On Our Radar

You've made it to the proverbial hump.  Here's some of the latest news to get through it.

• With the prevalence and move towards "neat and tight" labia, women who don't fit into this category and don't care to are taking to the Internet to support one another in the most recent incarnation of the labia pride movement. [Salon]
• Sexism in technology isn't something that's new, unfortunately.  Here's an infographic that breaks down statistics on pay. [Huffington Post UK]
• An explanation of why Lisa Lampanelli's use of racial slurs to describe Lena Dunham in a TwitPic just isn't okay. [Racialicious]
• Reminders of ways to be more inclusive of others can be nice.  Here's a glimpse of how White members of the LGBTQ community can be more receptive to people of color.  This piece is a great look into intersectionality too. [Autostraddle]
• Not only is there a new Facebook game on the block, but this one raises awareness of sex trafficking. Tired of Farmville? Look no further. [BUST]
• Yesterday marked 62 years since a very important day in women's rights history in Egypt. [Mona Eltahawy]
• Another day, another ridiculous claim.  This one comes from Alabama state Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin and she's saying that abortions remove the largest organ from your body. [Huffington Post]
• Joseph Lamour over at Racialicious responds to cultural appropriation in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition. [Racialicious]
• Jessica Valenti, founder of Feministing, on the "angry feminist" stereotype. [YouTube]

This week has unfortunately been filled with tragedy.  When we weren't reading the news, we were reading up on some of this week's other big issues.  Here's what we found:

• Jenni Rivera died in a plane crash in Mexico this past weekend.  Here's an excellent article on Rivera's legacy and the work she did for women, immigrants, and LGBT youth. [Colorlines]
• Although the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence finished up a few days ago, it's never too late to learn about the cause and create awareness. [US Aid]
• Sarah Jaffe gets shouted at and berated far too often -- here's a piece she's written about the many trolls she's encountered. [Jezebel]
• And here's some more misogyny to chew on.  If someone writes racist shit, the sensible thing to do is respond intelligently, right?  Apparently wrong.  Rhonda A. Lee, meteorologist at KTBS-TV, was fired after she gave a harassing commenter a piece of her mind.  [Clutch]
• Speaking of racism (and sexism,) have you seen the latest tennis star to "mimic" Serena Williams and her body?  It's Caroline Wozniacki, using towels to plump up her boobs and behind. [scATX]
• Though mental illness is no laughing matter, it's something that certain comedians must deal with.  This write-up is about the relationship between the two.  [Splitsider]
• Sex and disability are often unexplored in films.  Stephanie Rogers examines how The Sessions addresses both. [Bitch Flicks]

Is there something we missed?  Let us know in the comments.  Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the shootings.

We've got boat loads for you to dig into this week. From Willow Smith and Tavi Gevinson to dating customs and some organizations well worth your time, this week's On Our Radar is jam-packed! Read on...

There have been plenty of ups and downs around the world (wide web) this week.  Here's just a taste of the things we've been keeping up on:

• Doreen Oliver shares her story about her son wanting to be a princess for Halloween, and how the white-washed princess costumes gave her pause. [The New York Times]
• Speaking of the dead, you can always pay your respects by visiting the grave sites of some of America's most famous writers. Here's a run-down of their final resting places.  [The Atlantic]
• Scary flicks are a must on this spooky holiday, but don't be fooled by all of the misrepresented and stigmatized depictions of women with mental illness often found in horror films. Here's a read to make you think twice before you judge that "crazy bitch." [Bitch Flicks]
• Here's a fabulous list of some of the most badass (and overlooked) horror film heroines of all time. But watch out! They might bite. [The Hairpin]
• People can't seem to get enough of zombies these days. Ever wondered where their story originated? Amy Wilentz lays it out. [The New York Times]
• Don't be racist, don't be racist, don't be racist! Kelsey shared a good run-down last week, but here is another eloquent take on how to not be racist for Halloween. [Tiger Beatdown]
• What's creepier than the creepiest horror film you've ever seen? When they're real! Here's a list of scary movies based on true stories. [Flavorwire]
• UTNE is posting some of their best posts on contemporary witchcraft and feminst spirituality—here's one of them. [UTNE Reader]
• And finally, Sociological Images has rounded up their Halloween-themed posts, that range from the good (women laughing with salad!), the bad ("Anna Rexia"), and the ugly (did we mention that people are really racist on Halloween?) [Sociological Images]

So what are you costumed in for the holiday? Read anyting good? Share in the comments section below!

