Weight Issues in the Entertainment Industry/ How Models and Media Affect Us (by Emily Kuchar) Spring 2009

The entertainment industry has brought us a lot of great things over the years, including movies that we absolutely are mesmerized by, TV shows we watch curled up on our couch daily, and even extravagant dance shows that blow our minds. Even with all this good there have been many negative factors upon this industry, as well. I have been involved in the industry for a few years trying my luck at acting in various programs as commercials, infomercials, and movies. Although, the negativity I’m about to write may make you question why I even do it, I do love it and have found a way to notice the flaws and keep them separate from my own life. Going into an audition conjures up a vast amount of emotions. As you try to learn your lines and convey the emotion that is needed, you also start to think about the actress sitting right next to you, who is doing the exact same thing. Questions race through your mind, “Is she better than me?”, “Will I mess up”, and the all dreadful, “Am I bigger than her?” That one question has been placed into women’s minds across the world, and it is very prevalent in this specific career.

I am naturally slender, and I know I do not need to change. Yet when you are placed into a situation where you are competing against others, who may be too slender, you start to question yourself. This is what ends up happening with many young people. They are so insecure and influenced by not only other actresses, but directors, as well, who promise they will have the job if they just lose some weight.

My zine has statements that I have heard and statements that are very likely for other actresses to hear, which is incorporated with the movie industry. I feel as if this conveys that moment you are in an audition and the pressure this industry brings upon you. I feel the third wave is more likely to embrace their bodies then fall into these traps, but I don’t believe there is enough feminism present. Many directors are men and they have no problem making a woman think she is less than adequate. We have seen many actresses go through transformation for a role in a movie. Charlize Theron is an example from the movie, Monsters. She gained a lot of weight to portray her character and then immediately shed the pounds after the film had been shot. The pressures that are endured throughout this process are whataffect most girls and their body image. This is a very personal part of us and it is amazing we change ourselves based on others’ critique. Some go to extreme lengths, because they are so jaded by what they could have instead of noticing the good they already do have. Whether we act on the thoughts we have in our head or not, many can admit that they have thought at one time or another about their weight.

For some girls it is an obsessive subject that is continually on their minds. Why? How come we have been shaped to think this way? Could it be the magazine covers that grace our news stands, or maybe it is the headlines calling a normal sized Jessica Simpson fat. Any immediate change in these stars and we are warned about it seconds later. Just think if a magazine such as “Bust” was at the forefront instead and weighty issues such as equality were as just as important as how much someone weighs. Things would be extremely different and girls would not constantly focus on how many pounds they are.

My political page is filled with some of the sickly skinny models that grace our runways. A small piece of flesh over bone and every single rib exposed it what some like to call “perfect”. I’m sure you have heard super models being called the most beautiful and perfect person, but I have to say that is far from the truth. How can anyone expect to be normal when this is what the media is presenting to us? Models are supposed to be selling these new and hot items as they walk the runway. How can anyone focus on ANYTHING except their ribs sticking out? These walking skeletons are looked over and accepted! People, lots of people, are watching these shows and instead of causing an outrage at how they look, this society doesn’t even notice. They are actually figuring out which new spring look they are going to purchase. The way the media is, unfortunately, is a direct reflection on what we believe and start to think.

All ages idolize movie stars and often want to be just like them. With the garbage that graces our headlines now it is a wonder that more girls don’t grow up having issues. The political issue directly affects this personal issue, and I say it is media’s fault. If we didn’t buy those magazines would they start focusing on something different? If we never bought any clothes that were on the runway, would that make fashion models eat? Or if we totally told society it is screwed up and we are starting fresh, would it make a difference? That is a lot of “ifs” and it seems like not one scenario is likely to take place anytime soon.

Violence Against Women/ With No Immediate Cause (by Della Wilburn) Spring 2009

I would like to begin this paper by acknowledging the fact that I am indeed anti violence against women, I strongly believe that gender violence does affect women in all societies, of all socioeconomic statuses, and racial/ethnic groups. I feel that violence is world-wide and can occur in so many aspects of nature. When is comes to the nature of violence against women I feel that society has come to acknowledge the fact that violence affects women across social, economic and cultural groups. It occurs in public and private places, sometimes perpetrated by strangers but most often by known men (husbands, partners, relatives, friends etc).

I have found that when it comes to a close relationship between the victim and perpetrator, as in domestic violence, there is a high risk of continued violence being experienced by those women. I found it interesting that domestic violence happens in lesbian relationships too. I wonder it society takes that aspect of violence seriously due to the fact that it is violence between two women in a relationship. I believe that violence against women is so important because overall violence can have a huge impact on a woman’s life. Violence can affect a woman mentally, emotionally, psychologically and affect a woman’s physical health which at times if not most of the time may result in a woman’s death. I found it highly important to know that violence can also prevent or restrict a woman’s participation in every day activities, such as in family life and surroundings, cultural activities or in the work place of employment. I have learned that women have a fear of violence which can restrict a woman’s movement and behavior in everyday life and their chances of reporting violence due to threats and so much more. I would like to add that domestic violence can isolate a woman from her friends and family and or force her into solidity.

I can reflect on the issues of violence against women in our society because me being a woman of moral standing is strongly against women who are associated with violence. There are so many levels of violence such as domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, discrimination and vilification, hate crimes, and workplace violence that it may at times become difficult for society to recognize when someone is in violent situations. One of the websites that I have visited and made myself aware of deals with the national coalition against domestic violence on women which deals with women having a environment where they are able to surround themselves with and discuss openly. I found it to be highly respectable that the intent is to connect battered women’s advocates across the nations who were working to end violence against women and their children.

