Women's Firsts

1. In Saudi Arabia in 2008, the first women only university was opened.

2. In the year 2000, Ingrid Daubechies is the first woman to win the National Academy of Sciences Medal in Mathematics.

3. 2010, Giorgia Boscolo is the first official woman gondolier in Venice.

4. Astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson became the commander of the International Space Station in 2007.

5.Senator Hillary Clinton won the New Hampshire presidential primary and made history by becoming the first woman to do so.

6. Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin became the first female vice presidential candidate on the Republican ticket.

7. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi becomes the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.

8. Kathryn Bigelow wins the Best Director Oscar in March 2010 becoming the first woman ever to win the award.

9. 2006, Effa Manley becomes the first woman elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

10. November 1, 2010 Dilma Rousseff is elected Brazil's first woman leader.

As long as women are still accomplishing things for the "first" time then women are still not equal to men.

Feminism in the Kitchen

I love the Food Network just as much as the next girl and enjoy experimenting in the kitchen without all of that feminine fuss that is associated with being the perfect hostess and housewife. As much as I enjoy the women chefs on the Food Network I must admit that they seem to all be popped out of the same "Susie Homemaker" mold. But I recently came across a female chef with an in your face personality and just as much creativity with food as any other cook out there.
I accidentally found the show "Bitchin' Kitchen" on the Cooking Channel which airs on Wendesdays at 10:30pm and I can not tell you how refreshing it is to watch a cooking show with a woman chef who does not embrace the stereoptypical female house wife role.
Nadia G is the show's host and she is loud, opinionated,funny,and of course "bitchin.'" Her humour and sarcasm make the show more like a comedy sketch and you learn how to make a few awesome dishes as an added bonus.
You might find Nadia a bit intense or annoying but I think that is part of her charm.
The show is unconvential and features episodes that focus on themes like break up foods, and meals to make when you are angry. Her kitchen set is a sight in itself not to mention her rockin' fashion sense.
I can't help but love that she is a loud mouth italian woman like myself who likes to cook some tradition italian meals with a little twist,

Check out my new favorite chef, Nadia G on the Cooking Channel and let me know what you think!

Witchy Woman

Since Halloween in upon us I thought it would only be necessary to discuss witches, a powerful representation of women. The connotation of the word "witch" can divert into more categories, like an intricate spider's web.
Perhaps the reason I have always loved witches since I was a girl is due to The Wizard of OZ. I never had an affiliation with Glinda or Dorothy; they were both so quiet, and compliant and they never stood out to me. The Wicked Witch on the other hand, she had power; she worked alone (okay, she had the flying monkeys to help) but she went after what she wanted and she put her plans into motion. Granted, she didn't use her power for "good" but unlike Dorothy she was not looking for a man to come and save her i.e. the wizard. The Wicked Witch was never frightened to walk the streets alone, never worried she wouldn't find "prince charming," didn't need anyone to save her. She was completely unlike any of the female characters directed at young girls and I loved her!
Hence began my obsession with witches and perhaps why Halloween is my favorite time of the year. As I got older and began to learn about witches and how their power has marred history forever it is no wonder that these women were feared for the intellect and power they possessed. The fear of powerful women caused the deaths of hundreds of innocent people in Europe and the U.S.
Can you believe that the thought of women being able to cast spells and take control of their own lives scared the shit out of men to that extent??!! If that doesn't display the power women have then I don't know what does!
So if you are not normally a strong and confident woman perhaps you can tap into your inner witch this sunday and do something to exercise some power, even if it's teaching your dog a new trick. (And no, I wasn't referring to your boyfriend).

Happy Halloween!

Cool your JETS

The recent attack on Mexican sports reporter Ines Sainz has brought back to date a very age old idea: that women "ask" for certain negative attention from males based on how they dress.

For some reason, I was under the impression that that school of thought had been dying out; but apparently, I am wrong. Men, especially sports players, are exempt from being held accountable for their own behaviors and actions. Men are portrayed as uncontrollable sex crazed animals and we as women have to walk on egg shells in order not to risk provoking the sex hungry beasts. Instead of portraying men as human beings who have a conscience and a knowledge of acceptable and unacceptable behavior, we point fingers at the females victims.

