The Cost of a Non-Diverse Media
September 27, 2011 by Ariel Dougherty · Leave a Comment
“I had journalists say to me: ‘I saw the women on the field. But they were so pitiful-looking that I didn’t film them,’” recalls Gini Reticker, director of the 2008 documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell, which documents women’s peace efforts in Liberia. While she had trouble finding footage of Liberian women’s peace actions, [...]
Women, Let’s Claim Wikipedia!
July 30, 2011 by Piper Klemm · 10 Comments
Earlier this year, while I was sequestered in the bat-cave studying for my qualifying exam, I came across something very distressing. As has been widely reported, only 13 percent of the people editing Wikipedia articles are women. Though there are endless articles debating the causes, my interest lies elsewhere: What can be done to change [...]
Imaginary Lesbians, Pro-Choice Christians and Santorum’s Gay Friends: Editors’ Picks, 6/12-6/18
June 19, 2011 by Annie Shields · 2 Comments
This week the blogosphere was shocked when it was revealed that the popular American-born Syrian lesbian blogger Amina Abdullah Araf, the voice of the widely read blog “A Gay Girl in Damascus,” who was purportedly abducted last week by three armed men, was actually the fictional online persona of Tom MacMaster, a 40-year-old, white U.S.-born [...]
Weinergate, the Black Church and Child Brides: Editors’ Picks, 6/5-6/11
June 12, 2011 by Annie Shields · 3 Comments
There has been a lot written this week about “Weinergate” after Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), known for his House floor diatribes, admitted Monday to having sexual Internet relationships with at least six women. A piece by Jodi Jacobsen of RHReality Check, reprinted on the Ms. blog, defends the Congressman on the grounds that while what [...]
Women Drivers, Editors and Burlesque Performers: Editors’ Picks, 5/29-6/4
June 4, 2011 by Annie Shields · Leave a Comment
Jezebel reports that French sexual harassment complaints are up 600 percent in the wake of Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s alleged assault of a hotel room attendant. According to French women’s groups, the staggering increase may be due to women feeling more comfortable speaking out, or it may be a response to men’s dismissive attitude toward the story. [...]
Underpaid Cheerleaders, Unbelievable Ignorance and Unjust Verdicts: Editors’ Picks, 5/22-5/28
May 28, 2011 by Annie Shields · 3 Comments
At TBD, Amanda Hess investigates the shockingly low pay ($75 a game) Washington Redskins Cheerleaders make in exchange for their hard work–particularly in contrast to the salary of the players, who are currently embroiled in an ongoing labor dispute with the league. Hess explains: At the table are the players, the former players, and the [...]
The New York Times Puts Another Alleged Rape Victim on Trial
April 19, 2011 by Stephanie Hallett · 35 Comments
Last month, The New York Times stirred massive controversy by implicating an 11-year-old girl in her own brutal gang-rape, reporting that she “dressed older than her age [and wore] make-up.” This week, they’re blaming the victim yet again. In 2008, a 29-year-old woman was out celebrating a job promotion with friends when she had too [...]
Angry Egyptian Women and Trans Vets: Editors’ Picks, 1/23-1/29
January 29, 2011 by Annie Shields · Leave a Comment
An unprecedented number of women participated in Tuesday’s “Day of Rage” in Egypt–much more so than in previous anti-government protests. Over at Slate’s Double X, Jenna Krajeski explains why. The celebrated repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell didn’t address military policies barring transgender service, and many in the trans community are mobilizing to break down [...]
Shed a Tear for Good Reporting
January 8, 2011 by J Goodrich · 14 Comments
The MSNBC headline: “Stop the waterworks, ladies. Crying chicks aren’t sexy.” Now what on earth could that be about? Turns out it’s this study by Israeli neurobiologists : In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, the Weizmann Institute of Science researchers collected emotional tears from female volunteers by showing them sad movies. Then [...]
NEWSFLASH: Ashtiani’s Husband Allegedly Sold Her for Sex … to Pay for His Drugs
December 16, 2010 by Kyle Bachan · Leave a Comment
As if Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s struggle for freedom could get any worse—especially considering the recently aired state-produced documentary that Amnesty International proclaimed was being used to paint her as a criminal—her lawyer told the press today that the imprisoned Iranian woman was abused and sold for sex by her husband in order to fuel his [...]