I can personally reflect on violence against women because I myself was involved in a socially learning environment. Where I was taught and learned how to work efficiently with individuals that had been victimized, how to develop intervention skills and develop a general knowledge of various victims. Overall I believe that this particular organization benefited me in-order to develop an understanding for women and others who have been victims of various types of violence. I feel that in our society violence has become such a demand for attention that at times certain types of violence are ignored. I have found it very interesting when I understood what society classifies as violence which is as follows the exertion of force to injure or abuse; forceful and intentional injury towards a person, and or verbal and emotional abuse towards others. When I thought about the intent of violence I became very disturb because in society there are so many people especially women and children who go through life in violent altercations each and everyday. I was then some what elated to find that the warfare has a large-scale of organized violence carried out by one state against another, and although states attempt to control violent crime by the rule of law. The causes of violent attitudes and behavior are important topics that are being established, evaluated, and taken into action. Based on my inspiration to speak solely on violence against women I have created a personal “Zine” based on a poem about everyday abuse and women. My personal “Zine” is highly an inspiration based on a poem and my personal view of society and how I could personally relate to women and violence. I hope it is encouraging and inspires the reader as much as it has inspire and motivates me to continue being an advocate for women in all walks of life and of course anti-violence.

My political “Zine” teaches the reader and educates the reader about violence against women awareness, which socially can be educational for those who do not know much or a lot about violence against women. The purpose of my political “zine” is to show images of limited amount of features about the violence that women go through but at the same time was encouraged to keep the images clean. Due to the fact that there were many images that I found to be disturbing, but at the same time would show that violence that happen upon women is real!

I believe that both my personal and political “Zine” relates to third wave feminism due to the fact that overall third wave feminism allows women to establish movements that have become inclusive to persons of various genders, sexualities, nationalities, and social classes of various elements that are equal to feminism, third wave feminism entitles women to equality overall no matter the individual race, gender, or sexuality, third wave feminism excels towards empowerment for women overall rather it is their political view, social class, and or ethnicity. Also third wave feminism gives the opportunities for equality, and civil rights, and although third wave feminism is a complex way to show aspects of power, and oppression; yet overtime has changed throughout regression to actual progression. My “Zines” both political and personal allows women to know that they are able to choose their voice as activist, to see themselves as women who are strong, determined, independent, and overall activist to society to speak out about violence, and to encourage women to have a voice.

Domestic Violence (by Lauren Kousouris) Spring 2009

The purpose of focusing both of my Zines’ on Domestic Violence is because not only have I been exposed to it, but I have overcome it and have such a passion for helping others do the same thing. I realize there are many women and children out there who have it way worse than I did, and I am determined to help educate as many people as possible so that I can be part of stopping the cycle. I suppose the second half of the previous sentence is my goal in both of my zines’, I would like to inform as many people as possible about domestic violence and help as many people as possible to get out of it. I believe they could have been one zine together had I not had to separate them into 1- personal and 2 - an issue to the general public. To me, the fact that the two pages could be one is the same as the fact that everyone can identify with domestic violence on a “general public” level, and also a personal level - seeing as how if one has not been in a domestic violence situation themselves, they probably know someone who has.

Society has a way of condoning domestic violence, they tend to push it under the rug and chalk it up to an “issue in the home” that should be kept private. Victims are usually afraid to speak of it, let alone get away from it, and abusers are so sick that most times they don’t think anything they’re doing is wrong and therefore they don’t want to be embarrassed in front of neighbors because their significant other did something wrong by calling the cops. More recently, society has had to come to terms with domestic violence due to the extremely public incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown. Pictures of her beaten and bruised face are all over magazines, the news, and the internet. If you go to Chris Brown’s myspace, which I did, you will see an array of comments ranging from encouragement all the way to straight up blunt honesty. There were people in denial, saying he couldn’t have done that, there were others who said “she deserved it” (it’s those people I wish we could get through to), and yet there were the brave few who “ripped him a new one” for putting his hands on her. That to me, symbolizes society as a whole. There are those in denial - people who believe what happens in the home should stay there and that people don’t really do this type of thing, it is all fabricated. There are people who seem to think that women “deserve it”, they want to know what that woman did to make him so mad that he had to hit her. And then there are those who stand up and speak out because it is wrong, they’ve either dealt with domestic violence or been educated about it -- we need more of these people.

I believe every wave of feminism has had a focus on domestic violence in some way, but I feel as though Third Wave Feminists are truly taking great strides to make a difference. Shelters, hotlines, websites, college class/degrees… all of these things are available to those who are interested or exposed to domestic violence. Years ago, these things were not an option.

I took your Feminism class about two years ago, and when I had to do service learning, I chose to do it at Serene Harbor -- because of it’s close location to my home. Little did I know I would learn so much about myself and find a passion to help others in the way that I have. I mostly work with the kids, but have heard many terrifying stories from some of the women who end up staying there.

I think one of the situations that moved me the most was a mother and her four children (3 boys, 1 girl). She had one son from a previous marriage and the other 3 children with her abuser. Her abuser physically and emotionally abused her on a daily basis, in front of her kids. He taught them to be sexist and racist -- that white men were superior to every other race, and women. The older son was not impacted by the abuser, he actually had a black girlfriend at the time. This caused the other 2 boys (ages 6 and 8) to make fun of him and the girl and insult the situation. The younger child (the girl, 2 years old) seemed to have the attitude that she didn’t have to listen to Mommy because Mommy was a woman. The two younger boys had that same attitude. We did an activity in group one night with all of the kids that dealt with colors. We made them draw two pictures, one with only one color crayon and another with as many as they wanted. We then asked them which one they liked better. Obviously, they all chose the more colorful one. We then went on to ask, “Well, doesn’t that mean that the world is a better and more exciting place because there are people of all different colors?” It was what happened next that left me speechless. The response to that from the two younger boys was, “No. The world is better with only white people. Colored people are no good.” They went on to elaborate on this, but basically they said that colored people and women would never be as good as a white man. They also mentioned that because they were white boys that one day they, too, would be better than everyone else too, because they would be white men. These same boys would routinely beat on their mother, because they were taught it was okay to do so by their father. After a 30-day stay at the shelter we began to see a small change in the boys. After they left the shelter we didn’t see them again, one can only hope that we had an impact on those children.

I just feel as though Domestic Violence is such a serious issue because, like I’ve said before, it is a vicious cycle. I know you are involved with Serene Harbor and many other Domestic Violence organizations, and that is something that I would like to do one day. That is why I’m getting my major in psychology and a minor in women’s studies. I will further my schooling as much as possible to hopefully serve the cause to my best.

