The Engaged Gaze is an online journal featuring activists, scholars, podcasters

It has been quite the year. From the Women’s March in January, the Resist March in June, to the #MeToo Survivors’ March in November, we continue to drive the conversation of the “resistance” forward and shed light on important issues and movements that have taken over the American zeitgeist since the early stages of 2016 Presidential election until now. While many of the actions to come out of the Trump administration have forced both myself and many others, to grow as both people and activists, there is still one thing that I cannot get over: my non-existent relationship with my Aunt and Uncle (who are also my godparents). Much like I promised on that fateful day where we finally had it o

Ever since we launched The Engaged Gaze back in June, a lot has happened in the world, both good and bad. While we sometime seem to focus on the bad things that have occurred, one of the best things to come out of the election of 45 is a growing tide of people that are now saying they are mad as hell, and they aren't going to take it any longer. No longer will we stay silent in the face of oppression. Marci, Sara, and I (John), wanted to take a few minutes to express how truly thankful we are to each and every one of you that have taken time out of your lives to engage with us and the amazing contributors that write for the site. We created this space to be both a voice for the resistance

Ninety-six percent of all black women voted for Hillary Clinton. That is 9.6 of black women out of 10 black women who voted for Hillary Clinton. You would have to get 20 black women together to find 1 black woman who voted for Donald Trump. For me, I cannot let this number go because this is the highest number of black women who supported any candidate in the general election. Also, black women were the strongest voting block for Hillary Clinton. Eighty-nine percent of all black men voted for Hillary Clinton. Yes, this is the second biggest voting block for Hillary Clinton, but it is the furthest distance black women and black men have been when voting for a presidential candidate in th

Mujer Non-Grata: An Ongoing Series on Life in a Cult, Healing from Religious Trauma Syndrome, and Navigating Life After Religion. *Before we discuss toxic masculinity and all that comes with it, lets imagine, shall we? * “It is too bright.” This is her first thought as she wakes from the sleep of eternity. Her temples ache, the crown of creation wrapped too tightly around her ruddish hair. “This light is too bright!” she thinks again, frustrated. To open her eyes seems silly. Can she no longer sleep? Where had the sweet nothingness that has always been gone? “Please wake up.” A voice, musical in its sweetness, calls to her. It is familiar, as if part of her. Is it within her? “Please wake

Editor's Note: We are so thrilled to again post excepts of Dr. Marie Cartier's forthcoming novel Blue with original artwork made exclusively for her novel by Linda McClure! You can view her other work here - www.amethystcraft.com. In order to stay caught up with what is happening, make sure to read Dr. Cartier's first post here. We're excited to pick back up with Tic-Toc, Julie, the world of Blue, and the other cast of brilliant characters that we cannot wait to learn more about! He realized after the jellyfish closed her fronds and had transmitted his messages that he had not asked the mermaid to re-schedule. Dating would have to wait. He had to deal with his daughter. She might be almost

We here at Engaged Gaze are so proud of our very own John! John Erickson has been appointed to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. As many of you know, John has been a legislative representative at Los Angeles World Airports since 2017. He served in several positions for the City of West Hollywood from 2011 to 2017, including community events technician, deputy for city council member Abbe Land and administrative services specialist. Erickson was an adjunct instructor in the Harvey Mudd College Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts from 2011 to 2013 and a student liaison for the Claremont Graduate University Applied Women’s Studies Program from 2010

There are sadly too many injustices in this world to count, which is why defining our social justice movements should be of the outmost importance. We may see the inequality; we may know something is wrong within our society, yet without an identifiable word or phrase we are lost in a sea of feelings we cannot describe. The power in creating vocabulary that provides movement in our ability to activate, persist, and change is undeniable, particularly when we place a # in front of it. Without words we lack the ability to even begin a conversation, without a # the conversation will never go viral, it will never reach into the homes of those who need it most and our causes fade away. #MeToo is