris Wheel.

One of my favorite pictures of the entire trip, here is one I took of an awesome looking office building as I left the pier:
Inside one of the shops at the Pier was a Tiffany Glass showcase. Here are two of my favorite pieces from the display:

Overall this was a very good trip. Not only did I get tons of work done, but I finally had a trip where I got the opportunity to see the city as well. Also, during this trip, my mom received the news that her cancer is continuing to shrink! So she started up her chemotherapy treatment this week. Hopefully, I will get to take her to share some pizza in Chicago in the near future.

The Wooden Bowl

This week I flew to Chicago for a meeting and hope to blog about my visit in the city later this weekend. After 3 days of intense meetings and site seeing, I arrived back to Austin at 11:30pm Wednesday night. Standing by the carousel, I watched as everyone else picked up their bags. Yup, it had finally happened. After all these years of travel, I had finally had an airline lose my luggage. At first I was angry and a little bit frustrated. I explained to the customer service representative that everything I needed to go to work the next day was in that bag, and began to demand that something be done...Now!

What did I expect? Did I really believe she could just click her fingers and it would show up? After evaluating my temper tantrum, I realized that she had nothing to do with my missing stuff and thanked her for helping me make the decision not to go into work in the morning. Pleasantly surprised at my change in attitude, she gave me a cup of coffee and promised to call when the bag came in.

When I got home, I decided to read my email. Below is a parable that my father sent me that seemed fitting and made me decide that the lost luggage scene was worthy of blogging.

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson.The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.' So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

When I finally got to work the next day, and told my story, my co-worker said, "You know Erin, if it is going to happen, it almost always happens to you". We laughed and shared more stories.

Through the review of past experiences, I have realized that I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will always be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life'.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you .

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I have to be a bit selfish

Today was the official 8 month anniversary of the prognosis for my mother. On this day, 8 months ago, the Doctor told her to "get her affairs in order". That was September 5, 2007. On August 22, 2007, she was diagnosed as having Stage 4 Small Cell lung cancer that was prevalent in both lungs and had spread to the liver. When I googled the prognosis, everything indicated that she only had 2 to 4 months to live. Imagine the paranoia, and thoughts that ran through my head. I was ready to take FMLA and move back just to get her through it.

Then my friends rallied around me. They reminded me that not only is my mom a fighter, but I have been pretty much on my own my whole life, and couldn't just throw it all aside because she was sick. I disagreed for the most part, but 49% of me agreed with their sentiment. This made it hard for me to sit in Austin while she went through this battle, however, it helped that my mom is so independent. When I mentioned my idea, she shut it aside without comment. Her exact words: "I am not dead yet, and will not have my children wipe my butt or making decisions for me in the process".

Fast forward to today. The following is a transcript of our conversation:

Erin: Ring, Ring "Hey Mom, whatcha doin?"
Mom: "Just got up. Feeling better, sorry I have missed your last couple calls. I have not been so well, and wasn't up to much to talking."
Erin: "I understand. When I get sick, I lock down and avoid everyone as well. It's hard to be upbeat for others when you don't feel well."
Mom: "That is true. Erin, you have to be careful not to do too much."
Erin: "I know. I am still debating whether I should go to summer school or not. If they offer it right, I could take one class a day for 10 weeks and will only have 6 hours left before comps and graduation."
Mom: "I thought you were going to take the summer off. That's what you said last time we talked."
Erin: "You're right. But, then I started to doubt that decision. If I can get 3 more credit hours under my belt, then the State and the System only holds me to 2 more classes. However, with all the changes in the juvenile justice system in Texas and the MacArthur grant, my job is actually 2 full time jobs..and school, well that is another full time job."
Mom: "I know, and they don't give you time for class preparation or work peparation."
Erin: "Mom, what are getting at? I have never heard you question my decisions like this."
Mom: "Erin, I love you and I am just trying to be a good mother. I don't want you losing more time for yourself. That's it."
Erin: "Good point. As an aside, you are a good mom. We have had our struggles, and we both have had our times of weakness..but I love you, and you have always been an inspiration."
Mom: "Just take care of you...no one else will..believe me I know."
Erin: "You are doing better..you sound good."
Mom: "Yeah, my blood pressure is finally up..its over 100 now. I was concerned for awhile but seem to be rebounding pretty well."
Erin: "True! This is the second round of chemo where you were able to escape having to go to the hospital for a low blood count. That is pretty cool. Even better, Mom do you realize that you are making history? Not only are you fighting this disease, but you will be a case study to help others in the future who are fighting it. Wow! that is so cool."
Mom: "You know, those doctors where never honest with me. I think I was a lot closer to death than they let me know when they found it."
Erin: "What do you mean..they never told you the projection?"
Mom: "No they didn't, but they hinted."
Erin: "I can't lie mom. I was preparing myself, everything I read said that we would be lucky to have until Christmas."
Mom: "Yeah, maybe this study will show them that just because someone doesn't respond right away to treatment..they should give it a bit and let their bodies come around. I didn't respond for 3 months, and then at the 4th month I responded drastically. In normal treatments, they give up after 2 months of no progress. I hope that they will at least consider the time factor for future treatments."
Erin: "Mom, I am so happy to have you in my life, and to be able to say that you beat the odds and are continuing to progress. I love that we have re-discovered each other. But even more...look at all the people you are going to help in the future by participating in this study! That is amazing!?
Mom: "Erin, I need to be selfish. I want to live. I don't care about the others right now..if my living helps them, then great..but when I am gone, well..I won't let that happen any time soon. They asked me if I wanted to continue treatment after the normal research course. They questioned my "quality of life" and if this is really what I want to do. I told them, I want to fight as long as the fight is winning, I can overcome any symptoms and my quality of life will be better if I am living so bring it on!"
Erin: "In other words, we need to go to the beach this summer and I should not go to school?"
Mom: "I know you are trying to be funny, but seriously Erin, you need to be a bit more selfish and truly enjoy being you."
Erin: "Ditto to you. Love you mom. Talk to you tomorrow."