Lucy Stone (by Jessy Metayer) Spring 2009

Self Esteem/ Negative Body Image (by Jaede Brereton) Spring 2009

Over the past ten years, body image is a subject that has taken over magazines, talk shows, and news stories alike. It is a subject that always existed but is rarely talked about. During the Third Wave of this movement we call feminism, the correlation between negative body image and low self esteem has surfaced as a major issue that can be looked at as a negative catalyst for a number of personal demons. Everything from abuse, teenage pregnancy, promiscuity to drug and alcohol use can be trickled down to this painful pair. My ‘zine pages reflect the topic of body image both the political and personal aspects.

My personal page is a letter to my thirteen year old self. I am a huge fan of the Oprah Winfrey Show, and I own her 20th anniversary DVD. During one of her segments, she asked several of her celebrity friends to do a special assignment. “Now that you know what you know”, she said, “What advice would you give to your thirteen year old self?” My teenage years were hard. There was plenty of tears, and a strong sense of loneliness. After years of horrible name calling and “jokes” by family members, I lost my sense of self worth. I never had a boyfriend. I wasn’t ever as skinny or as pretty as my friends, and could never look good in the clothes I wanted to. Heck, my family didn’t even think I was anything special. All I needed then was someone to talk to. Someone to be on my side. I don’t think I would exactly change the events of the past, because they made me who I am. But to talk to myself, to remind me of who I am and what I’m worth, is something that I know I would have adored back then.

My political page is about the media’s effect on negative body image and negative self esteem. Most people blame today’s media for these issues. Yes, the media reflects a negative aspect of self. Yes, the media portrays very unrealistic visions of beauty. But I do not think we can put complete blame on those that are in the media. Learning starts in the home. Parents should take the time to mentor their children. Teach them about what true beauty is. In an age when parents are often too busy to pay attention to their children, they put their children in front of the television. Very often, the children are then learning from the television; the negative media. There are even times when parents are even harboring insecurities of their own, like the mothers on my ‘zine page and aren’t aware that they are teaching their children to have these insecurities through nonchalant words and behaviors that do have a catastrophic effect on these children.

My goal is to enlighten. I’m hoping that through expressing my personal experiences and showing people what is happening to our children, that we can improve our sense of worth for the future.

Female Massage Therapist/ Full Body Happy Endings (by Tonya Sias) Spring 2009

I decided to do my zine project on the views of massage therapy and sex. For me, massage therapy does not equal sex but since I have become a massage therapist, I have encountered the problem of being solicited by many men. Not only has this affected me, but also many other female massage therapists. Third wave feminism to me is about a new way of thinking and a progression from the past. Female therapists should not and do not have to be degraded in any way, we are here to promote wellness to all.

My personal zine is about my views on massage therapy and what they entail, mainly the healing aspect. It is a great healing modality that allows people to relax from the everyday stressors of the world. Massage can also heal those who are in pain whether it is from car accidents to illnesses. As you can see from my personal page it shows all that massage has to offer, the positive side of massage.

My political aspect is some of the ways massage has had a bad name. Through the different massage sex parlors to the everyday men who come into the massage settings acting as clients, females face the difficulties of massage and sex every day. Unfortunately I have come to deal with this in many different situations. One in particular is the many men asking for full body massage and happy endings. After doing much research massage in earlier times was mainly in the states considered as sex houses. Men of different age, race and class would visit the parlors for sex. In present times many people including feminists have fought to return massage therapy to the ways the other countries view massage as a healing art. With the closing of three massage practices in our area and the many more that have been closed due to these certain instances it is a continuous fight; a continuous fight that we as women are willing to face.

My point is that third wave feminism is helping many women come together and fight for the rights of equality, not only in the workplace but in everyday life. I am conveying the message that massage is a healing practice and does not have to be attached to the acts of sex. Through education on how to deal in these situations and the closing of practices that offer the wrong type of massage we are fighting for our rights to be treated as professionals doing a job that we love. It was hard for me to differentiate between the personal and the political. The personal is the political when it comes to massage therapy.

Who's the Enemy/ Nature VS. Nurture (by Dustin Piercy) Spring 2009

My personal page is a series of randomly located pictures with corresponding questions for other males that will challenge and stimulate them. As a male raised in the average white, middle-class, suburban community, I was conditioned in many of the same ways that others in the western world have been conditioned. However, I have the cognitive ability to critically question myself and reflect on what is right, something other males need to do too. My zine pages start with a distinction between nature and nurture. This is key because, as seen in the picture comparing male brains with female brains, many males actually believe that they are naturally superior to females in nearly every way, which is completely absurd. As the viewer moves down and around the page, they’ll see pictures that they can understand. Pictures that show how males constantly produce a reputation for themselves (us) as being sexist. The point of this page is to show that until males break from their consistent behavior, we, as a community, will always raise our children to continue our oppressive ways. The connection to the third wave (or any wave for that matter) of feminism is that males must learn to accept females as equal in order to accomplish feminism’s goals.

My political page is a collage of images that represent America and the western world. What the viewer realizes immediately is that all of the things being represented in the images contribute (or have contributed) to the problems that exist in our society. My point of it is to show that with so many enemies, we have to unite in order to fight against them. That’s what the third wave is doing. The third wave of feminism is different from the earlier two because its goal is abstract, equality for all. This allows those other than just white women–like men, the transgendered, ethnic and racial minorities, the lower class, etc.--to join the cause and feel accepted by, and in, feminism. The connection between my political and personal pages is to show people that (in my opinion) males are responsible for all of the problems in our society, and that we will have to take accountability and correct ourselves in order to create a better, equal world.

Birth Control in Politics (by Connor Smith) Spring 2009

I decided to do both my personal and political zine pages on the subject of birth control. In my heart and mind, I have felt birth control and its effects on our gender as controversial and freeing; hated and loved by many, birth control stands out to me as so much more than just a contraceptive. Margaret Sanger was my first hero, next to my mother of course, she inspired not to be held down by a slap on the wrist by a superior, she trudged her way through the disagreeing public and the sinister hateful politics of her time and made birth control available and more importantly made education and information about birth control available for everyone, rich, poor, smart or illiterate, she dedicated her life to helping women and children live better, healthier lives, lives with choices and options.

