Take that, American Apparel!

This Is What A Real Woman Looks Like

Everyone should check out this awesome video our "Women In Pop Culture" classmates made about body image and the media. Head over to our professor Melanie Klein's post about the project on Feminist Fatale  if you like what you see!

National HIV Testing Day

Did you know that today is National HIV Testing Day? Oh really, you didn't? That's alright -- Simply enter your zip code here to find a testing center near you! 

Don't think you need to get tested because you aren't gay/haven't had many sexual partners/feel invincible? Think again. Our generation has grown up with a lot of myths about HIV and AIDS and it's about time we correct them. Heather Corinna at Scarleteen's got my back here, debunking crazy claims like "HIV/AIDS isn't a real problem anymore now that we have better drugs to deal with it" and "HIV/AIDS is only a real problem in Africa" left and right. Go check out what she has to say on the matter. You might learn something that'll save your life. 

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Are you Nasty and Inappropriate or Sexy?

I interviewed multiple students at Santa Monica College to get their feedback on what they thought if the opposite sex has passed gas in their presence. Not only about farts, I also asked them questions about what they find appealing or attractive of the sex that they are normally attracted to. I make a little video about the purpose of making this post.

My Post 1

My Post 2

My Post 3

Although Kardale’s answer was a bit upsetting, there were other responses that brought joy to my face.

Alejandro’s Response

Now, I know that some of you may have lasted though the day and had to hold your farts in right? Well, did you know that you are at the risk of getting hemorrhoids? This is only possible because the more the anal increases in frequent contractions, it creates pressure and decrease blood flow to that specific area.

So please, push that fart out because it’s healthy for you. Which is why I’m writing this to everyone. Flatulence should not be perceived as abnormal and disgusting. Yeah, the smell may be terrible, but at least our farts are not accumulating to the air pollution. I mean would you rather smell a cigarette or fart?

Attraction also brought some interesting response. I like Zweli’s answer with the fart question but when he began describing what make him attractive to another woman, it just seemed like he was objectifying all women that he dates or would like to date.

But my favorite response was Alejandro’s.

I fucking loved this one because it took him forever to figure out what he found unattractive about a women/girl. I mean geez, I wish there to be more gentlemen like Alejandro.

Veronica

So I guess what I’m trying to make you understand is that no matter what color, shape, or form you are, everyone should accept what you already have because humans are precious beings. No matter if you fart a lot of have other bodily functions, everyone should treat you with respect and no discriminating of any kind.

Young Activism...

There are plenty of young activists around the globe, and there are also plenty of young feminist activists. One movement that stands out to me, that I really enjoyed learning about, was the 1970's movement.

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Body Image: A Personal Story

Video blog and text after the jump! I thought I'd change things up a little.
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This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me

 A few months ago, the University of Pennsylvania had a showing of one of my favorite anti-rape campaigns: This Is Not An Invitation to Rape Me. Started in 1993 by Charles Hall in response to a friend's rape, dozens of artists have contributed over the years to the creating and disseminating of these images throughout the United States and the rest of the world. According to the official website,

The campaign has been featured in Playboy, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, Paper Magazine, French Photo, Der Spiegel, Elle, Vibe, George and many other publications. It has also been featured on websites like Feministing.com, Thecurvature.com. and Protectthehuman.com and numerous blogs.  The work has been used by The Los Angeles Commission On Assaults Against Women (LACAAW now Peace Over Violence), California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) and Rape Crisis Scotland.  The work has been used in Cal State Northridge's Freshman Orientation Program and exhibited at U.C.L.A's Kershkoff Hall Gallery and Kansas University.

 The following are some of my favorite images from the campaign.
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