If we can handle childbirth we can handle mosh pits.

Could someone do me the favor of locating the source of the notion that females are somehow incapable of moshing? I should not be subjected to comments such as “Not to be sexist, but girl, are you okay? or “Wow, you’re one tough cookie” whenever I attend a Japandroids or Joyce Manor show. Gentle reminder: the female body was designed for childbearing. We can physically hold our own at concerts.

I have long ago grown sick and tired of finding myself entangled in a pit surrounded by men, wondering where all the women are, only to realize majority of them are standing far behind me, increasingly distancing themselves from the stage. I encourage all you women who enjoy such events to put a halt to this male domination. Share the experience amongst us hormonal, commonly intoxicated, and highly excitable young people in the glory that is high contact.

Male, it's beautiful too.

Western society's obsession with painting women as self-conscious and dependent upon male attention for self confidence has somehow translated to completely forgetting the fact that males too would benefit from being credited as beautiful.

You are all familiar with the scene. A woman gets all dressed up for some fancy evening event, her significant other’s jaw drops, and he tells her how beautiful she looks. When a guy picks up his date he compliments her on how freakin’ gorgeous she looks tonight. Now, I have never been a male before, but I’m just guessing that maybe they’d like to be called beautiful every once in awhile as well. Perhaps, men would enjoy some recognition when they go the extra mile. 

If women feel glorious when their male lovers remind them of their physical attractiveness, why would men be exempt from the potential confidence boost? Are males so overflowing with self esteem that they'd simply scuff at such a suggestion? You don't need to be lacking in self confidence to reap the benefits of kind words. Furthermore, don’t forget to tell yourself how stellar you are either. Regardless of your relationship status you don’t need anyone else’s commentary to feel great.

Aborting Pro-Life Ideaology

The abortion debate is old, and has long ago went stale. It's not fresh nor would I ever cast it as such, but because some crazy folk enjoy arguing already settled, sealed n' dealed debates I have decided to devote a post to the topic. 

In order to justify such the notion of outlawing abortion, as a nation, we would need to completely exterminate lack of access to contraception, lack of contraceptive education, outlaw abstinence only sex education, have a massive sexual education reform, rid the world of all forms of sexual violence, exterminate all religious and spiritual beliefs that don’t adhere to this point of view, but that’s just naming a few.

And, if we do outlaw abortion, it's not like the act of terminating pregnancies is going to vanish. So then, who gets reprimanded for illegal abortion? Is it the abortionist or the woman who is brave and selfless enough to know she's unfit to go through with the pregnancy? Do we throw them all in jail? Americans love throwing people in jail, especially women of non violent crimes. That seems to be a reoccurring way for the government to “solve” social “ills” in this country. Sky high unemployment? A way to uphold white male privilege and the new racism? Newsflash, throwing people in jail for these acts is more "immoral" than abortion is and will ever be. Prison reform now anyone? Furthermore, by making abortion illegal you are cutting women off from safe abortion practices. Does the desire to terminate a pregnancy mean one deserves infection, infertility, or to bleed to death in an alleyway? 

Do you think women enjoy abortions? It’s not like everyone is running around eagerly awaiting to abort fetuses. It’s a option because one acknowledges they would be unfit, for whatever reason, to complete the pregnancy or birth of a child. So, if a woman can't decide whether or not she wants to go through with a pregnancy, have something develop inside her, give birth, who's decision is it? Simply put, if a woman doesn't own the rights to her own body, who does? The U.S.government?

Making abortion illegal is just another way to demonize women in general. Do some research before you decide to try to defend your paradoxical opinion. Try explaining to a rape victim, a mother already struggling to provide for her preexisting children, a high school student, women with no access to birth control or no education on how to properly use and obtain various forms of contraceptives, or hm, AN ENTIRE BIOLOGICAL SEX that they don’t have the right to their own bodies, and thus in the process, their own lives.

High End Designers, Low End Ideas: Beauty Sadomasochism.

My reason for refraining from wearing designer perfume is more calculated than the expensive price tag.

I have a problem with images that suggest all women like to be controlled by men, bound with leather, held by the neck, and dragged by their hair. I have a problem with anything that equates male dominance and female submissiveness to something that's sexy. Since when is violence synonymous with love and affection? Sexual violence is not stylish or erotic. Moreover, nothing that tarnishes the credibility of sexual violence survivors should be used as a marketing ploy.

