CAR Newsletter Fall 2011

In This Issue:

A Transnational Alliance in the Argentine Campaign For Legal, Safe, and Free Abortion
By Lynn M. Morgan and Mónica Tarducci

The movement to legalize abortion in Argentina has been gaining momentum as part of an ongoing social mobilization around human rights. Argentina is internationally known for its human rights achievements, thank in large part to the courageous Madres de la Plaza de Mayo who protested the disappearance of their children during and since the last military dictatorship (1976-1983). The Campaña has adopted the Madres’ trademark handkerchief as its symbol -in green rather than white-to emphasize that “women’s rights are human rights.” Argentina has inspired North American human rights advocates in more ways than one. In 2010, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize gay an lesbian marriage. Argentine feminists were vocal supporters of marriage equality’ equal marriage advocates are now vocally supporting the legalization of abortion.

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CAR Newsletter Spring 2011

In This Issue:

Mentorship Column:
Sarah Rubin writes from Cape Town

 For me, finding The Spoiler hasn’t just been an obstacle to overcome, but an integral part of my fieldwork process. It helped me to understand, in a surprising way, Xhosa motherhood and emotion through the lens of race and historical oppression, which has been invaluable to my nascent analysis. And learning to shed the parts of my behavior and mindset that are “too white” has helped me to get closer to my research participants in ways that that didn’t seem possible a year ago. My professors were right, you do have to becognizant of your predecessors and clean up their mess before you can do your “good” work, and all you need is a new twist on the basic tenants of ethnographic inquiry—be open, be patient, keep your perspective, let go of your “self,” be culturally relative, remain inquisitive, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

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CAR Newsletter Fall 2010

In This Issue:

Mentorship Column:
Anthropology and Advocacy
By Wendy Chavkin

 Advocacy is a messy undertaking and necessitates collaboration. One has to understand both those likely to support and to oppose your position and appreciate the ways in which potential allies might complement or frustrate some of your approaches. This implies developing an awareness of the varied contributions different actors can make to effective advocacy, while simultaneously refining your vision of the role of the anthropologist/ researcher. 

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