This Week...

Hello All :)

Thank you for the wonderful posts that continue to appear on our lovely little blog - it has become such a great source of sharing and communication - loving it!!!

Coming up this friday are two pretty important events for the Women's Studies Society, so I wanted to post a reminder :)

Friday October 31st, 2008

1) UPEI WST Society Montly Meeting - 1:30pm
Dawson Lounge, Main 420

2) Babes Beyond Borders Film Series - Film #2 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dawson Lounge, Main 420 - 4-6pm
Popcorn and juice provided - please invite all your friends and bring snacks to
share if you so desire :)

Hope to see everyone out on friday - The meeting will be a really great opportunity to brainstorm and plan for some events for the rest of the semester/year, so it'd be great to have a large turnout so that we can have everyone's input. And of course, following our fantastic meeting will be our second film in the BBB series - so stick around afterwards!!!

See you all on friday!

Erica

so what is feminism anyway?

All right... I'm jumping in here (since I miss Kerrilynn's video rants and raves :( ) with some random thoughts gleaned over the past few weeks...

I've been thinking alot about the various bits and pieces of conversation i've either overheard or had with many WS students over the past few weeks about 'what is feminism/who is feminist'... and, as per my usual follow up questions, about what's at stake - and for whom - in those questions. This seems especially relevant and in the air these days, as even Sarah Palin has taken to using the term to describe herself - in addition to several other people, including (according to feministing.com) "Oregon NOW Vice President Linda Klinge and former Ms. magazine editor Elaine Lafferty" (wow...) supporting her and using the term to describe her. And while i certainly don't subscribe to the 'feminist checklist' school of thinking (and even if i did, i'm not sure that my checklist would be the widely adopted one :)), i - like everyone else i imagine - have my 'ok that's going too far' moments... and i have many of those about her! But i add in there too people like Laura Doyle (of The Surrendered Wife fame/infamy a few years ago), or groups like 'feminists for life' -- as example of where the term is mobilized in ways i can't get on board with.. even if i also believe in 'there are many feminisms' and 'feminism is always contextual' (historically and culturally specific, etc), and 'big tent feminism' approaches...

So i find myself wondering about how to talk about those borders to 'feminism' - for myself... for others... and how to argue against particular versions/renditions without falling back on essentialist ideas about the definitions/identity of 'feminism'... without falling back on hauling out a checklist of some sort....

But.... i also think that the fact that this term can get used for beliefs and positions that seem so problematic (backasswards even - to me at least) speaks volumes about not just the tensions around the term itself -- but about the social tensions [that was for you Kerrilynn :)] both generated in and by and around some feminist ideas and changes - and by the failures to address those. I may not agree with Laura Doyle's use of the term, but i think that she points to some very 'real' issues about hetero relationships that remain everpresent - and more than nagging in many people's/women's lives.... I may not agree with Sarah Palin's politics around reproductive rights or making women pay for rape kits (and a whole bunch of other issues!), but i think she points to the ways in which 'the public and the private' (to haul those terms out again) remain stubbornly gendered/raced/classed etc in ways that too often have remained unaddressed and even disavowed by much 'liberal' feminism....

so no conclusions here :)... but i find myself thinking that at least those popular mobilizations of the term allow us to talk about what is being (necessarily?) excluded in the stories 'we' (self-identified feminist types) tell about 'what is feminism/who is feminist'.... and surely that's a good thing??


Ann

Mothers

Last night's "Who's your Mama?" coffee house was an amazing event, and inspired a lot of internal thought for me about women who have influenced my life...particularly my mother. I found it very fitting then, that today in my Psychology of Women class, we talked about Mothers and Mothering. I guess I never really took very much time to realise how important my mother - and many other influential women in my life - really was until I moved 4000 km's away from home.

Last night's coffee house, and today's psych of women class, gave me two excellent opportunities to reflect on women who have inspired me. Though I never give her enough credit, my mom is one of the most amazing people I know - and I am truly blessed to have her in my life. The sacrifices she has made for me and my sister are endless, and she has made them with a smile on her face, followed by a big hug.

To whoever reads this post, I encourage you to take a few minutes (or longer) to really think about the women who influence your life. I want you to think about why they are special, and how they have helped you to become the person you are today. Maybe make a phone call or send an email after you've thought about this - because it's important to let these people know just how important they are to you.

I propose a virtual blog toast to my mom, and to all moms and women out there who continue to inspire us daily.

Cheers!

Erica

fANNtastic

Last night's who's your mama? coffee house was amazing. Here is Ann's opening.

enjoy,

Kerrilynn

Oooopp's..

I want to publicly correct myself. I owe a big apology to Maria Durling for calling her by the wrong name in my video. Sorry Maria, you're still a phenomenal woman who helped to set up an awesome display in the library in honor of Women's History Month.

