In Praise of Badass Super Mamas (Summer 2008)

PUBLISHED 5/3/2023 by

From the Summer 2008 issue of Ms. magazine:

The summer of 1973 was the season of the supermama: kickass Black women such as Pam Grier and Tamara Dobson, who starred in big-screen “Blaxploitation” action films.

The cultural nostalgia for Blaxploitation has never really died. And at the movies in recent years, Black women continue to be underrepresented among the latest kick-butt heroes. Yet my hope for new supermamas survives. The screen and action cinema not only have room for Black women—but need them.

(For more iconic, ground-breaking stories like this, pre-order 
50 YEARS OF Ms.: THE BEST OF THE PATHFINDING MAGAZINE THAT IGNITED A REVOLUTION (Alfred A. Knopf)—a collection of the most audacious, norm-breaking coverage Ms. has published.)

I’m the Professor Fox News Warns You About

PUBLISHED 5/2/2023 by

I don’t know when I caught it, but I’ve been infected with what Ron DeSantis has so eloquently named “woke mind virus.” I’m like a walking, talking Petri dish of intersectionality, feminism and critical race theory, spreading my contagion to all the unsuspecting students who stumble into my classroom.

Here are some of my symptoms: I teach about marginalization, encourage my students to challenge authority, and believe that intersectionality gives us a better understanding of context in communication with others. And now, I’ve gone and infected these poor kids with my dangerous ideas about social justice and equity. 

Critical Race Theory Curriculum Brings Crucial Discussions on Race, Gender and History to Classrooms Across the U.S.

PUBLISHED 5/2/2023 by

“The Journey to Justice: A Critical Race Theory Primer”—a joint initiative between Ms. magazine, the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) and the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice—includes articles, essays and lesson plans that address teaching critical race theory from kindergarten to college settings.

Afghan Women Tell Special Envoys Not to Recognize the Taliban and ‘Refrain From Compromising Our Rights’

PUBLISHED 5/1/2023 by

In a meeting with some special envoys of a few countries for Afghanistan, Afghan women emphasized that Taliban recognition should not be up for debate and that anything about Afghanistan should be consulted with Afghan women.

Over 60 Afghan women representing diverse advocacy groups and coalitions met with the special envoys from Qatar, United Arab Emirates, the US, Indonesia, Norway and a few others from Europe. The meeting of special envoys for Afghanistan is happening today and tomorrow in Doha, Qatar.

Emergency Contraception Is Often Confused With Abortion Pills. Here’s How Plan B and Other Generic Versions Work to Prevent Pregnancy

PUBLISHED 5/1/2023 by

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 and the end of constitutional protection for abortion, emergency contraception has become more difficult to obtain and—more than ever—shrouded in misinformation.

Regardless of one’s stance on abortion, it is important to understand why emergency contraception should be a basic component of women’s reproductive health care and family planning services.

It’s Time to Center Black Women in the Fight for an Equitable Democracy and Economy

PUBLISHED 5/1/2023 by

Black women have stood at the vanguard across social movements and efforts to create a just and inclusive democracy and economy. But despite our critical role in social, political and cultural movements, Black women are ignored, overlooked and disrespected. It’s time to put our work front and center in the fight for an equitable and inclusive democracy and economy. 

War on Women: Republicans Block Senate ERA Vote; Tennessee Wants Teachers to Carry Guns; Mifepristone Is Still on the Market—For Now

PUBLISHED 4/30/2023 by and

U.S. patriarchal authoritarianism is on the rise, and democracy is on the decline. But day after day, we stay vigilant in our goals to dismantle patriarchy at every turn. The fight is far from over. We are watching, and we refuse to go back. This is the War on Women Report.

This month: Anorexia is on the rise for young girls; mifepristone remains on the market, for now; House Republicans bar trans athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports; the ERA was blocked in the Senate; North Dakota gets one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country; and more.

Keeping Score: Ralph Yarl’s Shooter Charged with Felonies; Zooey Zephyr Speaks Out; Biden Executive Orders on Environment and Care Work

PUBLISHED 4/28/2023 by

In every issue of Ms., we track research on our progress in the fight for equality, catalogue can’t-miss quotes from feminist voices and keep tabs on the feminist movement’s many milestones. We’re Keeping Score online, too—in this biweekly roundup.

This week: Senate Democrats host hearings on Supreme Court ethics; Andrew Lester charged with two felonies for shooting teenager Ralph Yarl; North Dakota bans trans athletes from school sports; Biden proposals sanction some bans on trans student athletes; new executive orders expand environmental justice efforts; National Women’s History Museum launches first in-person exhibition and appoints new president; and more.

When Is a Threat a Threat?: A Forthcoming SCOTUS Ruling Could Have a Sweeping Impact on Gender-Based Violence

PUBLISHED 4/28/2023 by

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 19 in a case that could have a sweeping impact on the ability of victims of stalking, verbal abuse and online harassment to be protected from their abusers.

In the case, Counterman v. Colorado, the Court appeared willing to increase the threshold for identifying speech that rises to the level of a “true threat” and ignore the collateral damage of protecting harassers—which will have devastating consequences for victims of abuse.