FEM Newsmagazine: Intersect by FEM Newsmagazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Genetically Modified Foods: A Feminist Issue

Introduction to Intersectionality

I’m Not a Potato and I Don’t Like Kitchen Pans

62 Staff Art

Sex-Positive and Sex-Critical Feminism

70 The Model of Reality

Celebrities and the Failure to Deal with Assault

84 76 the Arab Feminist

Mixed Girl: America’s Sexual Fantasy

84 A Feminist in Catholicism

Peeling Masks

They Call Me “Crazy”

92 Lilith, Revolutionized

Asian American Body Image: The Porcelain Doll Fallacy

98 Why Mother Knows Best

Hostage She Is / Man He’s Not

Debunking the Myth of

Violence Against Women Around the World

104 Got Privilege? 2

EDITOR’S NOTE In order to effectively engage as a feminist, seeking to challenge inequality in all spheres of life, we need to begin by participating in a dialogue about privilege and intersectionality. What is privilege? Why does intersectionality matter? While we understand privilege to be a special right or advantage granted to certain people, we must acknowledge the privileges granted to those who identify as white, cisgender, heterosexual, male, able-bodied, within middle or upper socio-economic status, participating in a dominant religion, etc. Within the feminist movement, the idea that all women lacked equality in the same way due to their gender seemed to be an easy way

to unite women against a common “enemy.” But this understanding of inequality significantly removes the advantages and disadvantages of privilege from the equation, and does not consider the interactions of multiple systems of injustice. We cannot ignore privilege and we need to acknowledge our own before we can begin to change systems of oppression. With this in mind, the personal narratives presented within this magazine do not attempt to speak for one group of people as a whole, but represent a diversity of perspective that should not be ignored or made to fit under the often-bleached category of “feminist.”

Haysol Chung

Sara Haas

Erica Vincenzi

Tina Tran

Art | Design Director Design I Media Arts

Art | Design Staff Design I Media Arts

Art | Design Staff Fine Art

Art | Design Staff Design I Media Arts

Noelle Little

Angelina Murphy

Shannon Richards

Daniela Attia

Taylor Milam

Managing Editor International Development

Managing Editor American Literature and Culture + Gender Studies

Managing Editor Gender Studies and Public Affairs minor

Managing Editor Communication Studies

Content Editor English

Alex Camarella

Dana Yu

Lea Chang

Ceejay Lee

Mary Kate Morrow

Copy Editor English

Copy Editor Political Science + Psychology

Copy Editor Political Science + Japanese minor

Copy Editor MCDB

Copy Editor English

CONTENT EDITOR

ART DESIGN MANAGING EDITORS COPY EDITORS

Noopur Goel

Eidah Hilo

Lorenia Salgado

Cori Bratby-Rudd

Breanna Khorrami

Staff Writer Psychology

Staff Writer Political Science

Staff Writer Philosophy

Staff Writer Gender Studies

Staff Writer Gender Studies and

Nicholas Wiss

Kayla Karimi

Amanda Evans

Staff Writer Political Science

Staff Writer English

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FEM STAFF WINTER 2014

Amy Trivers

Julia Childs

Rebeca Flores

Grace Cumberbatch

Adella Gorgen

Editor-in-Chief English and Sociology

Staff Writer English

Staff Writer

Staff Writer English

STAFF WRITERS

Vivian Giang

FEM: Intersectionality For anyone who’s been around discourse surrounding gender and or race, you’ve probably heard the word “intersectionality.” But what does this word mean? Why is it important? And why does my Microsoft Word document insist that this is not a word at all?

shitty social constructs like -isms & -phobias are interconnected (intersectional! Geddit?) and not magically separate issues.” In other words, feminism has been criticized (and rightly so) for categorizing “women” as a universal category. It implies that all women have the same

equating them with white women’s struggles. WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Intersectionality is absolutely crucial to understand in order to fight inequality as injustice and oppression include multiple factors, making it easy to overlook our own WHAT IS privileges, or lack INTERSECTIONALITY? thereof. Intersectionality is a For whatever According to Geek concept used to reason, whenever Feminism’s definition, describe ways in which I get in debates intersectionality “is a concept often used shitty social constructs with people about in critical theories to like –isms & -phobias privilege, they get very uncomfortable. describe the ways in are interconnected I am not totally which oppressive and not magically sure why so many institutions (racism, separate issues. struggle with sexism, homophobia, recognizing their transphobia, ableism, privileges. My best xenophobia, classism, struggle, but that is not etc) are interconnected the case. There are many guess is people do not want to recognize and cannot be examined different systemic that they have some separately from oppressions including, unearned advantages one another.” but not limited to, in life. And if they have And if that definition race, sexuality, class, recognized it, they is too academic and and gender. These definitely don’t want to hard to follow, Urban oppressions overlap give it up. Dictionary offers an each other, and However, a system of equally valid definition: therefore we would not structural inequalities “Concept used to be addressing women and privileges hurts all of describe ways in which of color‘s struggles by 7

FEM: Intersectionality

WHAT ARE MY PRIVILEGES? ARE YOU

. . . WHITE?

ARE YOU...HETEROSEXUAL?

ARE YOU...ABLE-BODIED? ARE YOU....IN

A MIDDLE/UPPER SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING, YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF PRIVILEGE us, needless to say, some of my able-bodied these privileges. more than others. privilege, I know that Through the So, the first step to wherever I go, the recognition of your evoke change and own privilege, progress? Check you can help fight Through the recognition your privilege. the oppression of of your own privilege, For example, others. Just because you can help fight the something may not because of my white privilege, oppression of others. affect you directly, I will never have to does not mean you worry about being have a free pass to pulled over because proper accommodations ignore it. You were born of the color of my will be accessible into these privileges, just skin. Because of my to me. These are all as people are born into heterosexual privilege, luxuries that are easily systemic oppressions. I know I will not be overlooked because Furthermore, our discriminated against many do not take the privileges also blind us because of my sexual time to understand what to how other people feel orientation. Because life would be like without and the struggles and 8

FEM: Intersectionality oppressions they actually endure on a day to day basis. Personally, I study the interlocking oppressions of gender and race in depth, but I will never know what it feels like to be a woman of color. And because I lack that knowledge, the best thing I do is recognize my own privileges, embrace differences instead of a false notion of “sameness”, listen to their stories, stand in solidarity with them, and try to fight against these oppressions.

step to understanding any problem is in education. And I don’t mean education as in taking a college course, I mean educating one another through means of experience,

NOW WHAT?

Now that we know what intersectionality is, why it matters, and how our own privileges fall into play here, you’re probably asking yourself, “Now what?” We know these systems of oppression exist, but how do we counter them? In my opinion, the first 9

storytelling, and sharing ideas. Hopefully through the pages of this magazine you will not only understand the paths of others more clearly, but your own path as well.

I’M NOT A POTATO AND I DON’T LIKE KITCHEN PANS BY: VIVIAN GIANG Art|Design: Sara Haas

FEM: Sexuality When people talk others regardless of that “the right person” yet, about asexuality as person’s gender. or c) haven’t tried sex, so a sexual orientation, they Again, pansexuals they don’t know if they do not mean budding to have hobbies and like it or not. reproduce, like a potato. interests, dreams and Coupled with the The Asexual Visibility and aspirations, and are just complete lack of Education Network representation of defines an asexuals in the It’s important to notice asexual person media, these that asexual people can as “someone attitudes can experience romantic who does not be extremely attraction, as love and sex damaging. experience sexual attraction,” and Personally, the are categorized as leaves some room full extent of my different things, and for interpretation. sexual attraction that some asexuals It’s important to other people do have sex. to notice that ends at “You have asexual people a very nice face, can experience romantic like “normal” people. congratulations.” That attraction, as love and Yet, asexual and was not a viewpoint that sex are categorized as pansexual people are I saw anywhere in the different things, and that rarely depicted in media. For the longest some asexuals do have mass media. time, I felt like maybe sex. Some asexuals In 2012, Stephen something was wrong masturbate. Like most Moffat told The Guardian with me because people, asexuals go to that the title character I wasn’t interested in school or work, watch of his series, Sherlock, sex, and have never movies, listen to music, was not asexual, because been interested in sex. and basically just live “If he was asexual, there When I watched their lives the same way would be no tension movies or TV shows, or as everyone else does. in that, no fun in that.” read books, the women Asexuals are people, There is this assumption in them almost always as are pansexuals. that asexual people had a boyfriend, or were Pansexual individuals are a) have boring lives looking for a boyfriend, people who experience because of the lack or were expressing an sexual attraction to of sex, b) haven’t met appreciation for 11

FEM: Sexuality someone’s body in an inherently sexual way. It bothered me a lot. I’ve engaged in my own share of “GOD YOUR FACE IS AMAZING IT’S NOT FAIR I HATE YOU SO MUCH,” as all of my friends can attest to. But still, it was never more than a basic appreciation for someone’s attractiveness.

a relationship, it will be a heterosexual one, she seemed determined to believe that I was inevitably going to have a relationship. Navigating the numerous labels (and deciding whether or not they’re helpful) is an on-going process for me, but to have my mother essentially say that I was wrong, and that my feelings were not Pansexual legitimate, hurt. individuals are I followed her way of thinking for a long time, people who experience sexual telling myself that I’m not old enough to want attraction to to have sex or that I’ve others regardless been raised differently from my friends, and of that person’s that’s why they want gender. relationships and I don’t, but the unease never When I told my mom went away. I didn’t learn that a lot of my friends about asexuality until had crushes on guys and I began to spend a lot of I felt alienated from that, time on tumblr, a social she said, “Well, maybe media website where you haven’t met the each user has their own right guy yet.” blog. I found resources Disregarding the fact about asexuality, as well that she assumed if as others for LGBTQIA I ever have groups in general, and 12

for the most part surrounded myself with people who had no problems, or even interest, in what terms I used to identify my sexual orientation. I am still decidedly not interested in having sex, not do I want to “try” it to see if I’m really asexual or not.

FEM: Sexuality One of my closest friends summed it up as “I haven’t tried drinking gasoline but I’m pretty damn sure I don’t want that either.” Nor, as Stephen Moffat said, am I boring because I currently identify as asexual. I have a variety of interests, I have

a vague idea of what to do with my future, and sometimes I go out and do fun things. I am a person, first and foremost. My sexual orientation does not make me boring, any more than pansexual people have a thing for kitchen pans. Often, the search for resources on pansexuality ends up fruitless; some of the fact sheets I saw talked about bisexuality and pansexuality as interchangeable terms. This view presents a problem, where pansexuality is therefore transphobic because it puts transgender individuals in their own category as “trans” or “other,” instead of the gender they identify with. However, UCLA freshman Zahra, who identifies as pansexual, explains it as not caring about gender. “It doesn’t mean I’m attracted to everyone,” 13

she says, “It’s not like I’m sexually attracted to that bag of chips over there. It’s more of, liking people regardless of gender.” She thought she was bisexual for a long time, though, saying she was “equally attracted to boys and girls, romantically and sexually.”

For the longest time, I felt like maybe something was wrong with me because I wasn’t interested in sex, and have never been interested in sex. Bisexuality, too, has not been represented much in the media, but is discussed often enough for it to be more understandable than asexuality, or pansexuality. The word “bisexual” does not create the same wave of misunderstanding that

FEM: Sexuality “pansexual” does, perhaps because bisexuality is somewhat more acceptable to society than pansexuality. The lack of pansexual individuals in the media has affected Zahra, who first learned about pansexuality on tumblr. She began to identify

as “pan” when she met and was attracted to someone who identified as agender, or neither female nor male. “It wasn’t just ‘I liked that person as a boy’ or ‘as a girl,’” she explained, “I just liked them as a person.” Zahra described herself as very open to

discussing her sexual orientation and relationship, but said that talking about it to others can cause a lot of confusion. “Representation would make everything easier,” she said, because she often has to explain pansexuality and being agender to other

FEM: Sexuality people. She explained that people “think it’s so conflicted” or “get weird” and feel uncomfortable asking her questions about pansexuality and agender.

I am still decidedly not interested in having sex, nor do I want to “try” it to see if I’m really asexual or not.

Discussing what sexual orientation I use to define myself should not be met with confusion, which Zahra is confronted with. In this culture, we are constantly confronted with heteronormative relationships in all types of media. TV, news, movies—you name it and it probably focuses mainly on heterosexual

She mentioned, though, that she was excited and surprised at the Activities Fair during fall quarter to see that UCLA’s LGBT center’s booth had fliers and pins to represent all parts of the LGBTQ — pansexual and asexual included. Seeing asexuality and pansexuality included as part of “LGBTQ” or “LGBTQIA” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) should not be a surprise. 15

relationships, to the exclusion of queer groups. People should not have to feel like something’s wrong with them for not being heterosexual, or have to find refuge on the internet from people who can’t accept them.

