Tonight's Show: Weddings and Wives

Tonight Jennie Thunder and Geea explore the wierd and wonderful world of weddings and wives. Naturally, we do it with a feminist twist.

We'll look at the history behind the diamond engagement ring - and it ain't pretty. We'll delve into the mass consumerism behind the billion-dollar wedding industry. We'll discuss the history of the white dress and the meaning of becoming a wife.

Tune in tonight at 8:30 pm on CJSW 90.9 fm, or from http://www.cjsw.com/.

Remember, our shows are now available as podcasts, so click here to download the podcast (it should be available on Tuesday or Wednesday).

Michelle Obama Turns Up the Heat!

During a recent family vacation to the Grand Canyon, Michelle Obama was photographed wearing – gasp! – hiking shorts. Ever since Barack Obama took office, the First Lady has been taking heat for her sleeveless dresses, sexy attire, and now it seems she’s showing too much leg in too casual shorts.

The shorts are so scandalous that the Washington Post felt the need to run an opinion piece about them. Journalist Robin Givhan writes that the shorts are noteworthy because “first ladies have rarely dressed so informally in public.” Although Givhan notes that her thigh-skimming shorts allude to self confidence and athleticism – two things that American women could use in a role model – she essentially concludes that the shorts were inappropriate.

“Ultimately, the first lady can't be -- nor should she be -- just like everyone else… She has to dress for the ride… it does American culture no favors if a first lady tries so hard to be average that she winds up looking common.”

If a man in a similar position to Michelle were photographed on a family vacation in hiking shorts, would it require an editorial piece? Would he be shamed for “looking common?” (whatever the fuck that means). Would anyone care? Women are always highly scrutinized for their clothing choices (remember the hullabaloo over Hillary Clinton’s pant suits, and that one time when her cleavage was slightly visible?) while men’s clothing choices don’t get a second glance.

I think Michelle looks great in her shorts. She was hiking, and therefore wearing hiking attire - duh. And as I mentioned above, Michelle is a role model for American women, and at a time when obesity is a national problem, I think images of her being fit and fabulous are fantastic.

Mimosa Pale's Mobile Female Monument - The Vagina Bike

I've been meaning to post this entry for months now, so I'm very happy to finally be sharing it. Some time ago, I stumbled across an image of Finnish artist Mimosa Pale posing with her Mobile Female Monument or vagina bike, as it has become affectionately known since its debut on Scandinavian city streets. The artist is known to employ conventional mediums in thought-provoking ways, using both performance and sculpture to convey powerful, sometimes unsettling messages about body, environment, nature and human relationships with these things.

The Mobile Female Monument was a sculpture that originally showed in 2007 at Tennispalatsi Art Museum in Helsinki and covered all of the above; the sculpture is a perfectly detailed replica of a woman's vulva and sits atop a four-wheeled bike frame transforming itself into an undeniably inviting and fantastic mobile unit.

On Mimosa Pale's website, you'll find a photo gallery depicting images of the artist towing this quite anatomically correct and convincingly realistic sculpture throughout the streets of what appears to be a bustling Finnish metropolis (Helsinki, perhaps). While making its way through city streets, observers stopped to capture stills of the bike with their mobile phones and interacted with the sculpture. It has coarse little hairs poking out from the area that would encompass the outer lips (labia majora). It even has clit, hood, labia minora and a giant vaginal orifice that can be entered and enjoyed as a seating place for anyone wishing to be a passenger in this 'taxi', of sorts. Amazing!

I think this particular piece of artwork is a refreshing way to establish a sense of comfort with this body part that has for a very long time been viewed as a repugnant one in many cultures. In North America for instance, so many girls grow up questioning what normal vulvae should look like, convincing ourselves that our own are ugly, smelly, and generally unpleasant both aesthetically and conceptually. Mimosa Pale's Mobile Female Monument successfully challenges these types of notions, reducing them to exactly what they are: self-deprecating ideas that teach us never to be comfortable or happy in our own bodies.
When accessible in public settings, a sculpture or performance piece like this one allows for mass de-stigmatization of social and cultural relationships with the female body. Previously learned attachments to negative ideas regarding women's bodies can be challenged not only by women, but by men, children, and all other members of a community alike. Bringing female body parts into the open (so to speak) and breaking up the "male-centric" fabric that has woven its way into much of society over the centuries appears to be exactly what Mimosa had in mind and, to that I say, mission: beautifully accomplished.

Calling Calgary Mothers: BOLD Red Tent Event

Here's a really cool event for women from every background who have given birth, are about to give birth, or who have an interest in birth.