Mom has a CAT scan on Tuesday. The results of the scan will determine whether she gets continued treatment, or whether she doesn't.

Cheers to you mom. Be as selfish as you need to be!

Celeberating 80 years of a phenominal woman

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

On Friday, Maya Angelou turned 80. In her honor and in honor of all that she has inspired, I would like to take a few minutes to celebrate the life of this phenomenal woman.

I do not use “woman” casually, as Dr. Angelou has made clear that she believes the term to be more than an indication of gender.

“There is a world of difference between being a woman and being an old female. If you're born a girl, grow up, and live long enough, you can become an old female. But, to become a woman is a serious matter. A woman takes responsibility for the time she takes up and the space she occupies.”

She wrote those words about Hillary Clinton, whom she steadfastly supports. But it takes one to know one. And Maya Angelou certainly has been a good steward of her own time and space, encouraging us all at every turn to press on, to speak out, to rise up.


Her journey, as we know, has not been easy. She has written a six-volume autobiographical series describing her sometimes horrific, sometimes wild life. Understanding her past makes her present even more remarkable.



Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. A renowned poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou travels the world spreading her legendary wisdom.



A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves and talks, Dr. Angelou lyrically captivates her audiences with her unique brand of vigor, fire and perception. She has the uncommon ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class in a broad range of literary venues, both spoken and unspoken. Dr. Angelou’s numerous books of poetry, non-fiction and fiction, as well as her autobiographical works and audio-visual presentations, are indicative of her extraordinary vision and unquestionable significance on the national and international scenes.


Born in 1928, Dr. Angelou originally trained to be a dancer and an actress. During the 1950s and 1960s, she appeared in a touring company of “Porgy and Bess,” recorded an album of calypso music, and wrote plays and musicals. In 1970, urged on by James Baldwin and other friends who had heard her tell stories of her childhood, she published the autobiographical I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This work was a bestseller and was nominated for a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize.


Its success launched her literary career, which now includes over twenty works of autobiography, poetry, fiction, and works for children. Dr. Angelou also appeared in the landmark miniseries “Roots” in 1977, and in 1998, she made her directorial film debut with “Down in the Delta.”

Today, we celebrate who she has become: author, poet, historian, actor, singer, conductor, songwriter, playwright, film director, dancer, radio host, greeting card writer, professor, civil rights activist. (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on Dr. Angelou's 40th birthday.)

She is fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic and Fanti and has dozens of honorary degrees, although she never went to college. She relishes being called “Dr. Angelou.” She adores cooking, reading and laughing with friends. And she is not even close to slowing down.

I've had the good fortune to hear Dr. Angelou in person once. I knew her work superficially, but was unprepared for her presence. That smooth, rich voice completely captivated me.

Another one of my heroes, Robin Roberts, did a wonderful interview with Dr. Angelou that aired this week; watching it will make you feel like celebrating Maya Angelou — and yourself. And it will make you very grateful to live in the same world as this phenomenally phenomenal woman. You should view the video to get the full pictue of what I mean.

Click here to view the interview: Interview with Good Morning America



In the light of all that is going on in my life and in the world, my favorite quote reigns true:

My life has been one great big joke, a dance that's walked a song that's spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.
Maya Angelou

This is humility at its finest. I love it, and love you. Enough said.

Sugar & Spice and No Longer Nice

As part of my work toward achieving my Doctorate, I read topical books of interest and write reviews on them. One of my areas of interest in addition to the mental health issues of justice involved youth, is that of female offenders and trauma. One of my favorite authors/researchers on trauma and violence is Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith.


Deborah Prothrow-Stith is a Henry Pickering Walcott Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Associate Dean for Diversity for the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health. She is a nationally recognized public health leader. As a physician working in inner-city Boston, she broke new ground with her efforts to have youth violence defined as a public health problem; not just a criminal justice issue. Her passion for prevention was not satisfied with the emergency room work of “stitching people up and sending them out.” She turned to public health and, with others, created a social movement to prevent violence that has had an impact on Boston and the nation. In 1987, Governor Dukakis appointed her as the first woman Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In that role, she established the first Office of Violence Prevention in a state department of public health, expanded prevention programs for HIV/AIDS and increased drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.