BY: SHANNON RICHARDS Art|Design: Sara Haas

FEM: Sex + Feminism the Barnard Conference on Sexuality When I first began exploring the in 1982. Anti-pornography feminists concepts of feminism in high school, had been completely shut out from the first key idea that was presented organizing anything at the to me was about sexual freedom. Women should Individuals who conference. The response from their opponents was be able to do what they identify as that anti-porn rhetoric had want with their bodies been dominating public sex-positive without being shamed discussions, and the for their actions. or sex-critical sex-positive feminists Phrases like “slutusually hold were looking for an shaming” and reclaiming ideals from both outlet to speak about words like “bitch” and “slut” have been sides, sometimes their views. Over the past few growing in popularity in without even years, an idea has grown and out of the feminist more popular that is knowing. community. These can a partial foil to the be linked back to the sex-positive movement. sex-positive movement. Commonly referred This movement began to as sex-negative, in the 1980’s and focuses or sex-critical, as it is on the concept that sexual preferred for many in identity is important to the community, the term women everywhere and is represents individuals who linked with their freedom. believe that all sexual People who support acts should have the anti-censorship and ability to be criticized and those that work in the that not everything done pornography industry in the bedroom stays usually identify with the in the bedroom. sex-positive movement. These concepts may seem At the same time, anti-porn at war with each other, but they feminists started to debate with share many goals. Individuals who sex-positive, or pro-porn, feminists. identify as sex-positive or sex-critical This is commonly known as the Sex usually hold ideals from both sides, Wars. The most explosive event sometimes without even knowing it. between the two sides happened at 17

FEM: Sex + Feminism

SEX- POSITIVE FEMINISM “Yes Means Yes, No Means No” and “Consent is Sexy” are two commonly used mottos by sex-positive feminists. A group was created as a response to anti-pornography feminists. Our Porn, Ourselves is a movement started in 2010 with the mission to reform public views regarding porn in popular culture. Part of their formal mission statement reads that: “WE want a world in which pornography is simply a sex toy enjoyed by all genders and sexual orientations, where women and men view porn within their own self-defined healthy sexuality, without being considered sick, twisted, wrong or mentally ill, and that men who enjoy pornography are no more likely to beat their wives, rape women or become peadophiles than anyone else in society.” A touchy subject for feminists is the reclamation of slurs. Words that have been used to degrade and insult women, like slut, whore and bitch, have been frequently used by women to describe themselves in a positive way. This act begins to invalidate the power the word holds for the original users and takes away small portions of societal power they hold. Sex-positive feminism acknowledges many positive aspects

that involve personal choices. What needs to be understood is that just because one feminist identifies as sex-positive does not mean that every feminist can do the same. Critiques include that the sex-positive movement is focused strongly on white, Western feminism and can be exclusionary to women of color (WOC) and their struggles.

FEM: Sex + Feminism

SEX- CRITICAL FEMINISM Sex-critical feminism does not mean that individuals do not want women to have sex. Kink-shaming is a common occurrence in the community. While the word does not sound positive, most kink-shaming goals are about calling attention to and reducing the amount of racist, sexist and harmful kinks that usually do not stay in the

bedroom. Kink-shaming is not a form of oppression, but a way to identify underlying issues in today’s sexually active society.

Words that have been used to degrade and insult women, like slur, whore and bitch, have been frequently used by women to describe themselves in a positive way. In close relation to kink-shaming is porn. The porn industry makes films that portray rape fantasies, show women crying and/or gagging, along with normalizing extremely violent behavior and showing it under the idea of BDSM. Reclaiming slurs is another issue sex-critical feminists focus on. The word “slut,” according to tumblr user chloridecleansing, “has never been about a woman’s enjoyment of sex, it’s about a woman who does what is desired of her, it’s about a woman who is willing to be enjoyed. I don’t see why anyone would ever want to reclaim a word that’s synonymous with being ‘used.’” 19

FEM: Sex + Feminism flawed and counterproductive. I’m obviously all for women embracing their sexuality and doing what they want to do with their bodies, and the sex-posi movement definitely has... potential to be something ACTUALLY positive if it were based on destroying the current sexual culture we live in that glamorizes rape/pedophilia/abuse/ etc., rather than something that dismisses women who choose not to be sexual and women who do not feel empowerment through sex.

For more information on the topic, two women took up the challenge of describing the sex-critical movement in their own words, and a third expressed her views of sex-positive feminism. Two of them asked to remain anonymous in their responses. The interviews had to be cut for length, but you can read them all here. 1) Do you identify as sex-positive or sex-critical? Anonymous 1: Sex positive.

3) Can kinks be harmful?

Anonymous 2: Sex critical.

A1: Yes, if not done safely.

Bree: I definitely identify as sex-critical.

A2: I know they can be harmful to me. My own kinks rely on triggering me to work, and that can linger in my mind for a while, and it also desensitizes me to more and more violent content over time. I’ve had to force myself to make rules about what things I get off to so it doesn’t keep getting worse[…] I also don’t think we should promote certain kinks publicly, like pedophilia or ageplay, because I feel like it feeds into the acceptance of those things for people who don’t care about hurting children. I have seen people who roleplay ageplay and twincest say they wanted to have children so

2) How have these views shaped the way you think about feminism? A1: I think feminism has more shaped the way I feel about sex. A2: I realized that feminism is just like any other ideology. People with polarized views on either side of an issue both tend to do harmful things. Bree: Being sex-critical has definitely shaped the way I see feminism in a more logical manner. The entire sex-positivity movement is incredibly 20

FEM: Sex + Feminism they could “do that in real life,” and I’ve heard other people hear people say things like that too. I don’t think keeping certain things private precludes self-acceptance. And I think, between wrestling with shame and trying not to facilitate desensitization toward child rape, the latter should come first[...] I’ve known people who purposely desensitized themselves to every single kink and couldn’t understand why others couldn’t do that. There is also a tendency for people in BDSM to pretend abuse doesn’t exist in their communities because they get so defensive of people attacking their kinks all the time. I wish people wouldn’t attack people in BDSM because it makes it harder for abuse victims to get out. I think a lot of feminists who call themselves sex-critical do abusive, boundarycrossing things, too[...] I think that psychoanalyzing strangers for what gets them off is invasive and toxic[…] Finally, I think that the more abusive thoughts that show up in sex-positive feminism come from psychoanalysis in the 60’s, the kind of thinking that says that all sex is good and not wanting a sex act means there’s something wrong with you that you have to overcome[...]

harmful actually. Kinks like rape fetishes, daddy-dom, EXTREME BDSM, BBW, race-based fetishes; these are all extremely problematic and perpetuate rape culture, the exploitation of women, pedophilia and abuse. And the fetishization of fat bodies and [people of color] insinuate that those two things are not normal so that the only way to validate being attracted to it/turned on by it is to turn it into a “fetish.” Kinks like this will continue to circulate until the porn industry is shut THE fuck down. 4) Do you support the porn industry? A1: If by “support the porn industry” you mean “do I watch porn?” Then yes. A2: No. It exploits women. The porn industry combines the worst and most dehumanizing aspects of both rape culture and capitalism. It underpays its actresses, has a history of raping those actresses and otherwise pushing them to do more and more unsafe and humiliating acts, and it teaches men that this is what sex is like, and to feel entitled to their girlfriends doing the things they see in porn. I wouldn’t necessarily call for total elimination because I don’t want to put sex

Bree: Certain kinks are extremely 21

FEM: Sex + Feminism workers who do porn out of work[…]

doesn’t make sense to me and perpetuates so much misogyny. Certain words like “bitch” I’m on the fence about though. It’s become very mainstream to the point where I think we might have taken it back. There’s still no doubt that it triggers a lot of women.

Bree: FUCK the porn industry. This is something I am extremely passionate about and will fight against until the day I die. Countless women face COUNTLESS AMOUNTS of rape and abuse and can’t even speak out about it because of the porn industry[…] Here is a couple posts on why i feel so strongly about this: here, here, and here. 5) Can slurs (bitch, slut, cunt, etc.) be reclaimed (for yourself or women as a whole)? A1: I think so. I think if enough people use the words that way then sure. Why not? A2: If people want to reclaim a slur for themselves, that’s fine. I don’t think they should go around calling OTHER women things without asking if it’s okay first[…] I think if you want to use a slur you should make sure the people you’re talking to are comfortable first. Bree: I don’t support reclaiming slurs honestly. It does absolutely nothing for women as a whole. Reclaiming words that are used to hurt us, words that are used to belittle and dehumanize us, just

Above: Bree, a sex-critical feminist 22

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CELEBRITIES AND THE FAILURE TO DEAL WITH ASSAULT BY: CORI BRATBY-RUDD

FEM: Assault In a society where Jennifer Lawrence’s new haircut can cause a CNN news alert, and Selena Gomez’s Midriff Crop Top can be featured on the main page of Huffington post, it is evident that the public is repeatedly exposed to the most trivial of facts about their favorite stars. What can be rather stunning however, is the information that is widely ignored. With the recent Woody Allen molestation allegations, I began to look into some other famous celebrities who have been convicted, arrested, or accused of violence against women. In a country where a sexual assault occurs every 2 minutes, and 97% of rapists walk free, it should come as no surprise that some of our most famous and celebrated movie stars, musicians, and athletes (not included in this list) have been involved in rape and assault cases. What is important to note about the following

list, is the size of it. This trend, in sheer numbers, of famous men who abuse women is an indication of our society’s callous

disregard for the safety of women. As these men continue to star in movies, songs, and athletic 25

events, many and most of their actions have been forgotten and ignored. When survivors of assault can see their abusers, like Woody Allen, win a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes and also get nominated for his latest Oscar, the message Hollywood sends to its millions of viewers is that they will turn a blind eye to human rights violations in favor of profits. In Dylan Farrow’s open letter, she concludes by asking the actors who starred in Allen’s most recent film Blue Jasmine, “What if it had been your child?” Would these actors and actresses still have consented to making the film? Would the audience still pay to watch? Though these Woody Allen allegations, are at this point still allegations, the vast amount of additional men on this list brings me to question this culture which continues to reward men who physically and sexually violate women.

FEM: Assault

CONVICTED CHRIS BROWN

In 2009, this famous Hip-Hop artist assaulted his then girlfriend, celebrity pop star, Rihanna. This incident was widely publicized and Chris Brown admitted and pled guilty to one count of felony assault. He was sentenced to five years probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling. Chris Brown was subsequently banned from the Grammys for two award shows, and was then welcomed back to perform in 2011. Here is a list of all Chris Brown’s awards and nominations, note the accolades following 2009.

TERRENCE HOWARD

Actor Terrence Howard admitted to the 2001 assault against his then wife and was subsequently charged with disorderly conduct. Howard has since been accused of assaulting five other women. Here’s a list of his awards and nominations.

MEL GIBSON

In 2011 Gibson assaulted his wife and pled no contest for misdemeanor battery. Here’s a list of Gibson’s awards and nominations.

MIKE TYSON

In 1991 Tyson was convicted of rape and served three years in prison. Recently, Tyson was cast as a victim on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (a show that deals with sexual assault) and was also nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2009.

FEM: Assault

TOMMY LEE

In 1999 Drummer Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe was sentenced to 6 months in jail for beating his wife. Mötley Crüe has since received a Grammy nomination and also inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

ROB LOWE ROMAN POLANSKI

In 1977 director Polanski was arrested and charged with statutory rape against 13 year old Samantha Gailey (now Geimer). Polanski pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse, but fled before sentencing. Here is a list of his awards and nominations, note the Oscar he won in 2003.

ROB LOWE

In 1988 Lowe was videotaped having sex with a 16 year old (statutory rape) and he also allegedly harassed his ex-nanny in 2008.

SEAN PENN

In 1988 actor Sean Penn was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife (at the time) Madonna. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor after tying Madonna to a chair and physically and emotionally abusing her for hours. Here is a list of the awards he has won, note those received after 1988.

FEM: Assault

CHARLIE SHEEN

Sheen has an extremely long history of assault. Some of the incidents include; the 1990 “accidental” shooting of his then fiancee Kelly Preston, then in 1994 Sheen was sued by a UCLA student for assault, and in 1996 Sheen was arrested for beating his girlfriend Brittany Ashland. The list does not end there; he has also pled guilty in two cases regarding domestic abuse, and there have been many other allegations of assault. Here’s a list of Sheen’s awards and nominations, note those received after 1990.

MATTHEW NEWTON

Actor Matthew Newton was charged and convicted of common assault, he was found guilty but the charges were overturned because of mental illness.

ARRESTS / LAWSUITS ROBERT KELLY (AKA R. KELLY)

In 2003 Kelly was arrested, charged, and found not guilty of child pornography after police found a video of him allegedly raping an underage girl.

FEM: Assault

GARY BUSEY

In 2011 actor Gary Busey was sued for tackling a woman at an airport.

NICOLAS CAGE

In 2011 actor Nicolas Cage was arrested for assaulting his wife in public.

BILL COSBY

In 2004 Cosby was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting 13 women. The case was brought to a civil lawsuit (it was settled in 2006).

SEAN BEAN

In 2008 actor Sean Bean, famous for his roles in Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, was arrested for allegedly harassing and assaulting his ex-wife.

FEM: Assault

JOSH BROLIN

In 2004 Brolin was arrested and charged with spousal battery, the charges were later dropped.

BOBBY BROWN

In 2004 Brown was arrested and charged for assaulting his wife Whitney Houston. The charges were later dropped.

JOHN TRAVOLTA

In 2012 actor John Travolta was sued for sexually assaulting two men.

