By Courtney • 15 years ago

Inside the Minds of TV Producers

Feministing got a request a few days ago to go on a morning show and talk about a new website that offers women a chance to find a “sugar daddy” (I don’t want to give the site any traffic, so I won’t link to it here). I called the producer back to chat over the logistics and encountered an ugly reminder of just how much most television producers buy into and continually shape sexist narratives.
The producer, a woman, informed me that the first segment would feature a self-proclaimed “gold digger.” They were hoping I would come on the second segment and talk about how bad it is that this woman is making this choice and how it is a ...

Feministing got a request a few days ago to go on a morning show and talk about a new website that offers women a chance to find a “sugar daddy” (I don’t want to give the site ...
By Jessica • 15 years ago

U.S. Government apologies for slavery

The United States House of Representatives has issued an apology for slavery and Jim Crow.

Congress has issued apologies before — to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws.
Five states have issued apologies for slavery, but past proposals in Congress have stalled, partly over concerns that an apology would lead to demands for reparations — payment for damages.
The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. It does commit the House to rectifying “the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow.”

I really like what Melissa Harris-Lacewell (who ...

The United States House of Representatives has issued an apology for slavery and Jim Crow.

Congress has issued apologies before — to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow ...
By Miriam • 15 years ago

The Olympics tries to verify athletes are “real women”

This story in the NYTimes definitely brings up some interesting debates in the gender and sports arena. Basically the Olympics has a shady history of trying to verify female athletes gender identity. This ranges from forcing the athletes to strip naked and inspected by judges to other varied tests including chromosomal typing and hormone testing.

At first, women were asked to parade nude before a panel of doctors to verify their sex. At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, officials switched to a chromosomal test.

For a period of time these tests were mandatory for female athletes (not male ones). The NYTimes article suggests it was due to fears that male athletes would pose as female athletes and have an ...

This story in the NYTimes definitely brings up some interesting debates in the gender and sports arena. Basically the Olympics has a shady history of trying to verify female athletes gender identity. This ranges from forcing ...
By Miriam • 15 years ago

Athens Boys Choir Afternoon Dance Break

Since the theme of this afternoon’s posting seems to be gender (soon to come, a post about the olympic’s and gender verification) I thought I’d post this music video from Athens Boys Choir. He’s pretty fantastic and I think the video speaks for itself. I promise it will be stuck in your head.

Warning: Not appropriate for work, unless sexual words are okay…

Since the theme of this afternoon’s posting seems to be gender (soon to come, a post about the olympic’s and gender verification) I thought I’d post this music video from Athens Boys Choir. He’s pretty fantastic ...
By Miriam • 15 years ago

Thai school provides bathroom for trans girls

The BBC reports that a school in Thailand is providing three bathrooms for students, one for boys, one for girls and one for “boys who want to be girls” (phrasing from the BBC).
You can see a short video clip about it here. While I think it’s awesome that they are providing a space for trans girls (or boys who are questioning their gender identity), it only leaves space for one other type of gender expression. What about girls who are experimenting with their gender identities as well?
Bathrooms have historically been a point of contention for trans people, and it’s really crucial for them to have facilities they can feel safe using. But further segregating people does not ...

The BBC reports that a school in Thailand is providing three bathrooms for students, one for boys, one for girls and one for “boys who want to be girls” (phrasing from the BBC).
You can see a ...
By Jessica • 15 years ago

More Feminist News!


The math wars – Economic Woman: Allison at the fabulous blog Economic Woman takes an in-depth look at the recent study showing girls perform as well as boys in math.
Girls=Boys in Math – The Onion: I couldn’t let you miss The Onion’s take as well.
Recognising ‘gendercide’ – The Guardian: Heather McRobie proposes that we start talking about gender-based massacres, like Ciudad Juárez, in using the word ‘gendercide’.
Our Bodies Our Blog – Tribal Law and Order Act Aims to Address Abuse of Native American Women: “Last week, bills were introduced in the House and Senate that are intended to empower tribal governments to address crimes that take place on their lands, ...

The math wars – Economic Woman: Allison at the fabulous blog Economic Woman takes an in-depth look at the recent study showing girls perform as well as boys in math.
Girls=Boys in Math ...
By Jessica • 15 years ago

American Apparel creates helpful soap “how-to”

American Apparel, who puts out some of the classiest ads around, is apparently now selling soap. And in case you’re not sure how to wash yourself, the site has an instructional video of a nekkid tousled hair lady to help you along. Blech.
On the upside, at least this will encourage some hipsters to clean themselves. Maybe.
Thanks to Sarah for the tip.

American Apparel, who puts out some of the classiest ads around, is apparently now selling soap. And in case you’re not sure how to wash yourself, the site has an instructional video ...
By Jessica • 15 years ago

Good news for women worldwide!

Newly-appointed UN human rights chief Navanethem Pillay has long been an advocate for women. A co-founder of women’s rights organization Equality Now, Pillay also served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and was the first woman of color on the High Court of South Africa.
Pillay replaces Louise Arbour in the position.
Read more about Pillay here and here.
Thanks to Martha for the heads up.
Newly-appointed UN human rights chief Navanethem Pillay has long been an advocate for women. A co-founder of women’s rights organization Equality Now, Pillay also served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for ...
Load More