Feminist

GLORIA STEINEM: “WE’VE BECOME THE MEN WE WANTED TO MARRY”

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We’ve admired and idolized the brilliant Gloria Steinem for what seems like forever and not many photos of her come along these days. Of course she would show up at the Make Equality Reality event in Beverly Hills – supporting women’s rights around the world. It’s a never ending battle. Feminist Gloria has always been an inspiration to women and has done more to enlighten them than any other person in recent history. Nice to see that Kathy Griffin is in agreement.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

ANDREW DICE CLAY: SORRY, BUT YOU DUG YOUR OWN GRAVE !

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Photo: 20th Century Fox
In his new book, Andrew Dice Clay claims that protesters (feminists) killed his movie “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane,” and probably his career. But we are here to tell Clay that he DID go too far in his attacks on women. We happened to be fans of Clay and when we got tickets to see him perform at The Hollywood Bowl (around 1990?) we were excited. When we arrived with our friend Belissa, we were amused to see that the audience was mostly guys – very few women. When the Diceman started his act, it became clear WHY women were scarce. He went into horrible, unspeakable rants about ex-girlfriends and suddenly it wasn’t funny, it was scary. The men in the crowd were drinking and cheering on the female bashing! The audience became SO raucous and vulgar – like wild animals- that we sneaked out early, fearing for our safety. Clay‘s fans took his insults SERIOUSLY and seemed ready to attack the first woman they saw! It’s too bad Andrew didn’t see the damage his over-the-top female–bashing did, and adjust his act before it hurt his movie and career. That’s OUR side of the story.

ONCE UPON A TIME, SEXISM WAS THE NORM – EVEN FOR WALT DISNEY

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We love Walt Disney, but it’s sad to read this letter written by his production company to a woman seeking a job in 1938. Sexism was an every day thing and women didn’t stand a chance of having the opportunities men had. It was taken for granted that females were to be treated differently, and if it weren’t for people like Gloria Steinem, THINGS WOULD STILL BE THE SAME. Women continue to be paid LESS than men, gay or straight, for the same job, and we have yet to elect a female president, so the struggle is FAR from over.

LANA DEL REY DOESN’T KNOW WHO HER REAL FRIENDS ARE

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(photo by Ellen von Unwerth for Italian Vogue)
Singer Lana Del Rey’s decision to give the cold shoulder to feminism is a bad idea in many ways. Unlike other female singers like Beyonce, Katy Perry,and Lady Gaga, Lana demonstrates no connection or support for other women. What she DOES illustrate is her undying devotion to men, no matter how flawed they are or what they ask of her. When asked about feminism, the 27 year old shrugged that she has “no interest” in the subject. It’s just NOT her problem! Imagine if she showed the same lack of interest in GAY rights! Lana just might be one of those mean-spirited competitive girls you loathed in high school, who now wonders why she has so few female friends. Time to wise up, Lana.

EMMA STONE DOESN’T LET BOYFRIEND ANDREW GARFIELD GET AWAY WITH MUCH

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We LOVE Emma Stone for being sensitive to sexist comments – including from her boyfriend! Emma, 25, and her boyfriend /costar Andrew Garfield, 30, were in Berlin promoting their movie “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” when a child asked how the Spider-Man costume was made. Andrew glibly replied “He made it with his bare hands. He sewed it. He took some sewing classes – it’s kind of a feminine thing to do. He made a very masculine costume out of a feminine…” Emma gave him a meaningful look and interrupted: “How EXACTLY is it feminine?” Garfield blanched “It’s amazing you took that as an insult!” “I’m not taking it as an insult – I’m asking how it’s feminine!” Andrew stammered something about using the word feminine as a “compliment,” but we presume he GOT the point and will henceforth, choose his words more carefully. Thank you Emma!

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

SWIMMER DIANA NYAD PROVES: “NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!”

Every woman should be incredibly proud of what Diana Nyad accomplished by swimming 110 miles from Cuba to Key West, Florida. She raised the bar for all women, and she’s 64 years old!! She is the FIRST PERSON – male or female – to complete the journey without a shark cage! She’s made four failed attempts to complete the horrendous swim since she was 28 years old, but refused to give up. Diana told the crowd waiting in Key West: “You’re never too old to chase your dreams.” Spoken like a true feminist!

HEY BEYONCE, THIS IS WHY WOMEN NEED TO STICK TOGETHER!

In honor of the Mad Men premier Sunday, The NY Daily News dug up some sexist advertisements from the mid-century era of the show. This is just the type of ad that Don Draper would have smirkingly approved. It’s amazing and laughable to look back at how women were held in such low regard in those days. Men ruled then, but soon feminism reared its beautiful head and times are still evolving. Hopefully, Beyonce, who seems to have forgotten the continued need for female equality, will take a close look at this. (Our favorite ad is by Van Heusen, above.)

SHAME ON YOU, BEYONCE!

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What did Beyonce mean when she told UK Vogue that she calls herself a “modern day feminist?” We figure she meant that she’s happy enjoying the benefits resulting from the efforts of feminists who came before her- who weren’t afraid to speak out for women’s rights. It’s a shame that she isn’t enlightened enough to commit herself to the cause because she would be a splendid role model for young girls who don’t understand the continued need for feminists. Perhaps the stir her casual remark caused will push Beyonce to research the subject of feminism and reconsider her role.

RYAN GOSLING: WHY FEMINISTS AND OTHER WOMEN SWOON

Ryan Gosling has firmly established himself as a feminist icon and has a number of websites devoted to his socially correct-without–trying ideas and behavior. Now a BOOK has been released on the subject “Feminist Ryan Gosling: Feminist Theory as Imagined From Your Favorite Sensitive Movie Dude” by Danielle Henderson. Certainly, droves of women are attracted to the actor, perhaps without realizing EXACTLY why. Without being obvious, he supports women and can identify with them. Here are a few examples: He LOVES his rescue dog George, above, and carries him whenever necessary (like on an escalator.) Gosling protests Hollywood’s double standards when sex scenes are gender biased. He openly talks about wanting children and loves his mother. He doesn’t date Russian models – his girlfriends, such as Rachel McAdams, Sandra Bullock, and Eva Mendes, have all been respectable and older than him. Without TRYING, he’s inspired a new form of highly desirable male feminism and it has served him well.

EVEN OSCAR NOMINATED MOVIES LACK IMPORTANT FEMALE CHARACTERS



Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

And now, something for our feminist readers…have you heard of The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies? This video test examines the 2011 Oscar nominated movies to see how they measure up in regard to women’s representation in film. It’s quite startling how far women have NOT come in regard to relevance in films in spite of the fact that they make up way more than half of the movie-going audience. The intro in the video is a bit tedious but hang in there – the results are disturbing.