Growing up, I remember how frustrating it was that my brother could swipe away the Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters action figures that I was playing with if he decided he wanted to play with them. They were his toys after all. Although we shared toys like Lego and Nintendo, the bulk of my toys were… Continue Reading →
Why Lauren Conrad is more powerful than anyone probably ever thought
I don’t know much about Lauren Conrad. Just that she was on MTV’s The Hills (or Laguna Beach? Or The OC? Or all three?) and that she now has some lifestyle blog (because who doesn’t?) that covers “primping, dining, decorating, crafting, reading and fashion.” Ms. Conrad is on my radar these days, however, because she… Continue Reading →
Fury Road? More Like Furiosa Road!
I went to the movies over Memorial Day, and now all I can think about is Mad Max, Mad Max, MAD MAX! That is, of course, only the title of the movie. Because if I was going to jump up and down excitedly screaming the name of the main character, I would be saying, “FURIOSA!”… Continue Reading →
Just “Bad Blood,” or bad body image?
[media url=”youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIy9NiNbmo/A&W=415″] Nude bodices, come-hither poses, and full body scans of a barely clothed body: Taylor Swift’s latest video, “Bad Blood,” is the culmination of her sexual evolution, which we began to see with the release of her album 1989 in 2014. Sexual, or at least sensual, lyrics trickle through the album (“his hands are… Continue Reading →
The haircut: A body image trial
Having just completed an incredibly challenging year abroad, I decided I needed a change. Something radical. So why not chop off all of my hair? It would the perfect symbol of growth, accomplishment, and moving on, I thought. Which was totally valid. But I’m glad I didn’t go through with it. See, what I was… Continue Reading →
Four reasons you should be in love with Orphan Black
Clones. Religious cults. Corporate science. Oh, and feminism. As odd as it may sound, all of these elements can be found in the TV series Orphan Black. The show, which just began its third season in April, follows Sarah Manning (played by Tatiana Maslany) as she discovers she is one of many clones. The series… Continue Reading →
Everything that’s wrong with the Dad Bod trend
You have got to be kidding me with this Dad Bod business. As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, a recent piece by Mackenzie Pearson (who’s a student at Clemson University in South Carolina) outlines how and why women now prefer a slight paunch over a six pack when it comes to men’s appearance. Her… Continue Reading →
Why Danielle Brooks’ essay is so important to the body image conversation
Actress Danielle Brooks is making waves in Hollywood. Best known for her role as Tasha “Tastee” Jefferson on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, Brooks is now enjoying a level of professional success that few actors get to experience. And she recently revealed that she’s enjoying another kind of success, one that is… Continue Reading →
Harriet Tubman on the new $20 bill?
What would the United States be like if we had Harriet Tubman on our $20 bills? Depicted on current and former US dollar banknotes are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Franklin, William McKinley, and Grover Cleveland. Yes, they are all men. And yes, all white men…. Continue Reading →