Felcity by Amanda Sommers

Felicity fun. funky. feminism.

FREE CONDOMS INSIDe!

LOVE ‘UM OR HATE ‘UM: MALE FEMINISTS

MAN-HATING LESBIANS!!

ASS SLAPPING ASSAULT  FEMINISTS DOCUMENTARY  NO MORE BIRTH CONTROL RECYCLE YOUR CASSETTE TAPES  CONDOMS!!!  JESSICA VALENTI’S NEW BOOK VOLUME NUMBER 1 - ISSUE NUMBER 1 - MAY 2010

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Please recycle this magazine

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Roll Call The team Assistant Editors Mathew Hudson Season Schafer Supervising Editor Pam Farmen Photography Staff Amanda Sommers Anna Perlich R.C. Duffy Contributing Writers Amanda Jean Sommers Bobby Ellis Catherine Epstein Comic Relief Eric Davis Contact Email amandajsommers@gmail.com

 Amanda Jean Sommers Editor-in-Chief

  2

Anna Michelle Perlich Photo Editor

We extend a special thanks to our May models

Matthew Kyle Hudson Managing Editor

R.C. Duffy, Christopher Couderc, Taylor Pallatin, Brandi Terry, Lindsey P LaVal, and Briana Brown

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

contents

Breaking the mold:

Love ‘um or Hate ‘um?:

Feminists aren’t man-hating lesbians? Who would have thought!

Vaginas are no longer required to help women gain equality! 5 Edits: Reflections on the first issue

6 Respond: Letters from our readers

7 Stand: About the cover: Models for feature story play outside in front of Ball State’s Bell Tower. Photographer: Anna Perlich Stylist: Amanda Sommers Clothes provided by the some really awesome stores.

Students protest aganist slapping assault

8 Active: Students make film on the women’s movement

9 Without: Where would we be without the birth control pill?

11 Create: Recycle your old cassette tapes

13 Sex:

What every woman should know about condoms

27 Entertain: Rave reviews for blogger’s book

31 Love: Stuff that makes you love being feminists

32 Hate: Pointing out all the bad stuff around the world

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

edits

Our first journey

How we did this and where we are going from here amanda sommers / news editor

aking a magazine isn’t an easy thing to do. I have learning a lot of things over the past semester and putting this thing together has taught me so much about magazines and about myself. It’s been quite the journey and I am so glad to finally have my first issue go to print. Felicity started out as a vague idea of some feminist magazine geared towards college aged men and women that I planned on calling the F-word. After talking this out with quiet a few people, I found this name to be a little bit too fierce then what I wanted my magazine to look like. The name Felicity came from playing around with the word feminism and finding a name that sounded close to feminism but was still light, fun, and trendy like I wanted the magazine to represent. Felicity has seen quite a few changes since the time it was first conceptualized. Different names, designs, colors, and content but I feel like this first issue ended up being everything it could have been. I hope that Felicity is a fun, educational magazine that will affect your life in the same way that it has mine. I hope that Felicity can help bring feminism back, and not as the dirty, scary word everyone sees it as. I would like to thank all the wonderful people who have seen me through to this point. To Pam Farmen, who without offering this opportunity the idea behind Felicity would have never came about.To all of those who have helped me throughout this process their help with critiquing, posing, and putting up with me in my extremely stressed state has helped Felicity become a tangible product.And especially to my staff, who’s hard work has helped me make this magazine a reality. It’s been a tough, yet rewarding road and I am very grateful that Felicity is finally a printed product.

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The girls letting off a little steam during the photoshoot. We had so much fun!

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Poor Chris got a sliver when we were taking pictures outside. This brings new meaning to beauty is pain.

 felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

My boyfriend being cranky because I was up at all hours of the night getting things together for our first issue. He’s been such a good sport!

respond

The magazine faceoff We asked readers to tell us why they think Ms. and Bitch magazines need a facelift, and why there needs to be a new kind of feminist magazine , really) (or anyone ey are t” is in m e -f if th on When a “n zine, it may seem as woman t any maga reads Ms. nvey the message tha e with her o m c o to stay h trying to is setting just wants who really horrible person and is choice. a th er, children is hts back because of to rememb ig t r n ’s ta r o p im . women it’s also audience But I think d at a very specific ish to e ho w aim that Ms. is d at those women w ed at those e It’s not aim me mothers; it’s aim equal o h t-a about be stay who are all geared towards ts is in m fe liberal hts. It’s be “the ies and rig oppor tunit n who are striving to e those wom man.” o w d te libera Brandi Ter

