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Snow and Charming know what’s up…
Love this.
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The final Stefon sketch from Saturday Night Live.
The Stefon bit was one of my favorites. I’m gonna miss him
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Me for the past three days!
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Paleo Banana Bread
After starting the paleo diet, I started craving the exact foods I wasn’t allowed to eat. This is my first...
wonderfully done!At the STWTS opening, I asked people to write their own captions to street harassers.
From Stop Telling Women to Smile Opening at Fresthetic on April 12, 2013. Brooklyn, NY.
Photos by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
LOVE this!
(via rugbyafrochick)
This image didn’t always piss me off. And others like it didn’t always piss me off. I was used to seeing them, hearing the rhetoric, and was deeply subscribed to the belief that it was normal & appropriate to motivate women this way.
In an industry where it’s often hard to get women to hop on the resistance train, encouraging them with reminders that it’ll turn them into ridiculously hot amazon women seems to work. Women respond to it and if it gets them squatting, the ends justify the means, right? (No. Not right, but we’ll get to that).
Clearly, I don’t feel the same way now. Body love epiphanies and tipping points will do that to you. But if you’re still where I was, and think these images are harmless, here’s some reasons you might want to rethink them.
First, let’s explore “The Making Of A Pro-Squat Fitspo Image For Women”.
A. Find pictures of bootylicious booties, usually headless. If said images aren’t already headless, cut the heads off. Zoom in on booty.
B. Place the words “squat” or “deadlift” all over them. If possible, accompany by a statement (implied or explicit) that those two exercises will make your booty RIDIC HOT, just like the headless girls in the image. Make said booty as sexually explicit as possible by showcasing it in underwear or booty shorts.
C. To really drive the point home, give the comparison treatment: showcase another smaller, flatter booty, (also headless) and dub said booty the ‘BAD non-squatty, non-deadlifty” booty Just another visual, to make sure you know the difference between a good butt and a bad butt.
D. If true fear or shame is what you’re after, apply a hefty dose of “men prefer women who squat, because of course” and duh, you want a hot booty to impress the fellas. The more implications that your ability to be attractive to men depends on squats, the better.
In a monumentous decision, a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove longstanding age and point of sale restrictions that prevent women from easy access to emergency contraception. The FDA has 30 days to comply. It’s about damn time.
As it stands, emergency contraceptives are only available to women 17 and older without a prescription; younger teenagers need a prescription from a doctor. But even older women can have a hard time getting their hands on the morning after pill, since it’s only for sale at health clinics and pharmacies — and because some pharmacists take it upon themselves to (very illegally) play moral police.
#spreadthelove
Everyone should feel safe heading out for a walk or run. EVERYONE.
But the truth is, many women don’t.
I do advise women to take precautions, but I hate having to do so. Victim blaming is very subtle at times, and when something awful h appens to you, the last thing you NEED or want is for someone to say “you should have known better”. Even when every precaution is taken, often media outlets still find someway to place a little blame on the victim.
No one has the right to hurt you. If they choose to do so, they should be held to the highest of legal AND MORAL accountability. To assume that men simply can’t control themselves, and that women are responsible for their own victimization is both insulting to decent men and brutal to women. By FAR the vast majority of men out there are decent, awesome human beings. To assume they are uncontrollable rapists is awful, misinformed and disgusting.
Anyone who asks “Well, shouldn’t she have known better?” or feels that it’s a woman’s responsibility to control the actions of the very FEW who would take advantage of her, needs a reality check.
It’s NOT your fault.
Information: Rainn.org
Resources: WomensLaw.org
Support: After Silence
NYC Women Talk Cat Calling: Explain Why It Sucks
This is the BEST thing you’ll see all day, lol.
Hilarious.
“The only person you should say “Hey Girl” to on the street is Ryan Gosling”.
“One of the big mantras of healthcare reform was that being a woman will no longer be a preexisting condition, and that’s certainly a principle that was be upheld today by the Supreme Court.”
The new change is one that should be considered a huge victory for women: “Under the law, insurance companies can no longer charge women more than they charge men for the same coverage, which was a common practice.”
Read more about what the new healthcare initiatives mean for women in America: http://blisstree.com/live/what-obamacare-means-for-women-birth-control-affordable-care-act-570/#ixzz1zCRJsrKg
So you think you will dance?
Sometimes things are not what they seem. Men, women and children are trafficked - tricked, forced and exploited in the sex industry. Awareness campaign created by Duval Guillaume Modem and produced by monodot in support of STOP THE TRAFFIK.
Visit http://www.stopthetraffik.org/ to get involved.
Music: a-shja by Raveyards vs. DJ Uinkxxx
Happy International Woman’s Day!
If you happen to have a paid holiday today, I think your boss is AWESOME. (for the fellas, it’s your holiday too! Feel free to fist pump just as loud as the rest of us. And we’re LOUD).
