Not Gonna Talk About Eating Issues Though...

The post-Second Wave feminism dilemma:

After Second Wave feminism, women had so many more opportunities than ever. The only problem was that now, women were expected to do it all: raise the kids, keep a clean house, look fashionable and thin, excel in the workplace, and be a sex-kitten in the bedroom. Not only that, but they had to do it with effortless perfection in order to be taken seriously by their male peers.

Someone explained it better over here. The post topic is about the issues women have with food and thinness, but it's what got me thinking about this.

In other news, I am so ready for winter to be over.

I Reject Your Reality And Substitute My Own!

Decision: I am never shopping at Sephora again. Every time I go in there, I feel so shallow. And yet I stroll through every aisle whenever I'm feeling like I want a meaningless little something something to boost my mood.

I'm done with meaningless trinkets. NEVAR AGAIN. If I want to treat myself to make-up, I'll just pick something up from Shoppers Drugmart. :P

... preoccupation with a media-imposed artificially-high and artificially-maintained standard of beauty keeps women preoccupied with things that are irrelevant to their jobs, skills, education, hard work, etc.

The Battle Continues

I had never realized just how un-democratic the election process was in America. Why? Superdelegates. It's like: "All people are equal... but some are more equal than others." *facepalm* And I thought things were complicated here in Canada. I was wrong.

Speaking of the election process, I hear Harper is pushing for a spring election. Woohoo... *unenthusiastic* What a choice us Canucks get: Harper or Dion. Blech. It's mighty disappointing, especially when we're inundated with the energy of the democratic Hilary Vs. Obama race.

Speaking of the lovely democratic candidates, here's a video that kinda tipped me over in favour of Obama, as much as I enjoy Hilary. It's Obama's speech in Virginia after he swept Nebraska, Washington State, and Louisiana.

I Wish My Last Post Hadn't Been So Timely

Romney bowing out of Republican presidential race. Just goes to show you that throwing a lot of money around won't always get you what you want. Also, that Huckabee guy better not be named as McCain's running mate. Seriously.

Can't Sleep, Fundies Will Eat Me...

It may be American politics, but I'm still following the election news in the wake of Super (Fat) Tuesday. As I was flitting about the internet I came across an interesting terrifying suggestion: McCain would choose Huckabee as his VP running-mate once the Republican race was settled. This would make old Huckster one step away from being President. I don't think it will happen (DEAR GOD, please let it not happen) but then again the American people elected Bush (twice wtf). Plus, Huckabee did scarily well on Super Tuesday. In any case, this situation would be a bad thing. Why? Oh I'll show you why:

From Perrspectives (here, here, and here)

Top 30 Moments in Mike Huckabee's Extremism

1. Huckabee Calls for the Quarantine of AIDS Victims
2. Huckabee Enables the Politically-Motivated Parole of Repeat Rapist/Murderer
3. Huckabee Offers Faith-Based Pardons
4. Huckabee Undermines the Teaching of Evolution
5. Huckabee Speaks for God
6. Huckabee Speaks to God
7. Huckabee Claims God Behind His Rise in the Polls
8. Huckabee Proclaims His Theology Degree a Unique Qualification to Fight Terrorism
9. Huckabee Flip-Flops, Calls for Federal Abortion Ban
10. Huckabee Calls for Consumption Tax, Abolition of the IRS
11. Huckabee Vows to Take Nation Back for Christ
12. Huckabee Declares Culture War in 1998 Book
13. Huckabee Declares Women Should Graciously Submit to Their Husbands
14. Huckabee Predicts Victory over Islam at the End of Times
15. Huckabee Boasts About Theology Degree He Doesn't Have
16. Huckabee Destroys His State Computer Records - and Church Sermons
17. Huckabee Offers State Appointments in Exchange for Gifts
18. Huckabee Uses Wedding Registries to Furnish New Home
19. Huckabee Offers Clemency to Repeat DWI Offender (and GOP Donor)
20. Huckabee Intervenes to Save Dog-Killing Son from Legal Jeopardy
21. Huckabee Encourages Televangelist to Defy Senate Investigation
22. Huckabee Wants Americans to be "Soldiers for Christ" in "God's Army"
23. Huckabee Calls for a Faith-Based Constitution
24. Huckabee Wants to Crimalize Abortion Providers
25. Huckabee Vows to Deport All Illegal Aliens
26. Huckabee Equates Homosexuality with Bestiality
27. Huckabee Says the Lord Gave Him Wisdom During GOP Debates
28. Huckabee Gets Scatalogical in Defense of the Confederate Flag
29. Huckabee Compares Search for Iraq WMD to Easter Egg Hunt
30. Huckabee Calls for Taxes on Pimps, Prostitutes and Drug Dealers