I personally have a loving relationship with my choice of contraceptive. Birth control has given me freedom to have sex with the person I love without the stress and scares of possible pregnancy. I try not to take it for granted and remind myself how much more difficult it was for my mother and my mother’s mother. When I was 16 my mom decided I was old enough to see a gynecologist and discuss the option of birth control. That day was a big day for my mother, she had thought about it since the doctor told her I was a girl back in 1989. My mom decided to share with her struggles and pain as a young woman my age sitting in an abortion clinic because of an unplanned, unwelcomed pregnancy, and not just that one time but a second time as well when she found out she pregnant after she was raped; years later she went through the disappointment and shame of miscarrying her first few attempts at getting pregnant on purpose because the abortions had caused such damages to reproductive organs. My mom didn’t know how much that day meant to me and how I carry it with me everywhere I go, I was raped and at least I can say thank you to my birth control from saving me a visit to the abortion clinic and sparing me the shame and guilt and stress of being pregnant with my rapists child.
Politically speaking, birth control has been controversial for decades. Surprisingly it has become less controversial in the world of politics and more of crutch they can use to control women. It has been proposed and discussed to dispense birth control to young girls as soon as they start their menstrual cycles in order to control overpopulation and slow down the traffic in abortion clinics. Also in the busy world of politics, global warming has been linked to birth control; a proposed cure for the environmental disaster: dispense birth control and limit population and reproduction to cool of the earth but lowering its number of occupants.

As you can see, birth control just begged me to make a few zine pages about it and make sure I do my best to convey its importance in the world of feminism and in politics.

If Beauty is Only Skin Deep, How Am I Still Employed? / Feminist Digest (by Rachel Bolber) Spring 2009

My personal zine symbolizes how I see the world through my career as a makeup artist. Visually, the picture is split into two equally sized sections. The left half features one side of a beautiful woman’s face, and the right side includes all of the tools utilized to make her look so flawless. Analogous with the course of life, it is all the small things that work together to achieve a final result. Each one of my clients comes to me with different issues to address. Hiding the dark circles under the eyes, making lips appear fuller, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, are a few common requests. Critics may say working in the cosmetic industry leads to vanity, but I strongly disagree. I believe that I utilize the concept of beauty to help others find happiness. Contrastingly, my political zine portrays the evil side of beauty that is a result of a male dominated industry. My “Feminist Digest” zine mimics the media with a hilarious approach to common brainwashing as seen in society.

The industry I belong to is centered on fashion and beauty. Fashion and feminism were traditionally thought of as contradictions, since the premises for beauty is made by men. Third Wave Feminists, however, believe looking beautiful doesn’t mean you are automatically accepting these terms. Page 129 of Manifesta states "What distinguishes one era from the next is what we generate-whether it's music, institutions, or magazines-and how we use what has already been produced.” Third wavers embrace their potential to look and feel gorgeous. This does not mean spending hours in the mirror trying to make yourself look like a new person, but rather admitting the physical features you are unhappy with and addressing them in a sophisticated and fashionable manner.

My personal zine proposes the question, “If beauty is only skin deep, how am I still employed?” Every day at work I challenge the popular notion that good looks have nothing to do with an individual’s personality. Society refuses to admit physical appearance is a great factor in ones internal happiness, but my political zine exaggerates the disappointing results. I encourage all women to educate themselves on the benefits of beauty and skin care. As a makeup artist, I have witnessed complete transformations of body and soul, a new outlook on life, and newly discovered self confidence, all with the help of some blush and mascara.

Stop Staring/ My Life, My Choice (by Michelle Curtiss) Spring 2009

I did my zines on the topic of teenage pregnancy. I chose this as my topic because I have been affected by it in both a political and personal way for the last fourteen years. I was sixteen when I had my first child, and I remember how society treated me during that challenging time. In fact, there are still times today when I tell people I have a fourteen year old and I get looked at just as I did when I was sixteen. People will still focus only on the stigma of having a child at sixteen, never mind the fact that I have had a successful last fourteen years in spite of the many struggles I have had to overcome. Perhaps that was one of the most lasting impressions I have of society during these years is how little support there is for people who make this kind of decision. One thing I still do not understand and frequently question, is the idea of shame that society forces on girls who are going through this type of situation. I used to feel ashamed of my choice when I was younger. I have, however, gotten over that feeling and learned to claim a new feeling instead—a feeling of accomplishment and power in my ability to raise a bright, talented, and contributing member of society. I think the most important feeling I have gained through this whole experience is that of pride -pride in myself and what I have over come, pride in my son and who he is becoming, but most importantly pride in the fact that I know my son is not ashamed of who he is and where he came from. My son is so proud of where we have come from that he helped me with the drawing part of the political zine. The only thing I can think about that is if we were ashamed, then we would never have been able to accomplish this assignment.

One of my primary goals with both my zines was to shake up the attitudes in society that a teen mom will not amount to anything, that she is a failure, or that she needs to be ostracized within a community. I really wanted to show through my poem and the picture that teenagers who get pregnant are still human beings and not someone/something to cast aside. While working on these zines, I researched on the internet this topic of teen pregnancy. It was interesting that I found some websites that offered support for people in this situation. However, the majority of the websites and information that I found dealt with what to do if you found your daughter in this situation and more importantly how to prevent this from happening. After researching these websites, I realized that I was doing the right subject for my zine assignment. I was giving a different voice to an issue that normally only speaks in a negative manner, a voice that shuns girls instead of empowering them.

I think that teenage pregnancies are a Third Wave issue simply because society still stigmatizes people who live through this situation. I will have to say that I think that society has come a far in their acceptance of teen parents compared to when I had my son. My community had such an issue with my pregnancy in 1994 that they kicked me out of school because I was a disgrace to the town. Today, however, most high schools offer programs and child care specifically for girls who have babies. I think that society still has a long way to go before they finally accept this situation for what it is -girls making choices. I believe that until a girl's choice is supported fully by society, her family, her friends, and her community, teen pregnancies will remain a Third Wave issue.