ALLEGATIONS JOHN LENNON

Beatles singer John Lennon was never convicted of assault, however, he did admit to being a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hitterâ&#x20AC;? and his violence against women is well documented.

IKE TURNER

Though he was never arrested, wife Tina Turner accused him of assault and battery. She documented the abuse in her memoir and Ike was well known for battery. This however, did not prevent him from still receiving many awards and nominations including: Grammys, the Heroes Award from the Memphis charter of NARAS, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

FEM: Assault

CHRISTIAN BALE

In 2008 Bale was accused of assaulting his mother and sister.

JOHN PHILLIPS

Musician John Phillips was accused of raping his daughter Mackenzie Phillips. Mackenzie spoke about the abuse on Oprah and released a memoir that detailed the attack.

JIMMY PAGE

Led Zeppelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead guitarist, Jimmy Page, dated 14 year old Lori Maddox. Because she was unable to consent at that age, he has been accused of statutory rape.

JIMMY SAVILE

English television star Jimmy Savile has had hundreds of child abuse claims.

DAVID HASSELHOFF

In 2006 actor, singer, producer and businessman David Hasselhoff allegedly slammed his wife into a car in front of their children.

WOODY ALLEN

Not only did Woody Allen marry Soon-Yi Previn (the daughter of his former girlfriend Mia Farrow), he also has been accused of molesting Dylan Farrow, Miaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other daughter. Dylan wrote an open letter regarding the assault and went into explicit detail about the attack. Allen has recently received a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes and has been nominated for a Grammy for his latest film Blue Jasmine. 31

FEM: Assault

BILL WYMAN

Rolling Stones musician Bill Wyman allegedly had sex with a 14 year old girl. Later, he married this same girl when she turned 18.

STEVEN TYLER

In the 70s Tylerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 16 year old girlfriend became impregnated with his child. Tyler convinced the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother to grant him guardianship so that he could take her across state lines. She alleges that Tyler pressured her to get an abortion to hide the evidence of statutory rape.

GARY OLDMAN

In 2001 actor Gary Oldman, most famous for his role in The Dark Knight and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, was accused of beating his wife.

BILL MURRAY

In 2008 actor Bill Murray was accused of assaulting his wife.

FEM: Assault

KELSEY GRAMMER

In 1990 actor Kelsey Grammer was accused of statutory rape.

MICHAEL FASSBENDER

In 2010 Fassbender’s girlfriend accused him of assault and filed a restraining order against him.

SEAN CONNERY

Actor Sean Connery allegedly abused his first wife and was once quoted saying “I don’t think there is anything wrong with hitting a woman.”

After looking at this list it is important to remember that celebrities are not the only people who get free passes when it comes to assault. As stated earlier, 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail. In this country, most men who abuse women never have any consequences for their actions. The names of the many men on this list point to a trend where one can still be celebrated and applauded regardless of individual acts of violence. When successful men, celebrity role models even, can assault women and still have such profitable and substantial careers, the message is clear: violence against women is simply not a big deal. The main point being, if we want to start taking sexual assault seriously, challening this trend is a place we can start. If we lived in a culture where sexual assault was taken seriously would these men still have jobs? Probably not. As the viewers, we have the opportunity to choose which programs we want to see. And the good news is, I’m sure that we can find some actors to support who do not abuse people. 33

Art|Design: Haysol Chung

MIXED GIRL: AMERICA’S SEXUAL FANTASY BY: DANIELA ATTIA

Vibe Magazine recently compiled a list of rap lyrics that made references to “light-skinned” women.

FEM: Media Representations Turn on the radio right mixed with black and Yeah, in the hood they now and start flipping call ‘em mutts.” West’s white”), it is no secret through the stations. comments indicate that that fairer skinned One way or mixed race girls are the another, only ones who should be I am sure you featured in the hop hop will stumble sphere. Whereas women upon at least who are “full black” one hip-hop are left out of the song talking conversation, deeming about the allure them “worthless” in of a woman. In popular culture. many of these But why is being songs, you will with a mixed-race girl discover artists considered the ideal expressing their love biracial women are often in rap culture? Being for a specific type with a biracial woman is put on a pedestal in of woman. construed as a conquest hip-hop music. Who is that woman – achieving a sexual Rapper Kanye West you ask? She is the light- affirms this notion when fantasy that is not easily skinned mixed attained. girl, of course. Having sex with But why is being with a mixedRappers have a light skinned race girl considered the ideal in popularized girl is basically rap culture? Being with a biracial many different conceptualized woman is construed as a conquest– ways to refer as “hitting achieving a sexual fantasy that is not the jackpot.” to a biracial woman There is easily attained. with a fairer nothing wrong complexion. From “red with having a preference he was quoted in bone” (“light skinned for the type of individual a 2006 issue of Essence female/male mixed you are attracted to. magazine saying, “If it with black and another Hey, if I could find a guy wasn’t for race mixing race”) to “yellow bone” there’d be no video girls. that resembled all of my (“a light skin or bi-racial ideal traits that I look Me and most of our African-American, usually friends like mutts a lot. for, I would probably # | FEM: Intersectionality

FEM: Media Representations

are sexually available and Historian F. James write a rap song about eager to be used.” Davis reports, “Rapes him too. However, Of course hip-hop occurred, and many slave there is something culture is not the sole women were forced to wrong with ascribing culprit for portraying submit regularly to white a biracial woman as biracial women as part males or suffer harsh something other than of a sexual fantasy. consequences.” biracial. Through media This notion has been Not only did white platforms, half-black perpetuated for decades slave owners have women are consistently complete portrayed as control over nothing more There was a widespread notion that freedom, but than an object of sexual desire. all mulatto women were destined also sought The Modern to an unfortunate fate simply due out to sexually violate Jezebel to their biracial family lineage. objectified elaborates, bodies. “This sexualthroughout American Because African ization of half black history, tracing back to American women were women, is rooted in the early days of slavery. perceived as “exotic” the idea that they can and “different,” there combine the beauty and During the European colonization of America, was a widespread belief femininity associated it is widely known that among slave owners with white women many enslaved African that black women were with the long assumed American women were inherently more sexual sexual promiscuity of brutally raped and than white women. black women… This sexually abused by As this stereotype was combination continues their owners. continually perpetuated, to suggest that these In Who Is Black: One “The ideas of the women are not only Nation’s Definition, sexual nature of black desired by all men, but # | FEM: Intersectionality

FEM: Media Representations

women only became more extreme. By the nineteenth century, virtually all Northerners, Southerners and Europeans had accepted these ideas as fact.” Due to the frequent sexual abuse, many mixed raced children were born. These halfblack and halfwhite children were known as “mulattos.” The word mulatto comes from the Spanish word “mula,” which simply translates to mule – a hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey. Mulatto children were just as, if not more, likely to become victimized by slave owners’ sexual desires. In some cases, mulatto women were even

sold in an exclusive slave trade where they would be forced into prostitution. There was a widespread notion that all mulatto women were destined to an unfortunate fate simply due to their biracial family lineage. This

perception soon became a character archetype populated through the American media, known as the “tragic mulatto.” The tragic mulatto first emerged in popular literature works. “Vara Caspary’s novel The White Girl (1929) told the story of Solaria, a beautiful mulatto girl who passes for white. Her secret is revealed by the appearance of her brown-skinned brother. Depressed, and believing that her skin is becoming darker, Solaria drinks poison. A more realistic but equally depressing mulatto character is found in Geoffrey Barnes’ novel Dark Lustre (1932). Alpine, the lightskinned ‘heroine,’

FEM: Media Representations dies in childbirth, but her white baby lives to continue ‘a cycle of pain.’ Both Solaria and Alpine are repulsed by blacks, especially black suitors.” Later, we began to see evidence of the tragic mulatto even within film. One example in particular was the character, Peola, in The Imitation of Life (1934). Peola, a young biracial girl, who hated herself because she was part African American. In one scene, she declares to her mother, an African American woman, that she is running away and never to return. “Don’t come for me. If you see me in the street, don’t speak to me. From this moment on I’m White.

I am not colored. You have to give me up.” The tragic mulatto character was deemed to live a devastating life filled with pain and self-hatred. If mulattos were light enough to pass as white, they would still battle inner demons of self-identification. In many cases, they were portrayed to despise every aspect of themselves and would only find peace through death. Additionally, most mulatto characters were depicted as an outlet for white men to unleash their suppressed sexual perversions. The Modern Jezebel states, “Often, the tragic mulatto characters are viewed

# | FEM: Intersectionality

exclusively as sexual objects and challenged to tactfully navigate serving their mistresses every day and being raped by their masters every night.”

“This sexualization of half in the idea that they can femininity associated wit long assumed sex black wo In recent years, the word mulatto has fallen out of popular culture and it is no longer seen as acceptable terminology. There are multiple powerful stigmas popularized through the media regarding what it

FEM: Media Representations means to be a woman of biracial descent. According to American music, literature, and film being part black and part white either makes you a sexual deviant or

lf black women, is rooted combine the beauty and th white women with the xual promiscuity of women.” a victim of tragic circumstances. Why are mixed race women still being forced to fit these narrow and dehumanzing labels? The representations of women of color in the media send messages to them about their worth

and personal identity. When these women consistently see images of them as the overly sexualized beings, it suggests that the only aspect they have to offer society is their body. Additionally, when biracial women are seen as the hypersexualized character, this suggests that women who are “full black” are simply unattractive in comparison. When half black and half white women are consistently idealized, it essentially sets up the notion that being “full black” is simply not as valuable – ultimately deeming a “full black” women as inferior in society. Regardless of what

a woman’s racial identity is, every woman should be able to be portrayed in a variety of ways. It is oppressive for society to ascribe an individual with a specific set of sexualized characteristics due to their race and ethnicity. We are much more than our skin color and it is about time the mass media recognizes that.

Art|Design: Sara Haas

PEELING MASKS BY: GRACE CUMBERBATCH

FEM: Identity As a black woman, there are many masks I must wear. Mask 1: In public, social settings, I must be the loud mouth, big- eyed, snapping fingers, patting hair lady that the media portrays. Mask 2: In class, unless telling a joke, I must be silent. Mask 3: With others, I must be extra careful, humble about my volume, facial expressions and topics of discussion. Mask 4: I must use the word “like” more than usual as like a way of, like, showing that I am, like, so not, like, dangerous. I don’t want to scare them away. Mask 5: My bamboo earrings and cornrows I must wear with caution; only when I want to perceived “that way.” Mask 6: In the presence of my “own,” I must make sure my hair straight and fake, my skin well-hydrated, lips

not chapped and if possible, my skin light. MASKS! I change them so much, I forgot what my face looks like. Who am I? Who is the Black Woman?

lacrosse team, I would have to say that high school was very successful for me. There were awkward black joke moments, but nothing that really… stung.

They were not used to a confident, outspoken black woman who would look you in the eye to intelligently present an issue. As a teenager, I was quite ignorant of this question. A stubborn teenager, I didn’t even care about being in an all-white school. Stigmas were nothing to me. Other than volunteering to play the slave in my American History play,

There was nothing until I went to college. High school was a false world of security for me. A blanket. I thought that going to an all-white school made me strong enough to deal with the outside world. Oh boy was I so

I have never identified myself by my color. I was just Grace. there is not much that I regret about my ignorance. I must say, it got me far. From gaveling in international Model UN debates, playing the violin and being on the 41

wrong! I found myself wishing I was back. Had my school given me a false sense of confidence? The world was not ready for me. They were not used to a confident, outspoken

FEM: Identity

black woman who would myself by my color. the person jogging, look you in the eye to I was just Grace. a random person walking intelligently present Walking through all stopped. For five an issue. They didn’t campus, I felt that seconds, we stood in understand why people looked through silence, afraid to make I would want to me, at me and never eye contact. What just retake a class happened? I got a B in. I have never I thought that going to an They didn’t been called the understand me. all-white school made me strong n-word as It didn’t make enough deal with the outside a joke, let alone sense. I was legitimately. world. Oh boy was I so wrong! different, and Is that how different meant people see change. They saw me. This feeling was me? Am I what colleges feared change. confirmed one night. meant by diversity? Am I have never really Leaving Rendezvous with I the face that you put considered myself black. my roommate, a car of on your website to prove Before blood pressures boys rolled up next to you believe in equality? rise, let me explain. me. They yelled “N(er) I couldn’t look anyone in I have never identified lover.” My roommate, the eye anymore.

