Zaha Hadid

I LOVE LOVE Zaha Hadid and am a great admirer of her work. She is one of the best architects in the world and such an amazing artist that never ever fails to impress me (and a million others).

I was reading about her here and was again impressed by her. Sadly, her being so talented sometimes was just not enough for reasons we all in this blog discuss on a regular basis!!!

Angola's landmine pageant

Angolan women are hosting a beauty pageant for women who were victims of land mines found all over the country as a result of a long lasting civil war.
These women will be tested on their beauty and brains and ultimately want to raise awareness and become ambassadors for their cause.

BBC article

Sexism and the city

I came across this manifesto originating from London. The campaign called "Sexism and the city" is to fight sexism in the work force, especially in business.

Well, I think, New York, the original city, could use a similar campaign for sure!!

WAM Conference!

Hey friends,

Just wanted to let you know that I am off to the WAM Conference in Boston tomorrow and I am SO EXCITED. Check it out! It's pretty cool.

I am speaking on a panel entitled YouthSpeak: The Present & Future of Online Media and Activism. I am going to talk about Georgetown and H*yas for Choice, and how blogging was a way to communicate with the outside world that we didn't really have a chance to explore.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Wish me luck! I'm super nervous. Helen THOMAS is going to be there! EEK!

Love and stuff,
Molly Jane

They're never too young for gender stereotypes!

Well this is a fun little piece of gender stereotyping!

I was reading an article on Bitch Magazine’s website, and one of the commenters posted a response that included this article. (Hooray for blogging!)

I am just so taken aback by the blatant gender stereotyping here. The “girls’ toys” are baby carriages and kitchen supplies while the “boys’ toys” are basketball hoops and pirate ships. I guess Pottery Barn wants a smidge of credit for including kitchen gear like refrigerators (in fire engine red) and a vacuum cleaner, but where are the medical bags and race cars for the girls and the baby carriages for the boys?! Sheesh.

Black man and white woman

If you go on the website of Vogue you will see Giselle Bundchen and Lebron James. Giselle is a constant on vogue and Lebron is the first black man to be featured on the cover of Vogue. Both of them are at the top of what they do, sports and modeling, hence the article.
This edition has caused quite a controversy because it portrays the black man as violent and dangerous. Not much was talked about the fact that the white woman was shown as a pretty doll that could be endangered by anything. Are we stereotyping again?

10,000 dreams, by Goldman Sachs

I really should not be promoting competitors but I think it is really amazing that Goldman Sachs launched an initiative to provide business education and opportunities to 10,000 women in developing and emerging countries.

Out-of-wedlock births are a national catastrophe. Really?

So, I was reading this article and one of the points that the author Emily Yoffe makes, really troubled me. It seems that she is suggesting that one way to avoid single motherhood is to make women feel bad/ embarrassed about having sex with men that will not make good fathers.

Pregnant man?

Here is the story of a transgendered man who decided to carry a baby because his wife cannot.

Is this redefining the concept of the woman as the creator of life?

Women in the sports

Being new to the whole March Madness phenomenon (although with Georgetown losing, I am done for this year) I was not quite sure how the NCAA tournament was organized. To educate myself, I went on Wikipedia (yes, wikipedia is a fine source for such urgent matters) to read about the topic. Well, among other things I was happy to learn that women also have their NCAA. But then I thought, how come I don't hear about it nearly as much? I admit that I only watch Georgetown basketball and our men's team has historically done better than our women's basketball team, which means that men's basketball overshadows women's basketball. So, I am in a way missing out on the women's tournament but the media is giving the women's tournament 1/20 of the attention it is giving the men's tournament?

Why is that? Thoughts?

Article from the Nation

Interesting profiles

I know, I know that radical feminists are not everyone's favorites but I still think that some of the featured women in this article are extremely interesting.

This is what a feminist looks like

Thanks Feminist Majority!!!

When women stop being seen as real people

One of the big problems I had with the way the media covered the story on Governor Spitzer was the portrayal of the 22 year old prostitute as an object that spices up the story. I was very disappointed with the Times even writing about her. It seemed to me that they completely violated her privacy and gave her no options about choosing whether to become a public figure in an eye's blink. She went from unknown aspiring singer, working as a prostitute to get by to being on the cover page of the NY Times and we all know that they get millions of clicks everyday.