We hope that Felicity can fill the void that Ms. and Bitch have left in the magaine world. We are always here for your comments and concerns! we feel that this magazine is as much yours as it ours and we love feedback! Love, Felicity

I fee culture l what Ms. is politic . It is too hea missing is a c s v showin . In that vein y, too depre onnection to , its ve s g. ry 197 sing, too foc pop Ms. co 0 us s libera u ld could l roots ed on use a g use a good d are o o can’t r elate to od dose of “ se of Bitch. A grow u trendy nd Bit Bitch p magaz and “hip.” I c because it is .” A lot of timch ine. an’t se em to trying so har es I I think d find a b was be the reason alanced to be cause i m femini on pop t was o y Twilight st a n c r e u t i l o c t u f l e r t becaus e h w . e a I f t s e re so w e a youn it was abou sonated with ar ticles that popular t femin ger de touche t h e typ m which they, to ographic be ist issues, bu ical Ms. read d ti ca er o, coul d relat use it was so t reached e methin . Carme g to n Sieri ng

Felicity fun. funky. feminism.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

stand

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Ball State's Feminists for Action group holds up signs protesting the student body's reaction to the "ass slapping" assult in late April. The group had a large turnout and were asked a lot of questions about feminism.

Slapping assault

Ball State students show their passion through protest bobby ellis / contributing writer

there at mid-afternoon for more than an hour. “I want to feel safe walking down the streets of Ball State’s campus,” Hall said. About 10 feet they were joined by another student with a dissenting view. Freshman Marlene Toscano held a sign that said, “Free Ass Slaps! (100% Consensual).” Toscano said that she thought the incident had been blown out of proportion but still believed that the man was wrong. “I’m against assault, especially sexual assault as much as the next person,” she said. felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

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MOCKING VICTIMS CAUSE SERIOUS ASSAULTS TO GO UNREPORTED

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wo days after the university issued a public safety alert for a man who reportedly slapped the buttocks of a three women on Ball State’s campus, students continued to voice their opinions. At the Scramble Light on Friday afternoon, four women gathered on the sidewalk to hold up signs demanding that the case be taken seriously. “Mocking victims causes serious assaults to go unreported,” the sign held by senior Ashley Hall said. Hall accompanied members of the Feminists for Action group, who were

Active

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Pictures from the scenes of a new documentary Ball State women and gender studes students are making as part of their capstone class. The documentary will be shown in introduction to women's studies classes as a teaching tool.

Where are they? Students make film on the women’s movement amanda sommers / news editor

lot of people have been asking where are all the feminists? A group of students from the women and gender studies department has set out on a mission to find out. As part of their capstone course, Katie Menich, R.C. Duffy, and Amanda Sommers are interviewing professionals, students, and Muncie residents to figure out why people don’t consider themselves feminists anymore. “It has been a really interesting experience to see how people view feminism. There have been some really negative views and some re-

ally positive views,” said Menich. She said that she is excited to see the final project because, “it will help students learn that feminism isn’t as popular as most people think.” The final project will be put on a web site so it can be shared with all of the professors of the university as a teaching tool. All three of the students hope that it will help students and professors understand what feminism really is. “We have included myth busters as part of the project, so we can dispel any stereotypes about feminists. Hopefully this will help more students indentify as feminists,” said Menich. The group said that they have

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

learned more then they planned to through the interviews and interactions that they have had with people during this experience. “We have met some pretty interesting people, and believe me, they had some pretty interesting things to say,” said Menich. The group learned how to use new equipment, interview techniques, and ways to deal with unpleasant people in a productive way. “This project has had a huge impact over our lives this semester. We have learned a lot of valuable things that will stay with us throughout our careers. I am really excited to see people’s reactions to it,” said Menich.