FEM: Identity

I usually say “hi” to not good enough. made the boys in the everyone, but for I realized I put on car uncomfortable. a week, I kept to myself. these masks for them! Fearlessness, laughter Is this what people And for what? To be and happiness is what thought behind their disrespected in public?! they saw. They wanted smiles and waves? I had fluffed my afro a to remind me that UCLA This forced me to reflect little larger before the was not my home. I soon and really dig realized that deep into myself. the only way to It is not my job to change how fight prejudice It is not my job to change how and racism was people see me. Doing that people see me. only forces me to change who to do what I did Doing that only that day: just I truly am. forces me to be me! Not the change who “black girl”… I truly am. There will incident and put on my me! This experience always be someone who hooped earrings. helped me take off doesn’t like my afro, long You could have spotted one mask. Now onto braids, dreads, etc. me from a mile away. the next. There will always be Looking back, someone who thinks I’m I see my appearance

THEY CALL ME “CRAZY”

BY: MARY-KATE MORROW Art|Design: Sara Haas

FEM: Mental Health By the time you are done reading this 4 people would have committed suicide. At the age of 14, I began to notice there was something really strange about me. I wouldn’t use public bathrooms; I hated touching people and I felt uncomfortable being close to anyone. At first, I didn’t really take note, assuming, as my mother had dotingly cooed, that it was “just part of puberty” and “everybody feels different sometimes,” but “YOU’LL GROW OUT OF IT!” So I didn’t seek help. Fast-forward to 16, I had lost contact with most of my friends who either thought I was “crazy” or a “freak.” I had absolutely demolished my family life, too afraid to touch my baby sister because I thought I would “infect” her with some disease I was paranoid

I contracted. My mom told me it was an “excuse” that I was using to avoid my family. That didn’t help. I blamed myself. I was frustrated and began to despise myself. I was using a whole bottle of Germ-X a day, my hands were raw from washing them. Due to the chemicals in hand sanitizer, my skin began to peel and bleed which only elevated my paranoia.

I was frustrated and began to despise myself. I was watching my world fall apart. One day at a time. I was absolutely miserable. Finally I sought help, going to my first therapist. The experience was amazing for me. I was not surprised to be diagnosed with 45

Every 40

The National Suicide prevention LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as it runs in my father’s side of the family. I was, however, surprised when my doctor insisted I begin regularly taking Xanax. My mother, had drawn me out of school in second grade when my teacher suggested I take Adderall, and I agreed on this point. I would NOT take medication. Instead, I read an amazing book called “Brain Lock” which helped me reroute the ways that I would think and react to Obsessive Compulsive thoughts. I finally felt free from the obsessive loops in which I was constantly spiraling downward. This was my first

FEM: Mental Health experience with a mental disorder and was nowhere close to my last. After self-medicating throughout high school and the sudden death of my mother and both grandparents, I spiraled down lower than I ever had. Within a month I lost thirty pounds. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave my house and was on

the verge of needing emergency medical attention. I had never felt so low. Today I am diagnosed with OCD, PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia and Depression. I am on multiple medications and everyday is hard for me. But I get through it. One day at a time.

FACTS AND FIGURES: About 1 million people commit suicide every year. Mental health problems are more common than cancer and heart disease combined. In the United States, Canada and Western Europe, mental illnesses are the top reason for disability. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth aged 10 to 24. More than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

alike.

FEM: Mental Health When I get really low I open my eyes and I am not alone. I must take a stand against the negative stigmatization towards those who suffer from mental illnesses and you should too.

If you do not currently suffer, you might. I guarantee throughout your life someone you love and care about will suffer. I refuse to pretend that these issues do not exist.

I refuse to live in denial anymore. I will do all I can to live my life even with these illnesses. One day at a time.

LIFETIME illness

UNEMPLOYED

SCHOOL

I n c ar c e rat e d sources

Art|Design: Haysol Chung

ASIAN-AMERICAN BODY IMAGE: THE PORCELAIN DOLL FALLACY

BY: DANA YU

FEM: Body Image aware that I was failing I was never stereoPolish/Irish/Italian filled typically Chinese in any area – but we were, and in the Asian department. Offhanded comments sense of the word. My are, fairly westernized. about my parents were weight (“You’d first generation Not only was I growing up look so good immigrants surrounded by images of if you lost to the United ten pounds, States, true, people that were all tall, thin, honest” or “If but they were predominantly white women, content to let I was also keenly aware that I was you lost five pounds, you’d me skive off failing in the Asian department. be the best Chinese school, swimmer on quit piano and the team”) were tiny stop playing sports. Certain things, needle pricks at first, but “Tiger mom,” however, don’t change a term coined to across cultures. While my they dug into the same sore spot over and describe Asian mothers parents never made with a rigid set of a huge deal of my weight over again. Extended family were expectations and growing up, eventually worse. standards There’s for children, Tiny little gestures – mentioning broad little to no wasn’t one shoulders or thick thighs or even putting obligation I was familiar me into the front seat rather than to soften with until middle the back with two other people – are the blow, school, and inconsequential alone but compiled with though even after everything else can be extremely hurtful. whether that’s a I heard it, matter of that’s really all it was to me: a phrase the holes started to poke genealogical distance or just because my that couldn’t be applied through. Not only was to myself or my family. I growing up surrounded extended family is more culturally self-aware, Maybe it had something by images of people I’m not sure. Tiny little to do with where we that were all tall, thin, gestures – mentioning lived – I’m from a tiny predominantly white town in a largely women, I was also keenly broad shoulders or thick 49

FEM: Body Image thighs or even putting me into the front seat rather than the back with two other people – are inconsequential alone but compiled with everything else can be extremely hurtful.

the problem has become so severe, they cannot manage it themselves – making it more difficult to treat.

Asians. Additionally, the study pointed that Asian girls who did not reach obesity status or did not move positively toward it but looked like they did also experienced the same. Asians, in RECONCILING particular Asian CULTURES women, are According to stereotypically the University skinny, with of Illinois delicate I can only speak for myself, but Counseling wrists and Center, Asian my childhood was characterized fingers –– an Americans seek image further by a continued theme of professional bolstered compartmentalization. help for by the mental health mainstream concerns at A large portion of media. We see geishas a lower rate than other that is due to cultural with tiny feet and smiles Americans. However, expectations. In hidden behind both the prevalence of a study done hands, K-pop stars with mental disorders in by Isabelle Lanza, sleek hair and thigh Asian Americans is East and Southeast gaps, and David Bowie’s not significantly lower Asians have a lower “little china girl.’” Add to than that of other mean BMI than others. that growing up in Americans. The study As a result, girls who a world dominated by also suggests that the deviated positively a European standard reason Asian Americans toward an obesity status of beauty – blue eyes, seek professional help is experienced a higher ski-slope nose, doubleusually not because they propensity toward lidded eyes – and let have just discovered depression and lower simmer for ten, eleven, a problem but because self-esteem than nontwelve years. 50

FEM: Body Image I can only speak for myself, but my childhood was characterized by a continued theme of

mental illness for Asian and Asian Americans – arguably more so than in other Americans. They

We were supposed to be perfect, equal parts attentive to our adopted American culture and devoted to our hereditary Asian one. compartmentalization: The face that my family and I presented to the outside world didn’t necessarily match up with how we acted within the confines of our house. We were supposed to be perfect, equal parts attentive to our adopted American culture and devoted to our hereditary Asian one. A lot of my implicit lessons were reinforcements of this image: Get good grades. Go to an Ivy League school. Be quiet and attentive. Don’t burden other people with your problems. Pretend like everything’s fine. There’s also an intense stigma associated with

don’t want to seem “crazy”, because Asian people aren’t crazy. They just aren’t. That frame of mind makes it all the more dangerous, especially when body image comes into play.

Art|Design: Haysol Chung

HOSTAGE, SHE IS / MAN, HE IS NOT BY: NICHOLAS WISS

FEM: Domestic Violence as high as It’s an all 75-90% of too common all hostage story. situations in Someone, the United whether it be States. a husband, Compounding a boyfriend, the horror of an ex, decides such events is that she’s the fact that not really one-third of a person: all domestic she’s property. violence She tries to hostage get help, but situations instead finds ended herself on the fatally for wrong side the abuser, of a gun or victim, and knife, while those involved. responding police he screams at the police At a quick glance, officers. These tragedies that he’ll never let her incidents of hostage are the end result of go. Sometimes these taking and domestic the dangerous process situations end well, while violence appear random of masculine more often socialization, than not, One third of all domestic violence where men they don’t. A hard look hostage situations ended fatally for are taught to at the daily the abuser, victim, and responding view women as objects to headlines police officers. be possesed reveals instead of a disturbing and isolated. The reality emotional partners. trend of hostage taking is far worse. Statistics When examining cases in cases of domestic put the number of of domestic hostage violence, one that hostages taken in cases taking, it’s found that frequently ends fatally of domestic violence abusers often have for many of 53

FEM: Domestic Violence fragile psyches. Often their worldview is predicated on one of several justifications

a scenario from which they cannot reestablish power over their victim, many choose to take

to acknowledge the emotional and psychological connection they share with women. Without that acknowledgement, Without that acknowledgement, men within the ‘man box’ react the men within the “man box” react the only way only way they’ve been trained to they’ve been trained to when presented with the possibility when presented with of partner asserting control: with the possibility of partner violence and anger. asserting control: with violence and anger. lives rather than face While Porter’s “man for abuse. Whatever a reality in which they box” is an excellent the underlying profile, don’t have control. analogy for the male the target of their Enter the “man box.” social psyche, he argues abuse often serves as The concept of the “man that only some men are a crutch that allows the box,”put trapped abuser to live, however forward by inside. The dysfunctionally, on Anthony facts say a day-to-day basis. Porter, otherwise. When abusers have argues Globally, that psychological that men one third of dependency threatened, are trained all women either through to adhere have been self-will of their target to certain sexually or or external aid, they behaviors: physical react violently. Law aggression, abused. This enforcement classifies homophobia, stoic-ness, doesn’t speak to just these individuals as and most harmfully, a minority of men living inadequate personalities, the dominant role in with socially reinforced who use the hostage relationships. Men, practices of domination, situation to garner either attempt-ing to conform it instead points to an attention or sympathy. to such social rules, overwhelming number of When presented with are unwilling or unable men behaving this way. 54

FEM: Domestic Violence dynamics, and it’s especially difficult to encourage men to think about themselves in an entirely different context. The starting point should then be a refocus on empathy and understanding, a demonstration that And that’s where the real the concept of equality within relationships can problem is, in the social institutions that reinforce prevent abuse that leads to the number of all negative behavior and too prevalent fatalities. trap both sexes in a pattern of vicious rage. As writer and survivor Michelle Renee once The solution said about the women’s seems simple: stop movement, “The impact training young men of our collective voice is to act dominantly

There is a lot of resistance to altering gender role dynamics, and it’s especially difficult to encourage men to think about themselves in entirely different context. in relationships and encourage a state of equal partnership. That’s a lot easier said than done. There is much resistance to altering gender role

twice as strong.” Adding the voice of those who have stepped outside of the “man box” can only help to make it stronger.

Art|Design: Haysol Chung

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS: A FEMINIST ISSUE BY: BREANNA KHORRAMI

FEM: GM Foods + Inequality a different organism.” The meaning of and lighter complexions, In their article, feminism and what to those that affect Twenty Questions on it means to be a people as determined Genetically Modified feminist has changed by the intersections of Foods, the WHO states tremendously the different statuses that GM foods were over time. Many of they occupy. Genetically initially produced due the initial attributes of modified (GM) foods, to a series of perceived feminism are a thing of then, affect certain advantages or benefits, the past or have been classes, races, genders, including, but not limited further complicated to be etc. in multiple ways. to, the potential to solve more applicable to the These GM foods have widespread hunger everyday lives of more been at the forefront of throughout and more the world. groups of It is with that in mind that we shift from This, howpeople. seeing ‘feminist issues’ as that which ever ideal, There is affects those of a higher class and is not an continuous movement lighter complexion to how different accurate portrayal of from various issues affect different people as groups of determined by the intersections to the the situation. While the people to different statuses they occupy. intentions steer the of scientists new face of feminism away from discussion in communities may have been good, its overarching white, all around the world for at genetically modified foods have not solved heteronormative, middle least a decade now. The to upper class origins, and World Health Organization world hunger or even towards a more inclusive (WHO) defines genetically put a dent in the realities movement which pushes modified foods as “foods of hunger produced by immense poverty in the the boundaries of derived from organisms places where hopes for what constitutes whose genetic material a ‘feminist issue.’ (DNA) has been modified relief were high. The aforementioned ‘solving It is with that in mind in a way that does not world hunger’ ideology that we shift from seeing occur naturally, e.g. is based on the fact that ‘feminist issues’ as those through the introduction GM foods are cheaper to which affect higher classes of a gene from 57

FEM: GM Foods + Inequality grow, increase crop yields, dilemmas faced by the rate of growth as and allow food to remain developing countries.” conventional salmon edible for longer periods This has not stopped means producing more of time. On the surface, the development and salmon in a shorter prospects seem hopeful widespread sale of amount of time and in light of the perceived genetically modified feeding more people benefits of GM crops. crops. Recently, Canadian at a potent-ially lower However, in practice, it legislature gave the cost. But there are several has proved not to be true. seal of approval for costs with allowing this In the 2008 article titled genetically engineered to occur that are not Agriculture at necessarily a Crossroads monetarily With that in mind, looking into the it was related. future of genetically modified foods, explained For one can almost say for certain that one, the that, “The potential of introduction low-income communities will be GM crops the primary market for genetically of these to serve the genetically engineered foods. needs of the engineered subsistence salmon farmer is recognized, but salmon, specifically for eggs runs the risk of this potential remains export to countries like contaminating other unfulfilled. No con-clusive Panama. These genetically populations of fish. This evidence was found that engineered salmon are is problematic because GM crops have so far set to grow “two to “Purdue University offered solutions to the four times faster” than researchers have found broader socioeconomic traditional, conventional that releasing salmon. a transgenic fish to the Again, on wild could damage the surface, native populations this seems even to the point of like a progextinction.” In addition, ressive the American company invention developing the salmon, – at least AquaBounty, has failed twice to meet Panamanian 58

