On the Map

I read a lot, and in my perusal of the Interweb today I came across several international television commercials that had me wrinkling my nose, furrowing my brow, and rolling my eyes. I’m not easily offended, and really, I’m not sure it’s a feeling of offense that has me writing this post. It is more a response to my disappointment with the lack of creativity on the part of advertisers, feeling of boredom with their attempts at sensationalism, and surprise at the lack of sensitivity regarding a recent act of terrorism that has had global repercussions.

In case you need a reason to smile today, find out how one woman responded when harassed by an army jawan in Assam. Thanks YouTube!

For the judges of Miss Moral Beauty, beauty is something that is (and should be) located beyond a woman’s physicality, and instead of focusing on a woman’s body, they believe one should determine beauty by a person’s thoughts and actions. Pretty feminist-y... right?

When a group of hairdressers called The Hair Bares phoned the Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA) to inquire about making a £600 donation (that’s nearly $100 USD), they received something of a shock. The organization refused to take it.

For the first time ever, the winner of the Miss England pageant is a Black female athlete. What does this say about feminism and beauty?

So what do you have to do to get an ad banned in Germany? Simulate oral sex, apparently.

Empowerment through repulsion? Or brilliantly contrived self-transformation?

Did Ms. learn nothing from the National Review debacle?

Trouble, thy name is woman. India is a country in the throes of a sexual revolution, and young women are firmly planted at the center of the controversy.

In some of the world’s most populous cities, generational and ideological divides have become starkly visible. Saris, salwaar kameez, and kurtas are being replaced by jeans and t-shirts—or, even more scandalous, mini skirts and tank tops!—and the once-standard British English is being drowned out by the American pop cultural slang in the under thirty crowd who grew up watching Friends and Adam Sandler flicks instead of Absolutely Fabulous. While there’s definitely a widespread adherence to conservative social norms, there are an increasing number of young people who push the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Artwork: Pink Chaddi Campaign

On August 23rd, the New York Times Sunday Magazine will release a "special issue" about women in the developing world.