Without

The pill has come a long way since it's conception Birth control celebrates 50 years, still has a long way to go catherine epstein / contributor

he pill has been under ideological fire since the first tiny tablet hit a woman's palm. And the impact it's had on women's autonomy and freedom has been -as decades have passed -- nearly equal to the fear (and subsequent restriction) it's instilled in those who believe in curtailing reproductive rights. As Jennifer L. Pozner noted in a piece published around the advent of Viagra, erections have for years been treated with greater respect by insurance companies than a woman's right to control her reproductive health: "Nearly half of approximately 300,000 men who seek renewed sexual vigor via Viagra each week are being fully or partially reimbursed by their health insurers...Only 33 percent of large group health plans cover the birth control pill. Other contraceptive methods are even less financially accessible. Is it any wonder that women of

childbearing age pay 68% more in out-of-pocket medical expenses than their male counterparts?" In short, it's not just about the pill -- it's about the payment. Women's Media Center has been tackling this issue, particularly within our campaign for reproductive rights, NotUndertheBus.com, which AlterNet listed in their Top 10 Defining Feminist Moments of 2009. We've highlighted the need for birth control coverage in health care reform, and WMC President Jehmu Greene was asked to comment on it -- in a national broadcast, no less -- underlining the "landmark legislation" that gives women access to birth control. The 50th anniversary of the pill's FDA approval might be something to celebrate, but did it have to take this long to get greater access to insurance for it? Better late than never...if half a century qualifies as simply "late." felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Where would you be without birth contol? User4876: I can't imagine life without the pill. It allows me to feel comfortable having sex without constantly worrying about pregnancy. User8596: I feel that birth control gets a bad rap. It helps women keep their lives together instead of wondering what to do when they find out they are having a baby .

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Making more cents

Create

Recycle your cassette tapes into a fashionable accessory! amanda sommers / news editor

ondering what to do with that crate of cassettes you just can't seem to part with? Repurpose your favorite mysic flashback into something you can appreciate without the help of a walkman: a do-it-yourself coin purse. Even if you got rid of your tapes with the advent of the iPod, they're a dime a dozen at thrift stores everywhere, so scope youe local Goodwill for one that tickles your fancy. They dollow these step to carry your change in cheeky, nostalgic style.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Create 2. Cut a p 5". Cut iece of cardboar two piec d the card es of flee measuring 3 ¾ ck a r c to e b " if c o X-acto kn ing 3”. L ard and two tria e slightly bigger x 1. Use an cassette tape so you sides fac ay your rectangl ngles of fleece m than open an old parate sides (be care e in e bottom. g, with the long pieces together, easurhave two s break quite easily). it w L a n e with the y one triangle edges at the top rong ful, they ca spool of tape (or sav d a t o r n e an tom of t iangle’s bottom top of the rec nd Discard th t knitting project), at h t th the trian e rectangle, mat edge flush to the angle, ex for your n break off any par ts tic c g s bottom le’s bottom edg hing the left poin botto of the re e use pliers the inside of the pla el ctangle. to the left corn t of m n together er of the stick out o s. You can use a Dre th S a ew these l o ng the e Now fol oo d the ma bottom edge o three pieces cassette sid d their areas to a sm f t of the re ctangle merial so the botto the triangle. tool to grin p m right a o t in c hes u t of t finish. c pieces to he triangle, crea p to the top unse orner ting a V. gether a w n long the S edge of t ew the three he triang le. 3. To m a sturdy, ke your coin p fold th e cardb urse in half, o a a the rec nd slip it bet rd ween tangle pie fleece. Then s ces of e s w the e cond t ximately r ro p i p a a n n a g e le d other o 4.On one si f the V onto the ame, apply fr se r u p in the m in anner. 4” x 2” co same p of to e th e d si in in h E-6000 glue it w o not apply dthe frame (d c e e fle e/car th e k a T . s) the the side one side of sh u p d n a , d boar ame. coin-purse fr e th to in p wn to to crimp do s r e li p r u o n Use y is process o th t a e p e R . the frame e. the other sid 5. To ad apply d the cass e a dec ent am tte covers to the , o i tape p nside of b unt of glu oth ca e ieces, ssette edges right . u onto Position t p to the the si hese p des o ieces and s f th qu ing su ish them e coin pur do r s Hold e they’re w wn, mak- e li e to all ke this for ll adhered ow th . a e glue few min u t to set es .

finished!