FEM: GM Foods + Inequality often a single mother or Low Income Families, “Of environmental health head of household who is the more than 13.4 million regulations. the primary source of families with children There are also several a family’s income. living on incomes less human health risks if this Feminist scholars than 200 percent of the salmon is approved for have named this federal poverty level, human consumption, phenomenon of women 30 percent are Hispanic, including an increase disproportionately 22 percent are black in the level of “Insulinrepresenting the world’s or African American, like Growth Hormone poor as the feminization and 6 percent are other (IGF-1) in genetically of poverty. nonwhites.” That means engineered salmon With that in mind, that 58% of families living compared to conventional in poverty in the United farmed salmon. The long- looking into the future of genetically modified States are families term health impacts of of color. this are unclear, but IGF-1 foods, especially the looming threat of the The article explains: is a “known carcinogen” introduction of genetically “All low-income as stated by Ocean engineered salmon to the families are more likely Conservancy. market fairly soon, to be single headed While genetically one can almost say for than middle- and engineered foods, certain that low-income high-income families namely salmon, affect (59% versus all people living 22%)... the on the planet in Intersections of race, class and difference some way, it affects gender are at the center of between families certain groups of the genetically modified foods of different people differently and/or in a more issue and, as such, feminists income groups varies by race. severe way. need to organize and White lowSuch populations mobilize over it. income families of people include are three those in developing communities will be times as likely as their countries, for middle- and high-income instance. But in the United the primary market for genetically engineered foods. counterparts to be States, the face of As stated in Racial and headed by single parents. poverty has increasingly become a woman of color, Ethnic Disparities Among Black and Hispanic low59

FEM: GM Foods + Inequality income families are only (Olson & Banyard, 1993).” this salmon is introduced to the market, twice as likely to be single What this all tells us it will be a more headed as higher-income is that the most poverty cost-effective option families of the stricken demographic presented in lowersame race.” in the United States income In turn, not communities only are lowThe truth is, however, that no where the income families one is free from the realities of aforementioned predominantly of color (as genetically modified crops and demographic will be shopping. cited in the animals by-products. While salmon study, Black may not be the or Hispanic most typical or desirable origin), those low-income currently is low-income food to buy, the concept families are more likely families of color headed remains the same – than their higher-income by women, namely introduction of genetically racial counterparts to single mothers. modified foods into the be headed by a single For this reason that market disproportionately parent. The income gap genetically modified affects this demographic. amongst these families foods is a feminist issue. While their counterparts is staggering, with black In the age of the thirdwho have a higher-income families having the lowest wave, post-third-wave, may be able to afford median income at $12,500 or whatever you feel like and Hispanic families calling it, intersectionality conventional, or even organic, produce or meat, at $18,700. is at the forefront. As stated in Single Intersections of race, class low-income womanheaded families of color Parent Families in and gender are at the do not necessarily have Poverty by Jacqueline center of the genetically Kirby, “Ninety percent modified foods issue and, this option. This type of family does of single-parent families as such, feminists need to not have the privilege of are headed by females. organize and mobilize. shopping at a health food Not surprisingly, single Genetically modified mothers with dependent foods are an integral part store like the trendy and expensive health food children have the highest of the issue with food corporation Whole Foods. rate of poverty across security in low-income all demographic groups communities. If and when Affectionately referred 60

FEM: GM Foods + Inequality to as “Whole Paycheck” by many, partially due to the fact that you’d be hard pressed to find any grocery store at all in food deserts like South Los Angeles, let alone a health food store. The truth is, however, that no one is free from the realities of genetically modified crops and animal by-products. Whether or not you buy the foods, they will ultimately permeate the rest of the food supply. For instance, activists have recently mobilized to stop damage to ecosystems that can be attributed to the introduction of the genetically engineered eucalyptus tree. Amongst the problems listed in their fact sheet on Genetically Engineered trees, is the risk of seed and pollen dispersal. They explain: “Many species of trees – especially pines and poplars – can spread their seeds and pollen great distances. The risks of contamination are high, and the spread

of pollen and seed from plantations to forests is both inevitable and irreversable.” The risk of pollen dispersal and contamination is high for all genetically engineered crops, meaning the ones

that we consume as well. This is certainly not the only risk that exists with the introduction of genetically engineered trees. It is, however, a peek into the realities of a world where genetically engineered crops are widespread and will start to contaminate most, if not all, of our food supply. So, in turn, while genetically engineered foods are a feminist issue because of the communities and demographics directly affected by their introduction, everyone is ultimately affected by 61

GMOs and it should be everyone’s concern. Activists have mobilized against the GE trees, sued over the GE salmon eggs, and the millions against Monsanto movement has gained traction, but it’s not enough and feminists should be on the frontlines of the fight.

STAFF ART

Artist: Noopur Goel

Sensory Intersections [Zine by: Noopur Goel]

Artist: Erica Vincenzi

Artist: Haysol Chung

Artist: Sara Haas

ART|DESIGN: TINA TRAN + NOOPUR GOEL

MODEL OF THE MODEL OF REALITY REALITY THE BY: AMANDA EVANS

FEM: Beauty “The idea of all the glamour and hair and makeup was never really on my mind… however the thrill of being behind the camera and getting to walk down a long runway really excited and intrigued me.” — Natalia, fashion model “You should be a model.” It’s a compliment, one that is synonymous with “you’re beautiful” or “you look stunning.” It’s an expression that goes beyond the typical admiration of someone’s clothes or makeup. Your beauty should be seen: It should be in magazines and on billboards and on runways and in campaigns. Everyone should be able to admire it. It is unique. It is one of a kind. It’s the dream. But is it reality? THIN THINKING “My initial experience was a fantastic whirl-

wind… I was told that I had a lot of potential to go very far in the industry.” — Natalia My first destination was Singapore. I was rushing to castings, working long hours at photo-shoots, walking in

“backstage.” The space was utilized to its fullest capacity. White boxes stacked on high-rise shelves, clothing racks lined up, purses scattered against the wall. Our fashion director stood eagerly by the entrance way, anticipating the signal

I had been told I was thin before, and it never bothered me...to hear this woman call me out, and rather blatantly, as skinny felt different. runway shows. It was exhausting, but thrilling. I was happy. I had a runway show scheduled. After getting my hair and makeup done and doing a runthrough of the show, I waited around for the event. Usually during this time I would look through my Sociology textbook. I was studying online classes at my community college back in CA. I stood in line. The stockroom was our 71

to begin. This was always my favorite part. The music began to blare, the base throbbing loudly like an external heartbeat. The first girl walked out. I caught a glimpse of her before she was completely out of view. All I could see was the audience smiling, the flashes from cameras. Once I was given the go to walk, I straightened my back, held my head high, and stepped out.

FEM: Beauty Immediately I had to hit my first mark. I stepped into position, placed my hand on my hip, and gave a soft smile. I noticed a woman in the audience. I assumed she was one of the buyers that these events are put on for. She gestured to the show director, and pointed at me: “She’s too thin!” I had been told I was thin before, and it never bothered me. But to hear this woman call me out, and rather blatantly, as skinny felt different. I didn’t really think about it at first; I had to hold my awkward novice pose, keep the stupid smile plastered on my face. “Too thin?” It was the first time I was criticized like that. I had been scolded for my walk, yelled at for my poses, reprimanded for smiling—all of which I strove to improve. But I had never had been berated for my body.

I wasn’t naïve. I understood that as a model you are vulnerable to body criticism. According to an industry study by The Model Alliance, 64.1 percent of models have been asked to lose weight by their agencies. I knew a few models that my agency had consulted about having an inch or two too much on their hips. Of course I knew about being too big. I just never heard about being too thin. I had heard comments on my weight, but in a “Wow! You’re so skinny!” kind of way— not, “Wow! You’re too skinny.” I began to worry over the matter. Most of the jobs consisted of working with the same clients, and I stressed that I may not get hired again. This was my first meeting with reality. NOW YOU SEE IT… 72

“I did five shows for Fashion Week which I thought was pretty good for my first season, however they weren’t the “big shows.” — Natalia Fall 2011, one year after Singapore. I flew to New York City to participate in my first ever Fashion Week. After spending the last six months doing schoolwork at home, I was now in the midst of nonstop castings and runway shows. I felt rejuvenated. My career was finally going to become something. I was happy. After Fashion Week ended, my agency called me in for a talk. “We’d love for you to stay.” This was it. My big break. Work in New York City, develop a great portfolio, and walk in the upcoming Spring shows. Of course I said yes. There was only one problem. Up to that time, I was staying

FEM: Beauty rent-free due to the generosity of my extended family. A prolonged stay–an indefinite, prolonged

hours worked for his Fall 2012 show.” This is a common occurrence, a trademark

I’ve always been one to hide my insecurities—I prided myself on being above proclaimed self-scrutiny. But for once, I just couldn’t hold it in. stay–in the city would require me to move into the model apartment. Due to Fashion Week being over, the jobs would become harder to come by. The majority of work I would be doing would be test shoots, which are either done for free or with payment to the photographer. And even if there were jobs, they may only amount to trade. The Huffington Post was shocked when they learned that a 17-year-old model for Marc Jacobs had “blogged about getting paid with just a single outfit for dozens of

of novice modeling. You don’t work for money; you work for exposure. I had already spent the first year of my career in debt. Staying wasn’t an option. Reality. New York, the ultimatum of every model’s career—and I had to say goodbye. WHAT IS REAL “I have learned that within this industry, a lot of your success, especially starting out, is based on luck.” — Natalia LA. It was the spring 73

FEM: Beauty because I needed money. Money is good. Pants, blouses, bras– I struggled to get them on. The clothes hadn’t changed. They were the same size I wore in NY, in Singapore. The same ones I used to be

modeling experience– was something that would last forever. And in that same moment, I came to resent every minute I ever spent as a model. After the shoot, I went to see my boyfriend.

Why did an extra inch on my waist make such a difference? Why did I care so much for something that I myself said wouldn’t be forever? too thin for. I sensed of 2013. I was attending disappointment— classes (in-residence, this whether it was coming time) at my community from the client or me, college. I decided I wasn’t sure. All I knew English to be my major. is that I was sinking in I read a lot, I wrote a a range of emotions, lot. I wanted to transfer from embarrassment to UCLA. to regret. I got maybe one Three years later, and modeling job a month. reality still shocked me. LA is a slow fashion “What have I gotten market. I’d gained myself into?” I never 15 pounds since believed I would be a Singapore, and my self- model forever. I wasn’t esteem reflected going to become the change. Gisele or Tyra. Yet in I finally booked that moment I realized a photo shoot. I was that going through this excited to work again experience–the whole 74

We sat in my car, and he asked me what was wrong. I’ve always been one to hide my insecurities–I prided myself on being above proclaimed self-scrutiny. But for once, I just couldn’t hold it in. I burst into tears. “I keep gaining weight. I don’t fit in the clothes.” He just looked at me: “Why does it matter?” What a dumb question, I thought. It’s all that matters. I literally live off of my modeling. Though the pay is

FEM: Beauty infrequent, the checks for that one job are enough to take care of a month’s rent. But the question begged more from me. Really, why did it matter? Why did an extra inch on my waist make such a difference? Why did I care so much for something that I myself said wouldn’t be forever? Everything I concocted in my head– the pressure, the demand, the anxiety– where was all this coming from? From reality? I never wanted to be a model. My dream had always been to write. I loved going to school. I played basketball. I ate pizza. Weight wasn’t an issue. Money wasn’t a goal. Life wasn’t a runway. I never had to resort to modeling. It was an idea, one I took advantage of, and one I let take advantage of me.

The Model Alliance study reported that 68.3 percent of models suffer from anxiety and/or depression, 31.2 percent have had eating disorders and 24.7 percent have had or think they may have a drug or alcohol problem. I was in my car at 10 p.m. The streetlights glared in my eyes. The moon was out. People nearby were walking their dogs. I stopped sulking over something that could’ve

been and realized that it was something that never was. Today, I don’t see myself as a model. I go to castings, try on clothes, have my picture taken—but that is not who I am. And that is reality.

