I live in Nashville:

and although it's a progressive Southern city, I'm having a hard time figuring out the generally disappointing, ignorant responses to feminism.  I think I need to come up with a catch phrase for twenty-first century feminism, like: "FEMINISM: We do hate SEXISM, we don't hate SEX!" Or something.

But my brain is on feminism overload, especially since I just read Caitlin Moran's How To Be A Woman.  I'd say it's "feminism lite," but she makes a really strong case for why every human being ought to be a strident feminist.  I couldn't agree more!  People!  It's a movement to end sexism!  It's about women and men making their own choices as individuals, and not feeling imposed upon by societal pressures and gender stereotypes!  What part of that sounds bad!?

So I've been watching this intelligent, informative documentary about women and advertising (you should watch it, too):

And I also love this TED Talk by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg:

I should also mention the hilarious "Feminist Taylor Swift" Twitter account.

And you know what else I did this past week?  I wore four Bone Feather swimsuits on a makeshift runway for the June release party of an awesome local magazine, Native.  Because, you know what?  I love these high-waisted, retro swimsuits, designed by a Nashville woman.  And she put a call out on Facebook for volunteers.  And I wanted to go to the Native party anyway, but I always love to be more involved than just a bystander.

And you know what else?  Because I love and embrace my body!  As every woman should!

(Know how to get a body bikini-ready?  Find a body.  Put a bikini on it.)

On activism:

In my classroom one day, I remember some students said they imagined I was a real activist, always marching in protests, campaigning, etc.  (I think we were talking about the Slut Walks.)  I said, No, I'm not really much of an activist-- I've never done any of those things.

But recently, I've come into my own form of activism, and it really just means sharing my story.  When Planned Parenthood was threatened with a national de-funding, I logged onto their website to see how I could help.  There was a place to "share your story" and so I wrote in, thanking PP for supporting me with affordable health care during my uninsurable year.

Since connecting with PP that day, I've spoken at the Louisiana State Capitol (when PP was facing a state-wide defunding), and at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new PP clinic in New Orleans.  There are only two clinics in the whole state of Louisiana-- one in Baton Rouge, one in New Orleans.  Now New Orleans is getting a bigger clinic, which is so badly needed.

In response to this new clinic, some awful billboards have popped up around town.  Here is an excellent article in response to the billboards: "NOLA does need peace-- not judgmental billboards."

So, furthering my own personal brand of activism, I wrote a Letter to the Editor at the Times-Picayune. You can read it here.

I've been healthy for three years now, but I will always be thankful to PP for helping me through a difficult, uninsured time in my life.  Planned Parenthood is such an important organization.  I will always stand by them.

Just going to put these here, to remind myself:

Beauty Kills:

My current obsession is this: "Did Make-Up Give My Wife Breast Cancer? The Ugly Truth Hidden by the Cosmetics Industry."

This is scary stuff!  Of course, I've been conscious of avoiding parabens for years now-- and I only recently learned about lead in lipsticks-- but this was like going down a rabbit hole.  The FDA is incredibly lax, allowing tons of chemicals and dangerous ingredients in cosmetics and skin/hair products-- many ingredients which the EU has banned!  

But the good news is, I've discovered lots of really cool websites and brands:

First, there is the GoodGuide, where you can find out about the ingredients and the business practices of companies and products.  Through this website, I discovered that my NARS blush and Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer have parabens!  And my Chloe perfume is full of synthetics!  (Ok, yes, I should have known better about all of those products.)

Breast Cancer Action has a list of paraben-free cosmetic lines.  And the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a helpful website, and here is their list of companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

No More Dirty Looks is a book written by two female journalists, and they have an awesome blog where they post interviews with women who choose organic, "clean" products.  They also have helpful lists of organic, ethical product lines (like this natural sunscreen that I ordered!).  I am basically "going clean" (in their words) by replacing any conventional products with organic, all-natural options.

So, the first thing I've decided to try is organic argan oil, as a replacement for my moisturizer.  I bought a bottle at Whole Foods, but I really like this company and this company, especially with their mission to help women with fair and ethical work opportunities.

And the last inspiring thing I found (at least during this go-round) is Norma Kamali, a designer and wellness guru.  She is 67(!!!) and uses olive oil as soap, moisturizer, even toothpaste.  Her Wellness Cafe is a beautifully designed website.  I love that she is using her success to empower women, and to voice the opinion that maybe we don't need tons of beauty products, laced with carcinogens-- maybe we just need something simple and natural, coupled with what truly creates beauty: health and confidence.

File under: PhD Dreaming...

If there was ever a dream place to finish my PhD, UCSB is it.  And so close to home!  Now, I'd just need to figure out how to be in two places at once-- Nashville and Santa Barbara.

"Feminist Porn Mini Con" at UCSB, May 7th

On vulnerability:

My friend Zack is so awesome.

Poems:

I have some new country music poems in H_NGM_N Issue #15!  How exciting!  You can check them out here.



Mark Chestnutt, 1992, singing about those "grown up sexy Texas babies."