As the saying goes, “If you hate hipsters, you probably are one.” This is because, while many of us are familiar with the term (especially if describes us), it is obnoxious and has been used to identify numerous non-trends, from mustaches to homesteading to beer to bellies caused by beer. These things exist whether hipsters claim them or not, and drowning them in irony does nothing to change their nature. More usefully though, hipsterism has also been called out in conjunction with other isms like racism and, in a New York magazine piece from earlier this week, sexism.
Welcome to Lady Liquor, where, for the next two months, I'll be writing about the relationship between, well, ladies and liquor. Primarily. I'm interested in the ways women's attitudes about drinking -- and society's attitudes about women who drink -- have shaped history and pop culture. But it's pretty much impossible to talk about those things without also talking about other mind-altering substances (I'm looking at you, War on Drugs); I'd also be remiss not to talk about the relationship between booze and other social justice movements -- like the gay rights movement, which actually started in a bar.
Here in the feminist blogosphere, we spend a lot of time calling out sexism in the media, especially in advertising. Contrary to popular belief, this is not because we are screeching harridans, but because most mainstream advertising is hella sexist. That’s why I was extra-psyched to see this new Acer electronics ad featuring Megan Fox as a budding marine biologist who is not, at any point, reduced to a piece of ass.
Regardless of why Lydia Callis has become an overnight celebrity, she’s unintentionally brought ASL into the forefront of American media, highlighting not only the vibrancy of the language, but also the necessity of diverse communication strategies- particularly in emergencies.
Mothers have long been used in advertising to sell everything from toothpaste to cars—even cigarettes. What’s new is the present-day strategy: PR firms devise campaigns that appear to be grassroots movements or “spontaneous” trend pieces. This kind of marketing is referred to as “Astroturf” because of the way it mimics true grassroots movements—legitimate citizen campaigns for clean air, land, and water. Astroturf marketing that uses the mom-brand is particularly insidious because the very products pushed may be harmful to real families.
Like a pap smear or tax season, it happens every year: People wear racist and sexist costumes on Halloween. Hell, maybe you’ve done it yourself! You didn't know what to be for that one party so you jammed some feathers in a headband and called yourself Pocahontas. Or you grabbed a toy donkey and a poncho and went as a cartoonish Mexican. We’ve all made mistakes and hopefully learned something from them, like how not to be the offensive asshole hanging out by the pumpkin keg. Because seriously, you really shouldn’t wear that stuff.
Maybe two weeks ago you read on Twitter, or Tumblr, or the Guardian that British writer Caitlin Moran said some messed up stuff on Twitter. Maybe last week you saw that Bitch magazine was involved, and that I had "killed" an interview with Moran after her tweets. Watching this story spread from various outlets, I felt like I should go ahead and clarify where I was coming from before more speculation went up.
Here's a section of what Moran originally tweeted:
Last night’s episode of Call the Midwife veered away from the familiar topics of abortion and birth control and provided a reminder of something that often gets lost in policy discussions about reproductive health: In so many ways, these issues have to do with love. Reproductive health is about sexual relationships, the emotional turmoil of motherhood, and the promise of the future. It’s about the relationship women have to themselves, their spouses, and their families of origin. It has to do with economics, education, gender norms, and heteronormativity.
We know how the current Republicans party feels about abortion and free contraception. But what about the myriad of other reproductive health issues? Here are three questions for Republicans about women’s health that don’t have to do with preventing or terminating pregnancy.
Is it just me or have cartoon mice really been letting themselves go lately? A cute hairbow can go a long way, but no amount of polka dots will slim you down on the runway at Barney's, which is where the new, skinny Minnie Mouse (along with several of her Disney pals) will be this holiday season.
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, the porn site Pornhub.com is promising to donate money for every 30 “boob videos” viewed on its website during October. Perhaps the most craven example of pinkwashing yet, a visit to Pornhub.com reveals that the site's logo has been decked out with Pepto-Bismol pink and adorned with a breast-cancer awareness ribbon. Below a call to “Help Save the Boobs!” a pink “boob views” counter records the number of times videos tagged as “small tits” or “big tits” have been viewed on the site. (Below that, there is an ad for “squirting” videos. Thankfully, it hasn't been pinkwashed.)
