Ten Things I Could Live Without

I am an avid reader of feministing.com and recently they posted lists of things each woman could live without. I love making lists, and it was very supportive, frustrating, and enlightening reading the comments from readers and their own lists, so I decided to post a list of my own. For more lists you can read Samhita's list and Courtney's list.


• Palin being referred to as a feminist
• Bras, thongs, and underwear with sexist/sexual slogans for young girls
• Ads that show women desiring and only reaching fulfillment after they receive washing machines, dryers, ovens, fridges etc.
• Abstinence-only education
• Old men telling me I’m pretty while looking at me like an object, and not wanting a response
• “Pussy,” “Douche-bag,” “Chick,” and “Fag”
• Powerful female movie characters consistantly shown with ample cleavage
• Powerful female leaders always degraded through sexual appeal (Palin) or sexual frigidness (Clinton)
• Blow-jobs and the negative connotations of power surrounding them
• The phrase that, too often, precedes agreements on feminist issues: “I’m not a feminist, but…”

-Madeleine

Palin: This is What A Feminist Doesn't Look Like

Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin. Her name is everywhere. Ever since Senator McCain announced Palin as his VP choice her face is on every TV, her life in every newspaper, and her name on every person’s tongue. Out of all the articles published I want to draw attention to an op-ed written by Gloria Steinem. In high school Ms. Steinem spoke in my small, conservative town and my Mom and I went to see her (for free!). She is an amazing feminist and a courageous woman with a multitude of achievements: undercover playboy bunny, co-founder and editor of Ms. Magazine, bestselling author, pro-choice activist. The list goes on.

I encourage all voters to read Ms. Steinem’s article and stay informed in the upcoming election. Do not make the mistake of assuming “female” and “feminist” are synonyms. Sarah Palin will never break the glass ceiling, although she claims a vote for McCain is a crack in the glass; Senator Clinton cracked the ceiling and Palin is ready and waiting to repair those cracks in the name of “progress.”


Palin: wrong woman, wrong message
By Gloria Steinem


-Madeleine