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

The Ladies’ condom guide

Sex

The one accessory that never goes out of style amanda sommers / news editor

he day when it was a man’s job to bring a condom are long over. Women need to be prepared to make sure they are safe when engaging in sexual intercourse. Don’t be embarrassed by the thought of going into a store and asking for condoms. Be proud. Buying condoms says that you are responsible and that you accept your sexuality as a normal part of living. Nearly as many women as men buy and carry condoms. And many people use them — every time they have sexual intercourse.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

sex

Which one is right for you?

y e e

t h

Trojan Shared Trojan Extended Trojan Twisted Pleasure Condom Pleasure Condom Pleasure Condom These condoms feature a special lubricant that helps to control climax and prolong sex. Other features include climax control lubricant which is a clear odorless lubricant with special additive to help prevent premature ejaculation and help keep the condom in place. They are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of spreading STDs and getting pregnant.They also have a special reservoir end for extra safety and each condom is electronically tested to ensure reliability.

These condoms are designed with a special twist at the closed end to help stimulate both partners in their most sensitive areas. They have a unique, patented shape-designed for mutual pleasure. They are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of spreading STDs and getting pregnant. They also have a special reservoir end for extra safety, are lubricated for comfort and sensitivity and each condom is electronically tested to ensure reliability.

These condoms feature warm sensations lubricant help enhance sensual pleasure for both partners. The warming lubrication is activated by natural body moisture and releases gentle, warm sensations for both partners. They are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of spreading STDs and getting pregnant. They also have a special reservoir end for extra safety and each condom is electronically tested to ensure reliability.

Trojan Her Durex Performax Pleasure Condom Condom

Durex Love Condom

These condoms are designed from a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective to help heighten her sensation and pleasure while providing extra comfort for men. They feature a unique design, ribbed and contoured for extra enjoyment and stimulation. They are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of spreading STDs and getting pregnant. They have a silky smooth lubricant for comfort and sensitivity. Each condom is electronically tested to ensure reliability.

These premium condoms are incredibly thin- with extra lube to give you a sleek, sensitive feeling during sex. Because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re specifically shaped to be easier to put on they also feel like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a better fit. They still provide the same high level of reassurance and protection too! The fun package makes a great romatic and kinky gift for any lover and makes wearing a condom a little more personalized. Maybe they will help you spark some love!

Performax condoms contain a special lubecalled Benzocaine inside the condom which helps the man to control climax and prolong excitement.This means longer-lasting sex for a partner who blows it really easy! Great for special nights when you want to try something new but want to make sure both parties get the pleasure that they are looking for. They work so good you might be replacing your lotion from Pure Romance! felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Sex

Start the condom conversation

He says:

“Are you ne rv catching so ous about mething?”

You say:

Sometimes p even know eople don’t w infections, s hen they have o it’s better to safe. be

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ut of “It puts me right o the mood.”

You say:

x puts Having unsafe se e you right out of th . tly mood. Permanen

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“I won’t e n use a co joy sex if we ndom.”

ondom ting c a g Wearin e some get k may ta . used to

He says: “I don’t kno w how to put it on.”

You say:

I can’t en joy sex u it’s safe. nless

Here, let me show you.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

g n i k a e r B : d l o m e h t

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

feminists step outside the stereotypes amanda sommers / news editor felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

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IF SOMEONE HAS POWER IT IS BEING CHALLENGED, THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO DEFACE THEIR ENEMY.

. C . R

Duffy, senior landscape architecture major and women and gender studies minor believes that most people believe feminism is no longer an issue so the general view of feminists has gone from them being crazy lesbians to ridiculous women making up stories. She believes this happens because feminists break down stereotypes of women, challenging men’s power in various ways. “If someone has power and it is being challenged, they will do anything to deface their enemy,” she said.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Brandi Terry does a ton of feminist activist work including running student voluntary services at Ball State University. Playing with her comic book figures is something she does in her free time to relax.

Duffy has heard people explain feminism in various negative terms. “Crazy, man hating lesbians; women that can’t find a man; old hags that won’t let go of their fight,” she said. Rebecca Parker, a senior women and gender studies major with a minor in psychology, said, “Feminism is the quest for equality in opportunity, treatment, and in our culture. This quest for equality is focused on gender, but also encompasses sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, age, and size.” Duffy believes it’s important to be a feminist because they strive for equality for women that hasn’t be attained yet. “Men dominate all of the decision making realms of our lives and if we are to ever get laws or provisions made to accommodate us, we will have to do the work ourselves,” she said. Some people view feminism negatively because they don’t know what it is. Brandi Terry, a junior women and gender studies and magazine journalism major believes feminism is the

