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By liz • 13 years ago

Where’s the social justice in a ‘booty bag’?

Deeply rooted in practical scholarship and principles of social justice expressed as ethical awareness, leadership development, economic progress and civic engagement, Roosevelt University encourages community partnerships and prepares its diverse graduates for responsible citizenship in a global society. — excerpt from Roosevelt University’s mission statement

The above quote comes from the university where I’m currently doing my grad work, the same one that hosted bikini clad models handing out ‘booty bags’ in our main lobby just last Thursday. Let me explain:

Our spring break officially began today and continues on all next week, and in preparation for the break our Student Center for Involvement brought in Macy’s to do a promo event.  The event was 2 tall, white, thin models wearing bikinis and ski jackets handing out Macy’s paraphernalia.  Apparently it’s a part of Macy’s Star Beach Party, a campaign specifically directed at college students, where Roosevelt is not the only target.  Loyola, Depaul, Northwestern and UIC have also been targeted to host this “beach party” on their campuses, and if it goes well Macy’s intends to take this on the road, so watch for half naked models in a ...
By liz • 13 years ago

My objection to ‘The Dilemma’

Let me start by saying: I like Vince Vaughn, I like Kevin James, and I generally like Ron Howard films.  I didn’t go into ‘The Dilemma’ expecting some meta-physical experience, or life changing realization.  I knew it would be Vince Vaughn doing his signature schtick, with Kevin James as the sidekick straight-man, and I thought it would be a nice 2hour break.  And I was enjoying myself for roughly the first thirty minutes, until a particular scene set me on edge, a scene I thought about for the duration of the film and am still mentally replaying.  Vince and Kevin are pitching their idea for a new energy efficient car that sounds like a classic muscle car,Vince then launches into ...

Let me start by saying: I like Vince Vaughn, I like Kevin James, and I generally like Ron Howard films.  I didn’t go into ‘The Dilemma’ expecting some meta-physical experience, or life changing realization.  I knew it ...
By liz • 13 years ago

I have a right to feel safe at my job

I have never been physically threatened at my job, nor have I felt the presence of immediate danger.  But I have been sexually harrassed.  Not by my employer, and not by a fellow employee, but by our customers.  I work at a specialty grocery store where studies have shown that most of our customers possess advanced degrees, and make upwards of 45grand a year.  My store is fortunate enough to have a staff that not only works well together, but shares common humor, and creates a welcoming environment for everyone who comes into the store.  Most of the time, I really enjoy my job, and most of the time I am appreciated.  However, I have recently experienced several upsetting encounters ...

I have never been physically threatened at my job, nor have I felt the presence of immediate danger.  But I have been sexually harrassed.  Not by my employer, and not by a fellow employee, but by our ...
By liz • 13 years ago

Bridalplasty–this can’t really be a show

I should start by saying, I do not watch the E! channel.  None of the shows appeal to me, aside from the occassional True Hollywood Story, but when I saw the commercials for the new show Bridalplasty, I knew I was going to start watching E!.  And after seeing an episode, I’m unsure whether I made a good decision or not.

For those who are unfamiliar with the show, here’s a brief summary:

Brides to be (some already married? i guess) are living in a house together and competing in wedding related challenges (dress, food etc) to win plastic surgery.  Each woman has a list of surgeries and each time she wins a challenge, or is the “top bride”, she gets some ...

I should start by saying, I do not watch the E! channel.  None of the shows appeal to me, aside from the occassional True Hollywood Story, but when I saw the commercials for the new show Bridalplasty, ...
By liz • 13 years ago

Stopping the unwanted ‘come-ons’

So today I read an article on Ms.com about a woman expressing her distaste with the fact that it seems socially appropriate for women to be hit on anytime anywhere, and I basically yelled amen!Finally somebody’s sayin something about this!!

As I so often do I let it simmer in my brain for a few hours and came upon, well a problem to say the least.  The issue goes beyond MEN(as the Ms. article only discussed hetero relations that’s what I’m responding to, not to discount nonheteronormative relations) believing they have license to hit on any woman at any time because as a society we are enforcing that belief.  There are constantly commercials, print ads, articles about women always looking your ...

So today I read an article on Ms.com about a woman expressing her distaste with the fact that it seems socially appropriate for women to be hit on anytime anywhere, and I basically yelled amen!Finally somebody’s sayin ...
By liz • 13 years ago

My issue with AllState’s ‘Mayhem’ commercials

As I was watching tv the other night I saw all state’s newest commercial in their ‘protect yourself from mayhem’ series.  You know the sketchy guy in the suit who breaks a tree branch on your car, and is a teenage girl so distraught from a txt message that she crashes her car?  Right, well the one I saw left me speechless.  It was the same guy, in his suit but with pink handweights and a pink sweatband ‘jogging’ down the street.  A teenage guy is driving down the street and sees the ‘mayhem’ guy(who is supposed to be an attractive woman, he even mentions his perfect 10 figure) and is so distracted by oggling this female that he crashes ...

As I was watching tv the other night I saw all state’s newest commercial in their ‘protect yourself from mayhem’ series.  You know the sketchy guy in the suit who breaks a tree branch on your car, ...