Culture

Not Quite “Grown-Ish”: Power Dynamics Complicate Onscreen Lesbian Student-Teacher Relationships

Despite our excitement and enthusiasm about seeing brilliant lesbian professors represented onscreen, they aren’t immune to critique. Read more »

“Hustlers” Explodes the Damaging Stereotype of Sex Workers as Thieves

The prevalent trope feeds the idea that sex workers are criminals instead of professionals who deserve to be compensated for their labor. Read more »

The Caroline Calloway Effect: Scammer Culture is Peak White Privilege

Without the armor of their grifts—their thinness, whiteness, and status as blond young women—scammers like Caroline Calloway would’ve been immediately labeled con artists. Read more »

Beyond Tabloid Crime: The Slow, Methodical Evolution of Sexual Assault on “Law & Order: SVU”

Though SVU has largely steered clear of the gore and intense luridness of other prime-time procedurals, it has still played into the idea that violence against women isn’t about the woman’s experience but rather about the remains of her body. Read more »

30 Years Ago, “The Golden Girls” Treated Sick Women like We Matter

Three decades later, “Sick and Tired” remains a cultural touchstone for people with chronic illnesses. Read more »

The Necessary Escapism of “Law & Order: SVU”

In Dick Wolf’s formulaic world, victims are always believed, cops are dedicated to catching bad guys, and justice is always served, no matter how long it takes. Read more »

Very Online: Instagram Has a Conversion Therapy Problem

With help from Instagram, they’re able to expand their reach to those vulnerable to their violent teachings. Read more »

Backtalk: Toxic Diet Culture Targeting Kids

This week, Dahlia and Amy talk about Kurbo, a weight loss app for children. Read more »

Family Ties: “Hustlers” Promises Crime, but Delivers Matriarchy

Ramona frames all of her behaviors as acts of love, whether she’s teaching Destiny how to diversify her stripping moves or instructing the larger team of women on how to seduce, drug, and steal money from white, wealthy, and unsuspecting men. Read more »

BitchWatch: 7 Movies Feminists Should Watch This Fall

This fall, we’re anticipating movies about women astronauts, another Charlie’s Angels reboot, and a thriller all about socioeconomic class.  Read more »

Pages

"Moonlight" is an Essential Work of Art for the Current Political Moment

Moonlight displays the kind of empathy and humanity that we desperately need right now. Read more »

Eat, Pray, Spend: Priv-Lit and the New, Enlightened American Dream

Even as reports on joblessness, economic recovery, and home foreclosures suggest that no one is immune to risk during this recession, the popularity of women’s wellness media has persisted and, indeed, grown stronger.  Read more »

Dear Bear: My Partner Makes No Money. Is That a Problem?

Our advice columnist offers a lesson in anticapitalist self-care. Read more »

Where My Girls At: Meet Two of Ferguson's Black Queer Activists

Amid national discussions of police brutality and systemic racism, Black women have been the loudest and most consistent voices demanding change. Read more »