Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg

So in honor of Reproductive Rights week in class, I dug into the archives and pulled out this oldie but goodie by TLC....



This was one of my favorite girl groups as a child. Although some of the topics they sang about I didn't fully understand back then, now that I am older I can appreciate songs like this, Creep and Waterfalls which promoted women staying true to themselves. Notice the signature condom patch Left Eye wore in her videos to promote safe sex? Genius...

Now, some parents did not agree with the messages groups like TLC were portraying in their music (and in their choice of clothing accessories). Others praised their efforts because it opened up doors to talk to their kids about sex. Do you feel their messages were appropriate? How do you think this is intertwined with the topic of reproductive rights?

Fashion Forward

Last week in my women's studies class we had to look up an article dealing with challenging notions of what it means to be masculine and feminine. I ran across an article talking about how many female celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron, Hillary Swank Keri Hilson are starting to claim their "tomboy" side. It could range from their clothing style to haircut or even extracurricular activities. I liked this article because I remember a time when I too had the jeans and shirts that were dirty or always faded at the knees from doing activities that were considered to be for "boys". The article noted how the word tomboy was first used in the mid-16th century for guys considered to be "rude or boisterious", and eventually became a term for girls who were considered not be as feminine as other girls her age. However, if you look at recent trends in fashion, it has become chic to embrace your more masculine side. So I decided to go through pictures of women embracing this masculine side and here is what I found:


Ellen Degeneres on the Red Carpet


Cassie with her half shaven/half long "doo"


Amber Rose and her completely shaven "doo" and Air Force Ones


Halle Berry with her pixie hair and Boyfriend Jeans


Cover girl Ellen Page from Juno


Rihanna and her punk-rock style in a tuxedo

By the way, if you would like the read more about the article, you can look at it [here].

My point is you dont always have to be dolled up in tons of make up, sky high heels and tight form-fitting clothes to be considered fashion forward. Just take a look at the ladies above - all representing their individual style in new, refreshing and innovative ways. I must say if this is what tomboy looks like, the word never looked so good :)

I'm...Too Sexy for my Shirt

It has been no secret that throughout history women and their bodies have been used for visual pleasure in the media and in popular culture. This particular topic has long been an issue feminist dialogue has shined a light on. Remember when people began focusing on the sexual exploitation of women in hip hop culture, especially when Spelman students protested Nelly for his infamous "Tipdrill" video? Well, I'm starting to notice a new trend rising. Check out these photos below:





This photo is an example of what will be seen on magazine stands this Friday. ESPN News Magazine is releasing its first ever "Body Issue", where six athletes who are noted for their desired physiques, will pose nude and have their photo on the cover. Is it me or does it seem like men are also starting to be used more frequently as sexual objects? Don't see what I'm talking about? Look at a few more examples I found:

In advertising...



In the movies...



In music...



It seems as though there is a growing consensus among males that in order to be viewed desirable, you need to have a certain (muscular,hairless,toned) body type. What will this growing trend have on male body type image? It reminds me of an article I read for my Women's Studies classby Michael Kimmel, who described the issues men face as being invisible. He claims men have no real dialogue on what it means to be masculine. If this is true and young boys or men are being told what masculinity is through the media and popular culture instead of "real" dialogue by "real" men, what impact will this have on how they view themselves?

Liberty and Justice for All

As my boyfriend was looking at a particular website he often frequents, I noticed this video at the top of the page. I took particular interest in the subject, especially since my father is a pastor. This particular question - should women preach- has been a long and hotly contested question, which still remains a sensitive subject today. Not only has this question come up, but the question of homosexuals in the church has also arisen:



Throughout history, scriptures from the Bible have been used (or misused) to validate a wide variety of acts from slavery, to abortion and even what we should eat. I find it interesting views like this can exist in a place that issupposed to promote love, healing, and salvation for ALL. Taking an even wider look, discrimination not only exists for people in the Christian church, but in other religions as well. What do you think accounts for discrimination in the church or religion in general? Are these views justified?

I am Woman!

During the first week of class, my Women's Studies professor had the class take a quiz on our knowledge of women in history. I was surprised at how little my classmates and I knew about their role in history, especially when we compared that to what we knew about men's roles. So I came up with the I Am Woman award, given to women who are powerful, influential and trailblazing role models which truly exude what it means to be Phenomenally, Woman. I feel this will educate myself and others on the important roles women play in our society. And our first IAW award goes to (drumroll please).......




A Phenomenal Woman who has claimed the number one spot on the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World list for not one, not two, but FOUR consecutive years in a row. She is none other than Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany. She is often compared to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher because of her political agenda, science background, and "Iron Frau" nickname. Some of her honors and achievements include being the first female German chancellor, the youngest Chancellor to serve since World War II, recipient of the Vision for Europe award, recipient of the Charlemagne Prize, and member of the Council of Women World Leaders.

My name is...

So, I'm doing my reading for my Women's Gender and Studies class and read an article on how Jewish women on college campuses are being called "Japs" - Jewish American Princesses. This derogatory term gives Jewish women the persona of being rich, spoiled, extremely materialistic, and selfish. Another version or the "Jap" is someone who is either deemed a "slut" or someone who is timid with her sexuality. While I had never heard of this term, I could easily identify with the article because of the many negative stereotypes of black women - Mammy, Jezebel, Sapphire, Welfare Queen and so on. So in dedication to women who daily refute the inaccurate stereotypes by being Phenomenally, Woman I give you Nina Simone's Four Women. Enjoy!

Ain't I a Woman?

A young 18-year old track star was recently forced to undergo gender tests because she was accused of lying about her gender. Now that the results have returned claiming she is a hermaphrodite, she is now faced with a new set of questions and dilemmas about her future career in the sport she loves. This brings up the true question: who decides what is to be deemed a "man or woman"? Is it fair for someone to be subjected to such public humiliation, especially at such a young age? Most importantly, is this sexism at work or an attempt to be "fair" to the other female competitors?