Fuck You, I Like My UGGs

Gotta love 'em.

I’m really tired of people judging me because I wear UGGs. Screw you and your dumb stereotypes. I’m sick of being grouped in with snobby girls who use Daddy’s credit card to buy this season’s fashionable pair of Australia’s finest shoe.

My parents work hard to earn some extra cash for Christmastime when my siblings and I each get one big gift to unwrap from “Santa.” One year, my big gift were a pair of short, brown UGGs. I don’t think I’m entitled because I choose to wear these expensive shoes—I don’t really think much about it at all.

It probably hasn’t occurred to some of you yet, but not everyone who owns a pair of these cozy shoes wears them during the summer months with a denim skirt. Some of us actually wear them for warmth and comfort. Crazy, huh?

Words o’ Wisdom: Jerkin’ Wednesday Edition

 

Just a couple of Jerks.

“Some people have a way about them that seems to say: “If I have only one life to live, let me live it as a jerk.” 

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

 

Let the Compliments ‘Commence’

COMMENCEMENT by J. Courtney Sullivan was one of my favorite reads of the summer. This brilliantly written novel takes place at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and chronicles the friendships between four very spunky and distinctive girls.

To quote Sullivan’s website, “ It is a fascinating portrait of the first generation of women who have all the choices in the world, but no clear idea about which choices to make.”

Our leading ladies, Celia, Bree, Sally, and April, explore their Smith experiences quite differently. The main common ground between these Smithies is their friendships with each other.

Courtney Sullivan excellently depicts the trials and tribulations of the relationships between four great friends with contrasting personalities. She also addresses many rumors and stereotypes that coincide with single sex education. Girl-on-girl hook ups and even long-term lesbian relationships exist in Commencement—and it sheds light on individual situations for the readers.

Anyone can pick up a copy of this wondrous work of fiction in Barnes and Noble, readers don’t have to schlep into random “underground” bookstores to delve into the lives of Celia, Bree, Sally, and April. It’s an enjoyable read that doesn’t require any effort to comprehend; yet it is thought provoking enough to make you think anyway.

Over the summer, the New York Times gave Ms. Sullivan a glowing review, as did popular activist blog, feministing.com. If you can’t find a copy in any local bookstore check it out ASAP on amazon.com!

Kudos to Ms. Sullivan on a fantastic (and her first) novel—hopefully we will see many more coming our way!

Read the first chapter for free here.

~Krystie Yandoli

Getting Drunk off Cleanliness…?

Careful, too much of this or you'll have a hang over the next day.

Most weekends on college campuses consist of drunken antics and inebriated decision making. According to Emily Kaiser’s blog post on citypages.com, people are now getting drunk off of hand sanitizer. Seriously.

Apparently children are swallowing enough of this stuff to get legally drunk. There are some serious issues that arise out of this–the fear of poisoning being the main concern. Aside from these “sober” issues, it’s pretty messed up that these kids are even capable of getting their hands on enough Purell to intoxicate themselves.

If you think about it, it’s pretty funny. As long as it’s not happening to you.

Call poison control if you’re in need of some further assistance: 1-800-222-1222.

~Krystie Yandoli

DON’T Observe

I know this isn’t exactly political, but I HAVE to write about it.

Last week I saw Observe and Report with my boyfriend for his birthday. Neither of us was pleased with the overall quality of the movie, its rare moments of laughter, nor its racism, sexism, and homophobia running rampant throughout the whole script. Now, I may not study film at Cornell like he does, but I do know a thing or two about political correctness and when a line is crossed. Observe and Report really crossed that line.

Gross....

I could continue on and analyze quite possible every single line in this “film,” but instead I’ll concentrate on the oh-so controversial “date rape” scene. That’s right, you’re not going blind; I said date rape.

Seth Rogen’s character has sex with his desired female while she remains unconscious from her countless shots of tequila. He lays on top her, repeatedly having sex, while her head hangs to the side with her eyes shut.

It was this moment in the movie that sparked the loudest laughter from the rest of the audience, and the most uncomfortable feeling for me.

New Afghan Law: Husbands are Legally Allowed to Rape Wives

Veiled Women of Afghanistan

Here’s a real life example of a serious FML moment: Afghanistan just passed legislation stating that men can rape their wives. Unfortunately, this is true, and the world we live in is still under the impression that women aren’t qualified enough to have their human rights protected. FML, FML, FML! (Sadly, this statement can be taken literally.)

