This week in Evil Slutopia: cfc wrote us a guest blog in response to the Washington Times editorialendorsing transphobic discrimination. We talked about “standouts” who were more popular than winners (like Johnny Weir or Adam Lambert) and came up with a very scientific formula. We responded to the One Million Moms’ latest alert why won’t Disney protect our children (from gay people)? And a little musical interlude.
I wrote about Canadian Senator Nancy Ruth’s comments that women need to “shut the f— up” about abortion funding or risk losing access to abortions by making it an election issue. I also discussed the Canadian government’s decision to cut funding to Toronto’s Pride week as part of a larger trend in cutting funding to various programs, notably, to women’s groups.
This week on Eugenia de Altura, what can we blame for high rates of sexual violence in Bolivia, & in Latin America more broadly?
On my new writing blog, Shitty First Drafts, I wrote about diversity fail in book selection for freshman composition classes: http://writingishard.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/the-politics-of-book-selection/
This week at f/law AA writes about Quebec’s attempts to ban services to women wearing a niqab. http://canadianwomenandthelaw.blogspot.com/2010/05/niqab-in-quebec-misguided-protection-of.html
1. Gendered Science: how scientific studies are often based on blatant gender stereotypes: http://clarissasbox.blogspot.com/2010/05/gendered-science.html 2. Are You Sexist: A quiz http://clarissasbox.blogspot.com/2010/05/are-you-sexist-quiz.html
Reflections on naked dreams and my latest (but probably not last) run-in with imposter syndrome. My mostly-selfish Mother’s Day wishlist. Naps, cats, and what Anna of FWD Forward so aptly called “The Cult of Busy.”
This week at Unnatural Forces I got into a bit of a comment fight with Orin Kerr, a law scholar and professor (I won the rumble, in my opinion), about the Stephanie Grace racist email, and then wrote a follow-up about how tone never trumps content, and racist sentiments just can’t be made in good faith. We also discussed how much the physical appearance of feminists can influence young women to join the feminist movement (as in, I took issue with Courtney Martin’s piece in the Prospect. I was apparently very contrary this week!).
This week, at Deeply Problematic: For Music Monday, I posted some Laura Nyro tunes. The beginning of my narrative on disability and birth control. I continued to cover the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative and critique the Initiative’s coverage in the media. I post my thoughts on why Kristen Stewart of the Twilight Series is not under any obligation to smile.
This week at SexGenderBody: Beyond Meds shared about her relationship to psychiatric drug treatment in The Beginning. Annabelle River discussed casual sex and relationship sex in On having been the “man” everyone warned me about. Christina Engela details why the Pink community and allies need to work together in Broadening The Support Base. James Turnbull posted his latest Korean Gender Reader . I looked at human bodies at the end of their shelf life in What to do with a cadaver: our relationship to the dead, opined about relationships in My response to: The Pros and Cons of dating a druggie and wrote about a kick-ass human being in Farah Malhass: Female Bodybuilder…from Jordan.
This week I participated in a web-meme about marketing video games to women called, Game Covers Women Want to See. The idea is to counter the normal sexist-marketing by expressing the kind of marketing that makes women want to play games. Leisure is important! I also wrote a bit about Female Genital Cutting and Labiaplasty, which relates tangentially to the American Pediatrics Society’s recent release of new policy recommendations around FGC.
I wrote about how Kansas is ignoring Dr. Tiller’s advice to trust women with the latest late-term abortion bill.
I wrote about my love/hate relationship with the feminist blogosphere, and sort of being a part of it, and how I’m not sure I want to anymore: http://ethecofem.com/2010/05/09/whats-wrong-with-this-blog/
oops! LinkFail part 2 – Christina Engela details why the Pink community and allies need to work together in Broadening The Support Base.
This week at femonomics: In our first edition of “Let’s Talk About,” duchess and Pearls N the Hood discuss open relationships, or, as they like to call it “negotiated infidelity.” We follow the lead of Snarky’s Machine, and ask whether, in fighting intolerance, policing behavior is more important than changing beliefs. Finally, we defend gay actors playing straight, think Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s apology leaves much to be desired, and talk about the WSJ standing up for fat for a change.
Seriously, What is it With Skinny Jeans? – A discussion of the multiple appearances of skinny jeans and leggings in the news lately. Not So Soft – I relate the discussion in Michelle Cottle’s article in The New Republic about the “strange feminism” of Sarah Palin to Virginia’s arguments about keeping women out of the Virginia Military Institute in U.S. v. Virginia. Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday to the Pill!