To celebrate this awesome occasion AND in the spirit of lady love, positive vibes, and kicking BODY LOVE butt, here are 5 things you should consider. Ideally, these would become everyday ways of being, but we all start somewhere!
Today…
1. NO BODY BASHING! Negative thinking and body hate be BANNED. That goes for your body, for ‘her’ body, for ‘their’ bodies. Catch yourself, flip a switch & reframe. ALL BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL, including yours. Let’s take a day off the ‘I’m so fat’, ‘I hate my thighs’, ‘She’s too skinny’ thinking and see how it feels, okay? Remember, little ladies learn to hate their bodies by watching/listening/reading/interpreting how we treat our own & each others. Pay a wee bit more attention to the messages your unintentionally putting out & taking in.
2. Find non-appearance-related ways to compliment your lady friends, co-workers & family. Women tend to focus TOO heavily on looks when it comes to sending compliments out. Yeah, we all LOVE being told we look great. But for today, let’s explore a little deeper, shall we? Focus on someone’s humor, grace, kindness, wit, strength, ability, attitude, candor, approach, confidence etc. Give ‘em a boost.
3. Reach out. If there’s a lady friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile, why not say hi? People tend to put their best face forward on sites like Facebook: you don’t really know what’s going on with someone unless you check in. A text, a quick message, a (gasp) phone call. SAY ‘HEY’.
4. Step out of your comfort zone! Do something nuts, uncharacteristic or something you’re scared of. Sometimes the BEST bits of us are the ones yet to be discovered. Take a risk & give yourself a pat on the back regardless. You might not realize you needed the confidence boost until you get one. (It can be small! For me, that meant fixing a shelf with an electric drill this morning. First time and I feel BAD ASS. Bring on the construction hat.).
5. Support other women around the world. First world lady problems are bad (body image, diversity, domestic abuse, objectification), but there’s a virtual genocide of women happening right now in many parts of the world. Get informed, spread the word, and take a look at ways you can help in the fight to bring basic human rights to women around the globe: http://www.hrw.org/category/topic/women
(via Planned Parenthood)
Surprising?
A new study conducted by the University of Surrey suggests that messages contained in men’s magazines sound more like those coming out of the mouths of convicted rapists, than solid, lady-friendly man-advice.
The study took quotes from several men’s magazines and combined them with quotes from convicted rapists. They showed the list to participants and asked them to identify which were which. Not only could they NOT identify the quote sources reliably, but many were more inclined to agree with the statements made by rapists AND most found the quotes from the men’s magazines more derogatory in nature.
What’s terrifying to me, is that many of the messages or “quotes” they used are similar to those you’d hear in cases of victim blaming (in instances of rape, blaming the victim for ‘asking’ for it, instead of focusing on the acts of the rapist). Victim blaming is one of the reasons most (MOST) women don’t report their rapes, or feel hesitant talking to friends and family. And it’s not just men who mirror these sentiments… they’re used by women too.
Really, truly, scary stuff.
The above article is an opinion piece by Deborah Dunham of Blisstree.com about running skirts. Suffice to say, she’s not a fan.
While these skirts have been around for at least the last four years, apparently, it’s becoming more of a trend to want to look stylish when we work out (Runner’s World even nicknamed such females as “stunners”. Get it? Stylish runners?) But to me, nothing could be more detesting than trying to look cute when it comes to running. I just couldn’t take myself seriously while donning a frilly skirt all covered with sparkles and shit. What’s even worse than the skirt itself (and I do get that some women swear these are totally comfortable), is the fact that they can create a sexist atmosphere on the road or at a race–places where women should be seen as athletes, not girly girls trying to look all adorable.
It’s insulting that she would insinuate anyone with a curveless physique would want to look any different. Also, when did running become all about body image and “hugging the right curves”? Can’t we just put all of that aside when we hit the road and embrace our bodies for what they do versus how they look? We’re not out there for others to gawk at. We’re out there to get shit done. And for me, that’s in a basic pair of black shorts and a tank.
Now, I understand where Deborah is coming from, and in a culture like the one we have it’s prudent to be hyper-sensitive to the sexualization of women. But while I agree that women shouldn’t be pressured to look a certain way, that sentiment goes both ways. I believe in freedom of expression. While running skirts might not be Deborah’s thing, I think it sets us backwards to judge a lady by her skirt. And as a self-described girly girl, who still loves to train hard, I find it insulting that someone would make assumptions and judgments about me based on what I wear. And if I wanna wear a running skirt, even a pink frilly, shiny and sparkly one, I don’t want to be worried about women like Deborah judging me for doing so.
What we choose to wear (or not wear) is a personal preference. Just as some women feel uncomfortable wearing makeup, certain clothes or jewelry, others use it as a means of personal expression. The decision to wear or not wear what we like is entirely up to us. No one should tell us how we feel most comfortable, especially other women. Now, if you’re forced to wear a skirt and don’t want to? Different story. But that’s not what this is about.
