Category Archives: feminism
Notorious RBG, aka Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Notorious RBG
Notorious RBG — aka Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg — has been a radical just by being herself.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg had dreamed of being a first-rate lawyer, but that just wasn’t possible in 1959 — even though she had graduated from Columbia Law, tying for first in her class. Law firms just couldn’t wrap their minds around a woman being anything but a secretary or a mom, it seems.
That left her no choice but to burst bombshells. Read the rest of this entry
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Loose Women Don’t Wear Corsets
The corset
Plenty of women’s fashions restrict them — intended or not — whether we’re talking girdles, spiked heels, bound feet, or wearing curlers to bed (who can sleep?!)
And how about that corset?
This ubiquitous pre-20th-century garment was so tightly laced that organs could be pushed around. And they promoted lung disease. Those things were not comfy!
Despite the health risks, some 19th century doctors believed that women’s bodies were too weak to hold themselves up, so they needed the contraption. (Scientists of the time also thought that education shrunk a woman’s womb!) Read the rest of this entry
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Why Do Women Fight Their Interests
Women against feminism?
Growing up Mormon, it seemed like the women around me fought against their own interests all the time.
In the 70’s my Mormon piano teacher spent an hour post-lesson talking to my mom about stopping feminists from setting up battered women’s shelters! Read the rest of this entry
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Is Male or Female Sexuality Better?
I heard so many of my friends saying, ‘Why can’t I have sex and feel nothing?’ It was amazing: that this was the new goal.
That’s what 25-year-old Lena Dunham told New York Times columnist, Frank Bruni as they discussed her Sex-and-the-Cityish HBO series, “Girls,” which she writes, directs and stars in.
Dunham points out that numerous cultural cues press women to take on non-emotional, non-connected, “empowered” sexuality. Read the rest of this entry
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Does Provocative Dress Ever Cause Rape?
Some friends were discussing the “Slut Walks” that keep popping up, and someone asked whether provocative clothing ever plays a role in rape. Interesting that “provocative” is used to describe a style of dress, suggesting that clothes actually provoke something. Attention? Desire? Rape? Read the rest of this entry
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Dowry in Congo Objectifies Women
Bride Price
By DESIRE MAPALA
In my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, a bride is seen as merchandise or an object.
That’s because a suitor typically pays dowry to his future in-laws: cash and goods, such as clothes for the bride’s parents, cows, goats, beverages, blankets, kitchen utensils, refrigerators, radios, and televisions.
Some people call it a “sale.” Read the rest of this entry
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Katniss: Bringing Back the Goddess
Katniss, bringing back the Goddess
A modern-day Artemis, Athena, and Persephone, The Hunger Games’ Katniss is bringing back the goddess.
With her dark hair and olive skin (as described in the book) she physically resembles Greek deity.
And she reflects them: Read the rest of this entry
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Repression Shutting Down Sexuality
Repressive forces can shut down sexuality.
But how?
I’ll start with my own experience. Read the rest of this entry
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Sexual Orientation and Sexual Abuse
Gays and lesbians are a bit more likely to have been sexually assaulted than others.
Are abusers more likely to target them? Or does something about the attack affect them, or how they see themselves? Read the rest of this entry
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Katniss Unites Feminine + Masculine
The Hunger Games Katniss (Jennifer Lawarence)
The Hunger Games’ “Katniss” is a break-out heroine,
Exist(ing) outside the traditional confines of the feminine-masculine split.
So says Manohla Dargis in her New York Times review.
As heroes go, Katniss — played by Jennifer Lawrence — is far more complex than the unemotional and invulnerable “macho” who typically saves the day.
Nor is she not trapped by the usual feminine virgin-whore divide.
Katniss has been described as both:
- personal and communal
- strong and soft
- hunter and nurturer
- tough and teary
- fighter and lover
- stoic and sentimental
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