This isn’t even showing up in moderation, so I’ll try again, with apologies for any duplication … Reflections on naked dreams and my latest (but probably not last) run-in with imposter syndrome. My mostly-selfish Mother’s Day wishlist. Naps, cats, and what Anna of FWD Forward so aptly called “The Cult of Busy.”
Two up this week. Picture post – antique prophylactics – NSFW – The reason it’s NSFW is because I like, found a box of really old condoms & stuff and took pictures and put them online. So the subject matter and some of the box art is NSFW. Ever see what happens to a 50+ year old condom? I have! And then there is also the weekly Weekly blog link roundup.
Did you get Mom a card today? How about an international Congress of Women declaring world peace? That was Julia Ward Howe’s vision when she conceived Mother’s Day. Writer of the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’, a suffragist and pioneer for human rights, Howe helped shape American history. Mother’s Day was founded by a fierce and subversive woman. A Gift of Peace for Mother’s Day
I tried to define the Walk of Shame for Old People (with a tiny rant about its gender specificness) and also provided a helpful list detailing famous McQueens (admittedly, this is a problem that plagues me). After a bad date, I listed everything that had been HELPFULLY “explained” to me.
My take on MIA’s new video M.I.A’s New ‘Born Free’ Video Banned From Youtube For Violence and Quick Shots: Double Facepalm Edition and an old but interesting piece by 20/20 Shopping While Black, Sleeping While Black and Vandalism – 20/20 What Would You Do? Social Experiments
This week at FemineUs: We posted an example of feminist street activism/graffiti spotted on campus at UC San Diego. We looked at Facebook’s atrocious National Punch A Slut Day. We examined a news report on the possibility that self-defense classes will be taught in San Diego schools next year and then talked about what’s REALLY needed in the realm of sexual violence prevention: efforts aimed at the MEN who are the ones who commit these heinous acts. We also take a look at some violence prevention efforts that actually get it right in their focus on men’s actions. It isn’t up just yet but later on today there will also be a post up on the main page about the sexualization of young girls, preteens and the beauty industry, and the dangerous chemicals in our cosmetics that can lead to cancer, reproductive issues, and health problems more generally.
This week at From Austin to A&M: In a response to and elaboration on CaitieCat’s discussion on Shakesville about race and cosplay, I write about race, gender, and disability and Doctor Who cosplay. Who can dress up as whom? I applaud Grey’s Anatomy for including a female character who chooses not to have kids that isn’t pathologized: Ladies who choose not to have babies are not broken. Finally, I take down one of my campus newspapers, The Maroon Weekly, for their sexist-ass love/sex advice column.
Following on from last week’s writing about foetal personhood, this week I wrote about mandatory counseling laws. For those following UK election news, I also wrote to Evan Harris, and Nick Clegg. –IP
This week on Happy Bodies: Coercion, exclusion, and the politics of teen motherhood Women’s Health says: Happiness is making you fat. What the fuck, American Academy of Pediatrics. What the fuck.: Norma’s opinion on the ‘Ritual Genital Cutting of Female Minors’.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck Slut Shames Erin Andrews: Even though Elisabeth apologized she still managed to say that women need to be covered up or they will be attacked by men. The term “tea-bagger” is like uttering the “n” word: Even though the tea baggers selected their label they have now decided that it is the same as a racial slur. Monstrous Musings: Got Vampire Privilege?: The Whiteness of Twilight: Examining how race is constructed in Twilight. Just Leave Gabourey Alone: Looking at why forcing her to smile is sexist. Forced sterilization: a western issue too: Looking at why we need to understand that forced sterilization happens in the West and not just China. Mother’s Day: What are we really celebrating?: Looking at why we need to radicalize motherhood. Finally this weeks Sunday Shame: Stinky Cologne Edition: pop by and list the perfume or cologne that you would like to see disappear off store shelves.
Sexism and abortion – I take down a politician Those bloody Hunky Dory ads. I play the humourousless feminist in this one.
At Red Vinyl Shoes: As Fat As I Wanna Be – on being a bad fattie Love and Nappiness – on hair, race and boundaries Black Tea, White Translator – What if the Teabaggers were black?
My blog is a place for people who want to be happy. Today I write about Mother’s Day when my mom died a year ago.
Spent the week giving the Dick Dujour to everyone this week. My favorites Mike Huckabee, Nicholas Sparks and Caleb Howe.