As a chief spokesperson for a national movement to prevent violence and a frequent speaker in national media and public forums, Dr. Prothrow-Stith supports the application of rigorous scientific methods to strengthen violence prevention programs. She developed and wrote The Violence Prevention Curriculum for Adolescents, a fore-runner of violence prevention curriculum for schools and communities. She is the author of Deadly Consequences, the first book to present the public health perspective on violence to a mass audience. She has authored and/or co-authored over 80 publications on medical and public health issues.



Those of you who know me in my professional life should remember that I booked her for our 2nd Annual Strengthening Youth and Families Conference to speak regarding the first book I read from her, Murder is No Accident: Understanding and Preventing Youth Violence in America. It was an honor to hear her speak about the topic, and get to diagloug in person with her regarding the issue.




However, I just finished her second book, Sugar & Spice and No Longer Nice: How we can stop girls' violence, and found it a very good read with some extremely relevant information.

I would like to draw attention to a few of her key points.

She talked about there being 3 Waves of Youth Violence in the United States, pointing to the First Wave of young male violence in urban poor neighborhoods, such as in Chicago, New York and other big cities. We're all familiar with that wave. The Second Wave is the one characterized by the suburban, rural, smaller-town feel, such as Columbine. The Third Wave she points to is with girls and young women, the topic of today's blog. (She hinted at her thoughts toward a Fourth Wave, that of much younger children and violence.)

Perhaps the most interesting idea was revealed when she spoke about the Risk Factors that foster youth violence. They include:

1.Poverty
2. Access to Guns
3. Alcohol/Drug Use
4. Biological/Organic Abnormalities
5. Culture of Violence

The first 4 risk factors are equally evident for both boys and girls (girls and boys have similar rates of poverty, similar access to guns, etc.). She pointed to the last one as on the rise for girls, that our society is now actively "marketing violence to girls," a la Zena the Warrior Princess and such. While violence has always been marketing to some degree to boys, it's now being "sold" to girls more and more.

Dr. Prothrow-Smith expounds on this obvious connection. In her view, violence is everywhere, spreading in waves. All that's needed is a "precipitating event" -- plus a gun:

"This epidemic of youth violence appears... to now have a second wave," she continued. "It is in small towns and rural communities. The second wave is a bit different, but there are some striking similarities to the first wave: If you take a troubled child, a child at risk, and you take a society that glamorizes explosive responses to anger, add guns and a precipitating event - whether it is he said/she said, a boyfriend/girlfriend issue or a child being ostracized - all of that equals a dangerous situation whether you are in an urban context, a suburban, context or a small town."

It's an epidemic, and it's infecting everyone, even girls.

If this epidemic is like others, such as the AIDS epidemic, the second wave probably won't peak as high as the first wave, but may follow the same pattern unless there is some intervention.

After the second wave, Prothrow-Stith warned, "It is not unthinkable that there may be a third wave to this epidemic that has to do with girls and violence. One quarter of juveniles arrested for violent crimes are girls. That is very unusual."

Seeking to explain why girls are now engaging in violent expressions of anger, Prothrow-Stith cited social-cultural issues as a factor.

What is it that forces nice little girls to commit crimes?

It's... It's.... The Power Rangers! In pink!

"The Power Rangers are [dressed] in pink, yellow and light blue...There are movies now where women are getting beat up and beating people up. It is an interesting challenge for those of us who are looking for testosterone poisoning, Y-chromosome problem or genetic influences [as an explanation for youth violence]; we can't ignore social-cultural issues."

The most robust risk factor for youth violence, according to Prothrow-Stith, is being a witness and/or a victim of violence. She also warned about our society's glamorization of violence.

"This is a society that celebrates violence, that celebrates the super hero choosing [to blow] people up to solve problems. So we teach our children to admire violence and to feel justified by any use of violence as long as they are solving a problem that they have," she said. "It is a very interesting set of messages. Television and movies come to mind almost immediately...but it is not just television and movies; it is in some ways who we are. Mean is popular in the United States...phrases like 'in your face' are an example. It is in our sports and politics."

The key take away point I got from the whole book could be found in part two, entitled Taking On the Challenge. It begins with Chapter 6, Tips for Parents. During this chapter the authors describe the ART model of parenting for raising girls and advocate for it serving as a framework for getting the help needed to be a caring parent and providing your children with the help that they need. ART (of course) is an acronym for:

A: Act as a role model-do rather than tell; demonstrate rather than dictate.
R: Reach out to others-build a community of caring adults around your child.
T: Talk and listen-communicate, communicate, and communicate some more.

To me, we should apply ART to all that we do. After all, life is nothing more than the ART of living after all, isn't it?

If you have a chance to look at her work, despite whether you agree with her argument or not, I think you'll find it interesting, and find some take away points no matter what the situation.