Feminism causes cancer....

I can't even talk about this. It's too annoying and stupid. Feminism is unhealthy, according to recent Swedish study. That's all. I'm not even going to discuss it. Read Zoe William's piece if you want to get even more annoyed.

Missing in Acion and Upcoming Entries

First off I would like to apologize on behalf of Alisha and myself. Between wedding planning, busy job, house renovation and a new baby, both of us have been having trouble keeping up to date on our blog entries at Figure! However, this is soon to change.

In early April we will be featuring an interview with Susie Orbach about her work with AnyBody, Dove's beauty campaign and much more. This is our first interview on Figure but we plan to be having many more. Please stay tuned for more details, coming later this month.

Got Meme Part II?

Well, I've been memed again, I can't seem to avoid this - but this one is way more interesting than boring facts about me. C-A asked for my top five favorite things about feminism, which I've been thinking about a lot in light of International Women's Day. So here I go:


5. Feminist theory - I really freakin love it.
4. The effect feminism has had in one way or another on my fiance throughout his life, who has the most wonderfully egalitarian view on equality and is, in fact, a feminist himself.
3. Even though I won't be president, the fact that I could. Legally at least.
2. Women-focused NGOs, especially the good one, who do so much for women's rights around the world.
1. People like Gloria Steinem, Judith Butler, even bell hooks. Love 'em or hate 'em, they really rock.

Ok well now I'm stuck again with no one to meme. Readers - comment your top five below!

International Women's Day 2007

Happy International Women's Day! AND Happy Blog Against Sexism Day!

For weeks I've been gearing for today and then suddenly it was here and I haven't done anything. And I only found out today it was Blog Against Sexism Day....

My main thoughts these days are how feminism and sexism are going to effect my little girl:

What kind of feminist will she become?
Will she proud to call her self a feminist?
What type of sexism will she be confronted with as she grows up?
Will any major changes have occurred by the time she grows up?
What will be the status of abortion rights?
Will women have REAL maternity pay and adequate childcare?
Will sex trafficking have been eradicated?
Will violence against women finally be recognised as a serious issue?
Will sexual harassment still be a constant problem in most workplaces?
The list is endless. Which is unfortunately sad.

Coincidentally and on a lighter note, today's episode of The Simpson's features Lisa rallying against the inherent sexism that Malibu Stacy represents.

Personal hypocrisy

I went out to by a fitness dvd today. My pre/post natal yoga dvd that I bought when I was four months pregnant is pathetic. It looks like it was filmed on a hand-held camera and the yoga is not that great.

In the past I've veered away from buying fitness dvds but decided that maybe getting one to help me get back in shape (slowly) after having my baby wasn't the worst idea. So I went to HMV and stood in front of the Fitness section, with my baby strapped to by chest, and felt like crying. My first thought was "I'm such a hypocrite". All I could see was row after row of dvds telling me how to a better woman by having a better body.
What was especially poignant was the 'makeover' dvds by B and C list celebrities, many of whom have now admitted to eating disorders. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's claim that yoga kept her super skinny sort of fell apart when she later admitted to actually having an eating disorder, however I doubt it made a dent in her yoga dvd sales. Celebrities such as Jade Goody and Kim Ryder, whose weight has been a source of entertainment in the media, have fitness makeover dvds that are quite obvious results of public beatings over their weight gain. You don't see Kate Moss coming out with a fitness dvd.

But I have to confess to my own hypocrisy. I bought one. I bought the New York City Ballet Workout, even though I know I will never look like a ballerina.

Feminist meme

Valiens had the great idea of starting a "favorite things about feminism" meme. Main reason I think it's great idea is because I tend to drone on about how much feminism still has alot to do, so this forces me to look at some of the great achievements feminist has contributed to.

I'm proposing that it be five point list and you have to meme five people. So here I go:

1. Better sexual harassment laws.
2. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
3. No more corsets.
4. Pants/trousers - whatever you want to call them, we can now wear them.
5. Maternity pay.

I'm tagging Alisha (obviously), Valiens (since it's her idea!), Kimberly Palmer, A Blog Without A Bicycle, and A Somewhat Old, But Capacious Handbag.

The Voice of the Pro-Choice Majority

Friend of mine is working on this project at Abortion Rights. Looks pretty interesting and reminds me that the campaign in the UK is still needing alot of support.

Got Meme?

Ok so C-A memed me, which I think must be cheating since we both write this blog, but since I really, really like her, I'll give it a go. Here are the rules:

Rules: **This game starts off with ten weird little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. **

10: My fiance and I were introduced by our grandmothers, who were best friends and neighbors in Cuba in the 50s.
9: I wasn't always such a hard core feminist - once upon a time, before the glorious enlightenment that comes with college - I actually considered myself a pro-lifer.
8: I am terribly afraid to fly, which sucks since I do it at least once a month.
7: I was named after a shoe store - Alisha's Buster Brown Shoes - or so my parents tell me.
6: I'm terrible at painting, coloring, or doing anything within the lines.
5: London is still my favorite city in the world and I fully intend to move back in the near future.
4: When I was young, my professional goals were to be president of the US and/or a marine biologist.
3: I adored watching the VH1 show Flavor of Love until my dad called me out on being a hypocrite for being such a staunch feminist and watching a show that reinforces stereotypes of gender, race, and class.
2: I secretly really like Battlestar Galactica.
1: Some people say it seems like C-A and I were separated at birth, which is why she is going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding.

Ok now I have to tag six people to do this, except I only know three other person besides CA who has a blog! So Nathalie, Emily, and Brian - there you go! If I think of three more I'll add, but I'm not terribly plugged into the blogosphere.

Lynne Segal's Making Trouble

Interview with Lynne Segal by Julia Bindel in the Guardian (thank you to Alfonsina for passing it on to us). Not hugely familiar with Lynne Segal's work but her memoirs, Making Trouble: Life and Politics, sounds interesting.

Spring 2007 Girlistic Out Now!

It's here, it's here!!
Latest issue of Girlistic is ready for reading: Feminism and Technology! My article is on page 10. Please pass to all interested parties.