California NOW

Join the Feminist Super Bowl AdWatch

The Super Bowl brings out the worst in society. There. I said it. Alcohol consumption spikes and with it domestic violence and alcohol related crimes. The game itself seems like filler between the advertisements trying to seduce the biggest television audience of the year into buying their stuff, and using whatever it takes to do so. Negative images of women and people of color will likely be all over ads for this male-oriented sporting event.

NOW is reviving the Feminist Super Bowl AdWatch campaign and needs you to help!

This year's Super Bowl is on Sunday, Feb. 3, starting at 6:30 pm EST. If you are interested in reviewing the Super Bowl commercials for negative images and stereotypes (like you wouldn't be anyway, if you're watching), simply send an email to NOW Communications Director Lisa Bennett and say "Yes! I want to sign up." As the game approaches, she will send you a follow up email with criteria for reviewing the commercials, and an advance list of the ads to help make things a little easier. It won't be hard at all (but you do need to watch the entire game, even if it's a blow-out). You can do your review as an individual, with a partner, or with a group. Throw a party if you like, and get everyone in on the fun!

Sign up by 2:00 PST Friday and join activists from across the country in checking out the types of advertising bombarding this year's viewers.

Full Frontal Scrutiny

The Center for Media and Democracy and Consumers Reports WebWatch have created a blog-driven, Wiki-based website to expose the hidden persuaders on the web and all media! You can find out about the real agenda of front groups: What is their true identity, purpose, mission, corporate parents and sources of funding. What a great resource. Finding out the truth behind the spin and advocating for consumers rights! Check out Frontgroups.org and post a blog if you got the goods on a front group.

Media Action: Anti-Choicers Lie, KFRC and KCBS Put it on the Air

Anti-choicers are running these ads in the Bay Area that tout lies and contain gross inaccuracies. And Bay Area radio stations KFRC and KCBS are airing them anyway, as are stations in other states.

The ads include this gem: "Roe vs. Wade says you can choose to have an abortion for virtually any reason, at any time, right up through the 9th month." Do you think they are actually that stupid, or they are intentionally trying to deceive the public? These stations should never have put these ads on our public airwaves. Let's get them off the airwaves.

Take a listen to the ads. Then take action. Email KFRC and KCBS and let them know that you do not support them accepting advertising dollars for factually inaccurate and misleading radio spots.

Photo from IndyMedia Ireland

Most Admired Woman: Hillary Clinton... Most Admired Man: huh?

I thought this was the kind of polling done in high school year books, but apparently, I’m wrong (not the first time). It seems that every year, a poll of about 1,000 people is conducted by USA Today to determine the most admired woman and man. As you can tell by the title of this story, Hillary Clinton was voted “Most Admired”, followed by Oprah, Condoleeza Rice, Angelina Jolie, Laura Bush, Margaret Thatcher, the recently assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Nancy Pelosi, Maya Angelou and Queen Elizabeth II.

But all credibility of this USA Today/Gallup poll must be questioned considering George W. Bush was voted the most admired man for the sixth year in a row. I guess the guys pictured here would give him a different award.

Give The Gift of Justice

Can't figure out what to give this holiday season?

CA NOW's documentary films make a great gift. Right now you can get our two great films: "A Passion for Justice" and "Action for Justice" together for one low price!

"A Passion for Justice: 21st Century Feminism," explores the issues at stake in the 21st century, and the tough challenges facing women and girls: Safety, Health and Equal opportunities. Viewers will meet an impressive array of activists tackling issues of profound social importance with a Passion for Justice. It is a call to action for young women and girls in the 21st century.

"Action for Justice" highlights what you can do to take action for women's rights in your daily life. From letter writing to organizing clinic defense, protests and marches, this video is your quick and easy lesson in how to be an activist. Beginning activists will learn new skills, veteran activists and group leaders will gain ways to make activism easy for newcomers. Whatever your level of activism, this is one presentation you can't afford to miss!

Right now get both films on DVD for $25, and both on VHS for $10.

Guest Blog: Megan Seely

Have you seen this?! 