You can count on me for spelling mistakes and unclear sentences.


Peace,
Kerrilynn

Communities of Women

Last year I wrote a paper about communities of women and I want to share a piece of the paper with you before I get to my real point.

"Communities of women is not a new concept, rather, it is one that has been around for a long time and can be found to be represented in many different forms. Not all communities are the same but most consist of women, or people who identify as women, and most communities work to challenge ideas and raise questions about the societies they live in."

I consider myself very privileged to have the friends that I do and to know that we are all completely comfortable expressing and talking about who we are. Last night I had the chance to go out with some of my friends after the film series and we pretty much just shot the shit so to say. We talk about things, and pick them apart when deemed necessary, and I really do think that we 'work to challenge ideas and raise questions about the societies they live in.'

The reason why I am talking about this now is because I think it is important for all women to have this type of community. It does not necessarily have to be with other women, but just a support system where you can vent and be yourself.

Women's History Month is a very good to time embrace a community and become involved. Talk with others about how important your community is to you. Raise questions, solve problems, just open your mind to new ideas.

If you don't have this type of community I recommend that you make one, or hell, you can join mine. But seriously, enjoy who you are and what you do and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.


Peace,
Kerrilynn

Thelma & Louise Feedback

It is first thing in the morning for me so I give a lot of and's and um's.

Peace,
Kerrilynn

Rethinking Media's Portrayl of Cosmetic Surgery

Dear Nip/Tuck,

I am still devoted to watching the show but please make it a little more viewer friendly.

Peace,
Kerrilynn

My Monumental Woman

Yah to Women's History Month, October 2008! Tell us about some of the amazing women who have inspired you in your life.

Peace,
Kerrilynn

Taking Care of Some Business

Updates! Updates! Updates!

Hello Everyone!

First off, I wanted to say how EXCITING it is to see how many people are getting involved with the blog - BIG thank you to Kerrilynn for her excellent video posts and Friday rants! Thank you to all who have contributed so far as well!

The UPEI Women's Studies Society will be hosting its FIRST EVENT this friday, October 17th - The first film in a series titled "Babes Beyond Borders"!!!! We will be showing THELMA & LOUISE at 4pm in the Dawson Lounge (Main 420) - all are welcome - bring your friends and your snacks, and enjoy the film!

Thanks to all who showed up for the "Wear Black for the Arts" on friday afternoon in the Quad - it was great to see everyone out there doing what they love to do - ART!!!! Hopefully some of the bigshots in Ottawa will listen for a change!

The UPEI WST Society monthly meeting will be held on Friday, October 31st @ 1:30 p.m. in the Dawson Lounge - everyone welcome!! The meeting will be followed with a screening of our 2nd film in our "Babes Beyond Borders" series from 4-6, film TBA.

That's all for now, thanks again for making this blog such a success! If you are interested in posting and have yet to recieve the login info, please contact upei_wst_society@hotmail.com

Hope everyone had a fantastic thanksgiving!

Erica

You can't call me Martha

I make the best facial expressions.

Peace,
Kerrilynn

Feminism/Feminist

Would you call yourself a feminist?

Peace,
Kerrilynn

cool youtube clips

check out this great project from the Antigone Foundation

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=oT1VxL_wpT8

and

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Bf8io8okw&feature=related

gives lots of ideas for possible projects!

She is good at beating around the bush

First check out this quick video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-STiYgxxtRo

I don't know much about the Sarah Palin buzz that seems to be circulating around conversations these days, but I do know from watching the video a little but about her:

1. She believes women have every opportunity that men have. This is obviously only pertaining to her home and native land Alaska because there are many women in this world who are still subject to being considered lesser then men.

2. She is glad that she grew up in a family where gender was not an issue and she was permitted, as a female, to hunt, fish, and chop wood like men. Hmmm... there is much to say about this one.. including attributing gender to activities and tasks.

3. She believes that women should be in control of their own body, but is against the choice to use to morning after pill or to get an abortion. That is a little confusing.

4. She is accepting of all relationship forms. Her best friend just happens to be gay but don't worry she does not look at this person as her gay friend, rather, a good friend. Way to leave out an individuals sense of individuality Ms. Palin. Did you ever think that maybe that person wants to be identified as gay?

Can any one else think of some more things she is good at?

Peace,
Kerrilynn

First Feminist Rant

Sometimes it is good to vent, other times, it is good to tell the truth.

I never really understood the degree to which I developed a hate towards certain video games until I had the joy of stumbling across this one. What happened to the good games?

Peace,

Kerrilynn

As Ann would say, tres cool!

This is my first time, cut me some slack. It is a little fuzzy.

Peace,

Kerrilynn