The Truth About Feminism/ The Beauty Ideal (by Huang Tehane) Spring 2009

My first zine page is similar in design to the second, in that there are pictures accompanied by some lines of text that express the way I feel. This page, however, represents more of my personal view towards what feminism is, and what I have learned. For so long, I had a general, stereotyped image of what feminism was. However, now, I have come to understand more about the true meaning. I took images that I believed represented my thoughts of feminism, and to prove the point that feminism still has a long journey ahead.

The second page I created was my political zine page. I focused on an issue that almost every single woman deals with at some point in her life, which is the issue of beauty. Society has always had expectations of what a woman should look like, and made that standard known to all of it’s people. And unless you lived up to these standards, you were not accepted by society. My page consists of me writing a letter to “society”, questioning the meaning of beauty. I also express the desire to just be accepted for who I am. I think that most women feel the way I do, because these standards set forth unto us are all but impossible. I included a few pictures of women throughout history who were considered beautiful during that particular time period, and it becomes apparent how much the times do change. The page is meant to convey that the ideal of beauty is greatly influenced by the times, and that these ideals are merely created by society. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and should be celebrated just the way they are.

I think that these pages relate to the topic of “the personal being political”, because my thoughts and actions of feminism become part of the political battle. It is also the same in reverse. The political becomes personal because whatever political decisions and matters are made will definitely impact our personal lives. This is especially true in our times. For example, the decision about gay marriages, though a political issue, then greatly impacts the personal lives of millions of individuals and couples. The same is true for these people who try to improve their personal lives by making it a political issue in which they fight for. Third wave feminism continues to fight the backlash it faces. These zine pages are excellent ways to help to spread the message and initiate progress and change.

Family Medical Leave Act/ Human Evolution (by Idalia Sevilla) Spring 2009

Should new fathers receive as much Family Medical Leave as new mothers? Searching the web I found a journalism site that debated this topic. Out of 198 votes, 76% said yes they should while a 24% said no. Many of the voters that disagreed had this argument, “As babies sleep up to 18 hours in a day, there is no reason he should have to take off longer than a few days or even a week. But the man does not need to take time off work in order to heal and recover.” The only thing I find true about this argument is that women do need time to heal and recover, more of a reason to have the father home to help you do that. The average recuperating time for a new mother can take up to 6 weeks. During that time you’re exhausted by the little sleep that you get with all the feedings, diaper changes, rocking him/her back to sleep and keeping house. Where can you find the time to relax and heal?

This is where I got the idea for my ‘zine pages. Approaching the end of my pregnancy this semester, my significant other and I began to discuss our leave of absence from work. I committed to taking a full 12 weeks off as this is a new time for both of us and I have enough money saved for the time I’ll be taking off. He will be taking 4 weeks off, and this came after many arguments with his management over the length of time off. It is clear that despite the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), it is still hard for a woman to put her career ahead of a man’s when this type of situation happens. It was socially expectable and easily approved for me to take 12 weeks off, but in no manner would it be okay for him. This is a stereotype, the women puts her career on hold to raise children, which must be broken.

Through exploring the FMLA, the man has equal opportunity by law to take extended unpaid leave. I do not believe this issue is a judicial issue as much as a social issue because the FMLA gives men the equal opportunity to take time off for the birth of his child. I thought the political page I created was a fun way to get my message across. It looks like it’s advertising a Biology class on evolution but if you look closer it’s discussing the importance of men and women taking different acceptable roles. My personal page is more about my growing family and me. I did the calendar because I feel that our time should be shared equally, both together and with our new son. I think that it is extremely difficult for a couple to equally balance a career and family. I wanted to show that our time would be focused on creating that equilibrium. It is clear from my example, given social strains that this is not possible. I added a few mementos of these past 9 months on some of the calendar dates. It has our 1st sonogram, pregnancy announcement, baby shower invite, and a picture of us. The X’s represents his time off in comparison to mine.

I feel that it’s important to change this social view of fathers taking a parental leave. Third wave feminism is more about individual equality between men and women. This is a social issue that is very personal to me and political in its representations of social views. I encourage more companies to give men paid extended leaves for childbirth. I believe that this would encourage mothers to return to work quicker and allow men more time with their children.

YWLP: Young Women's Leadership Program/ Girls Unite!!! (by Deborah Bernacett) Spring 2009

The topic that I choose for my two zine pages was girls; I wanted to show how girls are raised a certain way within our society and then show one program that is trying to give girls a voice.

I was trying to use my political zine page to point out how girls have been gendered. The political page focused more on the toys that girls come into contact with and how girls are gendered at such a young age. Society teaches girls that they should cook, play with babies, and look like a Barbie. Not that doing these things are wrong but girls should be given the option of playing with all toys and not forced to play with female gendered toys. American society takes gendering to a whole new level; just think about when you went to a fast food place when you were younger and they had the girl or boy toys. Usually girls got a small doll and boys would get a race car or a water gun. I thought about all the time that I had wanted to play with the toy cars and how I was stuck with the doll and that is what inspired me to make my political page focus on how toys affect girls.

I linked this page to my personal page which focused on the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP), the program focused on helping young girls think critically. I think that by having girls go through the program they would be able to break away from the social norms of society and that they will be able to decide what they like instead of being gendered. Girls are given the chance to say what they want and think about how to make healthy choices within their life.

The zine pages relate to the third wave because girls are included in the third wave. I like to think of girls as the future of feminism; girls need to be given a voice and be included within the feminist movement. Third wave feminism explains that sex and gender are two different things and is trying to change society from gendering individuals within society.

Working Women/ Stay at Home Dads (by Andrea Mans) Spring 2009

I did my two zines on women working and the breadwinner being the father. My two zines reflect the personal side and the political. My first zine, explains and views the typical image of a stay at home dad, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the children as the mother goes to work with her briefcase. I find it interesting how many American’s find it strange if the woman has a better paying job it just can’t be, she must either take half of her work or not work at all. I feel like the feminism in American start from holding women back from succeeded higher and higher in their career by just staying at stagnant place in their place. As my second zine explain the position of a working mother may lead to other successes. As the political side shows, becoming or even running for president. I saw a lot of feminism act when Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were in the political campaign this year and many more feminist and women alone had a strong hold of women in the government. The male gender is dominating and they want to stay dominating by keeping women down to not succeed and stay with the “tradition”.