There’s just one catch to Pornhub’s plan: After announcing its intentions to donate the money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the research stalwart unequivocally told Pornhub to keep their dirty money to themselves.
Social Commentary
"Hipster Sexism": Just as Bad as Regular Old Sexism, or Worse?
As the saying goes, “If you hate hipsters, you probably are one.” This is because, while many of us are familiar with the term (especially if describes us), it is obnoxious and has been used to identify numerous non-trends, from mustaches to homesteading to beer to bellies caused by beer. These things exist whether hipsters claim them or not, and drowning them in irony does nothing to change their nature. More usefully though, hipsterism has also been called out in conjunction with other isms like racism and, in a New York magazine piece from earlier this week, sexism.
Ladies! Liquor! Ladies and Liquor!
Welcome to Lady Liquor, where, for the next two months, I'll be writing about the relationship between, well, ladies and liquor. Primarily. I'm interested in the ways women's attitudes about drinking -- and society's attitudes about women who drink -- have shaped history and pop culture. But it's pretty much impossible to talk about those things without also talking about other mind-altering substances (I'm looking at you, War on Drugs); I'd also be remiss not to talk about the relationship between booze and other social justice movements -- like the gay rights movement, which actually started in a bar.
Megan Fox Refreshingly NOT Objectified in New Acer Commercial. Plus: Talking Dolphins!
Tales From The Crip: Lydia Callis: ASL Interpreter Heartthrob
Mompaganda: Shell's By-Moms-For-Moms Shill
Mothers have long been used in advertising to sell everything from toothpaste to cars—even cigarettes. What’s new is the present-day strategy: PR firms devise campaigns that appear to be grassroots movements or “spontaneous” trend pieces. This kind of marketing is referred to as “Astroturf” because of the way it mimics true grassroots movements—legitimate citizen campaigns for clean air, land, and water. Astroturf marketing that uses the mom-brand is particularly insidious because the very products pushed may be harmful to real families.
Which brings us to Shell Oil's new campaign...
Trick or Treat or STOP IT WITH THE OFFENSIVE COSTUMES ALREADY: What Not to Be For Halloween
Why I Didn't Run the Caitlin Moran Interview
Maybe two weeks ago you read on Twitter, or Tumblr, or the Guardian that British writer Caitlin Moran said some messed up stuff on Twitter. Maybe last week you saw that Bitch magazine was involved, and that I had "killed" an interview with Moran after her tweets. Watching this story spread from various outlets, I felt like I should go ahead and clarify where I was coming from before more speculation went up.
Here's a section of what Moran originally tweeted:
Call the Midwife: Three Questions to Ask Republicans about Reproductive Healthcare that Have Nothing to Do with Abortion
Last night’s episode of Call the Midwife veered away from the familiar topics of abortion and birth control and provided a reminder of something that often gets lost in policy discussions about reproductive health: In so many ways, these issues have to do with love. Reproductive health is about sexual relationships, the emotional turmoil of motherhood, and the promise of the future. It’s about the relationship women have to themselves, their spouses, and their families of origin. It has to do with economics, education, gender norms, and heteronormativity.
We know how the current Republicans party feels about abortion and free contraception. But what about the myriad of other reproductive health issues? Here are three questions for Republicans about women’s health that don’t have to do with preventing or terminating pregnancy.
WTF Files: Minnie Mouse Deemed Too Fat For Fashion
It's Disney, dahling.
Enough about Saving the Boobs. What about Saving Women's Lives?
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, the porn site Pornhub.com is promising to donate money for every 30 “boob videos” viewed on its website during October. Perhaps the most craven example of pinkwashing yet, a visit to Pornhub.com reveals that the site's logo has been decked out with Pepto-Bismol pink and adorned with a breast-cancer awareness ribbon. Below a call to “Help Save the Boobs!” a pink “boob views” counter records the number of times videos tagged as “small tits” or “big tits” have been viewed on the site. (Below that, there is an ad for “squirting” videos. Thankfully, it hasn't been pinkwashed.)
There’s just one catch to Pornhub’s plan: After announcing its intentions to donate the money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the research stalwart unequivocally told Pornhub to keep their dirty money to themselves.
Audio Smut