Activism
We're All Mad Here: Dating While Crazy
Common perceptions of mental illness and relationships suggest that mentally ill people do not belong in relationships, do not deserve love and affection, and are even dangerous to marry or get involved with. Not for nothing are undesirable prospective partners “crazy bitches,” are former partners... Read more »
Isn't He Lovely: Guy Talk with Hugo Schwyzer of the Good Men Project
Before I got too much farther in “Isn’t He Lovely,” I figured it would be a good idea to chat with a male about this whole “male beauty” business. Hugo Schwyzer is a proud feminist, the Gender and Sexuality Editor over at... Read more »
We're All Mad Here: The Institution in Music Videos
The institution as a recurring theme in pop culture tells us a great deal about how people think about institutions and mental illness, and music videos in particular provide a fascinating glimpse into perceptions of institutionalization and the institution as metaphor. Assembling this post, I... Read more »
Preacher's Daughter: Class Consciousness in Mavis Staples' "You Are not Alone"
Mavis Staples—gospel singer, soul artist and Civil Rights activist—is nothing short of a living legend. She started singing gospel with her family in the 1950s and had a successful Stax career as front woman for the Staple Singers. Though the family specialized in gospel, Staples’ raw vocals and... Read more »
Isn't He Lovely: The Cult of Muscularity
While I’m dubious that the Western female body ideal can be reliably found within in the pages of Playboy, a similar evolution has occurred in the sister (?) publication, Playgirl. A team of psychologists... Read more »
Douchebag Decree: Billy Corgan Decides Transphobia is the Only Way to Get Attention
Billy Corgan continued his downward trajectory towards irrelevancy (wrestling, anyone?) last week by not only insulting, slandering and threatening violence against Portland-based guitar pedal maker Devi Ever, but by making some incredibly transphobic statements for all of the Internet to see.
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American Apparel's Next XL Top Model
Nancy’s tumblr (called extra wiggle room in response to AA’s message to women who “need a little extra wiggle room where it counts”) is full of photos of her posing in various levels of dress with various levels of dressing... Read more »
We're All Mad Here: Parenting While Crazy
One particularly interesting, troubling, and recurrent depiction of mental illness in pop culture comes up in the handling of of mentally ill or cognitively impaired parents, where the traditional parent/child roles are reversed to advance a storyline. It is notable that this often involves a... Read more »
Isn
Pop culture’s image ideals for men come with their own complications and double standards, which are worth addressing as thoroughly as those leveled toward women. Just as Western female beauty ideals are modeled around straight, white women, Western male beauty standards worship at the altar... Read more »
On Our Radar
Happy Labor Day, folks! If you have Monday off, take some extra time to read these great links from all over the web.
Racialicious, close to winding down their series on interracial dating, kicked... Read more »
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