Sainz has awoken the many terrible aspects that the whore/virgin dichotomy proposes. The "whore" is a "bad" woman and therefore, justifiably subjected to all types of lude male behavior such as harrassment, groping, rape, etc. Had Sainz entered that locker room in a long skirt and turtle neck sweater and possibly been less physically attractive we would know nothing about her. In all honesty, is she dressed any less provocative than the any of the JETS cheerleaders? What is the difference? The difference is sometimes men are intimidated by an attractive woman with power and use lude sexual behavior as a way to intimidate and patronize her in order to feel a sense of power within themselves. And when we as women say that women like Ines Sainz's code of dress gave men the right to condescend her, we are giving men like the Jets players right to treat us all this way.

But what is it about women who are comfortable with their sexuality that scares men and brings out the worst in their behavior? What is it about them that makes men AND women focus the blame entirely on women and not on men? Have we not advanced that much as a species that we still believe men suffer from some primate-like inclination to act like animals? I like to think that we know better and we know that, man or woman, we are human beings with the ability to rationalize better conduct towards the opposite sex.

With this consciousness we know that no one "asks" for negative attention in the same way no one conducts themselves to attract muggers or bullies. The rationalization of an idea like this can not exist; it's impossible. In 2010 I am sorry I even had to hear a phrase of that nature, coming out of the mouths of female news reporters no less!

If you still go around believing that certain girls and women "ask" to be harrassed or raped and somehow deserve to be treated brutally because of how they dress then I am sorry but I have to honestly question your mental capacity to rationalize.

Both women and men need to put an end to this type of mentality so we do not teach our sons that that type of behavior will be excused or teach our daughters that harrassment or rape is something they brought upon themselves.

Feminism at the Brooklyn Book Festival

Feminism was definately not dead in brooklyn today. The Brooklyn Book Festival was rampant with many feminist writers as well as publishers and feminist literature.
Despite the weather, the streets were full of publishers, agents, writers and fans and a good number of them feminist!

At a panel entitled "You've Come a Long Way Baby, Or Have You?" several feminist writers:Rebecca Traister, Leora Tanenbaum, and Jennifer Baumgardner discussed feminism and how it related to the 2008 election. They brought up and discussed many important topics but one that I really thought was amazing was the fact that no one brought up the historical achievements of the women involved in the election. For instance, Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to win the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary; yet no one made reference to it at all!

But what I enjoyed most about the panel was that feminism is still alive and kicking! It was so exciting to see all these women and men gathered to listen to and discuss how many more obstacles women have yet to face. It's a small reminder that maybe feminism is not completely dead afterall

Pop Starlet Vs. Rocker Chick

Rocker Chicks like Shirley Manson and Courtney Love have always been amazing to me as a girl and even now. The idea of a woman able to dress how she wants, rock the guitar, spew out "fuck you" lyrics and just not give a shit about the rules of being "a lady" has always impressed me.

Now when you compare them to the pop star who always worries about being in shape, wearing the sexy clothes and making the sugary love songs, it seems they are almost the epitome of the female societal role, the sex symbol. Don't get me wrong there are pop stars who teeter on the edge and break some rules but the rocker chick seems to exhude a more powerful woman.

However, the bad ass rocker chick seems to have died down, and in a world where the American woman can exert more power, the bimbo like pop star is what has become prevalent. I don't understand why bands like Halestorm are not more popular than they are and instead American girls choose to listen to Mandy Moores and Britney Spears'.

Not only do American girls listen to alot more female pop music but they also want to be just like them. The shallow, materialistic image who looks like a porn star but acts like a submissive doll. I am not saying all pop stars are like this but this is overall the image that they portray.

I don't think we give enough credit to guitar playing, song writing rockstars and i think it is because no matter how many liberites women enjoy for some reason the new generations of women are reverting back to gender roles and trying harder to be the submissive, image-obsessed automaton that American society and the media want them to be.

We need to stop promoting women to act and remain like little girls. We need to stop glamorizing the school girl image and encourage women to act like full growm adult women. The school girl image sells because it promotes this idea of innocence and passivity but also brings with it a load of sexual implications.

