By Courtney • 16 years ago

Not Oprah’s Book Club: Pin-Up Grrrls

In the same way that Lisa Jean Moore used a pinhole focus on sperm to elucidate the giant topic of masculinity in last week’s feature, art historian Maria Elena Buszek uses the pin-up as the way in to explore huge questions about the history of feminism, sexuality, and pop culture. (How much do you love this one I found? What’s up with the fish?)
Her approach is definitely academic (the book began as her dissertation). This book is not going to appeal to a gal without a little Judith Butler or bell hooks under her belt. If you are up for a challenge, it is infectiously interesting and bold. I found myself reading and thinking, “Damn, I want to ...

In the same way that Lisa Jean Moore used a pinhole focus on sperm to elucidate the giant topic of masculinity in last week’s feature, art historian Maria Elena Buszek uses the pin-up as the way ...
By Ann • 16 years ago

Untested rape kits: Still a problem

County law-enforcement officials raided the police department in Harvey, Illinois — where they found more than 200 rape kits that had never been sent to the state crime lab to be processed. (via Kate.)

“During the raid, investigators also videotaped the Harvey evidence vault, which revealed approximately 200 rape kits, many of which were never processed by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab at that point,” Milan said. “In the spring of 2007, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office sex-crimes unit secured these kits and began having them tested by the [state] crime lab. One of those cold-case rapes had been charged since then.”
John Gorman, spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office, said about one quarter of the cases ...

County law-enforcement officials raided the police department in Harvey, Illinois — where they found more than 200 rape kits that had never been sent to the state crime lab to be processed. (via Kate.)

“During the ...
By Jessica • 16 years ago

Fun with Feminist Flickr (vintage German smack-down edition)


I’ve posted this before, but it got such a controversial response last time I figured it was worth posting again. Plus, I just like it.
Translation:

Careful! Women answer back
If you stupidly stare at a woman, talk rubbish or touch her, you have to be aware that she might insult you loudly, a glass of beer is emptied over you or you might be hit in the face. We strongly advise you to refrain from this kind of harrassments.
Women, migrants, homeless people, transgender people, gays and lesbians are often victims of assaults. Don’t look away, interfere!

Pic from yog.


I’ve posted this before, but it got such a controversial response last time I figured it was worth posting again. Plus, I just like it.
Translation:

Careful! Women answer back
If you stupidly stare at ...
By Ann • 16 years ago

Peace Prize-winner, pin-up, what’s the difference?

Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Archbishop Desmond Tutu “expressed concern” about the situation in Burma, where dissident (and a fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner) Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 11 of the past 17 years. After saluting her, Tutu said:

“Please, please, how can men armed to the teeth be scared of this petite, demure, beautiful woman?” the 75-year-old said, adding: “She’s my only pin-up in my office.“

Classy, huh? And why, I wonder, would the repressive regime in Burma have any reason to be scared of a woman who was democratically elected to be the country’s prime minister in 1990, but never allowed to assume office? It’s not like ...

Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Archbishop Desmond Tutu “expressed concern” about the situation in Burma, where dissident (and a fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner) Aung San Suu Kyi has been ...
By Jessica • 16 years ago

Get depressed in one easy link!

If feel like banging your head against a wall for the rest of the day, go read this charming piece on rape from Guardian blogger David Cox. Just to give you an idea of what you’re in for…

When our houses are burgled, we’re hardly more likely than rape victims to see the intruder end up behind bars. So what do we do? We fit locks to our doors and windows. We keep our valuables out of sight.

I think we all know where this is going.
By the way, do yourself a favor and don’t read the comments.
UPDATE: What Shakes said.

If feel like banging your head against a wall for the rest of the day, go read this charming piece on rape from Guardian blogger David Cox. Just to give you an idea of what ...
By Jessica • 16 years ago

The American Virgin

From the woman who brought you I Was a Teenage Feminist comes a peek into one of my fave topics: virginity.

THE AMERICAN VIRGIN examines the impact of myths, misconceptions and cultural beliefs surrounding virginity.
What is virginity? Who gets to define it? Why do we care so much about it? And how do our sexual choices define our identity, especially for women?
From abstinence-till-marriage programs to teen sex comedies to hymen reconstruction, THE AMERICAN VIRGIN explores the ways in which anxiety and fascination with the concept of the “virgin” are linked to our cultural attitudes towards female sexuality.

Awesome. Also, if you’re in New York, there’s a fundraiser tonight, cleverly called NYC’s First Purity Ball. Go ...

From the woman who brought you I Was a Teenage Feminist comes a peek into one of my fave topics: virginity.

THE AMERICAN VIRGIN examines the impact of myths, misconceptions and cultural beliefs surrounding virginity.
What ...
By Jessica • 16 years ago

Anorexic woman poses naked for eating disorder campaign

I’m not sure how I feel about this. At all.

A controversial ad campaign featuring a 68-pound anorexic woman has been launched in Italy to coincide with Milan Fashion Week.
The ads, which are aimed at raising awareness about eating disorders, feature Isabelle Caro, a 27-year-old French woman.
Caro, who has battled the disease for 15 years, shows her exposed breasts and frail, naked body.
Another image shows Caro’s buttocks and the outline of her protruding rib cage. Both advertisements feature the slogan: “No Anorexia.”

I’m not going to post the picture here, because I’m conflicted about it. Is this campaign raising awareness in an in-your-face way or objectifying a sick woman? Or both?
Part of ...

I’m not sure how I feel about this. At all.

A controversial ad campaign featuring a 68-pound anorexic woman has been launched in Italy to coincide with Milan Fashion Week.
The ads, which are ...

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