I feel most comfortable working out in as little as possible (bear in mind, 95% of the time it’s just me at home). However, the second I head out to the gym, I know that not covering up will spawn the glares of other women (not all, but some). I work very, VERY hard at not giving a shit about what other people think, but I also don’t want to be accused of attention seeking, or be taken less seriously by other women at the gym. The look: that LOOK. It makes me uncomfortable.
Interesting point: note the worry about WOMEN and not men. When it comes to men, they seem more impressed with my burpees & pullups than what I’m wearing. When it comes to women, those who would be more concerned about what I’m wearing as opposed to what I can do are projecting something on to me that has nothing to do with me. It could be insecurity, societal anger, maybe their own feelings of feeling judged. Whatever it is, it’s not my intent to bring it out of them, even if it has little to do with me. So while covering up is sometimes uncomfortable, it’s a small price to pay to get a smile rather than a sneer. (ugh, ladies).
When it comes to personal style, fashion, comfort, cuteness, bad assness or anything else that makes a woman feel good about herself when she’s working out: it’s a personal choice. Your workouts, like everything else you choose to present to the world, are your own and should be fun for you. I know women who won’t head to the gym without a little makeup and others who balk at the thought: I’d much rather they keep doing what they have to so that they’re comfortable and active. If the alternative is a woman who doesn’t feel 100% confident, then that’s contrary to what I try to endorse here. Hell, I wear mascara when I hit the gym and damn those who’d judge me. I feel awesome about it at the chin up bar.
-runningskirtscom.jpg)
And that’s the point: feeling comfortable and confident. I get a better workout on when I feel good about myself. Somedays that’s in my PJ’s and some days that’s in a sports bra and booty shorts. One day that could be in a running skirt. Anything that encourages women to be who they wanna be, makes them comfortable and inspires them to get sweaty (which new workouts clothes have been known to do), is just fine by me. I hate big baggy T-shirts when I workout, but I’d be a bitch and a half to EVER look down on someone who was more comfortable that way. We’re all different.
Just as we all have personal styles when we go to work, head out on a date and hang at home, there’s room for personal style in fitness. It is not a reflection of how hard someone’s working, or a reflection of their intentions (a skirt doesn’t mean you’re inviting people to sexualize you). If I feel more comfortable wearing a sports bra and booty shorts, I should be able to wear them without being accused of doing something other than making myself comfortable. And if wearing a pink frilly skirts while running is YOUR thing? Well let your pink frilly freak flag fly. That’s your style. If not, that’s just a reflection of your own personal style. It doesn’t make you a better person, or a better athlete. Don’t ever ask someone to dull their shine.
And don’t dull your shine for anyone else. :)
I did this. Because I am a girl. If you’re a girl (or a girl respecting fella), I urge you to hop on board too.
Excerpt from Plan International
Because I am a Girl is Plan’s campaign to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls out of poverty.
Across the world, girls face double discrimination due to their gender and age, leaving them at the bottom of the social ladder.
Research has shown that girls are more likely to suffer from malnutrition; be forced into an early marriage; be subject to violence or intimidation; be trafficked, sold or coerced into the sex trade; or become infected with HIV.
Plan is producing one girl report each year in the run up to 2015, the target year for the Millennium Development Goals. Each report provides tangible proof of the inequalities that still exist between boys and girls.
Join our campaign and help us transform the lives of the world’s poorest girls.
I made my donation via text message. Text HOPE to 30333 to donate $5 to the cause.
How else can you get involved?
1. Sign the petition
Tell the UN to declare 22 September International Day of the Girl.
2. Social media
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Hyves and MySpace.
3. Make a donation
Give to Plan’s girls fund and help make a difference.
4. Sponsor a girl
Support Plan’s long-term development work by sponsoring a girl in a developing country.
5. Sign up for news
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest campaign news and action alerts.
“Earth to liberated women: when you display legs, thighs, or cleavage, some liberated men will see it as a sign you feel good about yourself and your sexuality. But most men will see it as a sign you want to get laid. Forewarned is forearmed.”
- Appropriately named Dan Rottenberg
I don’t do this often, but this is a cause near & dear to my heart. Yes means yes, no means no. Victim blaming has got to go. (See post & photos from Slut Walk in Montreal.)
SIGN THIS petition now.
If you can stomach it, read his editorial here. I find it vile, uninformed, highly prejudicial & discriminatory. If I weren’t actively trying not to judge him (rather than his opinion), I’d say he has issues with women. Maybe from his childhood*. And he probably has a small penis**. Just sayin’.
*may not actually be true. **probably true.
Hey Dan? Remember… if you get fired, you ASKED for it.
Please re-blog to your ladies & let them know it’s NOT okay to blame victims for their rape or the rape of anyone else.
