Articles, Feminism | Posted by Julie Z on 11/21/2011

An Interview with Jessica Valenti

Jessica Valenti

A few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Jessica Valenti – founder of Feministing, author of Full Frontal Feminism and awesome person all around.

For those not in the know, Jessica is the author of three books: Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters, He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut…and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know, and The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women which is being made into a documentary by the Media Education Foundation. Jessica is also the founder of Feministing.com, which Columbia Journalism Review calls “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.”

Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Nation, The Guardian (UK), The American Prospect, Ms. magazine, Salon…

More >

Feminism | Posted by Mercedes V on 11/9/2011

I Come In Peace

not a feminist

Introductions are such silly things sometimes. As a child, I was given the impression that they would be as easy as a “Hi, my name is Mercedes. It’s a pleasure to meet you” plus a relevant fact or two about myself. Growing up, however, has proven to me that they are anything but.

I don’t know what it is about the word ‘feminist’ but it seems to conjure up the image of an all-mighty ball-breaker for a lot of people. Far too often when mentioning that I’m a feminist I am forced to face the awfully disgruntled face of a man who looks like his masculinity was just stolen from him. Or (possibly worse), the irritated face of somebody who clearly does not know what feminism is. Now, that’s…

More >

Feminism | Posted by Hannah R on 09/19/2011

Youth and Feminism: Ignorance Is Bliss

Emmeline Pankhurst, anyone? ANYONE?

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…

More >

Feminism | Posted by Danielle B on 09/7/2011

“Faces of Feminism” Project: Donate Your Face to Feminism!

Greetings, F-bombers!

My name is Danielle and I write for a blog called Experimentations of Teenage Feminist. You may remember some posts I’ve written in the past here on the FBomb. Well, now I have a new mission.

Society is fixated on a very narrow-minded image of what a feminist is “supposed” to look like, and I have a problem with that. On November 24th I’ll be publishing a special blog post titled “The Faces of Feminism” to show just how diverse the feminist community really is.

Please help this little experiment by sending in a picture of yourself for me to post!

Details:

• Photos can be sent to teenagefeminist@gmail.com (Deadline: November 17th)
• Please title your email “This is what a feminist looks like!”
• If you’d like me to link your picture to anything when I…

More >

Articles | Posted by Julie Z on 08/4/2011

An Interview with Chloe Angyal

Chloe Angyal

Chloe Angyal is usually the one asking the questions: in addition to being an editor at Feministing, she also writes their popular “Feministing Five” interview feature (of which, believe it or not, I was once the subject). Today, however, the FBomb is turning the tables on one of the most prominent interviewers in the feminist blogosphere, and asking her a few questions.

For those who don’t know, Chloe is originally from Sydney, Australia and is a graduate of Princeton University, where she founded Equal Writes, the University’s first feminist publication. Her writing has been published in The Christian Science Monitor, Skirt! Magazine, Salon, Slate, The Guardian, Foreign Policy Magazine and of course, Feministing. She’s an up and coming leader of the feminist movement, and somebody us teen feminists can certainly…

More >

Feminism | Posted by May K on 07/4/2011

Defying the Stereotype

the joke that started it all

Me: Make me a sandwich?

That was my Facebook status recently, and it led to a whole debate. People were saying that I should be in the kitchen, making food (should’ve expected that one) and I responded by telling them that a woman’s place is not in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. I mean, I’m a med student for Pete’s sake!

Yes, I want to be a mother and yes, I could use some cooking practice, but that doesn’t mean that’s all I should do. So my housemates and I eat two minute noodles and use those ingenious ready made meals. So what? We don’t have the time or the energy to slave away in front of the stove for hours on end. Hats off to the…

More >

Feminism | Posted by Sarah M on 06/15/2011

Musings of a High School Feminist

yay high school

I don’t remember when I discovered feminism. I don’t remember how I got the link to a feminist blog that I started to read, or the first time I thought to myself, “I am a feminist!”

But I am so glad that it happened.

I love feminism. I love the things it’s done for me – the way it makes me feel powerful and beautiful and in control. I love the way it’s opened up my eyes to the ways that I’m missing out – and all the ways that I can get around those things.

And that’s why it’s so confusing to me why none of my friends agree with me!

Being a feminist in high school is hard. This morning, for example, I was thinking of starting a feminism club…

More >

Feminism | Posted by Collette C on 04/26/2011

Dear Feminism

Dear Feminism

Dear Feminism,

In case no one has told you recently, you are a loaded gun. Some see you as a helpless victim, pulling your woman card and begging for your right to abortion, always complaining about your time spent in front of a hot stove. Others see you as a butch, bullying your way into careers rightfully belonging to men. Seems like you’re always burning bras, abusing your right to free speech, and holding offensive picket signs. Many consider you a flaming lesbian, or at least Hilary Clinton’s part time lover. You whine, you refuse to let him open your door, and you can pay for your own damn dinner. In fact, you’re a full blown man eater.

I have heard these rumors. I see the news; I hear the jokes…

More >