The image of an adult woman is a more powerful one, less virginal and let's face it america is obsessed with women being virgins even in a day and age where our hymen isn't being traded for cattle and a suitor!

Women, put down your Coach bags and Botox injections for a minute and look at the example you are setting for your daughter! It is enough that she is getting this idea from the music she is listening to so perhaps you can set a different example: That women are worth more than their virginity and their looks and that they have the opportunity to be powerful and make changes, something too many women outside of this country know nothing about.

Let's not waste our opportunities.

Happy 90th to the 19th!

Today is the 90th anniversary of the 19th ammendment. For those of you who do not know which one that is- it is the one that gave women the right to vote. It is true; women have unfortunately only been voting for 90 years in this country.

Sometimes I cannot believe how fresh an idea equality for women really is. But on the bright side, women have come a very long way in 90 years. And what is most remarkable about the women of the early 1900'sis how determined they were and how hard they fought to pave the way for women today.

Their determination and courage are admirable and I think that these qualities are what is missing from women today. For the most part,the feminist struggle has almost died out and has become replaced with virgin/whore pop icon. Girls today want to grow and be like Britney Spears all the while having no idea who Elizabeth Cady Stanton is and what she has accomplished. It seems we have almost forgotten that women have brains and because of the suffragettes we are able to use them. But some women prefer to play the role of the dumb blonde.

Today most women no longer feel the need to rectify the sexism in the workplace, on tv or at home in our own families, while the women responsible for the 19th ammendment marched in streets and conducted meetings at Seneca Falls and rewrote the Declaration of Independence. Today's women seem more preoccupied with clothing labels and Coach bags and less about making the world better for their daughters so that maybe one day there will be a female president.

For the most part, women have forgotten about the struggle and the hard work and sacrifices. Not one news broadcast has mentioned the fact that the 19th ammendment is celebrating its 90th birthday. It would be tragic to forget that women were not considered equals and for the most part are still not. We need to remind each other that women have worked hard to get to where they are now.

Keep the memory of the 19th ammendment alive!

Murdering in the Name of the Lord?

Abortion is always a touchy subject so instead of arguing pro choice I would like to bring to light the irony of The Army of God and their involvement in attempting and succeeding in killing doctors and clinic workers.

The murder of George Tiller is not new news to anyone and it was in fact not the first attempt on his life. Unfortunately there are many groups of people who shed blood in the name of god and are in fact shaming their religions.

Any religious person regardless of which gods or goddesses they believe in can tell you that religion is about love, especially Catholics/Christians which believe that god is love. These extremists are breaking the very commandments they believe in. I find it impossible that their god would waive "Thou Shall Not Kill" only under certain circumstances! That's ridiculous!

Has no one ever thought how ironic it is for people to murder in order to put an end to what they think is murder? If you truly believe that abortion is wrong then how does taking the life of another human being make your opinion valid?

Though we all cannot agree on abortion, we must at least agree that the shootings, blombings, and arsens involved in destroying clinics and their workers is disgusting and unethical to say the least. I am not afraid to state that I am pro choice and I think I am open to listen to other people's ideas and views on the subject but with extremists or terrorists, whatever you want to call them- I have no tolerance for them.

I grew up in Catholic schools and I think one thing that drew me away from that religion is the intense amount of hypocrisy that goes on within the church and its followers. I thought I was learning about loving and helping and nurturing and unfortunately found that people do alot of evil things under god's name. If you believe murder is wrong than committing murder is WRONG, no matter who is doing the killing or whom they are killing.

The Army of God is a sad, pathetic group of human beings who are easily brain washed and manipulated by other evil doers. There website is a disgusting display of bible quotes that are supposed to justify their murdering and they hail those in jail for murder as "American Heroes." Tillman was a husband and father.

Can you imagine a website that praises the murder of your father?! It's appalling and astonishing how anyone can be part of such a group of people. I really don't want to get too deep into the abortion debate but this type of behavior can not possibly be justified.

I could not possibly even stay on the site for long without feeling horrified that people even think like this let alone gather together to act on these thoughts. There site in no way exhudes a holy environment, visiting feels more like being guilty for being involved in a hit and run.

These physchos should be mentally evaluated and imprisoned.

