Pop-Culture | Posted by LodB on 03/28/2012
Sexist Memes: Funny or Not?
While I understand that there is humour in provocation, this meme (the picture to the left) that’s been making the rounds on websites like 9gag and We Know Memes made me throw up in my mouth a little. Although I love these websites to death, and I think the political potential of memes is huge, these websites (9gag in particular) feature so much overt sexism that I often get mixed feelings. I think 9gag may be conditioning women to think that sexism is funny and perfectly acceptable.
Honestly, sexist jokes — such as the “woman-in-kitchen” variety — never used to offend me that much. I didn’t think that they really had much to do with women, just like yo-mama jokes have nothing to do with mothers. I figured they were …
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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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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 03/25/2012
Support Women Artists Sunday: Rebekah Delgado
Rebekah Delgado is a solo musician from London, United Kingdom. After previously fronting two successful bands, Rebekah embarked on a solo career in 2010 when her previous band, The Last Army broke up. When playing live Rebekah is accompanied by a variety of other musicians, currently including Tom on violin and harmonium, Daniel on cello, Saulo on percussion, and Sara on musical saw.
Rebekah’s solo material is a departure from her previous bands’ foundations, being influenced by Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Carla Bruni, Pulp, Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Brel, Kris Kristofferson, Patti Smith, Johnny Cash, Sonic Youth and Paco Ibañez among others. As a result, Rebekah’s solo music ranges from the melancholic to intelligent pop.
Rebekah is continuing to work on her first solo album, Don’t Sleep which is due for release …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Callie B on 03/19/2012
Why the Jersey Shore is No Longer On My DVR List
When I first saw Miss Representation it stunned me—in the best of ways. I didn’t immediately take the time to reflect on it, but then a few nights ago I was unlucky enough to witness the newest Carl’s Jr. commercial, where a very hungry Kate Upton seductively devours a burger while wearing basically, well, nothing. And after 23 years of demeaning media onslaught, I’m thinking I’ve had enough.
Before watching Miss Representation, I indulged in the occasional “guilty pleasure”—reality TV being my wind-down-at-the-end-of-the-day treat. I saw no harm in it. It’s just mindless entertainment, right? Shows like Jersey Shore and Keeping Up With The Kardashians were among my favorites. But that was before the film, before my eyes were opened to the very (real) poison of this seemingly harmless …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 03/18/2012
Support Women Artists Sunday: Laura Gibson
Laura Gibson grew up in a small town in southern Oregon called Coquille. Her family lived in the middle of the woods, as her father was a forest ranger and her mother a teacher.
Her introduction to music began early, listening to the folk albums her parents kept around the house and learning to love the intense imagery and narrative storytelling of folks like Bob Dylan. Gibson was inclined toward music while growing up, but too shy to perform live for people.
She moved to Portland to go to school (on a math scholarship) and continued to grad school, where she studied counseling. After college, she took to playing music at nursing homes and for hospice patients. Seeing the joy it brought to her audiences, Gibson developed the confidence to …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 03/17/2012
Saturday Vids: Meghan McCain On Media’s Criticism Of Body
Political disagreements aside, I have to respect Meghan McCain’s recent discussion about her body: specifically her criticism of the way the media has responded to her body and her refusal to change a thing about herself. Also, the whole “boobgate” thing was a depressing display of how body shaming is still alive and well in our society and I have to give props to McCain for refusing to be victimized by it and instead using it as a way to point out how gross all the reactions to that picture were.
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Brian C on 03/4/2012
Support Women Artists Sunday: MNDR
I’m giving you a rare opportunity. This is the chance to gain some mad hipster points without having to wear plaid OR name drop some crappy, pretentious band name like Yuck. I present to you MNDR. MNDR is a one person band who is based in New York and is just now going on tour with The Ting Tings.
MNDR has a wonderful sound. It’s very dance-y and has an extremely traceable hint of Robyn in it. I recently caught Robyn live at The Studio at Webster Hall, she put on one hell of a show. The bass was turned all the way up and we were dancing our hearts out. She is alone on stage and gets super into her music. She is on the cusp of the new …
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Pop-Culture | Posted by Avigayil H on 03/2/2012
Giving It Up
If you had asked me six months ago if I was affected by the media’s presentation of women, I would have responded with an unequivocal no. Yes, TV and magazines bombard us with horribly warped images of what a woman is and should be, but after all, I’m a feminist. I can expose myself to images of impossibly skinny, tall, well-dressed teens and look at them with clear eyes and my self-esteem intact. I know they’re not real! Besides, I think I’m attractive already, and just like to read the fashion magazines for the outfits, and nothing else. So what if I skim over the “how to get a hot guy to hook up with you” sections? This stuff really can’t possibly have any effect on me!
This was my …
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