Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 07/21/2010

Forever 21’s Materntiy Line and the Normalization of Teen Pregnancy

haven't heard much about her lately. Maybe it's because she's, like, raising her child?

I am 17, and when I close my eyes and think of what my life would be like if I were to become pregnant in the near future, my cynical mind goes here: I am holding a tiny child that is crying and spitting something that was probably at one time the baby food I bought instead of those jeans I *really fricken wanted* as I am on the computer, turning down the college of my dreams in favor of an educational option that will allow me to raise my little bundle of joy. I haven’t slept more than 3 hours at a time in a few months, and sleep ranks right below eating and right above…

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Pop-Culture | Posted by Danielle B on 07/20/2010

“Phat” Girl in a Skinny World

When you’re the only fat girl in your 2nd grade class, kids can be pretty mercilous. As someone who’s been overweight their entire life I’ve heard every joke and jab imaginable: ugly, fat-ass, puffer fish, ugly fat-ass puffer fish. And even when some of the other kids would try to make me feel better, sometimes saying I was just “big-boned,” that never did any good because I still knew 99% of the kids in my class – probably my school – were looking at me and seeing “the fat girl.” Not Danielle. Not me.

I don’t think people realize how hard it is to grow up fat. There seems to be this underlying hostility towards overweight people, and in many cases, it’s worse against overweight girls. After all, I’m supposed to…

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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 07/18/2010

Support Women Artists Sunday: Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar

In 1971, Pat married her High School sweetheart, GI Dennis Benatar, and they moved to Virginia where he was stationed. Working as a bank clerk and a waitress, Pat began to sing in a Roaring Twenties theme restaurant and in hotel lounges.

On her return to New York, Pat divorced and started to take her singing seriously. From musicals she moved on to the cabaret circuit, her voice developing into a hard pop/rock sound.

At an open mike night in the New York City club, Catch a Rising Star, the owner liked Pat’s look and sound, and gave her a regular slot. Chrysallis Records signed her and, in 1979, she released million-selling ‘In The Heat Of The Night’. She followed it with multi-platinum ‘Crimes Of Passion’ the next year.

The early 1980s…

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Pop-Culture | Posted by Shanminio D on 07/15/2010

Sparknotes Gender Test and Gender Stereotypes

sparknotes: more than just helping you cheat!

Ok, the gender test on the Sparknotes website really pisses me off.

Their claim: “Guys and girls are different in ways only we realize. In fact, without asking about your clohtes, grooming, or chest, our Gender Test will predict, with 100% accuracy, whether you’re a guy or a girl. This test’s patented Geni-Tell technology has gotten smarter with every taker. Finally, witness the true power of the Internet.”

I took the test and, apparently, I am a man:

“Well, deep down, your gender affects everything about you, from your favorite number to your views on Canada. Many men who took the test think and act just like you, as you can see from the graph above. Statistically speaking, you are a man—whether you know it or not.”

I’m not offended. But really? It’s…

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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 07/11/2010

Support Women Artists Sunday: Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis

Born in St. Maur, France on December 22, 1972, Vanessa enjoyed singing from an early age. Her career began to develop after she was discovered on a popular TV show entitled L’Ecole Des Fans; a French TV program that provides little children with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents.

Years later, when Vanessa turned thirteen, she recorded her first single called La Magie Des Surprises-Parties (the magic of surprise parties). Her career really skyrocketed when her record-producing uncle, Didier Pain, was working with a singer on a song entitled Joe le Taxi in which Vanessa was invited to sing. The outcome was instant success.
In 1988, her very first album was M & J, and she later released Variations Sur Le Même T’aime. Her second album, the self-titled Joe was produced…

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