What: BOLD Red Tent Event - This unique fundraiser is put on by the Elizabeth House, a home for pregnant and parenting young women. They invite you to join in a celebration of birth and motherhood by gathering and sharing stories inside the BOLD Red Tent. Outside the tent, help create a visual expression of your birth story, enjoy free speakers and performances and visit vendors currently serving birthing women and their families.

When: Saturday September 12, 2009. 9:30am - 4:00pm

Where: Bridgeland Riverside Community Association, 917 Centre Avenue NE (just off the Bridgeland C-Train Station and the number 9 bus route).

Cost: $10 donation to participate. 100% of event proceeds to support the women and children of Elizabeth House.

Check the BOLD Red Tent Event website for more details.

Feminist Podcasts Now Available!

Our weekly half-hour feminist radio program is now available to download as a podcast! This means you can listen to our show at your convenience, even while on the go. Personally, I like listening to podcasts while I'm taking the train to work in the morning.

Click here to check out our awesome feminist podcast!

You'll see a link to download the most recent episode, and you'll also find a link to 'Subscribe in Itunes.' If you subscribe to our podcast, it will automatically download into your iTunes every week. Shows should be available by Wednesday each week.

Tonya Harding, Lorena Bobbitt and the Cycle of Domestic Violence

On Monday August 24th, Oprah did a show on newsmakers from the 90’s. The two infamous newsmakers featured were both women; Lorena Bobbitt and Tonya Harding. Lorena made headlines in 1993 when she cut her husbands penis off after he allegedly came home drunk and sexually assaulted her. Tonya became the bad girl of the figure skating world in 1994 when her husband sabotaged fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan’s knee, leaving her injured and unable to compete.



There is one common thread between these stories that really stood out to me: both women were victims of domestic violence. When Lorena and Tonya were separately asked what they would do differently if they could change the past, they both immediately answered that they would not have married their first husbands. Both women were emotionally and physically abused by their husbands, and spoke about feeling trapped in a cycle of abuse. Tonya was also physically and mentally abused by her mother, who was an alcoholic.



It is really incredible how abuse contributes to so many other problems in our society. When I watched this program, I couldn’t help but think that when one person is abused, they often go and spread that hatred and violence to others. This is how the cycle continues to expand and grow, and this is why it’s so imperative that we work to stop the cycle of violence.



Today, both of the women say they have learned from their mistakes and understand how hard it is for women to leave abusive relationships. Lorena works to help other women living with violence, and has launched Lorena’s Red Wagon, an organization dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence. Tonya says she's worked to turn her life around, help others and look toward the future. "You have to love yourself so other people can love you," she says. And that’s definitely a starting point for any woman experiencing abuse: learn to love and respect yourself and know you deserve better than an abusive partner.



Click these links to read more about Tonya and Lorena.

Tonight's Show : Poetic Musings with Anushka

Tonight, Geea and I will sit down with Calgary ex-pat/poet/feminist friend and SLAM! Poetry finalist, Anushka. She's back in the CGY just until the end of summer and she's been kind enough to make an appearance on Yeah, What She Said before she flees back to Victoria. We'll ponder all things creative, chatting about life, feminism, the globe, the art of poetry, and most importantly, we'll delve into some live rhymes from Anushka herself.

It will be a cozy little get together and a wonderful way to wind down on a Monday night. Join us at 8:30 PM (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM and stream it online at http://www.cjsw.com/

Feminist Podcasts Coming Soon!

Exciting news for fans of Yeah, What She Said. Our weekly half-hour radio program will soon be available to download as a podcast. Details are still being hammered out over the next week or so, but we'll post information as soon as we can.

Now you can listen to feminist programming when it's convenient for you! And by the way, does anyone out there subscribe to any other feminist podcasts? If so, let us know which ones (mention it in the comments section below). It's always great to share feminist resources.

Tonight's Show: Date Rape

Tonight all three hosts of Yeah, What She Said will be discussing the topic of date rape. Date rape is a grossly underreported crime despite the fact that it's a serious offense. Women face the greatest risk of sexual assault from men they know, not strangers. Of the women who are sexually assaulted, most (69%) are sexually assaulted by men known to them: dates, boyfriends, marital partners, friends, family members or neighbors.

The majority of women do not report date rape (or sexual assault by a person they know) for many reasons:
(a) The woman may not even recognize it as a crime
(b) The woman may feel responsible in some way for the assault
(c) The woman may be afraid that the police won't believe her
(d) The woman may be too ashamed to report the incident

Please join us tonight for a thorough and interesting discussion that explores the Canadian laws regarding rape, common drugs used in date rape, and how date rape is perceived in different cultures. Tune in from 8:30 to 9:00pm on CJSW 90.9 fm, or stream it online at cjsw.com.

