I was recently having a conversation with Annaham about the role of very aggressive fans in pop culture, and in how people talk about and engage with the creators of pop culture. The fans I speak of are the ones who believe their creators can do no wrong. Who consume every piece of content from […]
Month: June 2011
More On the Institutional and the Personal
This is a topic I feel like I harp on a lot, and there’s a reason for it; despite constant harping, people still don’t seem to get it. When we’re talking about social justice, and activism, and how to effect change, one of the most critical conversations we need to have is one about the […]
Social Justice Matters: Prisoner Privacy
In May, there was a fascinating series of articles in The Press Democrat about a jailhouse recording. First the paper had a story on an allegedly illegal recording that a prisoner was trying to use as grounds to have his case thrown out. Then it was about a defense of the recording from the sheriff’s […]
Exploring Queer Relationship Dynamics: Six Feet Under
One of my favourite parts of Six Feet Under is the depiction of David and Keith’s relationship. It’s complicated, there’s a lot going on, and the show pushed it in some very interesting directions. It was clearly informed by Alan Ball’s own experience, but it goes deeper than that. The show really wanted to create […]
Beyond the Binary: What to Wear, What to Wear
In discussions about nonbinary people and clothing, a lot of conversations revolve around what we should wear; how to perform or present our genders so the general public can read them, and so we can feel comfortable in our own bodies. Since clothing is highly binaristic in nature, this creates real challenges, because any clothing […]
Servicey: You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot to Save a Lot
One upside of the current economic conditions is an increase in interest in helping people save money on things like utilities and other basic costs of living, complete with the endless release of savings guides. You know the sort of thing; little booklets and news features on how to lower your electric bill or use […]
The Best Advocacy is Self-Advocacy: The Dangers of Speaking for Others
There is a tendency among some groups of people to label themselves as advocates, or allies, and to use this label as a justification for speaking for others. These people claim to have the best of intentions. They just want to be supportive. To build a better world. To help. But any time you are […]
Rape Culture, Above the Fold
Last year, I discussed the role of sexism in journalism and the fact that women working in journalism need to contend with sexism in the workplace, on interviews, in the field. In addition to the obstacles that can present themselves to journalists, like reluctant sources, obstructionist governments, and editorial budgets, women also need to deal […]
Aboard the U-505
I just returned from a trip to Chicago, where I did many exciting things, one of which was take a tour aboard the U-505, one of the few remaining U-boats left in the world. I was assured by many people that if I did only one thing in Chicago, this should be it; clearly people […]
The Longest Day
After today, the days will start shortening up. It will happen slowly, at first. I probably won’t notice for at least a week and then I’ll start to wonder if I’m working later than I thought I was because the sun seems lower in the sky than it should be. A strange feeling will creep […]