The Virgin/Whore Dichotomy

If you're a woman then you are either a virgin or a whore. There is no grey area. And if you are a virgin then you are automatically considered "good" and if you are labeled a whore then you are automatically considered "evil." This is an age old issue for women while men are praised for the amount of notches they can add to their belts.

The problem is that women are most often judged solely based on their sexual experiences, this is where their value and worth stems from. People have a hard time NOT judging women based on who is or has been in their beds, when it is none of their business in the long run and for the most part we are misjudging what important characteristics and talents women can bring to the table because we are afraid of how comfortable they are sexually.

It is no secret that men and women are anatomically created to enjoy sex, so why do we act so surprised when women participate willingly in sexual activities? Why is society so afraid of strong, vocal women who are comfortable with their bodies and their sex lives? Men are encouraged to lose their virginity as soon as possible while women are encouraged to save it for as long as they can. Why does there have to be an influence at all?

Little girls are named Chastity and Prudence in hopes that they will instill these virtues throughout their lives. Instead of being taught that sex is not evil they are taught that if a boy really loves you he will wait until you are both married. The instillment of marriage is another problem all together but I'll save society's interference on marriage for another day.

Every woman knows what it is like to be the virgin and the whore at some point in her life. The virgin is eventually made to feel guilty once she crosses over that threshhold and instead of encouraging young women the proper healthy way to be sexually active and being in control of their own bodies we brainwashing them into thinking that they must remain virginal little girls well into adulthood.

These are the only two types of women presented in the bible through the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene. These are the only types of women that girls get to be familiar with and neither of these "types" have accomplished anything worthwhile other than abstaining from sex. How the hell does abstaining from sex have anything to do with women as individual people?!

It is not easy for men and women to see women as people who have individual interests, talents, and personalities when we are too busy teaching boys and girls that good little girls remain virgins and bad little girls are sexually active. Next time you find yourself juding a women on her sexual experiences rather than her actions perhaps you will take the issues in this blog into consideration.

Perhaps you will teach your sons and daughters that the virgin and the whore is as ancient and outdated an idea as the world is flat and not round.

Pad, Tampon, or Diva Cup?

It is always the same question isn't it? Pads or tampons?

Every group of girls left to their own devices has had the conversation promoting their own personal preference in regards to their menstrual hygiene.

Some women swear by tampons while others feel healthier using pads but isn't it time that we have a more modernized way of dealing with our periods? Seriously,I vote against both; they are both uncomfortable and annoying in their own ways and we would think that in the year of 2010 we would be using some high tech sanitary something, no?

However, I did come across something called "The Diva Cup;" I know the name is pretty ridiculous but this seems to be the most innovative thing on the market. This "cup" can only be purchased on the website which gives plenty of information on how it works, although I wouldn't mind having a visual aid to fully comprehend its use. ( http://www.divacup.com/) I have yet to come across anyone who has ever tried this device and am wondering if anyone has any insight on it.

Anyway, I guess I will have to do some research myself and get back with a response, at least until some female scientist somewhere comes up with a better solution.

Physicians or Drug Dealers?

Have you been to the psychiatrist, orthopedic, or even your primary care doctor recently? Chances are you were able to score on a pill of your choice, a pain killer or a relaxer, something highly addictive despite its medical benefits.

The problem is not that doctors are prescribing these drugs but that they are over prescribing them. When a patient comes in to your office that is clearly hooked on Percocet and would honestly wait in your waiting room for 4 hours just for the magic script that will allot him 90 pills in one month, then isn't it against some medical code to give the patient what they want, instead of what is more beneficial to their overall health?

Let's begin with the fact that John Smith Patient continually sees Dr. So and So for a pain injury for over 10 years. For ten years Smith has been taking Vicodin with a side of Xanax and for ten years Dr. So and So has been happily writing the script. But the patient is hooked, he can't function without his pain killers and he gets irritable when he doesn't get his pills on time. Smith doesn't work because he's collecting disability due to his injury so now he sits home and pops pills in front of the tv.