I know, I know... it's a long fucking list. No wonder 15% of Canadians (as reported by the CBC) would give up their vote if they could participate in the US elections. *waves dual Clinton and Obama flags*

I Got It From My Momma

Newsflash: When I went out to dinner with my family for my birthday over a week ago, I ordered a mango daiquiri. And the waitress asked me if I was of age. She was honest to god questioning if I was 19 years old.

I just turned 27. I am going to age SO WELL. ;D

So Much For The Holiday Spirit?

As many already know, Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today in a suicide attack. The moment I saw the headline on the internet I was all: "WHAT? You've got to be kidding me." This is SO not on. I was so alarmed and disappointed; she's always been someone I admired for being a strong female political figure in such a patriarchal part of the world. She was the first ever woman prime minister of a Muslim nation. Her policies and actions weren't perfect, but she was still someone I respected. One of my favourite quotes from her: "I haven’t given myself away. I belong to myself and I always shall." (Vowing in 1987 that her arranged Islamic marriage to Karachi businessman Asif Ali Zardari would not upstage her political career.)

But when I read the article above I did a facepalm when I read this:

Nawaz Sharif, another former premier and opposition leader, arrived at the hospital and sat silently next to Bhutto's body. "Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for her death," he said. "Don't feel alone. I am with you. We will take the revenge on the rulers."

NO, BAD POLITICIAN, REVENGE IS NOT THE ANSWER. I... *sigh* When will people learn? It's so disturbing to hear that the reaction to her death was for her supporters to immediately inflict properly damage on whatever is closest to them. Whyyyyyy?

On to other things, here's a little tidbit I came across while reading the synopsis for the movie The Corporation on Wikipedia:

Jeremy Rifkin tells us how in the 1980s Professor Chakrabarty, a scientist for General Electric, "invented" microorganisms that ate hazardous waste. General Electric then went to the United States patent office claiming they had invented this bacteria and needed a patent. The Patent Office immediately turned down the request citing a living organism cannot be patented. To this the corporate lawyer went to the court system fighting for their patent rights.

By a 3-2 decision the court overruled the patent office. Rifkin then appealed this decision by going to the Supreme Court. His argument was that if the verdict was upheld the blueprints of life would be owned by corporations without congress or the public's consent. By a ruling of 5-4 chief justice Warren E. Burger upheld the decision and seven years later the Patent Office wrote into its laws one sentence that stated any life except a full birth human being can be patented.

Rifkin finally states the current race is on in the corporate biotech world to "cash in" on the Human Genome Project so they can patent the genetic code that causes all known diseases. Rifkin finishes by stating within ten years corporations will not only own all human life but that of every other species on Earth.

This? Scares the effing shit out of me. Not as much as Benazir Bhutto's assassination but still. Oh what a brave new world we live in...

Whatever, I Don't Even Like Whiskey

Know what's been pissing me off lately? That damn Canadian Club Whiskey commercial I keep hearing on the radio. You know, the "Damn Right Your Dad Drank It" one? Every time the announcer says "Your mom wasn't your dad's first" I scream back "YES SHE WAS. FUCK YOU AND YOUR WESTERNIZED VALUES." :P This is a strange reaction for me, considering how liberal I am. I guess I just want to reiterate a point, that men shouldn't be portrayed as macho studs. Just like women shouldn't be portrayed as delicate flowers of virginity. Stupid fucking ad campaign...

God Help Me If I Decide To Buy A Wii

An article appeared on the internet today and caught my eye. Seems that men get their coffee 20 seconds earlier than do women. I'm not going to comment on the reasoning for such a thing that the article insinuates, but I felt it was something I could relate to.