I want my zines to reflect in humor how the world view stay at home dads, that woman “can do it” and be successful at it and have a functioning house hold just if the father had worked.

A Pass To Be Sexually Active? (by Gerry L. Gause) Spring 2009

There is a new vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer in women. This is, at first glance, a great thing. Then come the skeptics. This vaccine actually prevents against 2 Human Papilloma viruses (HPV), which are known precursors to cervical cancer and spread only through sexual contact. This vaccine, known as GARDASIL can be given to females between the age of 9 and 26 years old. There the skepticism erupts. Does giving a vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus give girls a “pass” to be sexually active? At what point do we, as parents, step up and parent a teenage girl of the responsibilities of being sexually active? Should the governments’ Centers for Disease Control (CDC) instead step in and make the vaccine a State required vaccine as they do for the Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps or Ruebella vaccine in the State of Florida? These are all issues one has to consider when a new life-saving vaccine enters the picture. One statistic to drive home the importance of cervical cancer awareness is that in 2004,* 11,892 women in the United States were told they had cervical cancer, and 3,850 died from the disease- a disease which in many cases can now be prevented if facts and issues are discussed with all involved persons.

On my political zine page, I want to convey the governments’ involvement in what I believe is a personal matter. Lawmakers in several states are pushing for legislation that supports mandatory vaccination of Gardasil for all females in the public school systems in those states. Already it is mandatory in Texas, where the governor’s chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck (the makers of Gardasil). What a goldmine for Merck, what a raw deal for girls 9 to 25. What do these political heads know about the medical issues? How can they push for this drug to be mandatory, when there is not enough information as to the long-term effects?

Politicians have said that there is an “opt-out provision,” for parents who chose to not have their daughters vaccinated. Yet, as we all know, when it comes to enrolling our child into school we will be told, “Your daughter will not be able to get into school without the required shots.” So we as parents will be “bullied” into making this choice; a choice already made for us.

In the 1990’s it was Hillary Clinton’s book/philosophy that “It takes a village” to raise a child was brought into vogue. Many of today’s “parents” believe it takes ONLY the village to raise the child and they do not need the personal responsibility of raising their child but leave that to the schools and governments, television and internet. If the government, specifically the Center for Disease Control was to make the vaccine mandatory then, again, parents will allow the “Village” to raise their children. By making the vaccine available it allows for discussions at home on sexual activity and its’ meaning and complications.

On my personal zine page, I wanted to reflect my views as a mother of a young female. As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to sit down with my children and be honest with them about the effects that a promiscuous sexual life will lead to. We need to stop hiding behind the “safe sex” banner and candy coating the truth. There’s only one true way to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, like HPV and that is abstaining from sex until marriage. It isn’t just Gardasil that I feel that strongly about. Hep A (a relatively innocuous from of hepatitis) and the vaccine for bacterial meningitis are now available from any healthcare provider. Both seem better suited for a college type atmosphere, when our children are constantly exposed to large groups of strangers. Just because there is a vaccine, it does not mean everyone should take it. There seems to be a logical age progression for these three vaccines. The government does not know my child or her lifestyle. I am the parent, these are decisions better left out of government control.

I want to know, when will they have an HPV vaccine for boys? If HPV could be cured by Viagra, or men got cervical cancer, the political climate regarding this vaccine would be completely different. HPV is not just a “girls” disease. It can be passed between the sexes. Condoms do not totally eradicate the chances of passing on this disease. The best way to prevent it is by abstinence and monogamy. If you only have one partner you pass the same strain to each other and are considered a “closed system.” I think men should be held just as responsible for passing this STD as women. It seems unreal to me to think that parents of 9-year-old boys think their kids would be responsible for any STD, so why should my 9-year-old daughter have to shoulder the responsibility and suffer the side effects of Gardasil.

This vaccine can only protect against 70% of human papilloma viruses. There is no vaccine for the other 30%. Because Gardasil can prevent HPV, those vaccinated have a lesser chance of contracting cervical cancer. Before Gardasil, cervical cancer was detected by yearly Pap smears. Granted, false-positives occur regularly on Pap Smears, but the test is tried and true, whereas the side effects and possible deaths due to Gardasil are still in an experimental phase. There were less than 2000 girls in a clinical study and serious side effects have been reported in the short time it has been on the market. Seizures, loss of consciousness, arthritis, dizziness, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness of the arms and legs, slurred speech, and more. This is not a drug that needs to be pushed on our daughters; it’s a drug that needs more time in the research lab. Who wants to volunteer their 9-year-old daughter to be the latest guinea pig? I know I don’t.

As a parent, it is my own decision regarding what vaccinations my child receives, especially when it comes down to a vaccine that has only been on the market for such a short time. I am not a parent that chooses to NOT vaccinate her child, but I am a parent that wants the right to make the decision as to when and what vaccine my child receives.

The Third Wave Feminism focuses on sexuality as a positive and empowering experience. Through home and education, the woman can become educated in sexual activity and its emotional, physical and societal meanings. It is only then that the woman may come to accept and appreciate her body and the positive and negative results from sexual activity. A government mandated vaccine will not allow such education and “the village” fails to raise a well rounded and inspired individual.

Girl Rock is Not Dead! (by Lauren Gill) Spring 2009

We can all recall the first album we owned, and how we played it until it became part of our blood. We all know those moments in life when something happens and you can pinpoint it to a lyric from a song you heard some time, long ago, and forever associate that summer, that love, or even that feeling of hopelessness to a song that complemented it perfectly. More than that, music spans generations and cultures with no limits on its existence. When a post-war United States decided that it was time to start marketing a teenaged lifestyle and gaining teenaged dollars within this capitalist society, music became something more. It became the religion to the youth culture of America, it served as the doctrine and lyric books replaced the good book. Over time, overarching influences of culture (mainly those of the patriarchal variety which dominate record companies and corporations) found their way into this music, and it is most obvious in the music finding its way onto mainstream radio stations across the U.S.

