Culture
Mad World: Back to School
Well, it’s time to go back to school again. And you know how I know? Because of television commercials, which give me all the information I need on what it takes to be a cool kid these days. (Hint: channel your favorite High School Musical Version of Glee character, then press fast forward.)
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The Dating Game: Three Things to Never Put in an Online Dating Profile
I have, as mentioned, a rather personally fraught relationship with online dating. Catching too many of my supposedly monogamous partners using personal ads to cheat on me left me pretty thoroughly unable to commit to the process. And, when it comes... Read more »
Push(back) at the Intersections: I Think You Dropped Your 'T'
We need better representation for trans folks on television. Starting with more roles, a greater diversity of trans characters, avoidance of stereotypes, and, critically, getting transgender actors in these roles. There’s absolutely no reason we shouldn’t have empowering, awesome,... Read more »
Douchebag Decree: Anti-Muslim A-Holes
Image via Colorlines
If you build it, they will come...out of the woodwork.
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Push(back) at the Intersections: Stieg Larsson, Feminist Hero?
What makes a work feminist? It’s worth answering that before we begin. In some circles, depicting strong female characters resisting sexism is feminist. That’s not enough for me. To qualify as a feminist work, I think that something actively needs to include an anti-oppression message,... Read more »
Size Matters: Before and After
It's pretty much limited to reruns on the Style Network now, but when it was on ABC, one of my favorite shows to watch was Extreme Makeover. The show was hardcore; when they said "extreme" they meant it. From nose jobs to liposuction and body "resculpting" to butt implants, boob... Read more »
The Dating Game: For Your Own Sake, It's Probably Not a Good Bet To Be The "Other Woman"
There are many reasons not to get involved with someone who is otherwise monogamously committed to another person. It's not because you're a slut destined to ever be unhappy, or because you're betraying some sisterhoodly duty to prevent someone else's man-child from betraying her. It is, however,... Read more »
Push(back) at the Intersections: The Structure in the Critique
I view pop culture criticism as a vehicle to talk about structural issues. And so, it seems, do a lot of feminists. A lot of discussions about pop culture in feminist spaces bring up the fact that the messages in our media can be harmful. People internalize what they use as entertainment. When a... Read more »
Push(back) at the Intersections: Glee and Me
I would be remiss in talking about pushback against intersectional critiques of pop culture without discussing my long and tormented relationship with the Fox hit Glee. To put it bluntly, I hate Glee.
Yet, a lot of feminists, including some of the staff here at Bitch, love ... Read more »
The Dating Game: Your Parents Know You Have Sex (A Memoir)
Why the pretense of "virginity" to my parents made so many things much more difficult. (Warning: the following involves sluthood, sexual assault and talking about either with one's parents.)
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