TW: brief mentions of sexual assault/rape “So,” she said with a heavy sigh, “do we want to talk about it?” It was the day after the election, and my normally lively class was silent. As a political science minor, this election was fascinating to me on an academic level. Nobody saw this coming – not […]
Read More “Trump Won. Get Over it.”I recently read a piece by a fellow feminist that got me thinking about the different ways different individuals feel empowered. And, in turn, whether or not certain people view those differences in a positive or negative light. I’m taking this opportunity to further the discourse surrounding the topic of “appropriate clothing” and emphasize that […]
Read More Stop Sexualizing My Body: A Response to “Empowering or Sexualization?”Image credit I heard a story of a young, Black, transgender women who was brutally murdered, just last month in fact, in Maryland. Crystal Edmonds was only 32 years old. Black transgender/gender non-conforming persons are at higher risk of violence (from anti-LGBTQ+ persons) than any other group. In general, there has been a long history of […]
Read More Heterosexual Support for the LGBTQ+ Community“Woooah there, little missy! I could see that beautiful smile of yours from a mile away!” If you’ve ever worked in the service industry and you identify as a woman, this type of comment may seem all too familiar to you. “Ah, Stanley,” you say, masking your responsive cringe behind wide eyes and a vibrant […]
Read More “I’ll have the Broccoli, Fried Okra and a side of women empowerment, please.”Featured Photo Credit here I’m for all women feeling empowered in everything they do. I’m also all for women feeling absolutely empowered in what they wear. Why shouldn’t I? I’m a woman too. So when it comes to this fashion phenomenon, “butt cheek shorts”, i.e. butt-less shorts, I’m forced to question how this article of […]
Read More Empowering or Sexualization?“Shh, did you hear that?” “Can you believe it?” “She bled through her pants!” “I would die.” “I would change my name and move away.” “How embarrassing.” Photo by Angelo Bosco on Flickr, CC In light of Jenny Hval’s recent album “Blood Bitch”, I think it’s time to talk about periods. Media and society have […]
Read More Red Alert: You’re OVARYactingWhen it comes to women and religion, the figure of Eve is often pointed to as an excuse for female subordination. Eve was made from Adam’s rib; Eve was the one who tempted Adam; Eve was the originator of all sin— all the poor girl did was eat an apple from a tree and suddenly, […]
Read More All About Eve— Sexualization is in the Eye of the BeholderWhat is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised and misunderstood…the speaking profits me, beyond any other effect. –Audre Lorde About two or so years ago, I wrote my first spoken word. I had a rough winter break at home, things from my […]
Read More Words, Poetry, and Activists: Let’s Get InspiredSo there’s this story. It hasn’t been told much, at least this specific one hasn’t, but it begs to be told. It begs to be heard because it’s like so many other stories. It was the summer before her senior year of high school. Summer in the suburbs with short shorts, bonfires, and house parties. […]
Read More That Summer Night: A Story Kept Under SheetsSunday night, beloved celebrities took to the red carpet for the Academy Awards. Chris Rock hosted and provided laughs and jokes that criticized the Academy and the lack of people of color as nominees. He also let his daughters sell Girl Scout cookies to the audience. It was a fun night filled with excitement and […]
Read More Why Lady Gaga Won the Oscars
ShoutOut! James Madison University 