The Political Page:
I chose to document the underground (and in some cases mainstream) feminist artists and bands who currently exist and thrive (or had quite the dedicated following and whose music is still very relevant today). On my politically themed page, I chose to lucidly lay out the problem. In 2008, a study was conducted in regards to sexism and popular rap music at North Carolina State University. Dr. Michael Cobb, assistant professor of political science, conducted the study along with Dr. Bill Boettcher, associate professor of political science. "Sexism is imbedded in the culture we live in, and hearing rap music can spontaneously activate pre-existing awareness of sexist beliefs," Cobb says. While it is not proven that it will inspire someone to spontaneously become sexist, there are many types of music played on mainstream music that will nurse sexist belief systems and make others feel that it is okay. Besides the obvious offender of rap with its world of video hos and the objectification of women, many female musicians showcased on popular radio are less than favorable in regards to female empowerment. Acts like The Pussycat Dolls (a watered down group of “singers” basically removed from the stage of a “Gentlemen’s” club) seem to be more concerned with showcasing their bodies and calling out other females in their radio hits. It is not uncommon to hear an r&b or pop song by a female causing problems with other women, or involving two women fighting over a man. This especially became an issue of interest to me when I became acquainted with Katy Perry this past year. Whether she’s pushing gender roles to the masses and calling her ex-boyfriend “gay” as an insult or explaining that she will kiss a girl (but it’s just curiosity!) provided the men around her think it’s arousing. With the ‘zine page, I listed out artists by genre to show that there really are artists in existence to support that provide great beats to dance to or hooks to sing along with, without supporting artists with suspicious, sexist, or otherwise immature content.

The music industry relates to feminism because it has been a facet since the 60s with artists like Joan Baez, Loretta Lynn, and Aretha Franklin releasing music around the time of the second wave’s open demonstrations. There were women who considered Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” their personal theme music. Additionally, within feminism, music had a weight with both second and third wave women. The second wave had its female rockers and girl groups of the 50s, 60s, and 70s who were not hesitant to give a kiss off to men or sing about birth control. The third wave had the Riot Grrrl movement around the time of its inception and many folk and indie rock artists today still propagate similar feminist ideals. One of the more recent music genres, queercore, is a fusion of humanism and feminism in lyrical form and are carrying the ever-expanding third wave to different places musically, moving away from punk rock aggression and toward equality for everyone.

The Personal Page:
The personal page is mostly self-explanatory and depicts the kind of environment I grew up in and how feminist music introduced me to empowering concepts during a very vulnerable age for a young girl. Without the music, it is very likely that I would not have considered myself a strong girl at the time and I may have looked for validation or comfort in other areas that those around me sought after. Ani Difranco in particular also inspired me to look into women’s issues at a young age, and understand sexism before it fully affected me, better arming me for the fights I would encounter later. She also inspired me to begin writing poetry which served as an amazing outlet during a point in my adolescence where I felt confused and burdened and needed a way to express myself. Also, as a girl who physically matured at 13 and encountered many questionable attempted sexual advances, I already knew my limits and what I deserved and would not take at an age where girls are still getting used to their bodies and could otherwise give in due to the early inundation of sexuality in our culture, especially through the music industry and pop stars. Lastly, feminist music made me comfortable with my sexual preferences and identity in a time when I felt like an outsider due to my attractions.

Connecting the Two:
The personal and the political were ultimately connected in this issue because music is bigger than religion to teenagers and young adults. When the Beatles joked about being bigger than Jesus, they were not far off because music simply has that power over youth culture. If feminist-minded individuals used their consumer power to put feminist music on the radio, perhaps we could better nurse a more equality-driven youth culture, change young males ideas of sex and aggression and allow young women to find validation in other things besides the use of their bodies. It helped me escape a cycle, and I am sure it could help others.

Starving to Fit In (by Nicole Beleck) Spring 2009

Political:
For my political zine page I tried to think of an issue I felt strongly about. The first that came to mind were the contradictions that as one of the richest nations in the world we still have people that are starving, and then we have people that are starving themselves in the name of beauty. I find both to be serious facts of our society that do require action. Even though, fundamentally, both are about starving each has different causes, and thus solutions. In our society of plenty no one should be starving because of the beauty ideal or the acceptable standards of living.

Personal:
As for my personal zine page I tried to look at how my self-image and self-identity intertwined. What I found was a contradiction. To fit into society’s mainstreams I have to fit a certain beauty ideal, one that demands that I be physically underweight. So, the choice comes down, do I be unhealthy to fit in, or do I be maintain a healthy weight and be seen as less desirable? I tried to present this using the scientific data of the Body Mass Index (BMI) to make a point about what is actually considered healthy and what is considered underweight. I had read a book called Mad, Bad, Sad: Women and the Mind Doctors, and it presented some examples throughout history of female sex symbols and what their BMI’s were. Marilyn Monroe, one of the most desirable women of her time, maintained a normal weight, while current Playboy centerfolds are generally underweight. I truly think that Monroe would not make it in today’s model industry. The Body Mass Index has not changed, but what is considered the ideal has. This is really a distorted notion to have, and one that I think most girls have had to fight with. That being the case, I think it is a crucial notion to consider.

Overall:
The fact that my both my personal and political pages touch on eating disorders emphasizes that the political is indeed personal. Now I have never gone so far that I would say that I have an eating disorder, but like most women weight and image are something that I think about. I think that this is a problem that the Third Wave has to address because something is making women feel this way. Even beyond that, the fact that 90% of people with eating disorders are women makes eating disorders a woman’s issue. One of the biggest culprits in spreading the unattainable beauty ideal is the media. I tried to play on this in my zine pages by incorporating materials that I found in the Sunday newspaper. In both pages I played on the thinness of models that are being used to sell products by distorting the images that I was presented. The media is full of misinformation, so one way I tried to counter this in my zine pages was to present scientific or statistical facts that help make my points. Overall, I think that my zine pages are a representation of myself and the Third Wave.

The Beauty Ideal: The Personal is Political (by Marci Hendrix) Spring 2009

I did my zine project on the beauty ideal. The beauty ideal is an issue that is both political and personal. Our American society has made it virtually impossible for a woman to be “beautiful”. When the beauty ideal is a size 0, perfect breasts, teeth, and skin, an average woman can not compare. We have made this ideal so unattainable that those we believe fit that criteria, can’t even match up. Not only do movie stars, and models get paid to be beautiful, but they have herds of people catering to their every need to make sure they are camera ready at all times. Even when there is an imperfection that can not simply be covered with makeup, they do not fret, all they need is a little digital touchup.