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struggle and activism designed to reach a goal of equal treatment for all people. “It serves to raise awareness and consciousness and to take action to end unfair treatment and policies. Duffy defines feminism as, “the cultural requirements placed on women to be the opposite of males. For instance demure, polite, sexy, submissive, wearing dress or makeup and so on.” She suggests opening any mainstream magazine such as Cosmopolitan or mainstream television show and seeing the images being presented there. These types of images are set stereotypes that the system of patriarchy has set up for society to follow. Feminists find these images as hurtful to women because they make women fit into an image that society has set up for them and doesn’t allow them to be themselves. Terry has received some negative reactions when she shares with people that she is a feminist. “People think I’m angry, that I think women are better then men, that I don’t shave

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

IT SERVES TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO TAKE ACTION TO END UNFAIR TREATMENT AND POLICIES.

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Feminists can wear make-up and dress like "girly-girls." Most feminists live by the rule that if it makes them feel empowered, it can be part of their life.

my legs, and that I’m a lesbian. And people act like those things actually matter,” she said. Duffy said that people often assume that the reason she is a feminist is because she is a lesbian. Being a lesbian doesn’t mean that you are a feminist, and being a feminist doesn’t mean that you are a lesbian. Some lesbians actually have very negative opinions of feminism and some feminists have very negative opinions of lesbians. There is no coloration between the two. Terry also gets asked a lot of questions when she shares with people that she is a feminist. People have asked her why she is a feminist, why women aren’t equal, what feminism means, what feminists do, and why she thinks feminism isn’t dead yet. Parker said that she sometimes gets a surprised and admiring look when she shares with people that she is a feminist. “I think that some people, especially women, find it courageous to hear someone openly claim the term feminist,” she said. Terry shares why it’s important to be a feminist, “Because, despite what people seem to think, a great number of people are still unequal in many societies.” She points out that women still face a

wage gap and a glass ceiling; women are still expected to wish for marriage and children; people of color are still discriminated against and face a threat of violence every day; and disabled people are still overlooked. “And those are just American issues, there’s many other things happening all over the world,” she said. Parker believes that most people don’t think beyond the stereotypes that society pres-

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ents for them. “Most people don’t know what feminism is and just assume that it is something to be frowned upon, without even taking the time to verbally define it,” she said. She said that she has never heard a nonfeminist define feminism. “I’ve only heard snarky under the breath comments about hairy women and lesbians,” she said. Terry believes that feminism has gotten a bad rap because radical feminists have garnered a lot of media attention and that’s what people associate with feminism. “It pains me as a journalist to say so, but I don’t think the mostly male-dominated media is innocent here. I believe that some of this was intentional,” she said. Parker believes that feminism has gained such a negative connotation in society because an image has been created that make feminists unlovable and comical. “This stereotype has been immensely successful in silencing feminists and in making the average woman afraid of feminism,” she said. Parker points out that everyone wants to fit in, be loved, and taken seriously. “The feminist stereotype tells us that you can’t be a feminists without being made hideous, loud, unlikeable, unreasonable, radical, and generally ridiculous,” she said. It’s important for people to realize that feminists do positive things for society. Terry has participated in various activist work and recently received an award from the women and gender studies department for her activism. She has distributed fliers with an email address for people to ask her questions about feminism, sidewalk demonstrations, and likes to speak with people on an individual level and answer any questions they may have about feminism. She has also done a large amount of volunteer service work, is the president of student voluntary services, and participates in events like Take Back the Night which raises awareness about sexual assault.

BECAUSE, DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK, A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE STILL UNEQUAL IN MANY SOCIETIES.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

r o

hate? Male feminists spill about their views towards feminism and societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view of them.

amanda sommers / news editor

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

ale feminists have always had a controversial place in the women’s movement and have even more of a volatile position since the formation of groups that claim to be “meninists” and “pro-feminists.” People have different opinions on whether men should be involved at all in the women’s movement or if they should be allowed places of power. Ball State University is home to a controversial women and gender studies department that has seen a lot of changes in the past few years, but one thing has remained the same, men have a presence in the department. Christopher Couderc, a junior English studies major and women and gender studies minor believes that he is a feminist because of being surrounded by strong women not getting what they deserve as he was growing up. “I believe pretty strongly in the idea that everyone in the world deserves a fair chance at everything in life, as well as being treated with respect.The fact that so many people, both male and female, have negative, sexist, and racist things happen to them, only makes me more aware of the fact that there are still issues in the world that need to change,” he said. Couderc said that he realized he was a feminist his soph-

