Raid on American Apparel

The models are dazed but safe.

Thanks to Feministing commenter "nerdalert" for the link!

Hollywood-Style Feminism

Alright so it's clearly some serious pseudo-feminism considering where it's coming from, but ignore the fact that the project is backed by Glamour and Clinique and we're good to go. Reel Moments is a program where women who are usually in front of the cameras get behind them to direct. Not quite DIY feminist warfare but at least it's a chance to view some by women, for women film! The stories are chosen from submissions from women and you can submit yours on the site. I haven't watched any of the films yet but please check one (or more) out if you can and let us know how they are in the comments!

JK Rowling Outs Dumbledore

It's just rude. On Friday night in front of a full house in Carnegie Hall, JK Rowling made a classic straight author fopah and outed her closeted homosexual character. Clearly if Dumbledore wanted the world to know, he would have done it himself.

But seriously, I am so impressed with and inspired by Rowling for using her talent and subsequent fame to promote social justice and equality. Hopefully this won't hurt book or video sales. These crazies are already writing up their nutty, hate-filled responses.

DIY Uterus Style

Inspirational uterine couture. This sweatshirt wasn't made by H&E, but is part of their awesome slideshow of uterus-wear, check it out.

I feel like I've posted about this before...maybe not...

Modest Proposal?

On my way home from work I was listening to All Things Considered and John McWhorter shared a "racism in America" version of a modest proposal.

The summary from NPR is this: " In light of the resurgence of nooses appearing in places like Jena, La., and Columbia University's Teacher's College, here's a modest proposal: The next time somebody plants a noose, let's just ignore it. Perhaps paying less attention to these acts will take away their racist power. "

As I listened to it, I felt myself agree with the power shift that ignoring racist acts would have, but I also became very fearful of it as well. The problem with ignoring such things is that they won't go away because you ignore them, which Mr. McWhorter said, there will always be someone doing something racist. However, if we don't show our outrage to something as "harmless" as a noose on a tree, don't you think that these perpetrators will go to the next level? I agree that large media organizations do have a responsibility to the public in how they sensationalize and report these minor infractions, however the grass roots response should not disappear. I fear the lack of response would fuel those hate-filled individuals to take further action. I whole-heartedly believe that if a small town in Kentucky or Louisiana has an incidence of hate, there should be a community response. When that story is picked up by CNN and the Post, I agree that we should take a step back.

I also don't feel that asking the viewers of hate to restrain ourselves in these instances is a fair proposal. I do believe that there is an infallible nature that we all have to compare and judge, but I don't believe we should tolerate it when that nature seeks to hurt/harm others.

I do respect Mr. McWhorter for his proposal as it was very interesting. A few hours later I'm still thinking about it, so that says something...

I am curious about what others think as well. Let me know!

Online Film Festival

Hey- i just got an email about this online film festival of "remarkable but little-known foreign films by talented young women from countries you might not even be able to locate on the map" and it sounds really interesting. i haven't had the chance to check any of the films out yet- but i am looking forward to- and hopefully you all can too and we can talk about them...
here is the link: Imagining Ourselves

For every girl who takes a step toward her liberation...

A poster reminding us all to keep in mind how our struggles as women are so connected to men's struggles.

Click here to add to a discussion about this.

Whoopi on Abortion

I don't follow The View so I had no idea that this type of dialogue was going on. Whoopi really tells it like it is. Very impressed.

Thanks to Feministing.com for the video.

Check Yourself

I know you are all experts on privilege but it's always a good idea to brush up. Last week I re-read some privilege checklists for one of my classes - Peggy McIntosh's classic White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Linda Ketner's Heterosexual Privilege, and Barry Deutsch's The Male Privilege Checklist. Whether you are included in any of these privileged groups or not you should still check the lists out, they're fantastic.

Oh and I was shocked to hear some ultra ignorant comments in class regarding these readings: "If men are a privileged group then women are a privileged group too." Seriously.