On a similar note, I came across this article about (sex) entertainers being viewed and treated as objects by clients and menagers.

Breast implants - Is it a feminist issues?

I was reading this article in the Guardian about a surging trend in breast implants for young women.
The author touches upon several points that I believe are relevant to feminists.

Thoughts?

Why women should rule the world - Interesting Read

I have been MIA for a few days now, but have been constantly thinking about feminist issues, so intellectually I have remained connected and dedicated to this blog :)

So, I was reading about a new book by Dee Dee Myers, the first female White House Press Secretary appointed by the former President Clinton. The book is titled "Why women should rule the world" and it combines the author's personal experience as a woman in a male dominated White House with research and relevant topics. The book is particularly relevant with the elections going on in the US right now, and I believe it should be a interesting read.

Myers on NPR

Follow up on Spitzer debacle

Here's the latest update: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/nyregion/18cnd-paterson.html?hp

So another NY Governor is embroiled in a “sex scandal.” This one is a bit different though, and involved infidelity on both sides of their marriage. I am actually, well I wouldn’t say proud, but impressed with the finesse and grace with which Paterson is handling this potential media circus. By pointing out that “I think we have a marriage like many Americans, maybe even like many of you,” he is highlighting the hypocrisy of the press and the sick fascination of many people who read this stuff and feel better about themselves.

Let’s hope that the New York Governor can get past this crap and start working on some of the real issues here, like the immigration problems or the rampant homelessness.

Read this!

Hey all,

The New York Times posted this article recently about the prevalance of trans students in women's colleges. It is a fascinating article and I think is heralding a new phase in gender politics. When a school is charged with teaching about gender and challenging norms and stereotypes, how can they deny access to transmen? I find this to be utterly close-minded and hypocritical, but I understand the arguments against it.

I would love to hear what you all think. It's kind of a long article, but it's well worth the read!

Hooray CNN

In response to Aartie's post. This is something I wrote a few days ago for ChoiceUSA's blog Choicewords:

I was totally prepared to just let the Spitzer thing disappear into the black hole of all sex scandals, but when I saw on my iGoogle homepage: the Governor's Gal, I freaked. Are they serious with this crap?

The article is full of a bunch of shitty yellow journalism that our country is notorious for. CNN cited some of the reasons that this woman became a call girl with the Emperor’s Club. They quote extensively from her Myspace page (!!!), even though she explicitely remained tight-lipped with newspaper reporters.

“I just don’t want to be thought of as a monster,” Dupre told the newspaper. She revealed little else in the interview, but her MySpace page offered some insight into her background.

They go on to talk about the abuse she faced at home and her love of music. And all of this was taken from information posted on her Myspace page. Wow. That’s investigative journalism for you folks.

First of all, WHY are you prying into her personal life? I get that she was working with an organization that many have found "immoral" or whatever, and that has found some pretty nifty legal loopholes to avoid penalties, but she is not someone you should be targeting CNN! And, give me a goddamn break with the pictures you post of her! One is of her giving a very seductive look to the camera and the other is of her in a bikini?! They took it off of her Myspace page. God. Come on people, this is not news. Its sensationalism at the expense of a young woman’s privacy. I’m just appalled that someone got paid to write that article.

Governor Spitzer is an idiot, we can all agree. So let’s investigate WHY he’s an idiot, and why it’s so lucrative to pander to his idiocy. And how many young men and women are hurt in this occupation. Don’t drag this woman into it, and DON’T make your wife stand behind you at your press conference and pretend to look supportive when all she’s thinking about is how much better she deserves.

Losing Sight

The Spitzer affair has started many interesting conversations all over America. One of the most talked about topics has been "Kristen," the twenty-two year old woman whom Spitzer paid for sex. For whatever reason, (because the affair involves a government official, because "Kristen" has a myspace page, because of the amount of money she was being paid...etc..) people seemed to have lost sight of the fact that the subject is PROSTITUTION and not some glamorous publicity stunt. Some have made comments such as "well, its not so bad, this is good publicity for her singing career" or "the girl is lucky she will be so rich after this" or "wow, she is going to have so many more myspace friends...lucky" (yes, someone said that.) ...all of these comments, to me, represent a lack of understanding about the psychological aspects of what has occurred not to mention the greater social problem of trafficking and mistreatment that might not be so apparent in this case, but does occur. This is not to say that "Kristen" or some other girls don't "choose" their occupations, but I do think that speaking about the affair as good publicity masks other questions such as why people sell sex, what are the psychological effects, who are the people operating these rings and why... etc.