omore year when he learned, “that being a feminist doesn’t mean you’re a mean hating lesbian.” He believes that being a feminist is the hope that one day he can change the world so women don’t have to suffer from patriarchal injustice. Contrary to popular belief, women and gender studies classes often have male students. Adam McLachlan, administrative coordinator, senior women and gender studies major and creative writing minor, took his first feminist theory class after a suggestion from a friend. “I instantly took to women’s studies like a moth to the flame,” he said. He has taken more classes then necessary for his women and gender studies major and believes it’s important for everyone to take women’s studies courses regardless of sex or gender. “It is a safe and encouraging way to discuss ideas and generate new ones,” he said. Couderc believes that it is more important for men to take women’s studies courses then it is for women. “Men don’t deal with sexism in the way women do, if a man has managed to live his whole life without a woman confronted him about the way he most likely treat women then by the time he gets to college he will be totally oblivious to it.” Couderc said. He stresses that being a feminist is not the same thing as taking a women’s studies class, and taking a women’s stud-

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

ies course won’t label you as a feminist. “If anything, it can just open people’s eyes to ways they might be hurting their sisters, mothers, girlfriends, and daughters without even realizing they are doing so,” he said. McLachlan believes that a feminist education should extend outside the classroom. “The strongest feminists I know are so because of their actions, not their GPA,” he said. Activism is a very strong part of the women’s movement and something that is stressed through women’s studies courses at Ball State University. All classes require some sort of activism activity, whether it be a creative project to raise awareness, a blog to expand your views to the rest of society, or actually being out on campus holding workshops or protesting. Courderc feels that activism is hard to describe but feels like the type of activism he participates in happens everyday. “Personally, I feel like trying to change the perspectives of people in your day to day life is more meaningful. Like when your friends crack jokes, sexist or racist jokes, rather than just ignore them because you know there are good people, try and stop them to make them think about why they’re doing it and if they really mean what they are saying,” he said. McLachlan believes that there are a few reasons why more men don’t take women’s studies classes. “I think there is a fear of being a minority, of possibly being silenced, or recognizing that they play a part in patriarchy,” he said. Couderc believes that people give men strange looks when they tell them they are taking women’s studies courses. “Other men will not understand and give you a hard time and a lot

of girls who aren’t feminists will think it is more creepy then cool or interesting,” he said. Courderc believes that introduction to women’s studies should be part of the core classes students take at Ball State University. “Most people are just so oblivious to the things that really go on in the world being problems because they are so used to living in a society that accepts it,” he said. The introduction to women’s studies class at Ball State University brings awareness to problems occurring not only in America, but also across the world to women and men who are being oppressed by patriarchy. Topics include genital mutilation, racism, pornography, and ableism. Students read personal experiences articles and discuss the topics with the class to come to a greater understanding of the topics. “It’s one thing to understand the need for feminism and a whole different thing to understand the intricate ideas within feminism. Feminism isn’t just fighting for women’s rights. There are complex theories, ideas and histories behind what goes on in the world today that explains the way that it is.You don’t need to learn about feminism to be a feminist, but doing so allows you to put the world we live in and the issues of today into perspective,” Courderc said.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Entertain

A feminist starter kit

Reader reviews Jessica Valenti’s newest book

lucky_number_slevin / felicity.com user

have only rave reviews for Jessica Valenti, and for this book in particular. I have read others by her and like them all, but what is especially great about “Full Frontal” is that she takes formative examples from her other books (such as laws that protect pharmacists if they refuse to dispense birth control because they feel it’s morally wrong, or a thorough analysis of the pervasive and invasive “Girls Gone Wild” phenomenon) and puts them into a context that rings true with young people. I say people because Valenti is quick to point out

that feminism isn’t, nor has ever been, an exclusively female issue. Sexism also affects men, in a hugely negative way! In fact,Valenti is quick to debunk the stereotypical myth that ALL feminists are man-hating, bra-burning (to use her word) “dykes.” From flailing reproductive rights, to lies incorporated into public school sex-ed curriculum to guilt young women into chastity, to the disturbing prominence of father-daughter purity balls, to the history and present of the feminist movement,Valenti provides an accurate, unapologetic, appropriately impassioned, and hilarious

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

overview of the importance of feminism today. What is even more impressive is that she also dedicates an entire chapter to empowering her readers with small things that can be done every day to push the feminist agenda forward. Indeed, as she persuades her readers, feminism is alive and well, but must always be fought for.What a revolutionary idea for someone like me, a young woman brought up to think it is so uncool to be a feminist! I recommend this book to anyone who is new (or needs a refresher course) to the basics and necessity of modern feminism.

