Recently in Fun with Feminist Flickr Category
Ad appearing on NYC subway, via bxlee.
The folks at Manhattan Mini-Storage, who we just love for their pro-choice ads that caused a ruckus a while back, now have an anti-Palin ad up in New York.
Pic uploaded by Flickr user augenbach
Here's the artist's statement:
(Here is) Where I Come From: (Here is) What I am Getting At
When I was a student at Texas State I wrote a paper on the subject of feminism in contemporary art for Pat Taylor. I chose the subject and there were an abundance of resources with queries about the place of feminism within the practices of such artists as Cecily Jones and Sara Lucas, so on and so on. I spent many hours trying to find a young, successful female artist working today that would answer even the simple question, "do you consider yourself a feminist?" in the affirmative. That particular resource was never found. It exists. Somewhere. It has got to.
Feminists raised me. Some of these women would never identify themselves as such. My grandmother for instance, but luckily there were others, my aunt Noemí López, my principal Mary Ashley, my mentor Sue Robertson who all identified themselves as feminists. My aunt Noemí has been or still holds office or sits on the board of The Texas Women's Political Caucus and Planned Parenthood. She took me to every feminist rally, conference, meeting, debate, fundraiser that she was attending to fulfill her responsibilities as my God Mother. She also took me to mass on Sunday.
On April 25, 2004 hundreds of thousands (some reports say over a million) people participated in the March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC. It was the largest protest in our nation's history, though many do not know it happened. One of the participants was Ashley Judd. She wore a T-shirt that read, "This is what a feminist looks like." This glam gal movie star is not what the public identifies as a feminist. She is beautiful, wears sexy gowns on the red carpet with non-sensible shoes. There are a lot of girls that want to be just like her. Another day I saw a guy exiting the grocery store with his cart with the same shirt on (I mean, it said the same thing. I don't think it was the same shirt). He was attractive, well groomed, wore a wedding ring and wasn't driving a hybrid. I didn't see his wife around. Maybe she was at home or maybe she was at work, working at an equitable job, or maybe she is deployed to Iraq, or possibly drafting legislation, or is a Union Pipe Fitter for a local in Chicago, or maybe she is meeting with her editor or she is finishing the work for her exhibition that opens in Berlin next month.
This work that I have produced is meant to instigate an everyday agency. Personal agency begins with identity. My part in an everyday revolution toward change begins with how I see myself.
One step in becoming an artist is calling your self one.
Jen LópezChicago, IL
February 2007
And here's the Monty Python interpretation...
Kind of hilarious.
I like optimism.
When I was a wee one, Girl Scouts were my favorite thing ever. Thanks in no small part to the fact that I convinced my father to be my Brownie leader. It was bad ass. So feminism + Girl Scouts? Swoon. Troop 3-394 forever!
Holy shit, this made me crave a cupcake like you wouldn't believe. If only they had a Magnolia in Queens...
I thought this was so great and funny, because - I'm sure like a lot of other feminists out there - I've had dudes use their progressive beliefs and feminist cred to try pick me up. Samhita and I used to talk about this a lot in college, that sometimes the guys who turned out to be the biggest assholes were the ones who wooed you by quoting Judith Butler. Anyone have any fun pick up stories? Leave them in comments...
We're all about subversive reclaiming here at Feministing, hence our bird-flipping mudflap girl logo. So dear readers, what's your favorite reclaimed word (or image, etc)?
Happy hump day, folks.
So, dear readers, if it seems like you're seeing a bit less of me on the blog, it's because I'm hard at work on a new project - a book on the myth of sexual purity and how it harms young women. I'm stoked about it, but it's obviously taking up a lot of my time. So I'm asking your forgiveness in advance if you see a couple of less posts than usual or if my posts are on the short side for now. I'll be back in full force soon, promise. In the meantime, remember, the all-knowing abstinence eyes are watching you!
Perhaps I'm just old and don't know know what slang words kids are using these days, but I have no idea what "squats my heart" means. Though somehow, I like it.
Stolen shamelessly from my fave NYC-rockers, the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. Find more weekend inspiration here, here and here.
If the bathroom wall says it, it must be true.
This picture made my morning in a big way, so I'm hoping it will do the same for you... So what did you do this weekend to /patriarchy?
A very cool banner from a feminist group in the UK who, incidentally, is one of the many great groups that are now part of the Feministing Alliance. (Just a reminder to get involved!)
Give me a "C!"
