UPDATE: veggie (burger) tales

as you can see the copy has already been updated! if you cannot read it, it says:

Sometimes you just need to veg out. Housemade with 5N sauce, b&b
pickles, lettuce, tomato & a multi grain roll. Savor the flavor and do the planet a favor.

when i get back in town, i will be eating dinner here. i'm shooting for next week. because i think it is important that we support organizations and businesses that are willing to correct their missteps, i am hoping that many of you will do the same. let them know that you support the change to the website copy when you get there.

veggie (burger) tales

i was chatting with a good friend of mine when he alerted me to the description of the veggie burger at http://www.fivenapkinburger.com/.

if you can't read it, it says:

"This will make your girlfriend happy. Housemade with 5N sauce, b&b pickles, lettuce & tomato on a multi grain roll. Now if you'd just hand over that remote...."

seriously? only straight, partnered girls are vegetarians? and are we really going to play these same fucking gender themes? and what does this all have to do with selling me a veggie burger? fuck that. i wrote an email.

and...

within a few hours, i had an answer. they will be changing the copy and apologized for it. it may take a few days, but i will get an email when the change has been made. (and i will be checking). as soon as the copy is changed, i will be taking my gay, vegetarian self over to 5 Napkin Burger and enjoying the stuffing out of this veggie burger.

it's easy for me to stay quiet and stay angry. it's easy for me not to point out when people and companies fall short. it's easy for me not to give them the opportunity it to change.

but today reminds me that it is necessary for me to take the time and write the email. it is necessary for me to trust that my voice has value on whatever scale i choose to use it. it is necessary for me to support people and organizations that take their time to make change.

and all of those things, really, are fairly easy too.

so, dear readers/writers, what actions have you taken that led to positive results/changes? let's celebrate comment-style.

at the vigil

Representative Carolyn Maloney promised at NYC's vigil for Dr. George Tiller to introduce legislation to protect reproductive healthcare clinics, providers and patients. I just sent her an email thanking her and encouraging her to do just that. If you would like to send her an email, she can be contacted here. The switchboard number is 202.224.3121, if you'd like to give her a call.

My letter:

Dear Congresswoman Maloney:

Thank you very much for being at the vigil for Dr. George Tiller. Thank you especially for committing to introducing legislation to protect providers and patients. I want to look at my government and feel respected, supported, and protected.

Please keep me up to date on any legislation you introduce and how I can help on the ground. I cannot think of a better way to use my time and passion than helping secure the safety of doctors, nurses and patients.

Again, thank you for your commitment to reproductive justice, and I look forward to being a loud voice in support of your bill.

Contact her for yourself, for every woman you know, for every provider, for Dr. Tiller. Then contact your own legislators.

May our voices be louder than the people outside the clinics, than the harassment, than the single gun shot, than the bombs, than all the domestic terrorism they can hurl at us. And may our government be half as brave as the men and women behind those clinic doors.