Category Archives: Feminism and Culture

On Backlash

Posted on July 1, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Katha Pollitt says backlash against feminism is “crackling up a storm”. Kira Cochrane says the same thing is happening in the UK. And Dodai at Jezebel writes: Here’s a fun exercise: Think of 5 celebrities you love, and 5 celebs … Continue reading →

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Are there any Empowering Books For Teenage Girls?

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Danielle Holley-Walker

I don’t have children so I don’t often shop for children’s books. Yesterday I went to Barnes & Noble to shop for books for a family friend who is a 12 year old girl. What I found were shelves of … Continue reading →

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Women Protest Separate and Unequal Grill Rooms at Tony Phoenix Golf Club

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Caitlin Borgmann

From the New York Times: When the men of the Phoenix Country Club saw their feeding ways in peril, they did not tarry. Some sent nasty e-mail messages, hectored players on the fairway and, for good measure, urinated on a … Continue reading →

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Selfishness, Sexual Desire and Women’s Empowerment

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

From the Chronicle of Higher Education, this article on “The ‘Right’ Sexuality for Girls” by Sharon Lamb (Psychology, Saint Michael’s College): Healthy sexuality for a woman thus got defined as an alternative to objectification, victimization, and female passivity. And healthy … Continue reading →

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Albanian Custom Fades: Woman as Family Man

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Caitlin Borgmann

Interesting story in the N.Y. Times (6/25): Pashe Keqi recalled the day nearly 60 years ago when she decided to become a man. She chopped off her long black curls, traded in her dress for her father’s baggy trousers, armed … Continue reading →

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“Islam vs. Christianity, Re: Feminism”

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Ann Bartow

That’s the title of this interesting post at Screaming Into The Void. Amananta writes in part: Given there are only 300 million people living in America, and approximately 1 billion estimated in”the Muslim World”, given that most women killed by … Continue reading →

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Oh Great, Victoria’s Secret Has A “Pink Collegiate Collection”

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. And my thoughts turn to trademark law. Which of the two trademarks should be understood to designate source? This pairing is confusing to consumers, the marks potentially dilute each other, and by gosh I feel like the University of … Continue reading →

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“Gender and Copyright Law”

Posted on June 21, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Discussed here, at the Patry Copyright Blog.

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Still More Sexist Beer Ads

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Latest travesties described here. And here is a side of Cheetos Phallicism, in case you aren’t sufficiently skeezed out by the beer ads.

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Ten Years Ago Francine Prose Published “Scent of a Woman’s Ink: Are Women Writers Really Inferior?”

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Her essay appeared in the June 1998 issue of Harper’s. (Another route to access is here). It received this interesting commentary by Laura Miller. I was reminded of Prose’s observations by this post at Sense & Sensuality, which I found … Continue reading →

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Least Subtle Use of A Woman’s Body To Sell A Cell Phone Ever?

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Weird stalkerish vibe too. Via.

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Barbies are Not Entirely Blank Screens

Posted on June 15, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards claim that “Barbie didn’t so much influence us as … she was a blank screen on which to project what what happening in our heads”  (Manifesta, p. 196).  Although I think they overstate the case, … Continue reading →

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“The Girl Effect”

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Ann Bartow

The Girl Effect overview video, viewable here. Affiliated website here. And see also. Via Froomkin and here. Edited to add: Shorter “Girl Effect” – if we start treating women like human beings maybe they will clean up some of the … Continue reading →

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“The Women” The Movie

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Trailer here. Article about why it has not been released here. Via Jezebel.

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Gender Equity and Math

Posted on May 30, 2008 by David S. Cohen

Today’s Science Magazine has an article indicating that, while boys usually perform better than girls on standardized math tests, in countries with the greatest economic equality between men and women, girls perform just as well as boys on these tests. … Continue reading →

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More Rebecca Walker

Posted on May 26, 2008 by Ann Bartow

In addition to her insights about Barack Obama destroying feminism for its own good (with multiple part analogizing of feminism to Wal-Mart), now Rebecca talks about how Alice Walker was a terrible mother and it is mostly feminism’s fault. This … Continue reading →

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“Project: Canadian Club – Your Mom Had Groupies”

Posted on May 24, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Hooray for feminist subvertising! Take that, Canadian Club. Via the f-word.

