Latest Articles

Push(back) at the Intersections: Who Writes These Representations, Anyway?

by s.e. smith
August 16, 2010 at 9:49am

The commonality of really problematic depictions in Hollywood and other aspects of pop culture is, to my eye, a pretty compelling argument for improving representation on the creative teams behind the media we consume. However, it’s clear that better representations aren’t necessarily something that people are interested in. Indeed, Silverstein notes that in the world of television...

Douchebag Decree: Douchebag Roundup

by Katie Waldeck
August 14, 2010 at 2:31pm

So many douchebags, so little time. This week, there were a number of worthy contenders, so let’s take a look at them, shall we?

On Our Radar

by Katie Waldeck
August 13, 2010 at 2:38pm

We're back again! We're rounding up some of the most interesting things we read this week on another edition of On Our Radar.

  • On Salon, Tracy Clark-Flory highlights the Menstruation Machine, an art project designed by Japanese artist Hiromi Ozaki. The machine is "fitted with a blood dispensing mechanism and lower-abdomen-stimulating electrodes" to mimic the effects of...

Size Matters: Your Big Fat Reading List

by Tasha Fierce
August 13, 2010 at 1:55pm

Since the end of summer is rapidly approaching, I thought I’d suggest a selection of books on fat acceptance and fat bodies in general for you to finish the season with. Some of these I’ve read, others I’m in the process of reading. If I have any personal insights on the book I’ll share them with you. Now, let's get to reading. Or at least thinking about reading.

1. Fat!So?:...

BitchTapes: Color Mix

by Brian Frank
August 13, 2010 at 12:18pm

This music mix is dedicated to all things colorful.

 Red is covered by St. Vincent, amongst others; Blue (for which I probably could have included about 1000 other songs) is handled by the likes of Leonard Cohen and Joanna Newsom; Pink is handled by the Mountain Goats; Green by the National; and Grey by Josephine Foster. The lack of color is covered by the Dresden Dolls.

Any...

Genderlicious: Video Weekend Anthems

by Thea Lim
August 13, 2010 at 10:11am

I decided to share some of my favorite “don’t sweat it, you got it” anthems with you.

Bag Lady - Erykah Badu

One day, all them bags gon’ get in your way. I shook my booty to this song many a time before I realized that it is actually an anti-consumerist anthem packaged in the most compassionate older-sister-pep-talk-lecture I’ve ever heard.

Push(back) at the Intersections: Two Ways of Looking at Mad Men

by s.e. smith
August 12, 2010 at 11:05am

I think the differences in the way people engage with Mad Men are a reflection of the different ways that people like to interact with pop culture. For some of us, it’s pure entertainment. For others, it’s something deeper and darker. I like pop culture I can sink my teeth into, I like things that challenge me and leave me thinking, and I adore things that challenge...

Genderlicious: Sympathy Grifting: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Fraud

by Thea Lim
August 12, 2010 at 10:13am

 

I am living in Toronto for the summer, where the press is going wild over a local case of sympathy-fraud:

Ashley Anne Kirilow, a 23-year-old Burlington native, admits she faked cancer, ran a bogus charity and collected thousands of dollars from hundreds of people. She shaved her head and eyebrows, plucked her eyelashes and starved herself to look like a chemotherapy patient....

Size Matters: The Bigger the Ass, the More the Sass

by Tasha Fierce
August 11, 2010 at 2:19pm

When it comes to roles on television and in movies, fat actresses have few options. Instead of portraying diverse, multifaceted characters, they are usually relegated to either sassy fat sidekick or supportive fat best friend. Of course, as Marissa Audia-Raymo illustrates in her BUST Magazine article "The Fat Friend" (August/September Issue), these stereotypes ring true in real life as...

Push(back) at the Intersections: Fat. So?

by s.e. smith
August 11, 2010 at 12:45pm

The fat acceptance movement has been active for a long time. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance has been around since 1969, challenging social attitudes about fat and fighting for fat equality. There are clear intersections between fat acceptance and feminism, as writers like Kate Harding have amply demonstrated, and there is also an unbelievable level of...

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