• You've read Zadie Smith's On Beauty, now read her On Jay-Z [New York Times]
• Having trouble coming to terms with Amy Poehler and Will Arnett's divorce? Bitch contributor Anne Helen Peterson explains why that might be. [Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style]
• Only two days left to help the Lakota Sioux raise funds to purchase the sacred land Pe'Sla in the Black Hills. Contribute now! [indiegogo]
• What did you think of Michelle Obama saying her most important job was "Mom in Chief"? Irin Carmon thinks you should cut her some slack. [Slate]
• Women and Hollywood has a short Q&A profile on many of the women directors at the Toronto Film Festival, happening on this week. [IndieWire]
• Victoria's Secret is going to new heights of offensiveness with a gross new collection called "Go East," inspired by an imaginary exotic and erotic "Eastern culture." Yikes. [Racialicious]
• bell hooks has a must-read response to the film Beasts of the Southern Wild. [New Black Man (in Exile)]
• Looking for music to recommend to your younger sister/daughter/niece/friend? Pop culture kid site A Mighty Girl just launched a music section! [A Mighty Girl]
• Thomas Page McBee takes on some recent problematic coverage of trans people in the media, including the New Yorker's profile of the Wachowski siblings. [SF Weekly]
• Check out these film projects that need your help! Negrita is a film exploring Afro-Latina identity and representation; Who Owns My Body? is a documentary discussing black women and body image, reproductive justice, and sexuality; Barista follows a woman who can't leave her Starbucks job after learning she has MS; Our Reality is a series of short documentaries that tell the stories of teen/young parents in their own words (and backers can get a Bitch subscription!)

Summer's winding down, I'm reporting from the East Coast, and this has been another week. What's up?

• The latest episode of The Peculiar Kind features queers of color in media, plus, there's bonus part of the episode where we get to know the featured artists a little bit better! [The Peculiar Kind]
• In case you haven't heard, Todd Akin is the worst. Let this sink in, any kind of rape is "legitimate." Rape is rape. That's all. There are no questions or arguments against that. [BBC News/Penny Red]
• Whoa, have you seen this new car commercial that totally twists gender expectations? How queer of you, Toyota. [Salon]
• Amy Poehler filmed a PSA in support of the passage of the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and it's predictably great! [Colorlines]
• If you're like us, you've been keeping up with True Blood, and you're maybe really excited about the season finale this Sunday. Need to prepare yourself further? Check out this hilarious and on-point round table discussion of last week's mess of an episode (and while you're at it, check out the discussions of earlier episodes too)! [Racialicious]
• Bitch contributor Michelle Dean on "Hillbilly culture" and what Here Comes Honey Boo Boo says about America. [Salon]
• After a visit with my grandparents today and refusing my grandmother's kindhearted, but midguided Nair offer, my body hair has been on my mind. This is something that is talked about all the time, but that's because it's always relevant–here are some thoughts about hairy legs, pits, and body image. [Feministe]
• Stop it with the sex panic. Hanna Rosin breaks it down–feminism and "hook-up culture"–these are things that go hand in hand. Glad we got that straight. Wait, speaking of straight, I think it's important to point out that NOT ALL HOOK-UPS ARE SO HETERO. [The Atlantic]
• New York update: AfroPunk Festival is happening in Brooklyn this weekend! It's free, amazing, sweaty, and it's probably the best way you can end your summer. And how can you possibly resist Erykah Badu AND Janelle Monáe?

What have you been reading, musing, raging, or raving about this week? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Another week has gone by, and this one was my last (official) week at Bitch! Wanna be the (newest) new media intern? Check out the job description here!

• Seriously? I said it last week, and I'll say it again, racism is racism, whether casual or not. This matters. Stop it, Lena Dunham. [Feministing]
• Did you read that problematic piece on gender-fluid youth last week? I did, and I cringed the whole way through. Here's a spot on critique. [New York Times Magazine/Love Isn't Enough]
• Genderplay is also life play; it’s a chance to explore who you are and who you want to be. [This Ain't Livin']
• Check out this great piece on Asian students and the lack of visibility within the larger immigration movement. [Hyphen]
• Feminist Ryan Gosling has been released as a book a few days ago! Wait, can they release a feminist flashcard deck too? [Ms. Blog]
• The Pussy Riot story continues to unfold—the women were officially sentenced two two years in prison. [Slate]
• Femme Conference 2012 happened last weekend in Baltimore! Did you go? Did you watch the livestream?
• Speaking of conferences (and Baltimore), registration for Facing Race 2012 is open! Author and badass Junot Diaz is the keynote, and trust me, you don't want to miss him.
• In case you didn't catch this in our interview with Cristy C. Road, POC Zine Project is going on tour in the fall! Catch them when they roll through a city near you!