Debunking the Myth of the A R A B F E M I N I S T BY: EIDAH HILO

Art|Design: Tina Tran

FEM: Arab Feminist heartbreaking for them. My parents have conservative ideologies But what they failed always raised me stand in a very liberal to ever truly understand up for what’s right. environment (though Because of that, I found my parents are arguably was the emotional tug of war I’ve been living myself questioning more liberal than most authority and constantly Arab-American parents). with my entire life. How do I balance being Arab seeking the just, honest It just as much baffled and American at the path. I also found myself my parents why I same time? How can I being very critical of resisted so strongly be part of two any double cultures with standards or But what they failed to ever truly such different unfairness I sensed at understand was the emotional tug outlooks on rights home and of war I’ve been living with my women’s and gender began to entire life. How do I balance expectations? question my As cliché own parents’ being Arab and American at the as it may rules and same time? sound, I felt authority. like I was at a With almost to their cultural norms crossroads. I felt like I any argument I’d get that are so deeply had to pick between the into with them, the root entrenched in the two. It’s either Arab or of the argument and the essence of their American, and there’s no justification for whatever Arab being. in-between! Assimilation my parents insisted My biggest issues can be tricky because upon would be “that’s always seemed to circle too much of it makes just the way we [Arabs] around the topic of me look like a “whiteare, that’s how we were women’s rights. washed” traitor to raised, and that’s To them, my fierce how we’re going to resistance to the culture Arabic culture while not raise you.” was a threat to the Arab enough of it dubs me an ungrateful, unpatriotic It never made any culture’s longevity in American. I was really sense to me why my America. Seeing me struggling with a way parents would think it despise it so much to intersect these two would be a good idea at some points in my cultures that felt like they to raise me with their life must have been 75

FEM: Arab Feminist were worlds apart and social norms by somehow throw gender challenging inequality. GENDER ROLES expectations into the Melleka says, “It used mix. Instead of trying to to be expected of me to There is no question decimate the Arab part help cook, but they’ve about whether or not of me, I tried to find a given up. I’d always a woman has a certain way to work towards complain about gender “place” within the Arab deconstructing the expectations so now household. A family oppressive aspects of they ask all the young gathering is one it. This is me finding people to help, including of the prime places you a way to be at peace my brothers.” can see very stratified with myself and giving gender roles almost Not many families the Arab culture the appreciate when a girl mindlessly carried out. good name that Marianne Melleka, a first challenges the status it deserves. quo. Often times it’s the generation Egyptian It IS possible to be an Arab-American states, women in my family who Arab feminist. All one try to “train” me to do “The men are in the has to do is recognize living room watching Al what is expected of me, the gender disparities because who is going Jazeera and discussing that can often be very politics, and the mothers to marry a woman who normalized refuses to cook and deeply and clean for It IS possible to be an Arab rooted in the her husband? feminist. All one has to do is Arabic culture As if my life’s and all other recognize the gender disparities goal and my cultures and happiness is that can often be very normalized challenge the absolutely and deeply rooted in the Arabic contingent status quo. Once more culture and all other cultures and upon marrying Arabs are a man with challenge the status quo. aware of that oppressive the inequalities, both mentality. Sometimes, are in the kitchen men and women can it doesn’t cross their cooking and talking.” work together to make Melleka actively works mind that there are things more equalized. to try to deconstruct men out there who 76

FEM: Arab Feminist

Eidah and her mother during her first birthday.

don’t encompass that patriarchal mentality. It is sometimes discouraged for a man to preach gender equality, however. If he does believe in gender equality and helps his wife take on typical female roles, either his manliness and sexual orientation is often is questioned and he is made fun of for being “whipped” or he is revered for being an exceptional father who goes the extra mile for his family. If the roles were reversed and the men

were stay at home fathers and the women went out and were the main breadwinners, there would be a huge problem. A Bruin Saudi Arabian international student explains if a man is a stay at home father, he is seen as a loser, bum, and screw up whose manliness is questioned. If a woman is a stay at home mom, it’s expected and people will consider her a good mother doing her job. Gender roles are still prevalent, even when the woman’s sole duty isn't being a homemaker. My mother and aunts who work full time are still homemakers on top of their duties at work, essentially working a double-shift, one shift of which they work for free. Gender roles in Arab American families aren’t as rigid as traditional, old fashioned households. 77

For example, one of my cousins who works full time (just like her husband) isn’t expected to do all the cooking, cleaning, and child rearing alone but rather, in equal cooperation with her husband. Her husband takes a larger role at home than most Arab men are expected to. Slowly but surely, gender roles are being redefined and more equalized. FEMALE VIRGINITY & SLUT-SHAMING Double standards in regards to valuing virginity and slutshaming are rampant. Though it is important to know premarital sex is discouraged for both men and women, it is more stressed upon women as a way to strip away their agency and control of their bodies. A girl’s “purity” and worth is almost entirely tied to whether she is a virgin or not.

FEM: Arab Feminist “My family does not even mention the idea of premarital sex because it is so forbidden… they cannot fathom it is an option for us,” says Nur Bayaa, a second year PalestinianAmerican. In some parts of the Middle East, honor killings are a way of punishing women who have premarital or extramarital sex. A Saudi Arabian international student states that it depends on class. She explains that the lower classes are typically more radical and believe that anybody who has premarital or extramarital sex regardless of gender should be punished by death (though it happens more often to women). The upper class is typically more liberal, educated, and less severe in their punishment. Across classes, however, it is

very common for the person who catches the couple having sex to try to keep it a secret so as to not tarnish their family’s reputation. Overall, honor killings are very outdated. Though they still take place in some remote, rural areas of the Middle East, the situation in America is a bit different. Instead of a physical honor killing, a woman is socially crucified in the instance of having premarital sex. If a woman is even suspected to have lost her virginity before marriage, word will spread and she can be slut shamed throughout the entire Arab community. Her family’s reputation is tarnished unless they disown her to save face and keep their reputation in tact. Of course, there is a huge double standard. Whereas a girl is slut shamed, disowned and verbally or physically 78

“My family does not even mention the idea of premarital sex because it is so forbidden… they cannot fathom it is an option for us.” -- Nur Bayaa

abused, a boy doing the same action is ignored and pushed under the rug. If a man does it, it’s just “boys being boys” and can much more easily be forgiven. What it all comes down to is keeping men in the position of sexual power and dominance. DATING AND MARRIAGE Growing up, dating was never really discussed in my household. When my friends would talk about

FEM: Arab Feminist The way marriage traditionally works in the Arab culture is that when a woman is of marriage age and she has some basic, marriageable qualities (she is respectful, comes from a good family, and assumes her gender specific roles) she is put on the invisible marriage market of hopeful brides. Qualities like a great personality, intelligence, humor/wit, independence, career Eidah’s mother and father during their engagement in Jordan. oriented etc. is often not decent amount of time how long their parents prioritized and in some to date someone before dated until they got instances, depending on married, I felt humiliated deciding to spend the the man, discouraged. rest of my life with them. to say, “10 days.” “While most men of The response I got was, Yes, my parents my generation used “There’s no such thing as knew each other for to just look for basics dating. You go to school, in a wife like she can only 10 days before getting married. In fact, finish college and then cook and clean, she hope a good man will their initial meeting, is respectful, and she come ask for your hand engagement and comes from a good wedding was all planned and you can marry him.” family, I looked for Bayaa states that and executed within something more when her parents are “okay those 10 days! I was looking for a wife. with dating in the most I remember asking my I wanted my wife to conservative sense of parents what age was encompass qualities like the word, at an age acceptable for me to intelligence, maturity, start dating. I expressed when marriage is in the and strength and to near future.” that I rationally wanted a serve more of a purpose 79

FEM: Arab Feminist than just having kids with me. I wanted a woman, not a girl. I wanted a partner in life that I could rely on and truly love and that is what I found in my wife,” says Mazen Hilo, a Jordanian American immigrant and my father. Though it’s hard to believe that a match made in heaven could have been made between my parents within the short span of 10 days, that is certainly not the case for all Arab marriages. Don’t be fooled by the Middle East’s low divorce rates. It is low because there is stigma against divorce, a greater likelihood that a woman will be blamed for the divorce, the tarnishing of one’s reputation if one gets divorced, and in some Arab countries, the inability of a woman to even legally initiate divorce forcing her to be trapped in an unhappy marriage. Post divorce, it is much harder for a woman

to get remarried because she is seen as undesirable “damaged goods.” If a man is ready for marriage, his parents will spread the word that he’s looking for a wife. Word will spread about which women have these basic, marriageable qualities and referrals will be made. It often involves the suitor and his parents going to the girl’s house for a brief cup of coffee and the marriage is set in stone. Often times, a man can visit upwards of 20 to 30 households in the span of a couple weeks. He tries to open up his options as much as possible before making the choice. Everything happens so fast, but ultimately, the ball ends up in the woman’s court and she decides if she wants to actually go along with the marriage. But once it’s official, there is no turning back. Divorce is rarely an option unless 80

Eidah’s mother during her wedding

there are extreme instances that warrant divorce like adultery, physical abuse, and/or drug abuse. The key here is that a woman is never supposed to initiate. She is expected to sit and hope a decent man comes along and asks for her hand. In the meantime, her parents and relatives work hard to put out the word that she’s available. If nobody comes for her, she is to live a life of celibacy and singlehood for the rest of her life. If she doesn’t get married, she’s often pitied. When my parents

FEM: Arab Feminist told me about the generation Arab consistently receiving system of marriage, it Americans. In the US and the short end of was very problematic. some parts of the Middle the stick. Why couldn’t a woman East, young men and Whether there are go after a man? Why women typically date firm gender roles set in did she have to sit and each other for several place, female virginity hope and wait for a man months or a couple is valued more than to come to her rescue? years before settling a male’s, slut shaming Why can’t she date down. In some instances, is present, or dating someone and for a while Though it’s hard to believe that a match marriage and get to made in heaven could have been made rules favor know them men, between my parents within the short for who women they really span of 10 days, that is certainly not the always are before bear the case for all Arab marriages. deciding burden of if they’re oppression. worthy of marriage? it is discouraged The intersection of There is a huge fear and thus kept secret Arab culture, American that dating for a certain from the parents. In culture, class, and length of time makes it other instances, the gender has made a huge so that there are certain parents dictate that impact on my life and expectations to be met if it prolongs, it must has shaped me into the (sex) and so Arabs try have the intention of feminist I am. There is to nip the “problem” marriage. In any case, hope that more openin the butt by marrying women are starting to minded and progressive the couple off before have a more active and people can work they have any chance of stronger role in deciding together to deconstruct being sexually attracted who they want to marry the old fashioned to one another. It’s all and are shying away aspects of the culture a matter of policing from the less active and work towards women’s bodies. traditional methods equalizing gender The times are surely of marriage. expectations. changing, especially In almost all in regards to first instances, women are 81

A FEMINIST IN CATHOLICISM BY: KAYLA KARIMI ART|DESIGN: SARA HAAS

FEM: Redefining Faith Religion is one of the oldest institutions in history, still being one of the elemental aspects of society. Being such a foundational institution, religion has become a fundamental concept that has been interwoven into the fabric of society. One of the longest established and traditional religions of the world is Catholicism. Christianity and its many branches, including Catholicism, are conventionally patriarchal and have very defined gender roles. Myself being a devout Catholic, I had a hard time reconciling my faith with the strong willed feminist soldier inside me. How could I be a Catholic and a Feminist? In a faith with such a strong patriarchal history, it becomes quite the dilemma for one to identify as both a feminist and a Catholic. One feels that they must

pick and choose, that one cannot cohesively exist with the other. However, in my own journey I have come to peace that I can in fact be both and that my religion does not have to conflict with the other aspects of myself. I cannot deny either part of myself; I am a believer and a feminist.

For many, it is very anguishing and unfair to force them to chose between faith and gender equality. We do not need to feel guilt for representing multiple sides of ourself. One of the hardest 85

things for me to grasp and come to peace with was the notion of God, the Father. God, being our Father, was gendered as a male. If the all-powerful being was a male; how could a woman be considered anything other than the lesser? Having this notion of religion take precedence in our society only furthers the patriarchal inequalities. However, this is not necessarily intrinsic to the religion. Father Peter, priest to UCLA’s University Catholic Center, disagrees with many of these apparent inequalities seemingly inherent to the religion. On the topic of God the Father he states, “Long-standing Catholic teaching insists that God is Holy Mystery, unable to be grasped by our words. God is “beyond us,” “above us,” in fact the word “God” may be called shorthand or a stand-in, if you will, for

FEM: Redefining Faith the “absolute mystery that grounds and supports all that exists.” But as believers in this reality, in order to speak about it as Christians, we have to use human words and images.” Because of this ambiguity of speech, he goes on, “But the absolute mystery we are talking about is neither male nor female. In fact, we can—and should— speak of God using

the Hebrew Scriptures, is consistently depicted as female. We must resist being literalists whenever we speak of the mystery of God.” Father Peter believes that the construct of language has limited us in defining God, and developing an image for us to grasp. Thus, the Church cannot assert God as female or male. Another controversial issue within Catholicism

I cannot deny either part of myself, I am a believer and a feminist. female images as well, to keep us from falling back into thinking God is male. The prophet Hosea, for instance, uses the image of a fierce mother-bear, protective of her cubs, to describe or give insight into the mystery of God (Hosea 13:8). And the biblical figure of Wisdom, the most developed personification of God in

is the gender roles between priests and nuns. Priests are the leaders of the Church. They are the teachers of the religion, directing Catholic followers towards a greater understanding of the faith, and are exclusively men. Nuns on the other hand are workers of the community, devoting life towards serving 86

others, and are exclusively women. This split in the roles of the Church between genders has been constant practice of Catholicism since its foundation. However, this does not necessarily make it an inherent part of the faith. Although there is a sparse record of female priests, it is definitely far from the norm. Some believe women