I say this because I've had some challenges over the past few months in the purchasing department. Specifically, when it comes to electronics. I was in the market for a new cellphone a couple months ago and I found it was nearly impossible to get a sales rep to notice me when I was on my own. It was like I was invisible. After roaming endless cellphone stores, one day I wandered into a Wireless Wave and was served immediately... by a female sales rep. The manager was also a woman, and between the two of them I had the best service ever. I went home with my precious Motorola KRZR a happy lady.

Now I'm searching for a laptop and the struggle has started all over again. Yesterday and today in Future Shop, I practically had to tackle one of the (male & desi) sales reps, who were mostly standing around and chatting like there wasn't a potential customer standing right in front of them with an interested look on her face. And weirdly enough, both times I caught an informative sales rep to help me out, he would be white. WTF. Why won't my desi brethren help a sister out?! :P

So anyway, I'll probably buy my laptop this weekend. With my dad.

I hate the system.

My guess is that electronics sales reps are taught/assume that men are more likely to buy goods than women are, therefore they should concentrate their efforts on helping men in the store. It's an annoying rule of thumb, that's for sure.

I Like The Sound Of My Voice

Music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry.

Frou Frou - The Dumbing Down Of Love

I've been aching to do some karaoke lately. Not the kind of karaoke I did before, where it's just me and some close buds in a little room doing our own thing. I want to be in front of a nameless crowd with my friends cheering for me at the top of their lungs. I'd sing something slow and sweet, something by Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Imogen Heap, or Fiona Apple.

Actually, scratch that. It's not karaoke I've been craving, it's a little more abstract than that. I want to find a place that echoes and resonates, a place where I can be alone to just sing to my heart's content, everything from Bollywood tunes to Maaya Sakamoto to Coldplay.

I had a really interesting weekend, meeting up with old and dear friends. I'm dead tired because of all the late nights, but the events will give me some mental fodder to chew on for the next few days.

Stop Making My People Look Bad!

Against my better judgement, I've been watching a lot of random TV lately. Not all of it is the good kind either, because I find myself watching TLC and Slice a lot. Oh Slice! Where to begin with you? With shows such as "Rich Bride Poor Bride", "Extreme Makeover", "How To Get The Guy", "Party Mamas", and "The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp" in their repertoire, it's hard not to get discouraged about how women are portrayed in the mainstream media these days. It wasn't always like this, I say! At least it feels like that to me.

I blame the mid-90s interest in pop music. Britney Spears and the Spice Girls were the beginning of the end. ;P

But seriously, I'm so sick of seeing shows about bridezillas, selfish women who trample all over their partners and parents and wedding planners to achieve some sort of ridiculous fairy tale experience they've been dreaming about since they were two. I'm sick of seeing shows with women wanting plastic surgery so bad that they cry about it, that they cannot see anything past perceived flaws, or who are unable to stand their solitary existence without a man validating their self-worth. I'm sick of women being portrayed as frivolous, petty, superficial, temperamental, and selfish. Just once, I'd like to see one of those wedding shows that centers around a woman who casually plans everything so that the family, the groom, the guests, can have a good time. No more of this ME ME ME stupidity.

... I think I'll go watch some Mythbusters now.

No One Does Bad Videos Like Bollywood

I was just re-reading over my blog entries and couldn't help but notice how... depressing these posts can be. So let's lighten things up a tad, okay?

Today my sister, in an effort to traumatize me (haha, not really) was sending me YouTube links for a crappy Bollywood movie called Cash. The final video she linked me to was the song Naughty Naughty. Yeah, wonderful title. But anyway, her warning to me was that one of the actresses in the video was a particular actress we associate with sweet, innocent roles, whereas in this video she was looking trashy. But... I couldn't help but like her in the video. Yes, the video is ugly, the choreography sucked, and the song leaves a lot to be desired, but the way this actress (the one I'm talking about is the first girl who shows up) acted in the video... there was something appealing about it. Sort of in the same way that I shake my head at every new video by the Pussycat Dolls, when all the while I'm memorizing the dance moves in my head cause they're just so damn cool.

There's just something appealing and refreshing about a woman who is in charge and unapologetic of her sexuality. If that means I need to hand in my feminist card then so be it. Actually, no. I'm keeping it. I can be a feminist and still love the idea of a woman looking/being sexy for others. Hell, I'd love to see the same thing for men too. Equal opportunity objectification!

