- Real women save themselves: Did you catch the interview of Sigourney Weaver on NPR in which she declares that she doesn’t buy into the idea of the damsel in distress. “When I look around the world, I don’t see too many damsels in distress. If they’re a damsel in distress, they’re manipulating some guy to help them. I feel that we’re incredibly resourceful and strong and keep our heads. So all I’m doing is reflecting women to me as they are because the women I know are strong. My god, they hold this world together. So it’s not that I’m avoiding playing damsels in distress. I don’t really buy them.”Amen, sister. Amen. Now excuse me while I go kill that spider…
It’s too hot to find a relevant photo.
- Something rotten here: What about this interview of Fresh Air’s Terry Gross in which The New York Times’ Andrew Goldman pulls out the tired old anti-woman bogeyman — pointing out that Gross is child-free. “Did you choose ‘Fresh Air’ over having children?” The interview Q&A reads. Three questions in. But they can get away with this crap in such a crappy newspa…. oh, right. This is the NEW YORK TIMES. But don’t worry, Gross handles the sexist, lazy reporter with ease: First of all, I never really felt called to have children. Yes, and while we’re at it, why is this question relevant? And if it is, then why aren’t you asking all your male subjects who are childless the same thing? (PS: Thanks Julia for sending me this.)
- The weight identity: Why is it that when you see an image of obesity in the media it is always a headless fat person (usually eating)? But on the opposite end of the weight spectrum, images of hungry children always include their sad faces. Are either of these tropes really addressing the incredibly complex realities of obesity, hunger, and food politics? This post explores that issue.
- Tasteless pandering: Within 24 hours of the deadly shooting in a movie theater in Aurora, Col. on Friday, I got an email with a petition about gun control in my inbox. I’m for gun control. But even days later this petition just feels like it’s in bad taste. Perhaps if they had waited a while longer to send it out? I don’t know. But I’m not linking to it and I’m not signing it. Over the years I’ve learned to trust my “Spidey sense.” This one just doesn’t seem right.
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