A Value Shift Toward Fashion

I have thought a lot about the phrase “speaking truth to power” over the last few days. Perhaps my musings have a lot to do with the free space I have in my mind now that my thesis is complete. Or it could be the anger I feel knowing that children of Hollywood actresses and … Continue reading A Value Shift Toward Fashion

Climate Change and Refugees

Climate Refugees The ongoing debate about climate change never seems to become resolved because there are certain people who believe in it and others who refuse to believe it. However, both sides often forget about climate refugees, a fairly new term that has no formal definition or protection under international law. As of 2008, millions … Continue reading Climate Change and Refugees

Midwifery and Misconceptions

Living in a city with some of the most well-ranked hospitals in the nation, we sometimes take our access to healthcare for granted. The wail of an ambulance is a frequent annoyance to UAB students, but it’s a noise that many people are grateful to hear – especially those who live in rural areas with … Continue reading Midwifery and Misconceptions

#MeToo’s Moment of Reckoning: Sexual Assault in the Spotlight

by Dianna Bai Disclaimer: This blog post focuses primarily on women and girls who are victims of sexual assault and harassment, though the author acknowledges that both men and women are survivors. The nation was transfixed on September 27 when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about … Continue reading #MeToo’s Moment of Reckoning: Sexual Assault in the Spotlight

Child marriage and the human rights of girls

Delaware, on May 9, 2018, became the first US state to prohibit child marriage, removing loopholes and exceptions that currently exists in marriage laws in every other state. This historic legislation–the first of its kind in the US–champions and protects the rights of children, especially girls. **This blog is a repost from 2016.   Imagine … Continue reading Child marriage and the human rights of girls

Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable

Prior to the 1960s, about 90% of the clothes purchased in the United States were also made here.  Since then, it has been reduced to only about 3%.  Over the years, companies have increasingly chosen to outsource their labor to countries with lax labor laws (or a willingness to overlook them) to pay less for the work that is necessary … Continue reading Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable

Covenants without the sword: International humanitarian law (IHL) and sexual violence

by LISA SHARLACH, PhD **Trigger warning: this blog speaks about sexual violence against women. How do we stop sexual violence in civil war?  My goal is not to offer a comparative assessment of various tactics to stop war rape.  Instead, I look at the ineffectiveness of one particular tactic – law, both domestic and international.  … Continue reading Covenants without the sword: International humanitarian law (IHL) and sexual violence

Be a Real Man: Toxic Masculinity

What does it mean to “be a man”?  The traditional response would involve being dominant, physically strong, and emotionally closed off.  Some might see someone who is tough and intimidating, who never cries in front of others, and say that he is a “real man.”  Men in our society are pressured to fit perfectly into … Continue reading Be a Real Man: Toxic Masculinity

Crisis in Myanmar: Ethnic Cleansing of the Rohingya

**This is a repost. Please make plans to join us for a lecture and discussion with Dr. Wakar Uddin on Monday, Nov 13 at 630pm, in the Edge of Chaos. Trigger warning: this blog references graphic physical and sexual violence. Please do not read if easily affected by these topics.   “Now is the worst … Continue reading Crisis in Myanmar: Ethnic Cleansing of the Rohingya

It’s Not Just Irma and Harvey: Deadly Floods Affect Millions Around the World

These past few weeks have been a very vulnerable time for our global community. Media has been predominately focusing on the countries and victims affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Jose, however nature’s violent outcry stormed communities all over the world- not just the hurricanes in the West. Powerful monsoons struck South Asia, affecting more … Continue reading It’s Not Just Irma and Harvey: Deadly Floods Affect Millions Around the World