Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Emily T on 04/6/2012
Feminist Harry Potter
Since I’ve been a die-hard Harry Potter fan since I was ten, I immediately followed Feminist Harry Potter on Tumblr when I heard of it. Within the last year, I’ve become more interested in gender studies and feminism, so I’ve been finding the posts on Feminist Harry Potter more interesting and comedic than I would have before.
Feminist Harry Potter features movie stills with text to emphasize not only feminist messages, but also flaws in the Harry Potter series, such as a lack of ethnic diversity among the characters.
What I like about the tumblr is that it advertises all aspects of messages established in the series. Although I’ve read the Harry Potter series multiple times, and if you’ve read or seen any installment of the Harry Potter series, it’s …
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Feminism | Posted by Fiona L on 04/4/2012
To Educate A Girl
I’ve often wondered if those who are provided with less, make more with what they are given. A few weeks ago, I went to a screening of a documentary called To Educate A Girl, and was convinced once again of the life-changing importance of education for girls and women. More importantly, I also realized the incredible drive to learn that permeates communities where girls are not given such opportunities.
Filmmakers Frederick Rendina and Oren Rudavsky focused on the factors that inhibit girls around the world from getting an adequate education, through chronicling the stories of several girls in Uganda and Nepal, two countries emerging from violent civil wars.
To Educate a Girl begins with Manisha, a daughter of a brick-carrier in Nepal, who has been unable to attend school …
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Feminism | Posted by Gina S on 04/2/2012
The Flip Side of the Coin, or Just Because I’m Skinny Doesn’t Mean I Have An Eating Disorder
It’s a common presumption in our society that if you’re female, tall and skinny, you have it all. You are the perfect woman: you have the attributes of a high fashion model, and you should be extremely self-confident because you have it made. The truth, however, is much different.
When I was younger, I was bullied for five years because of my height and weight. “Oh they’re just jealous because you’re tall and skinny,” my well-meaning family members would say. “They just want to be like you.” But they didn’t want to be like me, because I was miserable beyond belief and the bullying was making me pick out tiny little things about myself that I hated. One by one, I listed off all the many things I hated about …
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Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 03/31/2012
Saturday Vids: Hillary Clinton’s Greatest Moments
“’Let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.’ So said Hillary Clinton before the 1995 U.N. Women’s Conference in Beijing. Since then, Clinton has led a crusade for women around the world, advocating equal rights and opportunities that came to a head during her speech at this year’s Women in the World Summit. From contraception and abortion to the need for women in politics, watch our mashup of Clinton’s best speeches on women’s rights.”
In honor of the last day of Women’s History Month, let’s give it up for Hillary.
via The Daily Beast
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Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Vicky C on 03/26/2012
Strong Ladies in Fiction Shouldn’t Be Novelties
Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and many more) was once asked “Why do you write such strong female characters?”
His reply?
“Because you’re still asking me that question.”
So, why are we still asking that question?
Lately, “strong female characters” in fiction seem to be on the rise. Hermoine Granger. Lisbeth Salander. Katara. River Tam. More recently, Katniss Everdeen and Merida from The Hunger Games and Pixar’s Brave, respectively. My question is, why are these characters such a big deal? Why is it still a surprise to people that women in fiction can be action heroes, no questions asked? And furthermore, when a “weak” female character comes along (first one that comes to mind is Bella Swan from Twilight) why are we so quick to tear …
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Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 03/24/2012
Saturday Vids: Shit Men Say to Men Who Say Shit to Women on the Street
In honor of International Anti-Street Harassment Week please enjoy these awesome guys demonstrating “Shit Men Say to Men Who Say Shit to Women on the Street.” And if you know guys like this, please send them my way.
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Feminism | Posted by Kate S on 03/23/2012
Why We Need To Stop Being Politely Active
The International Women’s Rights Collective (IWRC) went to the third annual Women in the World Summit last weekend. The Summit, as I expected, was built on post-imperialistic rhetoric where women from the third world countries were victims and it was our job as privileged women from the West to rescue them via the power of capitalism. That said, the amazing women leaders, survivors, and activists accounted for the sponsors’ ignorant rhetoric. Topics of the panel included forced marriage, sex trafficking, glass ceiling, and media among others.
My favorite moments from the panel somehow came together when Shelby Knox (who, despite being one of the younger panelists, was a TOTAL BOSS) responded to the question of why this generation of young women is not as active in the movement as its …
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Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 03/21/2012
The Truth About Fat
I can honestly say I’m sick of hearing about, talking about and thinking about fat. And yet it’s everywhere – whether it’s the fear-mongering headlines that claim our country has been consumed by an obesity epidemic or if it’s the innumerable magazine articles written on the newest get-thin-quick scheme, it’s undeniable that over the years, our society has become obsessed with fat. But despite the often one-sided, overwhelmingly negative attitude our country has towards fat, the question remains: what is the true nature of fat as an issue of health?
As a feminist, I’ve always felt that the way our society views fat on the individual level is seriously messed up (i.e. unrealistic standards set for women’s bodies) But I’d never spent much time thinking about how fat is framed …
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