I ♥ Bitch Because It Takes Pop Culture Seriously

As 2010 draws to a close, it’s the time of year that nonprofits ask for donations. Bitch Media is no different; we need ongoing financial support. Usually, we would ask you to make a gift after telling you why you should support us. However, Bitch Media is lucky. We don’t need to tell you why Bitch is important because we can let our supporters tell their own stories. This week, Veronica Arreola, member of the National Advisory Board and contributor, explains why she ♥s Bitch.

Growing up, Elyse Keaton from Family Ties was my role model. She exhibited a different type of mom, a type of mom that I knew I wanted to be. I watched Family Ties seeking out clues on how she managed to be a strong woman, a loving wife and a caring parent, all the while still keeping a watch on what was happening in the world. She gave me hope that even if I gave birth to a neoconservative kid like Alex Keaton, I could instill in him or her the ability to respect others when the shit hit the fan. Pop culture gave me a model for how I wanted to live my life.

I love Bitch because it, too, takes pop culture seriously. Bitch gives pop culture the respect it deserves as a force that sculpts our lives and beliefs.

When I was pregnant, instead of playing Mozart, I played No Doubt and other rocker grrrls to my belly. Somehow I was blessed with a kid who has intelligence, is caring and athletic, and has an innate punk-rock style that I like to think comes from all the music I played for her. I know Bitch understands.

The Bitch community understands, also, why I cry just thinking of the Buffy finale; why I don’t care if Xena and Gabrielle were lovers, because their love rose above any physical affection; why sometimes my family likes to pretend we’re living in a West Wing world.

And that’s why I love Bitch.

If you love pop culture and appreciate Bitch Media's response to it as much as I do, please consider donating to support their work. Thanks!

Please share the love and post your own story about why you ♥ Bitch in the comments, and support what you love!