Dr. So and So knows all the side effects to the medications he's prescribing; it's his job. He knows very well that they are addictive and most of all that patients are not supposed to be on them long term. But he gives them anyway...why?
Maybe because they are a sure fire way for patients to return monthly and with each monthly visit doctors get to bill the insurance companies for a follow up visit when all they did was write patients like John Smith a script. When you get many patients like John Smith perhaps they seem less like people whose lives are being destroyed by prescription drugs and more like very easy dollar signs.

So what exactly is the function of physicians these days? Are they caretakers who nurture our health and teach us to better take care of ourselves or are they partnering with drug companies to make some quick bucks off of our stupidity and vulnerability?

It looks as though we must enlighten ourselves before seeing our doctors, learn about the pills we take before we swallow them. Because despite the government regulations on narcotics, they are very easy to get. In fact, I haven't met many people who haven't come in contact with them some way or another.

Perhaps healthcare reform should start focusing on these doctors that prescribe narcotics for too much and for too long.

Mind your big FAT business!

Everyday we hear people making comments about weight, regardless of sex. I hear both men and women say dispicable and embarassing judgemental things about other people and their size. If there is one thing I genuinely despise it's people who do not mind their business about other people's body types.

Just in my workplace alone I hear other women making comments to other women about wether they have lost or gained 10lbs, these women who are by far fitting into any perfect body category themselves! It is just plain rude to bring that topic up with anyone- I am sorry no one is close enough with anyone to ever make those types of remarks. And in fact it just not your business, plain and simple.

Listen, if I don't ask your opinion on anything about me or my appearance, then just don't give it. I don't need help or tidbits on how i dress, or do my make up, or even what to listen to on my ipod- so i damn well don't need any help on deciding if I am overweight or underweight! In fact, I don't see why you would care anyway!

If you find yourself in one of the categories of people who are always watching other people's weight than read it loud and clear: GET YOURSELF A LIFE! Stop being a rude, inconsiderate bitch, you most definately are not helping anyone with your ignorant statements. Your only making an ass out of yourself.

If I want to down two ice cream cones and pile of fries well that's probably because you annoyed me with your nosy comments. If I want to eat 2 carrot sticks and a salad well that's also probably because of your nosy comments. So do the rest of the world a favor watch you own waist, not mine!

It's ridiculous to have these people walking around thinking that they are involved in some secret weight watcher's police. If your worried about fat than worry about your fat nose in everyone else's business! Oh by the way...this cheesebuger tastes awesome...you should try it sometime!

Jobless Generation?

I have been noticing a change in our generation from those of us who graduated college in 2006 to the present. Maybe it's just me, but everyone around me is either losing their job, unable to find one, or unable to find one in their field. This situation is making for some depressed, over anxious and just plain miserable citizens of the world.

Yeah, we're in a depression; everyone realizes that. But trust me, it makes no one feel better that the world is taking a one way trip to hell and we are all stuck on the downward spiral. Between unemployment and the natural disasters that have been plaguing earth this year, it seems that there may be no hope for the future.

The situations are becoming redundant, SoandSo loses their job, becomes depressed, gets prescription meds and starts to feel like they are losing their minds. It is no longer a few people going through a bad hump but almost damn near EVERYONE!

I apologize, I know there are a few people out there who still have their jobs, theirs careers and seem altogether uneffected by the problems of the world. But it is time to peek outside your microcosm and realize that other people on this planet are going through some serious hard times. And it is affecting them financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Who ever thought that we would be in such a state of peril and turmoil during their own generation? At eighteen, all i knew was that I was going to college, getting a degree, and eventually conquering the world; however, I never imagined myself suffering from anxiety, working at a dead end job, and still living at home with my parents. No, it doesn't help that there are thousands of young adults in the same situation.

The worst part is that it is not over. We still have yet to fully feel the effects of the oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. Yeah, it's wreaking havoc in the southern fishing industry right now but it hasn't spread globally yet and believe me it will.

All these problems stem from the fact that the earth has become a breeding ground for greedy and mindless human beings who are more worried about making their next dollar and less worried about deceiving their family and friends. We are in for a more dramatic wake up call before the priorites of society change. It is just a shame so many people have to suffer be we do.

The Macho Complex

Feminists take a lot of shit for demanding equality for women and wanting to break free from the bimbo mold; however, when I say gender roles I also mean that male macho shit that men get forced into by society.