The message I am trying to convey in my zine as it relates to the personal, it that I am a real woman. Just like the millions of women in the world I am not perfect, nor do I wish to be. Perfection comes at a high price, one I am not willing to pay. Our definition of beauty needs to be redefined; we do not look for beauty in the right place. Our society had such a superficial view on beauty, evaluating only on the outward appearance, but true beauty lies within a person. For generations women have grown up playing with Barbie dolls, desiring to look like them. But, unless we create a machine that pops us out perfect and plastic, this dream is unattainable. Just like most women out there, I juggle school, work, and the responsibilities of home. So if I do not feel like doing my hair, putting makeup on, and eat ice cream I do not want to be judged for it. I am proud to say that I am a feminist, and feminism is the idea that women are actually people, we are not just an object to be torn apart and assessed on an unattainable scale.

On the political page I am trying to convey that in the simplest of terms, the beauty ideal is political. What I mean is that you do not have to dive deep into politics to relate to this issue. It was a proud moment for women all over this country to see a female presidential nominee and vice presidential nominee. But, the glory was short lived; it did not take long for the women to be “sized up”. Hillary Clinton was criticized for not looking feminine enough, sticking to pant suits in monotone colors. On the cover of magazines there were fashion show-downs of Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Cindy McCain. Stories everywhere were popping up about how much these women were spending on their clothing. Sarah Palin was criticized for being nothing more than a pretty face, and was attacked about her experience. It was obvious that the beauty ideal played greatly in this election, there was more rage about how the women looked than what was being said. These women had the perfect opportunity to stand up for women everywhere and not conform to the beauty ideal, but it became political. Instead of denouncing the criticism about her femininity Hillary Clinton brightened up her makeup and wardrobe. Sex sells and we even see that playing out in the political scene.

The Third Wave has made great progress in trying to break down this beauty ideal. We have said enough is enough and taken on campaigns to show real women, and real beauty. The Third Wave has said it is ok to be lesbian; it is ok to be big, which breaks the beauty deal. The Third Wave has produced magazines like “Bust”, which no longer have perfect models on the cover, but real women and real issues. Magazines like this are not looking to the advertisements of beauty products to keep them in print. We have achieved a lot in this Wave, but the beauty ideal still needs to be broken down. Society has to stop viewing women as a sex object, but as strong, beautiful women inside and out.

Gay Marriage: The Personal is Political (by Jessica Osborn) Spring 2009

The zine I created takes a harsh look at how everything political is personal. Beginning with the recognition of individuals who try to suggest that the two are not linked, I try to create a dialogue which shows that that is clearly not the case. By speaking from my own voice, I am trying to show how much it matters considering that I am silenced by mainstream society. On the 'personal" page, the first page, I try to remind readers of the struggles a gay individual faces and make my main statement: For me, the government's laws which discriminate against me, the political, is very personal. On the second page, the "political" page, I give examples of how the laws of Florida, specifically, are full of nothing but discrimination. This is symbolized by the "x"s and the check mark. Overall, I would hope that these pages would encourage readers and viewers to take a moment and reflect on the tremendous amount of power lawmakers have over our happiness and satisfaction with life, which is very personal.

This zine relates to Third Wave Feminism because it represents a different type of female than just the white, middle-class. It aims to work towards the equality of gay individuals, men and women, because equality is something Third Wavers want to see given to all citizens.

And The Oscar Goes To/ Depression (by Heather Valmy) Spring2009

My personal zine page is about women affected by depression. There are so many health issues that affect women more than men. This particular issue has affected me and the women in my family. My goal with this page was to highlight the importance of this problem that often goes overlooked. I think when many people think of “women's health” they think mainly about reproductive health or diseases only affecting the body but rarely is mental health considered a forefront issue and research for treatment is not where it could or should be.

Although the disease of depression dates back to antiquity most of the medical and therapeutic advancements have happened over the past 20 years. There have also been many advancements for women pretty much along the same time line. It has also been argued that perhaps the advancements for treating depression has come out of necessity of more unhappy people, specifically women, and that perhaps they are more unhappy due to feminism itself. The argument is that marriage and family were things that would make a woman happy and the advancements of feminism is the culprit to the large numbers of melancholy females. Now that women frequent the workplace, can have abortions and don't have to be stay at home moms any more they supposedly have more to stress about which makes them depressed. If that was true than wouldn't the numbers be switched around? Wouldn't men be the ones predominantly suffering this sadness?

During my research one statistic hit me hard, it said more than half the population believe depression is a personal weakness, once again, showing that people indirectly think women are the weaker sex. I have been struggling with this disorder for 6 years. I wish I could put people in my shoes to endure it for just an hour when I'm at my worst. Women however are twice as likely to seek treatment for depression than men. Is that weak?

I chose to put the lyrics to the Fiona Apple song “Sullen Girl”. As I'd mentioned in discussions I was always a huge fan of hers and part of it was because I felt like there was another artistic yet troubled woman that understood what it was like to feel a deep sadness and yet make a beautiful song inspired by darkness.

My political zine page is on female film directors. As a student minoring in film, it bothers me how few of these female artists go unrecognized, most notably in the U.S. The “politics” of the film industry unfortunately has the odds stacked against women. I chose to put pictures of some very talented women directors (Sofia Coppola,Jane Campion, Kimberly Peirce and Loveleen Tanden) whose work proved Oscar-worthy but never quite got them the personal recognition they deserved. I also wrote a couple of paragraphs speculating on why I think this is so (also based on some research).

While my two pages aren't closely related I do think they both address issues in Third Wave Feminism. We bring up issues like body image and how it affects women and I think it is something that is definitely linked to the high number of depressed women, sure we have rights now but the media won't allow us to enjoy them unless we look a certain way. Depression is caused and manifested in many ways. I chose to use song lyrics to show the importance, both to me and women everywhere, of women-made art. There is a certain kinship we feel despite not knowing each other personally. This relates to my political zine page because if not enough women are allowed to make movies (a form of art we can all relate to in our daily lives) than the messages in them will continue to be patriarchal and the woman to woman connection is lost.