Kristof wrote an eloquent NY TIMES op-ed on the subject. One statement he makes is:

"But whatever one thinks of legalizing prostitution, let’s face reality: The big problem out there is the teenage girls who are battered by their pimps, who will have to meet their quotas tonight and every night, who are locked in car trunks or in basements, who have guns shoved in their mouths if they hint of quitting. If the Spitzer affair causes us to lose sight of that, then the biggest loser will be those innumerable girls, far more typical than “Kristen,” for whom selling sex isn’t a choice but a nightmare."

Oh dear...

This is an old 1960's coffee commercial. I am not sure how I feel about it, except to say that I am glad its 2008--although, lest we forget WE STILL HAVE QUITE A WAY TO GO!

And the results are in...

How effective is abstinence-only education? This New York Times article hints suggests what the answer to that question might be. I believe we are starting to see the effects of failing to encourage dialogue about safe-sex practices. I am not suggesting that more comprehensive education is a panacea but I do believe it is an important (to say the least) step.

More from the Spitzer Files

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=6921882

I know this has been the topic of a lot of blogging lately, but I had to get my two cents in here as well. Above is a link to an ABC newsclip that was posted on Yahoo's front page explaining "why powerful men cheat." Reasons include (but are not limited to): needing the "next jolt" after becoming so powerful they fancy themselves "invincible" and (wait for it...) a neurological disorder in the frontal lobe. That's right, sports fans: now men exploit, humuliate and dehumanize women because there is something wrong with their brains.

The clip also explores the "trend" of powerful men who has cheated on their wives/been caught hiring sex workers and compares their explanations. I wonder what will happen the first time we find a powerful woman has strayed from her marital vows-- my guess is that we won't see her husband standing supportedly by as the media paints her to be a homewrecking whore.

As the New York Post Said: Ho No!

While I have many issues with the scandal Gov. Spitzer created by hiring a prostitute and transporting her across state lines into Washington DC, one thing that noticeably stood out for me was the scene created at his press conference. The governor stands on the podium with the look of remorse and regret, apologizes to the state, and finally his family. But did you notice his wife standing with him? What is it about political wives creating a stand of solidarity with their cheating political spouses? David Vitter's wife criticized Hillary Clinton for "standing by her man" after the Lewinsky scandal, yet did the exact same this when her husband was implicated in the DC Madam scandal saying quote: "He is my best friend." Might I noticeably add that she was clad in the same uniform as Spitzer's wife in pearls and a power suit. How is it that these educated women are placed in this position, and why is it that we have come to accept this "united front" that such wives are complicit in? Noting that in any other circumstance is it more than likely the wife would leave that man behind.

Girls Rock!

I cannot wait to watch the new documentary film Girls Rock that is about the experience of four girls, 8-18 year old, at a Rock 'n' Roll camp. The experience of the girls seems to be empowering, allowing them to define who they are exactly how they want to. No inhibitions, no limitations!

Feminists are FUN!

Last week I attended a lecture by Gloria Steinem and she is one of the best speakers ever.
So inspiring and just really funny!

Tulane announcement

Freak the freak out

Eagle Forum, founded by Phyllis Schlafay, tried to promote the position that International Womens Day is just a day to advance radical feminism. The site condemns the U.S. government for supporting the day, saying:

Today, IWD serves to advance radical feminism in the form of promoting pro-abortion and pro-gay rights legislation, ratification of ERA, affirmative action for women, Title IX, government babysitting services, and government wage control, commonly camouflaged as "pay equity" or "comparable worth.


Well, hmmm...I guess I kind of agree...I mean, if promoting choice and equality is advancing radical feminism, count me in!

Here is the entire post.

Laughing is the best...

And I love women who love to make other people laugh. Thank you to Joe (one of my favorite feminists...) for sending me this article from VANITY FAIR that, among other things, discusses the visibility of women in comedy in the greater context of women in entertainment and the changing views of women in society.