A friend at work sent me this email from one of his frequented blogs (I think that it originated on feministing).  These are little girl panties for sell at Wal-Mart that say "Who needs credit cards" across the pelvis!  I don't want to take away from feministing who has great comments about the panties and a link to tell Wal-Mart what you think but I figured this was exactly the type of thing that needs shared with as many as possible.  What kind of message does WalMart--our 'family values' store--want to send teen women?  Particularly in light of rampant sexual violence against women and girls, tragically inadequate sex education, and an increasing rate of STDs and teen pregnancy???  Not to mention a culture that readily reinforces the notion that women's physical body is all they have to offer and all they have to gain from.  Let's teach an even younger population now that their vaginas are for sell.

There's Nothing Like "Bitch"

Here's an Op-Ed piece by guest blogger Kate Mitchell, the CA NOW legislative and advocacy intern, widening the discussion started by the Washington Post piece by Andi Zeisler one of the founders of Bitch Magazine.

I've been reading Bitch Magazine consistently for about 5 years. Nothing beats its insightful, witty commentary on a range of modern feminist dilemmas--from women in the media to environmental responsibility, third wave politics to graphic novels, and most recently gender-neutral pronouns and asexuality. And then there's the contentious and hilarious relationship with Jane, a rival publication. Certainly Bitch isn't on the fringe of the fringe, but I can count on its writers for, what else, but bitchy quips about popular culture. At the same time, it's easy to revel in my own feminist bitchiness and lose sight of the importance of the word---that is, until it's thrown in my face because I'm too assertive, or I "drive like a woman," or I dare to speak up when a man at a theme park calls me a dyke (the most recent utterance).

Andi Zeisler, one of the magazine's founders and editors, gave her definition of the word in a recent article in the Washington Post: "Bitch is a word we use culturally to describe any woman who is strong, angry, uncompromising and, often, uninterested in pleasing men. We use the term for a woman on the street who doesn't respond to men's catcalls or smile when they say, "Cheer up, baby, it can't be that bad." We use it for the woman who has a better job than a man and doesn't apologize for it. We use it for the woman who doesn't back down from a confrontation."

I agree with Zeisler, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. She goes on to say that what's painful is what goes unsaid, that underlying sexism that hangs in the air after a slur is uttered. "Dyke" I can deal with--perhaps because it seems so hyperbolic and ridiculous--but there's nothing like "bitch." In my experience, there's no other insult that women use so liberally against one another--and has so far to go on the path towards reclamation. How have you all out in the blogosphere experienced the word? Out of hatred, disdain, or maybe as a compliment? Perhaps you've accepted the bitch inside?

"What's So Wrong with Being a Peace-Loving, Tree-Hugging, Red Feminist Lawyer?"

Exerp from The Huffington Post article by Michael Gene Sullivan

Feminism:
"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people." No special rights, no unisex bathrooms, no enforced Goddess worship - just equality before the law and in the workplace. And yet when Reactionaries like Rush Limbaugh shouted into a microphone that fiery Feminists wanted to turn our pie cooking, God-Fearing womenfolk into a pack of hairy armpitted, ball-busting lesbian FemiNazis, Democrats ran for cover.

Feminazism? The Uber-estrogen fueled Corporate/Military totalitarian philosophy, combining the hatred of men, with the insatiable lust for lesbian Lebensraum. Is that what Feminists were, and are, struggling for? Because if not, if Equality is what it's always been about, why do the Democrats still shun the word? (Oh, it was also around this time - after Liberals abandoned their own name - that the whole "I don't believe in "isms" weasalosity was born - the idea that if you actually stood for something you were weak. Another successful mindfuck brought to you by People Who Want You to Shut Up.)

Writer Boi WGA

Inappropriate for MTV? It Must be REALLY Bad!

Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving sounds as appealing to me as slamming my hand in a car door over and over. So, it is with no major effort that I participate in Buy Nothing Day on this day every year.

This doesn't strike me as the most subversive action I could take, but MTV finds it so appalling it has refused to air this Buy Nothing Day public service spot, saying the message "goes too far." Did you hear that? That was the sound of my head exploding.

MTV--not exactly known for its high standards--thinks an ad featuring an animated pig delivering an eco-friendly message goes too far? I'm not naive. I know MTV relies on advertisers, and that a "buy nothing" message contradicts the "buy everything" standard you usually see there. But, to deny an inoffensive thirty second spot, that just asks people to think about their effect on the planet FOR ONE DAY, really shows the network is just as in the pocket of corporate power as any other.

Write MTV here and tell them what you think.