2009 September Archive

Mad Men Mondays: You grow bullshit

During the third season of Mad Men Feministing writers will offer some of our thoughts on feminist moments, scenes, and themes in the new episodes in order to start a discussion about these topics in our community. *WARNING: Lots of spoilers follow.
No Joan!
I feel so conflicted. Season three of Mad Men has been a genre roller coaster ride (we’ve even had a musical episode and a screwball comedy, not to mention the many horror subgenre references including depiction of Betty giving birth and Don’s sorta abduction this week). Even though “Seven Twenty Three” started with flash forwards it still felt to me like a classic episode, a reminder of why I fell for this show in the ...

During the third season of Mad Men Feministing writers will offer some of our thoughts on feminist moments, scenes, and themes in the new episodes in order to start a discussion about these topics in our ...

By Jessica • 14 years ago

(Un)Feminist Guilty Pleasures: Wedding Blogs

As a lot of you already know, I’m getting married (this Saturday, eek). And I’m not going to lie, while there was definitely a lot of feminist-minded thought behind my planning process, there was also a lot of…well, other stuff. I succumbed to buying wedding magazines despite their gross consumerism, bought a pair of nearly-unwearable – though fabulous looking – shoes, and decided to have flower girls even though I didn’t want a wedding party simply because I think my cousins’ kids are adorable. It doesn’t surprise me that I bought into some wedding culture stuff – after all, some of it is fun – but it was wedding blogs that did me in. ...

By Jessica • 14 years ago

Quick Hit: More women with breast cancer preemptively remove healthy breast

A study in in Cancer, the journal of the American Cancer Society, says that a rising number of women are having a healthy breast removed after being diagnosed with breast cancer as a preventative measure.

By Jessica • 14 years ago

Coming out is so gay

My latest Current crush Bryan Safi on why coming out is super gay.

By Ann • 14 years ago

Round up: Posts on Polanski’s arrest

Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland this weekend. He’s spent the past several decades abroad after fleeing the U.S. during his trial for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Sometimes other bloggers say it first and say it better than I can. May I direct you to these fine writers for some commentary:

Kate Harding: Reminder: Roman Polanski raped a child

Amanda Hess: Common Roman Polanski Defenses, Refuted

Kieran Healy: “I look forward to more detailed explanations of who the Real Victim is here, and more fine-grained elaboration of the criteria — other than “marvelous dinner guest” — for being issued a Get Out of Child Rape Free card.”

Scott Lemieux: “The fact that the victim forgives Polanski doesn’t give him a ...

Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland this weekend. He’s spent the past several decades abroad after fleeing the U.S. during his trial for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Sometimes other bloggers say it first and say it better ...

By Courtney • 14 years ago

Military Missive: Part Two

So, as you know from Military Missive Part One, I’m having an adventure in military life and culture this week. Through out the briefings I’ve attended, the facilities I’ve toured, and the panels I’ve observed, a few things have been foremost on my mind–first among them my interest in holding the military accountable for the epidemic of military sexual assault that takes place.
First I have to admit that this whole experience has been far more trees than forest. In other words, we’ve focused much more on the nuts and bolts of military training, protocol, and infrastructure than we have on bigger social, organizational, and moral questions. Thus, it’s been sort of hard to figure out when to ask ...

By Rose • 14 years ago

Wedlock or Deadlock?

“Wedlock or Deadlock” is a 2-month-old show on Fox featuring Dr. Michelle Callahan. Couples who are considering marriage seek her counsel on national TV to explore whether they should be married or break up. I could list a million things wrong with this show. But to name a few: It’s on Fox. Dr. Callahan has only counseled hetero couples. And the show reinforces the idea that marriage is the only option for long term fulfilling partnership.

The show features many people of color and even an inter-minority relationship here and there. This is both one of its strengths and one of its drawbacks. In a television environment where couples of color are more likely to be seen on court TV ...

By ariel • 14 years ago

Japanese Ruling Party Pushes Women to be Wage-Earners

While Japan is under fire from the U.N. for paltry efforts toward gender equality, their massive tax change proposal promises to push more women into the workforce.
Japan’s August 30 election saw the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) soundly defeat the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Yukio Hatoyama was installed as the Prime Minister. By American standards, DPJ could be simplified as the more fiscally progressive party; their platforms include a freeze on sales tax, increases in minimum wage, free public education, and most notably, a $289-per-child monthly allowance for families.
How will DPJ possibly fund such a large monthly child allowance? The Japan Times reports that the DPJ proposes cutting tax deductions for spouses, which would ...