I wrote about how the Arizona immigration law seems to have given racists the guts to be…publicly racist. http://impersonated.blogspot.com/2010/05/arizona-immigration-law-prompts-bigots.html Also wrote a little note to Melissa McEwan as part of a series I’m starting to show appreciation to awesome progressive/feminist bloggers. http://impersonated.blogspot.com/2010/05/blogger-appreciation.html
I wrote <a href="An Open Letter to Stephen Harper, in which I ask Canada’s Prime Minister what he expects to achieve through his blatant disregard for women’s rights and opinions.
This week at Tattooed + Pierced Dealing with href=”http://tattooedandpierced.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/womens-work-at-the-office-just-ignore-the-sexism/”>doing “women’s work” in your male-dominated office Being conscious of the Power of Words What’s fueling 90s Nostalgia How is Mother’s Day shaping your kids gender expectations?
And if you want to know how women MPs faired in the UK election, you can see the stats here. Be warned it’s not a pretty sight.
I noted a story from Italy about fining a Muslim woman for wearing a veil. I talked a bit more about my dancing lessons, and mentioned that I have started a counselling skills course. And today, I shaved off a lot of body hair and posted pics! I added some musings about body image, time invested in feminine beauty, and suchlike – nothing deep, just the thoughts in my head in the moment.
Oh, and also, this doesn’t have anything to do with feminism or politics, but here is an adorable Mother’s Day video made by a college friend of mine. You will enjoy it if you’re a science geek (or probably just a geek in general).
New this week at Musings of an Inappropriate Woman: Call for submissions: Down Under Feminist Carnival From the vault: who does she think she is? A sartorial query from my 16-year-old self: how do I stop creepy old men from hitting on me?
I add my voice to those who are outraged by SB 1070, and add some thoughts on the boycott and the ethics of traveling to repressive places. A few weeks ago, I watched the ever-wonderful Michael Caine in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and discovered something delightfully shocking about that movie.
A Mother’s Day Special: how one mother shaped her daughter’s Jewish identity and a thank you to all mother’s for being human
Halle Berry’s expiration date is up: http://bit.ly/9FfZbm Heidi Montag: Pop culture fall-out http://bit.ly/d3EXcT The Token Feminists are Missing http://bit.ly/dAIUGF A letter to Hollywood and its beauty myth http://bit.ly/9KvPAy UK lad-mag advises ex to “cut her face” http://bit.ly/c83z9w Monster mommies http://bit.ly/b3tDlY Tabloid talk, week 2 http://bit.ly/aju9xS Pretty http://bit.ly/9gQe2a Windows 7: No Fat Chicks http://bit.ly/cSJdIf What does a real woman look like? http://bit.ly/9mRImA
What’s new on Women’s Glib… Analyzing my rape schedule. Pro-choice activism opportunities for New Yorkers. I’m in the awesome new HollaBack PSA!!
New at deconstructingchildmedia.wordpress.org -a look at how gender is dealt with in disney films. http://deconstructingchildmedia.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/disney-and-gender/
My reflections on a Big Think post about prison rape: What Does it Say About Rape Culture in General That Prison Rape Must Be Presented as a Health Risk? What the self-described Democrat Richard Perle, self-described social activist David Horowitz, self-described Christian George W. Bush, and self-described sexual-orientation-tolerance advocate Dick Cheney, and self-described feminist and anti-prostitution activist Donna M. Hughes have in common: neoconservatism. Retraction: Turns Out Donna M. Hughes Is Not a Neoconservative Dupe Because… With deep apologies to KinkForAll cofounder Maymay after asking him to compromise far more than he already has, and far more than anyone should be asked to here: Maymay, Donna Hughes, the Recent KinkForAll Kerfuffle, and Passion for Social Change How easy, mainstream snark distracts from deeper criticism: Twits vs Substance in George Rekers Escort Scandal figleaf
It’s Monday here already, but I hope those of you celebrating are having a great Mother’s Day! This week at Planning the Day, I pondered the usefulness and ethics of “fake it till you make it” as career advice, since I’m in a helping profession (women’s health education). I started a tumblr! And I rounded up my favorite recent food and food politics posts. Enjoy!
It’s Havlová at The Czech! I’m having deja vu seeing Kris Kobach’s smug face all over the news. Why? Because I am from Kansas and had the pleasure of voting against him years ago when he was running in my district. That asshole. At the time, I just knew he sucked. Now I realize one of the reasons is because he is an anti-immigrant white supremacist. Also, while doing some nostalgic digging on old defunct websites, I came across an essay I wrote in 2003 entitled “Gender Ambiguities in Electro Music”>
I asked why people are ignoring the racial implications of Arizona’s new law and why it’s so easy for conservative and sometimes liberal Caucasians to ask “What’s so bad about this law, if you don’t do anything illegal you should be fine!”…. It’s so easy for somebody who more than likely won’t get asked for their papers to say things like this to a Latino… http://revolutionaryxicanisma.blogspot.com/2010/05/whiteness-and-new-arizona-immigration.html
This week at re:Cycling, the blog of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, we wrote about Menstrual Monday, with a guest post from Menstrual Monday’s creator; the convergence of blog posts about the absence of pubic hair; racism in the U by Kotex campaign (guest post); and Bayer’s latest entry in the competitive oral contraceptive market, which introduces four-phase pill and another new progestin.