In any case, you have to give the director props for filming the video in one continuous shot. ;)

With Fingernails That Shine Like... Oppression?

Ever notice that something weird happens to us ladies when we get our nails done, all glossy paint and perfectly shaped? We pay good money for this shit, and so we make sure not to ruin our indulgence. The result? Daintily picking things up, avoiding scraping our fingers, gently gently we go about our business, never letting our hands exert too much force.

Women are not instrinsically fucking dainty. It's a product of what we are expected to be, what we are expected to do. Don't run, little girl, you might scuff your pretty new shoes and dirty your pretty new skirt. Always about our appearance, how we are presented to the world. And it affects us, affects our behaviours, until we cannot tell the difference between cause and effect.

*stares at freshly painted nails* It's a good thing I work in a food manufacturing plant; I'll have to remove this stuff tomorrow night as per the rules. I suddenly don't like the way it affects me. I never realized how much it did.

Trying To Find Someone Like Me

While flitting about the web, I came across the People of Colour SF Carnival and it got me a'thinking. Thinking about what? About my people in the media, that's what. It's no secret that I am an avid TV watcher, and can I just say that it's always disappointed me that so few desi people are on mainstream North American television? (I'm not going to speak on British TV, because I do get the impression that there is more desi representation there, but I wouldn't really know.)

Let's put that all aside for a moment. I've been cruising the blogosphere for a certain kind of blog lately. I'm talking about a feminist blog written by someone who is female and desi and living in a westernized country. On the other hand, it's so fascinating to read blogs by people who live in India, because even though it's my culture and my roots, I'm really quite disengaged from that particular society. But yeah, looking for a certain kind of blog. One with a feminist, minority slant, but still deals with issues pertaining to all kinds of Canadian/America/Australian/British/etc. issues.

When I go to India in two weeks, things are gonna be so very exciting. All week on The Discovery Channel they've been showing this "TDC Goes To India" segment every night, and it's good to know that the Taj Mahal isn't under construction or maintenance or anything. ;)

And The Sunshine Is So Delightful

From Grist.com, my cool link of the moment: How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic, which is a complete listing of the articles in "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic," a series by Coby Beck containing responses to the most common skeptical arguments on global warming.

Speaking of climate, the weather up here is finally hitting its stride and treating us with luxuriously warm afternoons. I couldn't be happier! Well, obviously I'd be happier with a billion dollars and Jesse Spencer as my personal slave. Or if impending thunderstorms weren't in the weather forecast. I just make the best of what comes along. :)

No, wait. I take it all back; this is my cool link of the moment: Quantum immortality, which is a controversial metaphysical speculation that states that the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics implies that conscious beings are immortal. Awesome.

Urge To Castrate... Rising

Oh my fucking god, I'm seeing red right now. Twisty at IBTP has posted about a horrific gang rape case. Details of what exactly happened (because FUCKING FUCK THIS 'ALLEGED' AND 'INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE' BULLSHIT) can be found here.

THIS is why I'm a feminist. The fact that shit like this happens, an underaged girl is raped while drunk and vomiting and the case gets thrown out, she gets blamed for the rape, the men are congratulated for pulling through such a difficult time in their lives. I mean... FUCK. What sort of sick fucks think that raping a semi-comatose girl is ANY shade of moral white?!

*walks off frothing*

Everything You Need In Once Place

I had some interesting conversations this weekend with dear friends of mine. These friends, being the educated and intellectual women that they are, gave me a lot to think about.

On Friday night, the conversation veered towards our favourite TV show and the issues that we had with the dynamic between the main female and male characters. (The show is Bones, FWIW.) It became apparent that I enjoyed Booth's character much more than my friend, as I am willing to overlook/ignore his more patronizing, immature, and assholish tendencies due to the fact that he is so very hot. There are so many things about the character that I would not be able to stand in real life, or even another TV show. But for some reason, I let my logic and critical thinking float away when I watch the show. Makes one wonder where to draw the line between escapism and practicing what you preach. I don't think there's anything wrong with indulging in the corny tripe that FOX airs every Wednesday night, as long as I am fully aware that it's just that. (Still, god I love that show!)