Behold, some very cool art students at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Thanks to everyone who came to our Roe celebration last night--it was great to see so many activists out in force! And huge kudos go to Vanessa, who always manages to throw the best parties. I'm feeling particularly cheery this morning, and I thought this cool mural might spread the joy...
I'm told that the sign reads: "The fight will be feminist...or it won't be." (As in, we'll fight as feminists or not at all.) Word.
Indeed. So how was everyone's weekend?
Even feminist cats are humorless.
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season and are looking forward to a fun new year. And New Year's Eve! (I'm going to my favorite wine bar for a ridiculous eight course dinner thing. Yum.)
Enjoy the feminist goodness above and I'll bring you posts as often as I can--considering I'll be on a plane back to New York for much of the day. And if anyone has any favorite feminist graffiti--point us to them in comments please! They're my current obsession.
Update: The person who took this photo asked that we remove it from the site, so we have. But I think the below statement is still worth commenting on...
We are feminists. We call ourselves "Sluts Against Rape" because we believe that a woman should have the right to be sexual in any way she chooses and that she is never at fault for rape. We choose to focus on sexual promiscuity-straight or queer-as a positive assertion of sexual identity and to focus on women as sexual agents as opposed to sexual victims. We remember that this embrace of sexuality in the public sphere has been particularly difficult for people of color, women-especially sex workers-and queer women. Each of these group's "supposed" inability to sexually control themselves has been used as justification for violence. At the same time, each of these groups have continued to explore and refine the place of sexuality in their lives and insist that public spaces remain open to them.
You can read the rest of the group statement here. Thoughts? (I know, a little heavy for a Friday morning, but interesting nonetheless.)
This makes me want to have a feminist board game night. Who's in?
Hotness.
Happy Monday, folks! Think of this picture as a fun graffiti reminder to walk with feminism in your life. (Yes, I'm very philosophical, I know.)
I spent the weekend in Philly at a friend's wedding (congrats Robbie and Ilana!) where I caught up with high school buds, drank a tad too much wine, and a had a huge piece of ceiling from the hotel bar fall on my head (seriously). What was your weekend like?
This was fond at the entrance to a school: Open your eyes! No aggression without response. Let's fight against sexism!
Hotness.
According to Gothamist, this billboard in downtown Manhattan was receiving a number of complaints before the recent "addition" above.
Some Gothamist readers are arguing that the graffiti is implying blame on women for dressing provocatively, others on AA for objectifying them. Thoughts?
Thanks to reader Laura for the heads up!
Hotness.
Awww, I wish I had three uteri. I'd even settle for my one if it came with a goofy grin like that.
I've posted this before, but it got such a controversial response last time I figured it was worth posting again. Plus, I just like it.
Translation:
Careful! Women answer backIf you stupidly stare at a woman, talk rubbish or touch her, you have to be aware that she might insult you loudly, a glass of beer is emptied over you or you might be hit in the face. We strongly advise you to refrain from this kind of harrassments.
Women, migrants, homeless people, transgender people, gays and lesbians are often victims of assaults. Don't look away, interfere!
I know I posted this Danish feminist poster last year, but it's too good not to bring back. The translation? "We demand: respect, equal wages and orgasms." Yeah.
I have no more to add.
An explanation of this piece, (White) Fem uh nist, can be found here. Interesting stuff.
Uterundies! Made by Harvey and Eileen.
There's only one word I can use to describe this button: WANT.
I think I just got pregnant.
Disney sucks. Click here for a full view of this employment rejection letter, and you'll see why.
Thanks to Charles for the link.
I want.
Ah, the March for Women's Lives. Good times. And great poster.
Thanks to Gwen for taking a pic of this priceless graffiti in Chicago.
I bought my first Birkenstocks last weekend. Now I'm a real feminist.
If more art was feminist, I'd probably go to the museum every once in a while. (Instead of hanging out on the internet.)
I'm taking my new wheels out for a spin this afternoon...just wishing I would see some cool ladies like these on the sidewalks of Queens.
Gawd, I love the Guerrilla Girls.
A big thanks to my boy Ben (he's single, gals!) and all the other folks who came to Union Square yesterday to show their support for women's reproductive rights. More pics from the rally here.
Word.
Yes, yes, I know International Women's Day has come and gone. But just look at how cute those kids are.
Women commemorate International Women's Day at an anti-Bush protest in Brazil.
All of a sudden, I really want a drink.
This pic always puts a smile on my face. And don't forget--tag your Flickr pictures with "feministing!"