Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 07/1/2010

Starbucks, Sexual Harassment and Teens

hey there, beautiful.

It is not a secret: I am addicted to coffee. There was a time in my life when I was ignorant to the bliss that accompanies those deliciously bitter beans. I was cynical, sarcastic, and tired. Now I am cynical…sarcastic…and a little less tired (read: manic) until I crash! Maybe the effect of coffee on my life is found less in its benefits and more in an unhealthy chemical-dependency-like-addiction. Hm.Either way, I’m in that place in my life where I know every Starbucks barrista in my neighborhood’s name, life story and favorite frappuccino flavor.

So when I heard that a while back there was a pretty significant sexual harassment case against Starbucks involving a teen girl, I was pretty bummed. I actually felt personally let down – that…

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Randomness | Posted by Julie Z on 08/6/2009

Link Love

Happy Thursday! Here are some cool links I’ve deemed worthy of sharing: 

The Good

Nikol Hasler

Nikol Hasler from the Midwest Teen Sex Show apparently now writes an advice column for Milwaukee Magazine. I know what you’re thinking: Milwaukee Magazine has an advice column focused on issues of teen sex? MILWAUKEE is the progressive one who recognizes the sexual problems of teenagers, and all people for that matter, as truly important? WTF? Well, not quite. It’s pretty general advice for the most part, but it’s Nikol Hasler, so it’s awesome. Good job, Milwaukee, good job.

Here is one column focused on sex and here is the most recent one about forgetfulness. Archives here.

Also SARAH HASKINS HAS A NEW TARGET WOMEN. yayyayayayayyayay!!!! And apparently it was recently Sarah’s 30th birthday, so happy birthday Sarah!

The Bad

LADY GAGA WHY…

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Feminism | Posted by Nellie B on 07/25/2009

Vandalize Gay

American Apparel's "Legalize Gay" T-shirt

In my nominally liberal suburb of Washington, D.C., the sight of two mommies or daddies and their adorable offspring is not uncommon.  In fact, the suburb adjacent to mine, renowned as a bastion of hippies, boasts one of the highest numbers of lesbian households in the nation.  While pride parades don’t exactly march down the street, HRC Equality bumper stickers are plastered on every other car.  So, my community was fairly shocked when the local American Apparel’s “Legalize Gay” window display was destroyed on Wednesday.

The unknown vandal smashed a window, though nothing was stolen, according to the Washington City Paper.  The Georgetown location of American Apparel also received a threatening phone call.

Now, I have my issues with American Apparel.  Their sexist ad campaigns with half-clothed barely-legal…

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Awareness, Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 07/10/2009

well wtf am i supposed to buy?

So apparently there are no clothing options for me that are both ethical purchases and not something my grandma would squeal over. 

Over at jezebel they posted about the Urban Outfitter’s Ethics Survey – basically checking whether employees will smoke pot on the job or not, or more accurately, whether or not they can effectively lie. 68 statements that you can either strongly agree-disagree with, and unless you are a complete idiot, you should be hired soon enough. 

With statements like: 

Most employees get high on the job at one time or another.
Smoking a marijuana cigarette is the same as having a drink.
Some people work as well slightly high as they do sober.

what the checklist should be…

They seem a little preoccupied with the marijuana. I’ve been in that store a lot lately. Their concern makes…

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