We Are Girls

I love this commercial, "We Are Girls" from Concerned Children's Advertisers (Health Canada). It's all about empowering girls to be their best and stay true to themselves. Right on!

Femme Fatale Carnivale: Fun Times, Great Cause

Here in good ol' conservative Calgary we don't get the chance to attend many burlesque-style feminist events. But once a year we have the super-fun, highly-erotic Femme Fatale Carnivale, which is a fundraiser to help young girls at risk of sexual exploitation, homelessnes, addiction, and/or abuse. It's an evening of carnival-themed entertainment with a sexy twist - you'll see hula dancers, native hoop dancers, the Cupcake Pinup Girls, Swingdance Calgary, stripteasers, and so much more!

For more event details, click here.

Femme Fatale Carnivale
Date: Friday August 14
Time: Doors at 8:30pm, show begins at 9:15pm
Location: Flames Central, 219 8th Ave SW
Tickets: $20 at Blame Betty (located on 17th ave and 8th st SW), or $20 at the door, but make sure you get there early if you plan on buying tickets at the door! This event sells out every year.

Support a great cause and have some fun! See you there.

Tonight's Show: A Feminist Tribute to Men

Tonight we pay a special feminist tribute to the gents! Usually our radio show revolves around women's issues, ideas, thoughts and interests. After many years of focusing mostly on women, we thought it was about time to give some props to the opposite gender.

There are many things men do that we appreciate. A few things we'll be discussing tonight include stay-at-home dads, men who have sacraficed themselves in wars, and men who have worked hard to provide for their families.

Tune in from 8:30 to 9:00pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 fm in Calgary, or from anywhere in the world at http://www.cjsw.com/.

Here's a big THANKS and props to all the awesome men out there.

Britain May Ban Photoshopping in Ads

Here's some exciting news from across the pond: The Liberal Democratic party in Britain are calling for a complete ban on Photoshopping in ads aimed at those under 16, and want all other ads to carry a disclaimer describing how the image has been photoshopped. They also recommend "media literacy" lessons to teach kids about advertising techniques.

This comes after an Olay "eye illuminator" advertising campaign was launched featuring 59-year-old Twiggy, one of Britain's most famous models. With only a few lines around her eyes and mouth, this is a completely unrealistic image of a woman who's almost 60. Twiggy herself has even publicly stated that she is against botox and plastic surgery, and embraces aging naturally. It makes you wonder what she thinks about all this photoshopping that's been done to her face, but I suspect that the models/subjects of these advertisements have little say in the procedure.

Jezebel has more on this fascinating topic.

Twiggy in the Olay advertising campaign that has sparked much debate.

A recent image of Twiggy that has not been photoshopped.

Some of the Most Offensive Jokes I've Seen

A few weeks ago I received an email full of "jokes" from a female pal. I was appalled when I began looking through these so-called jokes, and found many of them to be overtly sexist and offensive. I was shocked that a female friend would send this to me. Regardless of the fact that she knows I'm a feminist, how could ANY woman not be offended by these jokes? When people make fun of serious issues like domestic violence, rape and kidnapping, it makes the issue seem less serious than it is, and can also result in victim-blaming and people not believing a woman when she tells someone she has been raped, abused, etc.

"Domestic Violence - Because sometimes you have to tell her more than once."

Well, isn't this a charming little "joke"? The fact that someone would even joke about this topic deeply upsets me. The message here is essentially this: If a woman doesn't do/say/act as a man wants her to, he has the right to beat her until she does. Yeah, real funny.

"Every male teacher that day contemplated the consequences."

Oh, of course! Men are such horny, dirty dogs that they can't keep their dick in their pants, especially not around hot 16 year old school girls [sarcasm intended]. If I were a man, I'd be offended. And another thing... what a woman or girl wears is not an indication of her sexual availability.

"Woman's Sports - A lot more interesting when hot Brazilian chicks play."
(PS - nice typo, assholes. It's "women's" not "woman's")

This is actually a serious issue in women's sports. The less they wear and more beautiful they are, the more media coverage they receive. Athletic women must appear both feminine and beautiful to be noticed at all, and anyone who doesn't is labeled a dyke. A female athlete's physical abilities are rarely applauded, she is usually only well-known and celebrated if she is also beautiful.

Just kidding, there's no candy.

Because luring and kidnapping young girls is so hilarious. The violent undertone in this "joke" is deeply disturbing.