FEM: Redefining Faith are incapable of being teachers of faith. Father Peter as well contests this norm, and does believe women and men can coexist in leadership in the Church. He argues, “One of the most important—if not the most important developments of the last century has been the women’s movement. It continues to be so, forcing us all to reassess and refine our

assumptions about the world, our relationships, the workplace, parenting, and the application of justice and equity to these apparent dimensions of our lives and more. However, the landscape of parish life is changing. Some will argue that women— ordained or not, given an ‘official’ leadership position or not— have always wielded

such natural leaders at the local level, one aspect of this gender bias to leadership in the Catholic tradition may be resolvable.” With this in mind, it can be argued that the main teachers of religion in almost all of history have been women. Although it has never been formal, women have always been the leaders of religion

The majority of a religious populous find that their mother was the biggest educator of their faith. a ‘behind-the-scenes’ power in the local parish. And it’s still the case that any pastor would be foolish not to enlist supportive women to aid in the parish’s critical work natural leaders. In fact, it might well be arguable that as the Catholic Church finds better mechanisms for identifying and training 87

within the household. The majority of a religious populous find that their mother was the biggest educator of their faith. Because of this, it becomes very difficult to argue that women cannot be leaders of faith, as they already act as such outside the Church. Therefore, there is not a necessarily

FEM: Redefining Faith â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;theologicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basis for So, how do we to leave the faith, women to not be reconcile these ideas? which is completely leaders of faith. Many cannot make understandable. Catholicism, including peace, and decide However, for many, it is other religions, causes anguish may not have Being a Catholic, I advocate and is unfair to perfect structures. force them for this change and Most religions to chose between continue to see more and faith and began thousands of years ago, more changes in the general gender equality. where cultures No man made ideology of those in my predominantly institution in this Church community. influenced their world perfect. establishment. No government,

The

And

FEM: Redefining Faith business, or religion Church. progressive in his exists in this world Feminist Scholarship preaching, it has rippling without flaws. This does effects to all followers has uncovered and not mean that we give alerted us to the throughout the world. up on them, but we patriarchal bias in Pope Francis continue the pursuit of many conventional considers himself a firm improving them understandings of supporter for greater towards their greatest biblical passages, dialogue within the possible potential. challenging the Church Church. If the leader of Being a Catholic, the entire faith is willing to revisit these â&#x20AC;&#x153;with I advocate for this new eyesâ&#x20AC;?. to have a conversation change and continue I am proud to say I am and change, I believe its to see more and more a Catholic and a Feminist followers can as well. changes in the because I have general ideology the faith in Feminist Scholarship has of those in my heart, uncovered and alerted us to my Church which I could the patriarchal bias in many community. never deny. Through conventional understandings Although conversation I acknowledge of biblical passages, and openness, the faith is not challenging the Church to the institutions perfect, I stand revisit these with new eyes. by my faith and of religion can change. believe it One of the greatest can progress. When asked if one examples of this is Pope could be a both No one needs to Francis, gaining great a feminist and a Catholic, sacrifice one part of popularity for his themselves to be he exclaimed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of vocal support of the gay course! The reality is a believer in equality, we community, Islam, simply have to believe that many of our finest and Atheists. and work towards Catholic scholars today This is one the greatest a greater world, in which are feminist in their movements in the sensibilities, i.e., alive to we can realize all the Catholic Church. As the hopes for the flourishing aspects of our humanity. leader of the Catholic and equality of women faith is becoming more in the world and in the 89

“Not enough is done to prevent violence, and when it

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~112,000 victims of rape and sexual assault every year and every 4.6 minutes, a Mexican female is sexually assaulted. - CNN Mexico, Amnesty International

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31.5% of women were abused over their lifetime (2011). 56.4% of women were More than 27 abused over million people their lifetime are living (2010-2011). in salvery. 91

Over 200,000 young women and girls trafficked to work in the cotton industry.

LILITH, REVOLUTIONIZED BY: ADELLA GORGEN Art|Design: Sara Haas

Growing up in post-revolutionary Tehran, amidst the cracked pavement and the overcrowded prisons, the oppressive sense of hopelessness was overbearing. My mother used to liken it to an empty womb, a dry barrenness that

had taken over the city and its women. With their embellished veils, these women fought back with their chains, polishing and decorating them as a defense. They walked the streets, weaving in and out of traffic, while I sat inside the

brick-walled Christian school, sheltered and protected. It was within these stuffy walls that I came to know Mary and Eve and the Whore of Babylon, carrying thousands of years of memories and expectations upon their shoulders.

FEM: Lilith I remember my mother’s boxes, “a bad woman.” That wondering whether Mary I found a dusty, old meant nothing to me. had ever anticipated the paperback nestled My other grandmother weight of her virginity, between a book of was deemed the crumpled cradle, verses by Hafiz and a “bad woman”; so the lacerated was my nextson, the heap door neighbor, If these were “bad women,” of unanswered whose red hair I wanted to be bad. If Lilith and pouty lips prayers and conjectures that was bad, I wanted to be her, always made me would come her think of summer imitate her hair and her talk way. Then there and lemonade and her walk. I imagined her stands. was Eve, in her ethereal grace If these were walking in the Garden with a and innocence. “bad women,” certain strut, like she knew Eve who let down I wanted to be something I didn’t, like she bad. If Lilith was an entire world, who gave in to her bad, I wanted to knew something I should carnal desires and be her, imitate have. brought down all her hair and her of human-, no, talk and man-kind with her. a copy of Jane Eyre. her walk. It seemed as if The woman on the cover I imagined her walking religion, or God, or was what drew me in. in the Garden with whatever seraphic She was pale with dark a certain strut, like she entity was up there, green eyes, long black knew something was playing a trick upon hair, and a green dress. I didn’t, like she knew the world, testing its Peeking out of the something I should have. women: from Eve to silky fabric were her Lilith and her strut Pandora, they all gave wings. This woman had followed me to in and they all failed and wings. I never knew mythology class where I didn’t feel anything anyone who had wings. I got to know more for them, except pity or I never read the book, about her. Adam’s first condescension. but I remember asking wife, a “bad woman,” That’s when I met my grandmother who a nasty woman, Lilith. Snooping around she was; her answer, a “demoness.” 93

FEM: Lilith That’s what my teacher called her: a “demoness.” That wasn’t enough for the young hopes and bruised memories of my 15-year-old mind. So I decided to dig through the dusty library shelves and the even dustier corners on Amazon, and what I found was not a bad woman, not a demoness, but someone who had been demonized, who had been molded to fit the patriarchal standards of so-called purity and grace. I found the libel of Lilith. WHO WAS LILITH: THE GARDEN OF EDEN REVISITED Lilith originated from Sumerian mythology and was initially a Mother Goddess in the matriarchal hierarchy; however, with the gradual establishment of patriarchy and its ideals,

she was presented as a lustful vixen as opposed to a strong woman. Lilith is originally defined as “wind” (from

her dwelling within a tree can be seen as her closeness to nature as opposed to a conniving stance. Hence, she can

“Why must I lie beneath you? I also was made from dust, and am therefore your equal.” the word, lil) and she is often alluded to as a windstorm. While many scholars have attributed this to her destructive tendencies, I see it as a life-bearing force, a strong movement within and through nature. Biblically, during her appearance in Isaiah 34:14, she is described as a “screech owl” and dwells within a tree (Patai). Again, although this has been used to discredit her, associating her with the night and evil-doing, it is absolutely open to interpretation. An owl is a symbol of wisdom and experience; 94

be seen as a bearer of life and love, a howling, seraphic woman who lives within trees and moves within nature, in complete accordance with her innate being. This could not hold long in the emerging patriarchy, however; they couldn’t have a maternal symbol of strength, a possible notion of a female God. So Lilith was broken down and restructured as evil and destructive. As Adam’s first wife, she was said to be quarrelsome and foul. In her most popular pose, she refuses to lie beneath Adam during sexual intercourse,

FEM: Lilith demanding, “Why must originated from the side decision that was I lie beneath you? I also of man would deem manipulated as her was made from betrayal of God dust, and and salvation. Lilith’s name, throughout am therefore Apart from this your equal.” the years of oral culture account, Lilith has This was the point and the telephone-game- also been falsely of difference portrayed in many gone-awry that’s been between Lilith other Sumerian tales and Eve: Lilith as a demon who religion, was mixed up was made from with the name of another, preyed on newborn the same clay as infants. Lilith’s name, male demon, Lilu. Adam while Eve throughout the was allegedly years of oral culture, formed from his rib, them inferior and the “telephonea convenient alteration. and dependent. game”gone awry that A woman made from the Lilith’s demands has been religion, was same substance would got her in trouble and mixed up with the eventually demand she left the Garden, name of another male equality whereas “refusing subjugation,” demon, Lilu. debasing women to have a simple and individual Lilu is a young demon

Lilith as a Windstorm

Sumerian Lilith c. 2000 BCE

Lilth in Isaiah 34:14

Modern Lilith

FEM: Lilith who was killed before his prime and preys on young children, especially boys, in his attempt to enact vengeance. Throughout the years, Lilu and Lilith were mixed up, out of which emerged Lilith, the vixen. Thus for many years, Middle Eastern mothers would put up amulets in attempts to ward off Lilith’s evil intents.

deemed admirable in men, namely Pazuzu. Lilith was rebellious, sexually adventurous (or, at least, in touch with her sexuality), and strong, traits all male heroes possess and are praised for. Appraisal, however, was refused to Lilith and instead, she was portrayed as an overbearing demon. Out of this demonization of Lilith came the good/ bad duality, the saint/

You’re either Eve, the epitome of grace and submission, or you’re Lilith, a whore. What’s even more telling is the presence of another parallel demon associated with the windstorm, Pazuzu. A male demon, Pazuzu is usually depicted as a warrior despite similar accounts of evil-doing. Many of the traits that were attributed to Lilith (and the other demonesses) were

harlot dichotomy of womanhood. You’re either Eve, the epitome of grace and submission, or you’re Lilith, a whore. This devastating dichotomy was a direct result of the demonization of Lilith, along with our paralyzed stance on sexuality and sexual intercourse. 96

As a civilization, we’ve come so far from viewing sex as a natural, even beautiful thing, to something we do under our covers with human trafficking and pornography websites crowding our minds during the midday traffic.

FEM: Lilith THE AFTERMATH: LILITH NOW AND IN POPULAR CULTURE

It’s also reflected in the way men view their female counterparts: They want a woman who’s like Eve, “wife-material,” submissive, Penelope drenched on the front porch, waiting patiently for her man to come home; but they also want

women, my generation of women, is in dire need of a new mythological heroine. We need to revolutionize the myth of Lilith, but we also need to destroy her libel, along with the others enacted on women like Eve or Pandora. And finally, most

Lilith continues to enact influence today. Out of her demonization stemmed the prude/slut dichotomy that many of us deal with on a daily basis. It’s been so embedded in our It’s time we break this stereotype. collective mindsets that we crawl out of our mothers with the Lilith, the mere object, essentially, we need to conditioned idea that we the girl on Pornhub who conjoin these women, in can only be one or the does that thing they like. history and within other. This demonization ourselves: you don’t continues today. Lilith have to be one or the has been continually other. It’s not an either/ depicted in the media as or divide between good evil. She’s appeared in and bad. We are much many comics, including more complex than what The Mortal Instruments, the scriptures say. where she’s a sexy Let out the howling demon with snakes Lilith, the windstorm protruding from her inside you: explore your hollow eye-sockets. sexuality, be in touch She’s also appeared in with your innate being, many horror movies and but retain your Eve, stay TV shows, such as Evil true to the Mary inside Angel and Supernatural. you. It’s time we break this There is nothing stereotype. wrong with being a quiet I firmly believe that force, a sly ideal, a shy our generation of energy. 97

Art|Design: Erica Vincenzi

WHY MOTHER KNOWS

BEST BY: REBECA FLORES

FEM: Understanding Motherhood Motherhood, as intimate experiences hoped he would not a social construction, and growth. ask her for children. has a variety Once she was of definitions. married, my “I couldn’t find myself feeling Ethnicity, mother abided like a mother though. I was race, gender, by the traditional happy conceiving children, but responsibilities and sexuality create diverse there was something empty expected of perspectives about the way that I did it that a wife and surrounding conceived five did not satisfy me.” motherhood children despite as a whole. No her reluctance. matter what definition, Coming from My mother explained, motherhood often a patriarchal society, “I couldn’t find myself portrays a symbol Ercely’s life revolved feeling like a mother of femininity. For my around housework and though. I was happy mother, Ercely Marquez, working in the fields. conceiving children, but and my sister, Maritza At the young age of there was something Zuleta, motherhood 8 years old, my mother empty about the way represents a mixture performed laborious that I did it that did of empowerment and tasks and was constantly not satisfy me.” After responsibility. punished physically and conceiving her fifth child, Whenever I think of emotionally my mother grew tired of the common phrase by her father. living life in a repetitive “mother knows best,” Lacking an education I think of these two due to her father’s important women and strict beliefs, my how they struggled all mother had no choice their life in order to but to get married at give their children 18 and hope for the best the world a better life as has to offer. Both a married woman. women remind me that Although she did not motherhood does not want to marry, just stem from outside my mother sought variables, but also from a wealthy man and 99