I refuse to support designers who perpetuate a glorified rape culture with their print advertisement’s images reminiscent of gang rapes. Note how the woman has been broken down into fragments, her single exposed leg symbolizing her desirability, whereas the entirely of the males’ bodies can be seen. The surrounding men gaze upon her like lions surveying a decaying carcass.

I have a serious issue with the image above and see a direct correlation between such advertisements and the fact that according to a recent UCLA College Survey, 30% of college men (58% when “rape” was replaced with “force a woman into having sex”) would commit rape if they knew it would go unreported.

So, why do consumers, both female and male accept these types of advertisements? If we, as consumers, have allowed such images to be printed, what's preventing us from becoming the voice for change? That is, why can’t we voice our discontent, rise up with fists, and let these brands know that if they want our business they’re going to need to develop a new marketing approach.

Shutting the doors to the dragon & his demon offspring.

I wholeheartedly apologize for my recent abrupt and unannounced hiatus. For those of you who may be wondering, where the fuck was she? I have been meandering about amidst the future Sylvia Plaths of the world practicing the value of serenity, learning that vulnerability is not only a sign of humanness, but strength, etcetera, etcetera; somewhere where people who frown too often become convinced that happiness is not a sign of weakness. A place that forces people who haven't been themselves for quite some time to awaken from their dreamy facade and swallow the nightmare, whole. Anyways, enough of that sappy personal shit no one gives a damn about.

Do you even realize what you're saying? Do you even care?

Can your parents look at you without feeling they have completely failed you? Do your enlightened friends tip-toe around the subject, as if you’re now a piece of glass that may shatter at the slightest touch? Is there a thick brick wall between you and the world so that no matter what you say, it’s always a foreign language?

Did it steal your childhood innocence away in a matter of minutes? Did a car drive by and not even stop? When girls cackle about their “first time” and “OMG, my V-Card” do they fail to see the irony when you spit, “I still can’t ride a bicycle.”

Do you hate yourself for thinking somehow it was your fault? Do you sometimes feel guilty as if you made the wrong decision only to feel guiltier for ever blaming yourself? Do the scars remain as permanent physical evidence of the tragic endeavor? Did he laugh as you squirmed under the wide pan of his stomach?

Was it literally stolen from you? Is your body nothing but a source of pain? Are their particular movements, hues, sounds, anything that can send the whole act replaying in your mind? Do certain scenes spin around and around in your mind like a carousel? Does the spinning never stop? Are you always always always dizzy with memories? Do you play music so fucking loud when you’re in the shower so no one can hear you screaming? Do you abrade your own flesh until you bleed in the thought that maybe; just maybe, you can somehow bleed it all away? Is their a constant film of disgust daubed about your being? Are you in a perpetual fight with your body because you feel like you have failed it? Are you obligated to tell anyone who touches you, both now and in the future?

Oh, what’s that? Yeah, I didn’t think so. I guess your finals didn’t “rape” you. I suppose your team’s big lost was not equivalent to being “raped.” When your teacher accidently bumps into you in the hallway he is not “practically raping” you. Rape is not an expression or hyperbole, it actually exists and happens, to real people, all the time.

Bella, the worst thing for the advancement of women this decade.

Alright, alright perhaps America's Twilight craze has come to an end, but that does not excuse the fact that the series has sold more than 85 million copies worldwide or occupied the top of USA Today's bestseller list for the entire year of 2008.

Unlike other phenomenon book series, Meyer's series does not appeal to a large demographic. If you don't believe me, how many teenage boys or college grads do you know who'd wear merchandise stamped with sayings such as "I (heart) Jacob" or "Team Edward"? Within Meyer's stories, the female characters are portrayed as mere girls. They're naive and codependent. They attend strictly all girl slumber parties. However, the male characters, with their alluring muscles, courage, and testosterone-driven male aggression are clearly much more than boys; they're men. Not surprisingly, Jacob and Edward's characters drive the story from beginning to end. With whom will Bella live happily ever after? Oh, the agony of anticipation! 

So, what's the appeal of such a series? In a culture where oral sex is as casual as a high five and one night stands are preferred over commitment Bella's chastity and dependence on the men in her life reads as romantic in comparison. Young female readers drool over those handsome men and are not threatened by Bella, who instead of being class president or the next Mila Kunis, is an simple yet relatable girl who occasionally nibbles on Pop-Tarts.

Everyone loves a sappy romance story.