Bitch Media

Offensive Commercials: It's Showdown Time!

DigiBitch post by Kelsey Wallace on April 6, 2009 - 12:17pm; tagged Axe Body Spray, Carl's Jr., offensive commercials, Orangina, Schick Quattro, showdown, WTF?.

I came into the office today prepared to blog about just one creepy, sexist, bizarre television commercial, but since that time three more have been brought to my attention. You know what that means, right? It's time for a commercial showdown!

In this showdown, four commercials will compete, but only one can be named the most offensive! Will it be the Carl's Jr. ad featuring Padma Lakshmi sucking on a strip of bacon? The Orangina ad featuring anthropomorphic animals getting busy in the jungle? The Schick Quattro ad asking women to mow their "lawns"? Or the Axe Body Spray "Dark Temptation" ad that takes black face to a whole new level? YOU make the call!

Vote for the most offensive ad after the jump, and add your own submissions as well! Four ads enter, one ad leaves! It's showdown time!

To kick us off, Padma Lakshmi hearts Carl's Jr.:

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Monday Fuzzies: Seattle School of Rock Covers Bikini Kill

Music post by Annalee Schafranek on April 6, 2009 - 11:29am; tagged bikini kill, riot grrrl, seattle school of rock.

I got a full night's worth of sleep and the weather is beautiful in Portland, but sometimes you just need a little more to get through a Monday. So, consider this clip my gift to you:

Seeing those girls give Kathleen Hanna a run for her money just makes my riot grrrl heart grow three sizes bigger.

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Handmade Nation was in my neck of the woods

Art and Design post by Briar Levit on April 6, 2009 - 9:57am; tagged art, Craft, diy, documentary, Faythe Levine, Handmade Nation.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3289291174_2e29945ec6_m.jpg

Last night I had the chance to attend a screening of Handmade Nation at the Museum of Contemporary Craft here in Portland. Most of you are probably pretty familiar with the culture of DIY, but author and director, Faythe Levine has done a great job of bringing many of the diverse activities within the community (whether it be people who make things for fun or profit, galleries or shops, etc.) in to an inspiring film for anyone who makes things, wants to make things or who supports those who make things. (more after the jump)

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For Realz?: Running In Heels

TV post by Rita Hao on April 6, 2009 - 8:24am; tagged internships, Marie Claire, reality TV, Running in Heels, women's magazines.

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"Like a Rejection": Madonna Denied

Social Commentary post by Deesha Philyaw on April 5, 2009 - 7:46pm; tagged adoption, cultural appropriation, empowerment, feminist icons, madonna, race.

When people talk about Madonna as a symbol of female empowerment, I have to ask, "Empowering to whom?" Certainly not to the black and brown people populating her Sex book, her videos, or her film Truth or Dare. It is through this lens of Madonna's messy racial and sexual politics that I viewed her adoption of a child from Malawi three years ago, and her recent, thus-far-unsuccessful effort to adopt a second child there.

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The Bitchin' 70s

Music post by Danny Hayes on April 3, 2009 - 12:57pm; tagged 70s, BitchTapes, Country, Female Musician, Punk.

I wasn’t even alive for the 70s, but there’s something about looking at photos from the decade – with their washed out lighting, feathered hair, and polyester galore – that makes me nostalgic. I picture myself cruising between N.O.W. and Black Panther rallies, with a stopover at a Germs or Blondie show thrown in for good measure. The 70s got to see some of the idealism from the late 60s take form in both policies and protests, but aside from free love, Black Nationalism, and second-wave feminism (and aforementioned polyester), the decade also provided us with some great music from some stellar ladies. This list took me weeks of thought and is my eight favorite tracks, all female-fronted, all 70s-licious.

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For Realz?: This Week In Reality TV Catfights

TV post by Rita Hao on April 2, 2009 - 6:51pm; tagged America's Next Top Model, Pretty Wicked, Project Runway, Real Housewives, reality TV.

This week in reality TV girlfights... Hello! I'm the new reality TV blogger for Bitch! Please be warned in advance, these posts won't be terribly deep. Also, there are some spoilers.

Just me, or has this week on reality TV just basically been women arguing with each other? A terrible affront to feminists everywhere, or the very reason why reality TV was invented in the first place???? We're ranking 'em (on a scale of 1 to 5 doorslams), here!