On Saturday night we somehow ended up talking about how we would raise our kids, and I find myself in a bit of a conundrum over that. My friend has a sister who got into a massively dysfunctional relationship at a young-ish age, and she was saying that for that reason she wouldn't let her kids date at all until they were 18, until they were a little more emotionally mature and had the self-confidence to make the right decisions. I've wondered where I stand on the issue myself for some time, what restrictions I'd place on my children. I used to think I'd let them date at 16, and all the while never warn them against dating. Now I'm liking her way of thinking.

Huzzah for the 37th Carnival of Feminists! Check out all the goodies, people. :)

This post made me think. Oh yes it did. MY GOD, if men are always complaining that they have no control over themselves when they see an attractive, scantily clad woman walk by, hence leading to things such as assault and rape, MAYBE THEY SHOULD START COVERING UP THEIR EYES instead of women covering up their bodies. It's not like WE'RE doing anything wrong, we're just wearing OUR FUCKING CLOTHES. MEN are the ones fucking things up. Jeebus. But seriously, that's some great satire, right there. And I quote...

Second, how do you know these women aren't lying in wait, plotting to falsely accuse you of rape? If you'd all behave more responsibly, act modestly, and stay home, you wouldn't have to worry about these things. You also wouldn't have to worry about getting arrested, or hearing women complain about your very justifiable behavior. I mean, you said it yourselves--you cannot be trusted.

Also, a shocking article about a Muslim woman in the UK who was attacked in the media for her choice of swimwear.

Finally, something I'd like to forward to my friends and family. A primer on women in advertising, if you may.

From here: I’ve never heard of a guy who got into a bar fight feeling ashamed of the fact that he was insulting to the other guy beforehand, or questioning whether that meant he had been giving the guy permission to beat him up. If an assault case goes to trial, whether the victim was being a jerk beforehand is essentially irrelevant, because the guy who did the hitting is the one who crossed the legality line. In the unlikely event that a sexual assault case actually gets to trial, questions will inevitably come up about all the ways in which the victim could have sent the message that she was willing to have sex by flirting or by consenting to other sexual activity.

Gwah, that felt... liberating.

Topics For A Monday Morning

On the language of rape - Passive Aggression: Foregrounding the Object I completely agree, FWIW. Bringing up the fact that a man is the hidden subject in the event of rape is a very good idea.

And on the same topic (and including a really wack PSA from the US Ad Council) - Women are to blame for everything, including and especially male abuse towards them That PSA is made of so much lose.

And on the topic of bad commercials, Kyso K in the above post says - The only thing that drives me more insane on the radio is that dog food commercial that suggests you should buy your dog expensive food so that it will love you, and then when it is gazing upon you adoringly you can project onto it all of the validation you wish you’d been getting from your ungrateful family. I admit it... I LOLed.

And from the "LOL AMERICANS" file - Canadian 'spy' coin mystery solved I... just... *headdesk*

Excuse Me While I Order Take-Out Instead

Okay, this just makes me feel... ARGH!

Fashionable in the Kitchen: Add a little style to your kitchen with a hip and chic apron.

That's right, let's push women to worry about if they're attaining a proper level of stylishness while they are busy cracking eggs and marinating pork chops. GOD. As if we don't get this bullshit from enough places, now the fashion industry reminds us that we are still objects to be ogled at while we slave over a hot stove. I might have been more lenient if there were stylish aprons for men as well, but not that much more lenient.

*sighs* It's a never-ending battle, I tell ya.

Faith In Humanity... Falling

White House opposes hate crime bill

"WASHINGTON - The White House issued a veto threat Thursday against legislation that would expand federal hate crime law to include attacks motivated by the victims' gender or sexual orientation.

The hate crimes bill, with strong Democratic backing, is expected to pass the House Thursday. Similar legislation is moving through the Senate.

But the legislation, which also would increase the penalties for bias-based violence, has met outspoken resistance from conservative groups and their Republican allies in Congress, who warn that it undermines freedom of speech, religious expression and equal protection under the law."

"Hate crimes under current federal law apply to acts of violence against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, or national original. Federal prosecutors have jurisdiction only if the victim is engaged in a specific federally protected activity such as enrolling in school, voting or traveling between states.

The House bill would extend the hate crimes category to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability."

What the heck is wrong with the fricking White House?! *headdesk*