For the most part men and women are told how to act, and dress, what to like and dislike almost from the moment they are conceived. Pink if it's a girl and blue if it's a boy. As we develop into toddlers girls play with Barbie and boys get fake tools and cars. Even the toy store is seperated into boys' and girls' sections. But what would children individually choose to play with if they weren't told that girls play with dolls and boys play with tools?

This dilemma is the beginning of the torture society puts little boys through. They are taught to be strong and tough, leaving quieter, brainier men to feel less adequate. I mean what mental image do you get when you hear the word "man?" Something similar to the Brawny Paper Towel Guy perhaps? I am sure the image of, let's say, Bill Gates wasn't anywhere close to the image. But should he be considered any less of a "man" than the Brawny dude?

There are alot of men who are the typical jock type and there are alot of men who are not. There is a sad dynamic between the macho and the not so macho. One group making the other group feel bad for not being physically powerful and unappreciative of the others' mental power.

Men fight daily to live up to some Bruce Willis image of being a man. They are taught that they need to love action movies, watch sports and not act like "pussies." If they are are not Macho men and they are not gay then they are stuck in some in between area. And even if they are macho or gay then they are still victims of the macho society.

This is clearly a topic too broad for a few paragraphs. But the bottom line is feminism is Not just a movement that will benefit women. It's a movement that needs to benefit gender period. Another aspect of being a feminist is not just to benefit women but to benefit all of us from being victims of what society dictates we should be as men and women and impede us from being what we are as individual human beings.

What does Feminism Mean Anyway?

I know I have been using the word feminist like crazy but I thought maybe it was time I write about what I feel being a feminist means. Feminists are anyone who think that both sexes should have the same opportunities and the same choices despite their biological differences. Their humanists who want to break gender roles! Humanists is probably a better word because feminists not only worry about what gender roles do to women but what they do to men as well. But that's a topic for another day.

What is most shocking to me when I go back into the limited documented history of women is how women always seperated amongst themselves, choosing class, religion and race over their own fellow women. The only way I see rights and equality coming together for our sex is if we come together.

Let me clear this up now; its not that I hate men or blame all of them for the acts of others. Of course not! That would be sexist and narrow minded of me and only put me on the same platform as those of our species who already are sexist and by all means sexism is what I think should be erased from the minds of future generations. Participating in it will benefit NO ONE!

What has recently become the problem is not how men exploit women but lately how women are exploiting themselves and each other. Wake up women! Why must we worry everyday about how attractive or sexy we are in comparison to hollywood standards? We have choices now and women are still worried about their weight and thier make-up! This has always been the problem, women have been in competiiton with one another and for what? For the desire of a man? Is being desired really that important to a woman's existence or has man helped make it so?

What is the purpose of this writing? It is to wake some people up; we need to fight together to rid the world of all the acts of brutality and oppression that exist- equality for the sexes! It is only less than one hundred years ago that women have won the right to vote in this country and less than that in other countries- there is still much work to do.

Why should I have a choice what to wear each day when my a woman in the middle east must cover her body from head to toe because she has breasts and a vagina? Why is having a vagina such a disaster?! Personally I have always wanted the freedom of choices that i have watched men in my family have. Fathers your daughters can do more than be wives, mothers, and objects of sex! Your daughters want to do more! and why shouldn't you let them??!

I dont mean that men and women should take no pride in their own personal hygiene but once we go though extreme measures such as cosmetic surgery or be in the constant quest to be beautiful or what hollywood labels as perfect female form? We are all different and will NEVER look the same! So stop destroying your body and take care of it!

I write because I do not want my daughter to feel limited and hindered because she's a "girl."

Sux and the Shitty

Sometimes I feel like the only person who thinks the show and movies "Sex and the City" are a big waste of time and money. I've seen enough episodes to distinguish that these four flat characters are nothing but under-worked, materialistic, confused and shallow women. All I see is a show that represents women as people who do not know what they want, live to spend exorbitant amounts of money on shoes and obsess over meaningless sex and cocktails.

I think I might be putting more work into this blog than those writers put into their scripts and then bunches of women fall for these four like they are the greatest role models in the world. What do these women do that is so amazing? They buy over priced clothes, date losers, and they never seem to be working yet afford huge apartments in Manhattan.