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On Footbinding

Posted on May 24, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Heart has a post here, with photos.

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New Blog: “Care Talk”

Posted on May 22, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Ingrid Robeyns notes at Crooked Timber: Nancy Folbre, who is widely considered to be one of the most knowledgeable economists on issues of care work, has recently started a new blog, called Care Talk. It’s a research blog that aims … Continue reading →

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“Celebrity and the Public Sphere”

Posted on May 21, 2008 by Ann Bartow

That’s the title of an interesting post at An Open Letter by a Feminist. Below is an excerpt: An article in the BBC magazine highlights that female celebrities are more hated than male celebrities, and often for no apparent reason … Continue reading →

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“Change the Men, You Idiots”

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

So says Mary Garth, here, continuing today’s science theme.

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“Feeling powerless impairs higher mental abilities”

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From Not Exactly Rocket Science: Feeling powerless is no fun. A lack of control can make the difference between contented and unhappy employees. But new research shows that a lack of power doesn’t just make people feel disgruntled. It has … Continue reading →

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Purity Balls

Posted on May 19, 2008 by David S. Cohen

The New York Times today has an article describing Puirty Balls, dances in which fathers vow to protect their daughters and keep them pure. Reading it made me very uncomfortable. Fostering healthy father/daughter relationships is a wonderful goal, but I’m … Continue reading →

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Did You Know That Size 10 Was “Plus Size”?

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Me neither but apparently it is.

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Is It Really That Hard to Say “Abortion” on TV or in the Movies?

Posted on May 13, 2008 by David S. Cohen

Thanks to TiVo, I’m several days late on this one, but last week’s 30 Rock continued in the tradition of television shows such as Scrubs, Friends, and the Nine as well as movies such as Waitress, Knocked Up, and Juno … Continue reading →

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“Iron Man: The Summer of Men”

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Ann Bartow

The WOC PhD blog has a detailed review here, with spoilers. And pictures!

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From the Department of Potential Blog Ad Pitfalls

Posted on May 5, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Via.

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“Trying to expand fan base by marketing its players, the WNBA for the first time offers rookies lessons in fashion and makeup”

Posted on May 5, 2008 by Ann Bartow

That’s an excerpt from this article, which also contains the following: … “It’s all contributing to how to be a professional,” league President Donna Orender said of the orientation classes. “I do believe there’s more focus on a woman’s physical … Continue reading →

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The Temptation to View the Death of Eight Belles As Feminist Parable Is Overwhelming

Posted on May 4, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Eight Belles is the horse who took second place in the Kentucky Derby yesterday, but broke both front ankles in the process, and was therefore immediately euthanized. She was the only filly in a field of twenty horses. A story … Continue reading →

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Dammit – DC Madam Hangs Herself

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Ann Bartow

The DC Madam killed herself yesterday, about a week after being found guilty by a jury on prostitution-related charges of money-laundering (among other things).Among her alleged clients are Louisiana Senator David Vitter, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias, … Continue reading →

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still black: a portait of black trans men

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Ann Bartow

trailer here. more info here: Directed by experimental filmmaker Kortney Ryan Ziegler, still black is a feature-length documentary that explores the lives of six black transgender men living in the United States. Through the intimate stories of their lives as … Continue reading →

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Storm Large on “Ellen” a couple of years ago: “The high heels nearly killed me.”

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. A couple of fabulous clips of her singing: Here, here, here, here and here.

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Valenti’s New Book on “Double Standards”

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

Jessica Valenti of feministing.com has a new book.FYI. -Bridget Crawford 4.24 buy viagra 424 buy viagra best buy viagra buy australian viagra buy canada viagra buy cheap viagra buy cheapest viagra buy cialis viagra buy deal viagra buy discount viagra … Continue reading →

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Most Depressing Blog Post I Read Today

Posted on April 28, 2008 by Ann Bartow

So far, anyway: This. Why does the blogger worry that feeling upset about a “manager” father who is pressuring his 18 year old daughter into porn and prostitution means she is “not as progressive as [she] thought”? Coercion and manipulation … Continue reading →

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Because Ultrafeminine Stereotypes “Offset The Evil”?