This law obviously sabotages progress made in the women’s rights division after the fall of the Taliban’s regime. Its intention is to “regulate family life inside Afghanistan’s Shiite community.” It doesn’t affect Afghan Sunnis.

Article 132 of the law says, “As long as the husband is not traveling, he has the right to have sexual intercourse with his wife every fourth night. Unless the wife is ill or has any kind of illness that intercourse could aggravate, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband.”

The National Equal Rights Party and 2008 Election

In the spirit of women’s history month I’m going to discuss one more throwback issue: The National Equal Rights Party of 1884. Ever heard of it? Yeah, me neither. That is, until my history of women’s suffrage class this semester. Apparently Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin weren’t the first females to be taken seriously in a U.S. Presidential election.

This was the first woman to run for U.S. president...

M.J. Gage, Lizzy Stanton, and Suzie Anthony all supported this party, as did the rest of the suffragists. Presidential candidate Belva A. Lockwood and Vice Presidential candidate Marietta Stow were involved in the first serious national campaign that included women.

It bothers me that I was 19-years-old when I learned this crucial part of American history. It bothers me that it’s not public knowledge and universally known. I wish I was wrong, and I wish more people were aware of this historical moment, but they’re not. I’d like to know why this is something conveniently left out of mainstream curriculum?

I am especially perturbed that this valuable piece of information was not brought to my attention, or anyone else’s for that matter, during the Presidential election of 2008. There was a truckload of buzz about Clinton and Palin being the first serious potential female candidates to be elected into the White House. This lack of news credibility thanks to the media only furthered this political myth. Yet again, the media played a role in shaping our thoughts and ideas on a critical issue.

A Champion Lost in History

Women's History Month, know it, celebrate it...

In the spirit of discussion about gender, politics, and women’s history month, I thought a throwback to the birth of it all would be appropriate. If you think ya’ll know the truth about the women’s suffrage movement, I’m about to school you.

This semester I made one of the best decisions of my life—accidentally. In order to fulfill a requirement for my Women’s Studies major as well as my Honors core, I enrolled in WSP 200: The History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement through Matilda Joslyn Gage. It appealed to me from the start, but I had no idea I was going to be learning about such fascinating details of the women’s suffrage movement that I was completely unaware of.

I was unaware because they were intentionally left out of our history books. What’s even more shocking is the fact that women are responsible for this. WOMEN! Wouldn’t you assume that such a historical struggle would cause great closeness between the primary individuals involved? Although it’s wishful thinking, it’s NOT the case.

Matilda Joslyn Gage was a female suffragist who was a part of a close friendship trio between herself, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. The three were an unstoppable combination when it came to “fighting the man.” They wrote editorials, created political parties, and organized an entire movement that eventually led to my ability to vote in the 2008 Presidential election.

Limbaugh Appeals to Females aka his Oppressed Listeners? WTF?!

Girls, if this doesn't disgust you, you disgust me...

Apparently I’m not representing all females when I say Rush Limbaugh is truly a butthead. The “King” of conservative media recently announced he was conducting a poll of how to appeal to more women listeners on his radio show. After taking a couple of previous polls, it was discovered that only 37% of women dig El Rushbo (the Man’s nickname for himself).

Yes the number is small, but percentages are still percentages, and 37% of women DIG El Rushbo. So, for heaven’s sake–what’s the deal? WHY?!

After endless research and reading countless articles, editorials, and blogs, I still couldn’t come up with any reasons why any woman in her sane mind would like him. I also couldn’t find any previously written articles exploring this idea. All I could find are people babbling about why women do hate him (shocking, I know).

I eventually decided I didn’t have many options left, so I consulted with my spring break crew, my 19-year-old male cousin and 75-year-old grandparents. What are any possible reasons why women like good ol’ Rushy?

Michelle Obama Rockin’ the White House

Clearly, someone thinks she's got style...

The Obama family has already started to shake things up in Washington, and I am especially looking forward to what Michelle Obama does differently from past First Ladies. It’s finally time for, what’s the cliché? Change! (Yeah, I drink the kool-aid).

With about 35 official days in office, there is much talk about what kind of progress Mrs. Obama is going to achieve. Here are five reasons why I think Michelle will rock the White House no matter what she decides to pursue:

1. Her education. After graduating as salutatorian from her high school, Michelle Obama received her B.A. degree from Princeton University where she also graduated cum laude. She majored in sociology and minored in African American studies before moving onto Harvard Law School. What up now, haters?