I'll give the character Samantha a little credit; she, for the most part, knows what she wants, focuses on her career, and has the mindset of a stereotypical male and she seems genuinely satisfied with her lifestyle. However, the other three are a sad and depressing mess and I am almost embarrassed to be a woman when watching any of their interactions.

What's worse is that it drives me nuts that other women find these characters appealing and don't see through the sad, miserable lives these women have made for themselves.

Feminist Gaga?

Something definately needs to be said about pop sensation Lady Gaga. She is by far taking over the charts and has the world going goo goo for GaGa songs. However, I think it is more important to talk about what she is doing, not just for feminism, but for civil rights as a whole. Not only are her songs and music videos multi-dimensional but she is vocal about her opinions on issues like gay rights.

I don't think there has ever been a female pop star who exhudes real talent like Gaga does, from her songs, videos, voice, and of course her fashion. If we look just a little bit deeper than the weird outfits and "provocative" lyrics; there is definately some feminist ideologies pouring out of her work. Her video for "Bad Romance" poked fun at the prostitution business all the while empowering women in that position, a power symbolized by the GaGa call girl setting fire to her client and enjoying a cigarette next to his torched corpse.

This amazing video is rampant with these types of controversies, depicting taboo social issues that involve women's rights. The lyrics of the songs portray her definition of love which is one that encompasses loving both the good and the bad in a person. The songs tells us that love is about the good and the bad romance all the while displaying pictures of women being sold to men because of their physical attributes. These images against the lyrics of the song really criticize the contemporary ideas on love- in a world that is obsessed with physical appearances and plastic surgery and men who want to balance high paying careers and wives and high priced prostitutes without getting caught- to me this video shows exactly what has gone wrong with love nowadays.

In addition, it is no secret that GaGa openly supports gay rights or civil rights and I think she is a fantatic role model for young people today, giving them a sense of standing up for the things that they believe in, caring about and taking a stand while actively doing something to change what is wrong with the world. I think if more famous people wore their hearts on their sleeves than those of us who looked up to them wouldn't be so chicken shit about sharing civil liberties with their brothers and sisters.

GaGa's lyrics and ease with her body and sexuality are also very feminist. GaGa does nothing different than any other male artists who rap or sing about sex; it's only a problem when a woman does it. Because face it, gender stereotypes still dictate that women should be angelic virgins and there are plenty of us who are tired of being told that we as women have to be taboo about sex. I think GaGa will help more young women be more vocal about their sexuality and more comfortable being sexual women.

Not thinking so profoundly for a minute, GaGa's music is just upbeat and happy and times suck these days. It's not easy finding something to keep us from getting depressed. In fact, before GaGa I can't even remember the last time I listened to the radio without getting frustrated! So thank you Lady GaGa...proud to be a Little Monster...

Is American Culture Worth It?

I am so disappointed with our society. It seems that everyone and everything is about money and greed. Sometimes I feel like this state of mind is purely an American obsession and that it is not as blown up in other parts of the world. We have selfishly moved away from a simple life, one that involves love and family to a life filled with things, electronics, cash, coins and alot more stress.

So many people I know are developing all types of ailments and mental problems that derive from stress and depression. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, Panic Disorder, and Anxiety on top of being overly medicated to "improve" these situations, we are being taught that meds fix everything. But if we just step back from the pharmacy counter for a second, we will remember that problems are solved when we get to the root of what is causing the stress and anxiety. We can't mask problems at work or home, issues with death and debt with a prescription from a doctor's office and then expect to be cured. Once the medication stops the problems are still there and the same symptoms come back: heart beating too fast, sweat beads forming, difficulty breathing, stomach tightening, room spinning....

Is it all worth it? The demanding job, the rat race for money and power? Is it worth the mental wear and tear on our bodies and mind? What is it exactly that we are getting out of this type of existence? We put our loved ones on hold; we miss our children growing up just so we can slave to death, collect a paycheck and make ourselves sick with stress in the process. Not everyone wants to live this American life so maybe it is time that we reform our culture or perhaps maybe we should just find a new one?

Hierarchy has been around since the beginning of time and yet we still haven't figured out that money and power does NOT make the man!