Posted on April 27, 2008 by Ann Bartow

One weird and offensive marketing tool for a violent video game. [NB: You need to click on the pink pony to fully understand the premise.] (Warning – very creepy and alarming.)  

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Some Links To Law Review Articles About “Appropriation” Issues

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Ann Bartow

This law review article link round up is an orthogonal response to a number of conversations happening in the blogosphere. A lot of interesting things have been written by law profs about appropriation issues, from a variety of perspectives. This … Continue reading →

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“Female sports stars deserve recognition”

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Feminist Law Prof Sharon Sandeen’s recently published Letter to the Editor: As a sports fan — particularly a fan of women’s sports — I have often been disappointed by the Star Tribune’s coverage of women’s sports. But April 21’s edition … Continue reading →

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A short clip of biting satire about the male-centric music industry, by Erykah Badu

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. Not safe for work, especially if you work in the male-centric music industry.

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Staceyann Chin is a fantastic feminist poet.

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

See for yourself here.

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“Carmen Berenguer wins Ibero-American Pablo Neruda Poetry Prize”

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Read more here! I don’t have time to read much poetry these days but I am a Berenguer fan, so I’m really pleased about this. –Ann Bartow

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Robert I. Sutton, “The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t.”

Posted on April 18, 2008 by Ann Bartow

From this website: “In his new book, Sutton reveals the huge TCA (Total Cost of Assholes) in today’s corporations. He shows how to spot an asshole (hint: they are addicted to rude interruptions and subtle putdowns, and enjoy using “sarcastic … Continue reading →

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“Why gamers need to stop being assholes to feminists if they want to be happy”

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Ann Bartow

That’s the title of this post at Feminist Gamers. Below is an excerpt: … We all know that videogames are being scapegoated. But whenever someone offers up a scapegoat, it’s because they’re trying to avoid taking responsibility for the real … Continue reading →

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“Quick, name a few recent popular movies where the two top-billed stars are female.”

Posted on April 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Struggling? Here’s why. Via Bitch, Ph.D.

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“What’s My Line?” Clip from January 27, 1957

Posted on April 15, 2008 by Ann Bartow

As Froomkin notes, the Mystery Guest is surreal. What I also find interesting is that even though the female panelists are hyper-feminizied with lacy blindfolds (which I’m guessing were pink) and high maintenance hair, make-up and clothing, they are permitted … Continue reading →

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Symposium on Noëlle McAfee’s “Two Feminisms”

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Ann Bartow

McAfee’s article is accessible here, via the Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2005. McAfee writes at her blog: An article of mine that I wrote a few years ago,”Two Feminisms,”found a new life as the subject of … Continue reading →

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How To Be The Best…

Posted on April 1, 2008 by Ann Bartow

If you are a boy, this book will teach you how to: â–º Fight off a crocodile â–º Rip a phonebook in half â–º Escape quicksand â–º Speak in code But if you are a girl, surely you’d prefer to: … Continue reading →

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Toilet Signs

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Ann Bartow

A whole blog full! Some subtle, some not so much… See also.

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Still More Misogyny

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Ann Bartow

This time from spoiled rich kids at a private high school in NYC. In about five years, give or take, some of them will be enrolling in law schools, but hopefully not mine. Via Jezebel. –Ann Bartow

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“Harry Potter: Feminist Friend or Foe?”

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Bridget Crawford

It was only a matter of time until a book like Harry Potter: Feminist Friend or Foe?  hit the presses.   I have an affinity for feminist perspectives and  a tolerance for “Law &” just about anything.   I liked … Continue reading →

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Moe at Jezebel asks: “How Many 8-Year-Olds Have To Get Bikini Waxes Before We All Agree The Terrorists Have Won?”

Posted on March 28, 2008 by Ann Bartow

Here. Article about beauty treatments for children that it references, here.

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