Pink Panties vs. Chauvinistic Perceptions

On January 24, a conservative political party in India (Sri Rama Sene) attacked women in a Mangalore pub... for being in the pub. In the party's view, women are not meant to socialize and certainly not meant to be anywhere near a bar. Two of the women assaulted were hospitalized, and the attackers received little—if any—punishment.

But young men and women around India—and the world!—are fighting back. The video of the attacks is one of the most watched clips on YouTube and bloggers across the country are speaking out. I'm most impressed by the Facebook group and e-campaign, "A Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women." Within a week, this grassroots coalition recruited over 18,000 people to participate in their advocacy work.

They are mailing pink panties to the leader of the party, organizing pub crawls around the world, and generally speaking up for women's rights.

They will deliver the underwear on Valentine's Day. The party, meanwhile, is planning another attack for Valentine's Day. And women (and men) around the world have the opportunity to show their support through online networks and beyond.

Yes, I prepared some pink panties for sending. Yes, I will toast suppressed women worldwide on Valentine’s Day. And yes, I think you should also do something about it.

Start by checking out the following links for more info:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7880377.stm?lss 
  
• http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Gifts_for_Muthalik_Condoms_chaddis/articleshow/4108756.cms
  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Mangalore_Pub_Attack#cite_note-thaiindian-3
  
• http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/young-india-vents-anger-over-mangalore-incident-on-internet_100147756.html
  
• http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/
  
• http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49641698651