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?

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!