What’s Current: Purvi Patel released from prison after feticide conviction overturned

Purvi Patel

Purvi Patel released from prison after feticide conviction overturned. For having a self-induced abortion, Patel was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of feticide and child neglect. Patel appealed in May 2016, and in July both convictions were overturned. The court of appeals, however, reconvicted her for child neglect (why is a fetus being considered a child??) and sentenced her to 18 months in prison, which she had already served. Patel had been in prison since March 2015.

Boston law firm petitions the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their lawsuit against Backpage.com on charges of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. (This could be big!)

Male student accused of rape brings Title IX lawsuit against the University of Chicago for “anti-male bias.” The university exonerated him of the crime, but being accused hurt his feelings! The student alleges that the University discriminated against him on the basis of sex, because they treat males as if they are more likely to rape than females… Hmm, it seems like that’s not “bias,” but rather, what’s the word… REALITY.

How a murdered woman became invisible in the coverage on her death. After a man murders his wife and family, then kills himself, why is the media always falling all over itself to point out what a great guy the perpetrator was?

“[I]n searching for answers, we are told what an honourable man the murderer was: ‘a valuable member of the community,’ ‘very committed’ and ‘the most normal person you could meet.’ Soon follow the calls for increased funding of mental health services.”

Susan Cox

Susan Cox is a feminist writer and academic living in the United States. She teaches in Philosophy.