FEM: Understanding Motherhood pattern. In order to having rights as an escape the injustice individual; however, she of her patriarchal desired to share her society, she left to the life with someone. My United States with an mother realized she excuse of beginning a wanted to experience business in California. motherhood again. In As time passed, my order to do so, she cast mother realized the vast aside her previously differences between negative associations the U.S. and Honduras. with motherhood and Explaining how she felt gave her a sense of met a man with who she independent with her individuality that she did conceived a child. newfound freedom my not have in Honduras. I was this sixth mother said, “It was She was capable of child, and shortly after like nothing I’ve ever acting with her own my birth my mother felt before. While I was free will without having separated with the man there, I learned how to to receive permission and decided to live life drive and be in complete from her father or as a single mother. She command of my actions her husband, which described her experience and myself. The climate delighted her to no end. as different from her was amazing, everyone After living in earlier pregnancies. She was so nice, and women California for ten years, said, “I felt empowered. were treated as equals.” she realized she felt I decided this for myself My mother especially lonely by herself. She and nothing felt greater enjoyed having a credit thoroughly enjoyed than experiencing card under pregnancy with her name and “I felt empowered. I decided that in mind. purchasing a this for myself and nothing The child was car. The idea felt greater than experiencing mine. of gaining I decided property made pregnancy with that in mind. The on my own child was mine. I decided on my without a man my mother own without a man telling me.” telling me.” excited and 100

FEM: Understanding Motherhood how all of her children My mother recalls the knowledge she forgave her in the how she tried her best possesses now. My end. She said, “It took as a single mother to mother may not many years to fix our spoil me. She happily have an educational relationship, but I’m glad background but illustrated how she wanted everything in the I persisted until they I believe her hard work all forgave me. I don’t world for me. and experience made think I would have had Despite not having her an extremely wise the courage to confront person. Her knowledge legal residence, my them and my mistakes mother worked long comes from experience had I not seen the good with plants, animals, and 8-hour shifts in order to side of motherhood.” keep us happy and well her own mistakes. Her Once I learned about imperfections make her secured. For my mother, her time as a perfect to me single, hardKnowing that my mother went and the road working parent through all of that for happiness she paved with did not mean her labor is makes me realize how truly sacrifice. Rather, what I’m most powerful and determined motherhood proud of. my mother is. signified Unlike coexistence my mother, and empowerment. She her past, my entire however, my sister view of motherhood articulated, “I didn’t Maritza did not like changed. Knowing that need what most people moving to America. would call a “complete” my mother went through Originally, she did not pain for happiness family. A child and want to come and only makes me realize how mother are enough for stayed because her truly powerful and each other. We became mother asked her to. In determined my a complete family, just school, she recalled how mother is. the two of us.” the kids often ridiculed My mother truly does her for speaking Even though my mother regretted leaving know best because Spanish and sometimes she strived her entire most of her children in threatened to hurt her. life in order to gain the U.S, svhe explained Despite her modest life 101

FEM: Understanding Motherhood in Honduras, let her past “Mistakes aren’t meant to make my sister felt or her age your life worse, they’re a need to prevent her meant to teach you relieve her from being a stress by acting dependable something valuable.” rebellious. One person. For steeled herself and thing led to another and a few years, her life threw away her carefree before she knew it, she revolved around work life in order to keep was pregnant at the age and Gerardo. After four herself stable. of eighteen. years of struggling, she After nine months of “I was horrified met a dependable working long day shifts, when I found out I was man, who she eventually she finally gave birth to pregnant. I thought ‘This married. She explained my nephew, Gerardo. sort of thing is never that Gerardo was the My sister explained supposed to happen reason they married. how giving birth made to me,’” she said, Her husband saw past her realize she had to reflecting on her past. all of the negativity grow up. Although she She continued saying, traditionally associated had to learn everything “It took another month with having a child at an she could about before I realized that I early age and saw my motherhood by the age was going to give birth sister for who she truly of 18, my sister did not to another human being. was and is: a kind, hard It was then that working mother. I separated myself Although my sister from my initially thought boyfriend. of her pregnancy I didn’t want him as a mistake, as a role model.” she realized with Not having time that she any kind of experienced true support from happiness with a partner, my Gerardo. My sister sister worked explained, “I two shifts. She made my mistake 102

FEM: Understanding Motherhood into a beacon of hope.” order to give my nephew arrogant, I think of it in Reflecting further she a mother she believes a different light. also noted, “Mistakes he deserves. Mother knows best aren’t meant because she went to make your through hell and Both women agree that life worse, back in order to motherhood symbolizes hope. they’re meant give someone to teach you a happier life. something valuable. Although their Mother may not have A mistake saved my definitions differ, both all the knowledge in life and gave me the women agree that the world, but her hard greatest pleasure I could motherhood symbolizes work and selflessness ever ask for.” hope. Love and make her wise. My sister has a will tender feelings do not just as strong as adequately describe how our mother’s. unfathomably important I admire my sister for motherhood is to both changing her perspective women. My mother on motherhood and and sister provide a keeping an open mind new perspective on while dealing with the phrase “mother hardship. At my age, knows best.” Although my sister underwent the saying may sound unimaginable strife . She constantly went from work to tending my nephew. Despite the changes in her lifestyle, she still stayed true to herself. Her past serves as a reminder of the strength one gains with motherhood. She willingly worked hard in 103

Art|Design: Erica Vincenzi

GOT PRIVILEGE? BY: ERICA VINCENZI

FEM: Privilege A few months ago I saw the film “The Punk Singer” about musician and feminist icon Kathleen Hanna and became completely enamored with the Riot Grrrl movement. Riot Grrrls seemed so empowered, creative, and opinionated — everything I wanted to be as a feminist. In my frenzy to learn all I could about this

followed by guilt, followed by confusion. How could such a seemingly positive movement cause such a negative reaction? Riot Grrrl was about feminism! It was about equality, about giving women a voice, rejecting stereotypes, and re-appropriating degrading language! How could it be wrong? However, the author’s

watching the film I hadn’t noticed the exclusion of women of color. I began to wonder what other forms of feminism left out narratives of women of color, or left out the variety of forms of inequality? The first answer to my question lies in the common history of feminist movements in the US, explained and problematized

The common version of feminist history ignores the voices of women of color, who deserve just as much acknowledgement for their strong contribution of feminist exciting aspect of feminism, I stumbled on an article in bitchmagazine.org that completely changed my perspective. The article, “Why I Was Never a Riot Girl,” challenged the Riot Grrrl scene for being an example of racially exclusionary feminism, and being a movement for “white women only.” I immediately felt a sense of surprise,

opinions made me rethink my reasoning. She spoke of her experience with the movement, saying “among the white women I knew who identified as feminists, there was a strong sense that there was little to no concern as to how ethnicity made my experiences as a woman different than theirs.” I confess that while 105

in Becky Thompson’s article, “Multiracial Feminism: Recasting the Chronology of Second Wave Feminism.” The story that’s usually told about Second Wave is of the hegemonic feminism — meaning it was lead by white, middle or upper class, heterosexual women; it focused only on the oppression of sexism while disregarding oppressions

As Theresa Warburton Peggy McIntosh of race, class, and other and Joshua Cerretti explores racial privilege social issues. state in “What We in her article “White The common version Aren’t Talking About Privilege: Unpacking the of feminist history When We Talk About Invisible Knapsack.” She ignores the voices of White Privilege”: “In lists several ways she women of color, who the simplest way, finds herself privileged deserve just as much recognizing one’s as a white woman, such acknowledgement for as the ability to find their strong contribution privilege is about recognizing that what bandages in ‘flesh’ or to feminist activism. you think, say, and do ‘nude’ tones that mimic The problem isn’t her skin color, limited to the past; white It’s often the case that people or that she is “never asked privilege still are unaware of their own to speak for exists and privilege, maybe because it’s all the people permeates easier to deny it, or maybe of [her] racial current feminist because they’ve been taught group.” activism. It’s I have often the case not to notice it. witnessed that people is affected by the fact white privilege in my are unaware of their that you have been and own life through the own privilege, maybe continue to be afforded way it enables racial because it’s certain unearned stereotyping and cultural easier to privileges on the basis appropriation. Wearing deny it, of one or more parts of a traditional Native or maybe your identity.” American dress as because a costume for halloween they’ve been is a form of white taught not to notice it. So how does one go about realizing and understanding one’s own privilege? 106

FEM: Privilege affect privilege. White privilege refers to women Turning an advantages afforded to some of colour. important people simply for being white It is “one cultural symbol size-fits all” into a fashion for being white because feminism, where middle trend without knowing of racist standards that class white women the the meaning of that have been in society for are the mould that symbol is a form of years; it’s not something others must fit.” white privilege. Using one chooses to have and White feminism is another culture and it’s it does not make a problematic movement stereotypes as props to utilizing white privilege create a certain image is a person racist, but it is a reality that needs to that many people white privilege. be acknowledged and willingly participate Now there is the addressed. Meanwhile, in; it deserves to be question of white white feminism is challenged. privilege versus white a specific movement Recently, a twitter feminism, different concepts that seem easy that incorporates white privilege but refuses to to mix up. While recognize it. I am not an expert and The author of the have been confused by article, under the the two myself, penname Ninjicate, I will try to explain it as best I can, with the help describes white feminism as “a set of of the article “This is beliefs that allows What I mean When for the exclusion I say White Feminism.” White privilege refers of issues that specifically trend to advantages afforded started by to some people simply Mikki Kendall, known as “#SolidarityIsFor WhiteWomen,” did call out white feminism by 107

FEM: Privilege exposing some of the many ways current feminism excludes, exploits, and generalizes the experiences of women of color and other individals under oppression. The hashtag quickly spread across the internet. These articles allowed me to realize the reality of privilege in feminism. But, understanding the issue was only the start. Now I wondered what I could DO about it. Mikki Kendall wrote a helpful article that explains the ways one can ally themselves in light of white privilege, condensed into a list of 5 steps. The first step is to listen. I think we have a tendency to try to speak for other people, or assume we know what others are going through. However, we cannot speak for someone else (even if we

have good intentions) because we are not in their position, and we cannot understand that position unless we listen to what they have to say about it. Plus, it may be tempting to loudly disagree with or ignore opinions that we don’t share, but if we are going to make progress in any social issue we have to hear and value all points of view. The next step that Kendall suggests is to educate ourselves. Don’t

to learn about an issue. It’s important, though, to make sure the source of information is valid and reliable, to learn about an issue from someone who actually experienced it, and to pay attention to more than one side of a story. Step three is to check ourselves. We can realize when we’ve been insensitive and apologize. We can try to enlighten others who might be doing the same. We can take

However, we cannot speak for someone else (even if we have good intentions) because we are not in their position, and we cannot understand that position unless we listen to what they have to say about it. understand something? Find out! There are so many resources, especially with access to the internet, from which 108

action by speaking up when someone is being devalued, oppressed, or bullied. How can we expect anyone to

FEM: Privilege perspective, words, #solidarityisforwhitewomen when and actions. I want to be your concept of feminist history starts & a feminist in the ends with middle class white women. Not the most inclusive WOC doing the work. and sensitive - Tweet from @Karnythia way possible, and I think the keys to that are being open to all respond to our problems to meet everyone’s perspectives, asking needs. if we do not respond to The goal of this article questions and finding the problems of others? answers, and being The final step is is not to denounce the respectful (principles Riot Grrrl influence on being aware that not every feminism; I’m still going that could really apply to any issue). Navigating to love Bikini Kill, and community the world of feminist I’m still going to sing has the same (badly) along to ‘TKO’ by theory and activism needs or aspirations can be confusing, but Le Tigre when it comes when it comes to feminism. Some women #solidarityare focused on isforwhitewomen when pink hair, beauty ideals, tattoos, and piercings are “quirky” or “alt” while others are concerned on a white woman but with access to “ghetto” on a black one. healthcare and - Tweet from @zblay education. The key to this is making use of the following these steps up on shuffle. But what first step; listening to when approaching and respecting different I’m also going to do feminism is a start. perspectives so we know now is be aware of how how to best collaborate my privilege affects my

109

ART CREDITS

Haysol Chung Art | Design: Celebrities And The Failure To Deal With Assault Mixed Girl: America’s Sexual Fantasy Asian American Body Image: The Porcelain Doll Fallacy Hostage She Is/ Man He Is Not Genetically Modified Foods: A Feminist Issue Violence Against Women Across the Globe

Front Cover

Art | Design: Noopur Goel

Table of Contents+Editors Note Art | Design: Haysol Chung

Erica Vincenzi

Staff Page

Art | Design: Mother Knows Best Got Privelege? The White Privelege Problem In Feminism

Art: Tina Tran Design: Sara Haas

Caricatures: Celebrities And The Failure To Deal With Assault Hair Tie image: The Model of Reality

Back Cover

Art: Haysol Chung Design: Sara Haas

Sara Haas

Art Credits Page

Art | Design: I’m Not A Potato And I Don’t Like Kitchen Pans Sex-Positive And Sex-Critical Feminism Peeling Masks They Call Me “Crazy” A Feminist In Catholicism Lilith, Revolutionized

Design: Sara Haas

The Model of Reality Stock Body Photograph: Lies Thru A Lens

Noopur Goel

Art | Design Director

Art | Design: Introduction To Intersectionality Cover: The Model of Reality

Tina Tran Art | Design: The Model of Reality Debunking The Myth of The Arab Feminist

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