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?