Entertain

Crafty books for a summer full of fun The Big-Ass Book of Crafts The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is packed with ideas for sprucing up your living space; concocting fabulous, all-natural body products; designing your own unique stationery; and creating countless other crafts that will convince your friends and loved ones that you're the secret love child of Martha Stewart (only much, much cooler). Forget crocheted doilies and itchy knit sweaters -- TLC's While You Were Out top designer Mark Montano has created stylish and imaginative projects that range from a Warholesque Ultrasuede iPod case to photo-adorned boxer shorts to African mask patio chairs to wooden night-light boxe With more than one hundred and fifty inventive and fun projects, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is the perfect activity book for readers of every mood, budget, and skill level.

Catching a Wave Young women today have benefited from the strides made by grassroots social activists in the 1960s and 1970s, yet they are hesitant to identify themselves as feminists and seem apathetic about carrying the torch of older generations to redress persistent sexism and gender-based barriers. Contesting the notion that we are in a post-feminist age, this provocative collection of original essays identifies a third wave of feminism. Organized in five sections that mirror the stages of consciousness-raising, this is an engaging, often edgy, look at a broad range of perspectives on the diversity, complexity, multiplicity, and playfulness of the third wave.

Our Bodies, Ourselves In a major update of the book that helped to launch the women's health movement, Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century updates the classic with chapters on such issues as online health resources, AIDS, and managed care. By updating and continuing to tackle such topics as body image, sexuality, contraception, childbearing, breast cancer, and the politics of women's health, this edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves keeps giving women the power and the knowledge to take charge of their own health.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

Entertain

Movies to feel good about Hairspray

Hard Candy

Little Miss Sunshine

That “Hairspray” is good-hearted is no surprise. Adam Shankman’s film, is lovingly adapted from the Broadway musical.The surprise may be that this “Hairspray,” stuffed with shiny showstoppers, Kennedy-era Baltimore beehives and a heavily padded John Travolta in drag, is actually good. Appropriately enough for a movie with such a democratic sensibility, there is plenty of credit to go around. Mr. Shankman, drawing on long experience as a choreographer, avoids the kind of vulgar overstatement that so often turns the joy of live musical theater into torment at the multiplex. The songs are sung with impeccable diction and unimpeachable conviction by a lively young cast that includes Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron and the phenomenally talented Elijah Kelley.

After chatting and flirting online, Hayley and Jeff decide to make the jump to real life. They meet up at a coffee shop and trade charged banter, each one doing a little dance to intimate that they are interested without making it too overt or aggressive. So begins Hard Candy; it’s not some feature-length ad for Match.com, nor the cozy start to a cyberspace romantic comedy, but rather it’s something far, far more icky. See, Jeff is 32; Hayley is 14.Think that’s unsettling? Just wait. Because Hayley is not some innocent fly being lured into the spider’s den; she’s actually a very calculating young woman with some brutal, well thought-out notions of punishment. Things get harder to take as layers of guilt and abhorrent behaviors pile atop one another for both of them.

The family that pops Prozac together stays together, perhaps, but the family that piles into an old Volkswagen bus the color of a banana surely has more entertainment value. That at least seems true of the happily (for us) unhappy relations at the center of the bittersweet comedy of dysfunction “Little Miss Sunshine,” a tale about genuine faith and manufactured glory that unwinds in the American Southwest, but more rightly takes place at the terminus of the American dream, where families are one bad break away from bankruptcy. For the most part, the jokes and the sensibility are more kind than not in “Little Miss Sunshine,” which motors forward on the strength of its seamless ensemble and direction, and its touching human comedy.

felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

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felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com

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Complain on, complainers A Mississippi county school board announcedit would cancel its upcoming prom after a gay student petitioned to bring a same-sex date to the event. Write to them: 605 S. Cummings St. Fulton, MS 38843

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felicity | may 2010 | felicity.com