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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!

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Bizarre Intersection of Pregnancy, Sexualization, and Infantilization à la French Vogue

DigiBitch post by Malori Maloney on April 2, 2009 - 6:13pm; tagged fashion, gender roles, motherhood, sexualization.

Ah, where to begin? The April issue of French Vogue features British model Lily Donaldson in a photo spread that nearly robs me of words. With a psuedo-pregnancy going on, Donaldson is shot smoking, tossing a baby doll, and engaging in other (not so) motherly behaviors, often appearing quite childlike in the doing. More after the jump.

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Ceci N'est Pas Une Douche?

DigiBitch post by Kelsey Wallace on April 2, 2009 - 12:51pm; tagged Douchebag Decree, France, government censorship, OrelSan, poll.

The Francophones among us know that douche actually means shower in the language of love. Of course, we here in the US have reappropriated it and turned it into something far creepier, but for today’s Douchebag Decree it seems only fair to keep in mind that douche can mean more than one thing. Not only is the recipient of today’s decree French himself, but he also exists in a gray area when it comes to douchebagginess. Let’s investigate:

Meet OrelSan, a 26-year old rapper from rural France who has been called "the French Eminem." He is wildly popular, due in part to his songs dealing with class struggle and the rural drug epidemic in France. However, a song he wrote two years ago, titled "Sale Pute" (Dirty Slut) is getting international attention this week, and not for its catchy backbeat. The song is about beating up a girlfriend that OrelSan caught cheating on him, and although he claims the lyrics should not be taken seriously, French feminist groups and the French government feel differently and demanded OrelSan make a public apology (which he did).

Is this a case of douchebag justice? Or should musicians be allowed to say what they want without the government intervening? Read on for more info, and to give your opinion on this douche du jour.

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Totally Syked

Love / Shove post by Kjerstin Johnson on April 2, 2009 - 12:44pm; tagged comedy, late-night television, lesbian icons, television, Wanda Sykes.

I'm sure that pun's been done, but Wanda Sykes is slotted to have her own late night show on Saturdays on Fox! According to the New York Times, Sykes' show may replace the wasn't-canceled-soon-enough MAD TV. I'm not a big late-night TV fan--I just can't handle watching Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig "WTF? (Why's This Funny?)" Ferguson, and especially the terrible terribleness of MAD TV, but this is getting me excited about SNL alternatives, especially since the NY Times reports it will feature panels and discussion of current events, which, given that it's Wanda, will hopefully mean something a bit smarter than the rest of late night drivel (miss you, Conan!) and a whole lot funnier than PBS. Wanda would be joining the ranks of Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell as an openly gay woman hosting their own shows, and is one of the only female late-night host currently on television. Video after the jump...

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