Happy International Women's Day

to all the Wonderful Women in this blog and all Women around the world!

Domestic Violence Myths

I went to a very interesting conference on Monday and wanted to share some of the things I learned there. Several different groups of lawyers organize a training in domestic violence law every year at Fordham Law. Here are a few myths about domestic violence we discussed.

If a man is violent, a woman will be able to get help.

Sadly, this is untrue. You can hit a person without leaving marks. You can break ribs or make someone deaf without any physical signs of violence. Also, there are many ways to hurt someone without using violence. Think of the torture of being screamed at, being threatened with weapons, or being watched or listened to at all times. None of these leave physical evidence.

If a man threatens or hurts his children, the mother will definitely be able to get full custody.

Sadly, the opposite is true. Since the 80s, there has been a movement for "father's rights". This is a friendly misnomer that really means "maintaining the superiority of abusers in a family after a divorce". (This is a quote from a fantastic advocate who made the comparison of calling the KKK "an equal rights for white men" club.) They have coined the term "parental alienation" and have made judges paranoid about excluding any fathers from their children's lives. When wives make accusations of abuse (many of which, as mentioned before, cannot be proven) they are often accused of alienating the father and the father is given even more control over his children.

If a woman leave her abuser, she can start a new life.

If this were true I would be out of a job. Not only are women paid less than men in general, they are also often the parents who leaves work to stay home and take care of young children. They loose out on years in the work force, making them less employable and less able to financially support themselves and their children. Also, victims who are immigrants may or may not have legal status. Without this, they cannot work and definitely cannot support their children.

If a woman is a good mother, she will take her kids and leave.

This is one of the biggest myths. As explained briefly above, financial stability is very elusive to women who have been kept in controlling and abusive situations. If they can't feed their children, they might stay with an abuser to prevent this from happening. Many abusers hurt their intimate partners but not their own children. (This should NOT undermine the psychological effects witnessing abuse has on a child.) A woman in a desperate situation may choose physical safety and food as the best option for her children.
Also, statistics say that women who separate from their abusers and take their children are more prone to be victims of stalking, harassment, and murder. You can take care of your kids with a black eye or a broken leg. You cannot protect them if your abuser kills you.

I just wanted to share these thoughts on this blog. I like that we can discuss complex problems here without necessarily trying to find a solution.

Women are Dumber. Just own it.

A friend of mine posted this opinion from the Washington Post as her away message...along with the words: "another reminder that my vagina makes me dumb."

This article is outrageous. It starts off with pseudo political commentary but quickly just moves on to the idea that women should own the fact that they gossip, love romantic movies, and are best at "making a house a home". Everyone can probably predict what I have to say about that--so I won't say it...but, I think its outrageous that women's bad driving skills can somehow be innate...as if there are no other factors involved in the statistic from the John Hopkins study...

I read a very sad article in The New York Times this morning. A man who had originally been hailed a hero for turning in an abandoned baby girl was arrested last night for taking part in her abduction. The unfolding story is tragic. The girl's mother is assumed "14 or 15". She had spoken to neighbors of abuse at the hands of her daughter's father. Several neighbors were taking turns watching the baby but the father worked so many hours as a construction worker that it still wasn't enough. The mother disappeared, so the father's sister hatched a plan with her husband to drop the baby off at a fire station. 

There are many things about this story that make me angry/frustrated/sad. The first is the child- born into poverty to abusive, underage children who could not care for her. The second is the very brief mention of the allegations of the abuse against the father. The third is the mother's age. "14 or 15"?? The fourth, and probably most complex thought that I had was that this seemed like a misguided attempt to actually do what was best for the child. Her aunt realized she had been born into desperation. She had no hope of surviving in her given circumstances. Although it does not mention this, I am assuming that most of the players in this story were illegal immigrants. I say this not because their names sounded hispanic, but because of the age, employment, and lack of resources of the people involved. Contact with the police is a constant worry in the immigrant community. The baby's aunt and uncle lied to the police to try to get this girl into someone else's hands; hoping that someone in an authoritative position could save her. 

There is  link to the article below:

Please share any thoughts you have, especially if you can think of any way to try to remedy the situation.