While some of my friends were on their way to Washington, D.C. to “Rally to Restore Sanity,” one friend is preparing to go to Geneva, Switzerland, to make a plea for sanity to the United Nations about abortion. Renee Chelian, founder of Northland Family Planning in Southfield, Mich., will testify about the dismal reality of providing […]
Month: October 2010
For Colored Girls … Is Representation Enuf?
The Tyler Perry film version of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls opens this coming week. What better moment to consider the representation of black women in popular U.S. culture. Forgive us if we cringe in anticipation … I was talking to my homegirl the other day about why she hadn’t yet seen the movie Precious: […]
No (on 62) Comment: Rocky Mountain Low
“The decline of America began in Colorado in 1967 when it became the first state in the nation to legalize abortion…” So begins the hyper-dramatized video advertisement (below) for Colorado’s “personhood” amendment–an extreme anti-choice ballot measure that would ban all abortion and restrict necessary health care for pregnant women for whom it may not be […]
‘Whose Streets?’ Asks New York City Council
By Shakthi Jothianandan It’s been a long time coming, but yesterday the New York City Council held its first-ever hearing on street harassment of women and young girls. In 2009, city politicians investigated groping and assault on the subways, but they had yet to extend their inquiries above-ground. Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair of the Women’s […]
What Do Sexy Halloween Costumes for Men Look Like?
In many parts of the Western world, Halloween (for adult women, and increasingly for girls too) has morphed into an opportunity or imperative to dress “sexy”. Such costumes for women and girls are par for the course, where men usually go for scary, funny, or creative. Brandi H., however, found a link to “sexy costumes […]
When Domestic Violence Enters Cyberspace
Based on previous purchases, Amazon.com thought I “might like to know” that my ex-abuser’s re-mastered CD is now available for pre-order. I have since deleted from my purchase history the items that probably triggered this, hoping this is the last such notice. Our relationship ended more than 20 years ago, with him in handcuffs and […]
No Comment: Always a Happy Ending?
Apparently racism and sexual exploitation are chic at one of the most popular nightclubs in Las Vegas. This ad for Tao Nightclub plays on Orientalist tropes about Asian women’s sexuality, and makes light of the many underground “massage” operations that offer “happy endings” in North America. It’s certainly not a happy ending for exploited, often […]
10 Things To Know About Ntozake Shange and “For Colored Girls”
Poet, novelist, playwright and high priestess of black bohemianism Ntozake Shange (b. 1948) is resurgent in 2010. She and her sister, Ifa Bayeza, recently released the novel Some Sing, Some Cry, and her first and best-known play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow Is Enuf has been turned into a feature […]
The 24-Hour Treatment for Anorexia
For years now, eating disorders patients and their families been watching and waiting for clinical trials to verify what treatment experts have been observing in practice: that the family-based Maudsley method really is the most effective treatment for many young anorexia patients. Last week The New York Times reported a new study by Maudsley pioneer […]
Which Pumps Won’t Health Insurance Cover?
Ran out of the adhesives to keep your dentures in place? No worries, the Internal Revenue Service will give you a tax break on new ones. Suffering from an attack of the killer zits? The I.R.S. agrees this is a health concern worth giving a tax break for. How about allergic to grass? If you […]