I just started a blog and I wrote my first post as a criticism of people who deny the legitimacy of bi celebrity women’s identity http://forgottenpseudonym.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/no-speculating-on-bi-identified-peoples-sexuality-because-you-dont-like-there-sex-life-and-gender-presentation-isnt-helping/
As a parent of a child with a disability who has participated in City inclusion programs, I have been asked to speak at an in-service for new inclusion personnel. Looking for the “why inclusion is important” stories that you can share…. http://spectrumbeach.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/inclusion-matters/ Also, started a new blog, focused somewhat on trying to find peace with my Catholic upbringing…. the first post is here: http://theunseenhook.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/baptism/ not sure where this blog is going yet, just sort of rambling about my upbringing, my religion, and my politics and how they often work at cross purposes.
I wrote posts! “Really?!?”, about Betty White’s episode of Saturday Night Live. “Cuatro!”, about the constitutional catastrophe in Arizona. “You don’t even think about it. You just do!”, about the iPad. Enjoy!
Just a quick note about the flooding in my home town. http://www.suchcoolstuff.net/2010/05/tennessee-under-water.html
My blog is relatively new and I need a better title for it. I have the general theme of feminism, politics and law so far but would like to expand to other topics as well. My most recent post is in honor of Mother’s Day, thanking my mom for being awesome. I’ve also recently written about Wal-Mart’s class-action lawsuit on gender discrimination. I also wrote another post analyzing the lawsuit a bit further. My first post is probably the most popular, it’s about photography perpetuating patriarchy. Hope everybody here enjoys reading the posts as much as I enjoy writing them! I welcome comments and criticism.
Oops! I forgot to link to one of my posts. Here’s a post I finished today on the sexualization of young girls, preteens and the beauty industry, and the dangerous chemicals in our cosmetics that can lead to cancer, reproductive issues, and health problems more generally.
Apparently there’s a “risk of lesbianism” in Irish prisons… http://musinandconfusin.blogspot.com/2010/05/danger-at-risk-of-lesbianism.html
Probably only of interest to the UK contingent, but with the prospect of a Liberal/Conservative coalition on our hands I wrote an open letter to the Liberal Democrats.
My weekly bit at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: getting disclosures and learning how widespread rape is.
Sometimes a T-shirt Isn’t Just a T-shirt: My thoughts on the group of students who wore American flag apparel on Cinco de Mayo. I grew up in the neighboring town and the issue is much more complicated than the newscasters and reporters would like to believe.
I’m not convinced we need another fairytale-meets-real-life movie. Especially one that follows the formula of a woman being put in danger because of a man and then said woman is saved by a man. This type of plot line puts the title character into a passive role that depends on the actions of the male characters. Ondine continues to perpetuate the illusion that if a woman finds the right man everything will work out for the best. King Kong Theory: A Manifesto For Women Who Can’t Or Won’t Obey The Rules is most easily my favourite read so far this year; it packs a punch and voices everything I feel about our oppressive patriarchal society. This work is completely free of any hesitation to say what is really going on in the Western world today. Virginie Despentes blew me away with her fresh and honest analysis of what women (and men) struggle within their half-baked, destructive gender roles.
I wrapped up my 7 day hunger strike a few days ago. For a week I went hungry to honor the 1.2 billion people facing chronic food insecurity, and I explored the causes of this poverty and hunger and solutions to the crisis. There is more than enough food produced for everyone to live comfortable, this is a problem of inequality and oppression, not lack of food. Women grow more than 60% of the world’s food, and make up 70% of those facing hunger – world hunger is most definitely a feminist issue. So, on day 7 of my hunger strike I focused on women and explored why I believe them to be the solution to poverty and world hunger. I also share an interview with my dear friend, and feminist legend, Rosanna Barbero. http://cchronicle.com/2010/05/world-hunger-journey-day-7-empower-women-change-the-world/
I discovered Brontё sisters action figures! http://crossablackcat.blogspot.com/2010/05/brontsaurus.html