Pop-Culture | Posted by Susannah F on 09/30/2011
The Art of the Text
In our world of technology and instant communication, sentiments often get lost in cyberspace. In fact, there’s a whole website devoted to some of the crazy mishaps that can occur during texting. But when texting is successful, I can confidently say that one of its most common (and more recent) uses is as a means of hooking up and conducting relationships.
Some of my friends use text messaging in order to conduct their booty calls in college. If you meet someone at a party and exchange numbers, a text conversation is sure to ensue in the hopes of ultimately having a sexual encounter. One of my friends told me that if she is planning on meeting up with someone that she has been casually texting, she will continue to text …
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Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Francheska De La Cruz on 09/28/2011
When History Repeats Itself
You know the saying that history can repeat itself? It sounds cliche, but it’s kind of shocking when it happens to you in real life.
Before I was a proud feminist/atheist/vegetarian I was unfortunately anorexic. Yet no one in my family seemed to notice the signs, even though when I think back they were pretty obvious. I would constantly check myself in the mirror and talk about dieting and weight loss. I would secretly go online and read fasting tips on anorexia sights. When my family discovered my notebook full of “thinsperation” I had a total meltdown and decided those days were over and I would come to respect my body and those of others for what they were.
Lately I’ve been noticing the first signs of anorexia in my …
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Feminism | Posted by Sari S on 09/26/2011
Some Thoughts on Feminism in Sweden
What grieves me most as a Swedish feminist is hearing that our movement is dead or that it is only a trend. I’ve argued with anti-feminists, whose best argument nowadays is that feminism advocates female supremacy. If this group of anti-feminists were small, I would not worry about their opinions because there will always be people who disagree with you. What troubles me, however, is that this way of viewing feminists seems to be mainstream in Sweden.
The Swedish media thrives on stories about feminists, who, the media says, claim that “men are animals” and that “any man would rape any woman at any time.” Hardly anyone seems to know what feminism is really about.
As a socialist-feminist I think that laws could help our society become more equal. I …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 09/25/2011
Support Women Artists Sunday: Jane Lui
Listening to singer-songwriter Jane Lui’s music is like watching a Michel Gondry film. There’s a whimsical, homemade feel that’s inventive, magical, & intimate. Handmade music boxes, found objects, percussion pipes, and cardboard boxes, all a part of a handcrafted sound that makes her music enduring and lovable. It began this way though – “You’re poor in college — don’t have stuff, so you make it up.”
“I’m painfully shy and learned that I feel most earnest in music. More than anything, I want honesty between my listeners and I; as it should respect intelligence.” With a sensitivity towards the interplay of sound, space, & subtlety, Lui’s artistry is fierce with utmost musicianship & self-respect.
“..Spent a lot of time in my room when I was little listening to the radio. …
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Feminism | Posted by Vanessa M on 09/24/2011
Saturday Vids: Cup U.
I just wanted to share with you guys a short video piece I did as part of my Masters thesis for The New School in early 2011. It is a short discussion among young women about the use of the menstrual cup.
CUP U. from vanessa tolkin meyer on Vimeo.
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Creative | Posted by Emaan M on 09/23/2011
Shame
Jane had pretty poetry
And hands the size of shoes
And swirling inky look-at-me tattoos
On the trophy shelves of her skin
And Jane never thought twice about you
And nor did she digress;
Don’t help me once, just hurt me
less
Yet in the eyes of everyone Jane was a trailer-worthy mess.
And some sweet girls they said things about Jane
How small and suffocating cotton would stick to her skin
How a boy with dark hair and slinky eyes
Boasted about the game and the win-
Yet no one ever seemed to whisper anything poisonous about him.
Friends, teachers, the
do-gooders and world-changers
Her righteous church-community youth leader
Would always have their little snickers of Jane
And that’s what drove her from church.
And no one ever had …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Becka W on 09/21/2011
Hold On. Are The Kardashians Feminists?
I’m the first to admit it: I’ve got a soft spot for Keeping up with the Kardashians and all their spinoffs. Who can resist them? That’s right, you can’t. They’re irresistible. I was chatting on the phone earlier today with one of my best friends about who our favorite sister was (hint: Khloé), and as we were discussing recent nuptials it hit me: I think these ladies might be an interesting example of modern-day feminism.
Stick with me for a second. I know what you all are going to say: they’ve made all their money off of showing off their bodies and being sex symbols, they’re famous just for being famous and it often feels as though they feed completely into the shallow world of appearance as being the most …
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Feminism | Posted by Hannah R on 09/19/2011
Youth and Feminism: Ignorance Is Bliss
Today’s youth culture encourages females and males alike to embrace their sexuality and allows a freedom of expression. But it seems this freedom of sexual expression has ended up glamorising the idea that females are nothing more than sexual objects. Or at least, it seems that’s what girls our age think.
I have to wonder – how have girls our age not heard of the efforts made by Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes at the beginning of the 20th century? Or the women’s liberation protest demonstration at the 1969 Miss World beauty contest? I have discovered that there are very few teenage girls out there who fully comprehend the feminist movement and its effects on society, and, more importantly, its hopes and aspirations for the future generations of women.
I …
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