Think Before You Pink

The CU Bookstore’s display of Breast Cancer Awareness items. (Photo taken by Trinity Clark)

It’s that time of the year again: Kentucky Fried Chicken rolls out their “Buckets for the Cure,” Tic Tacs are pink grapefruit flavored and NFL players dawn pink gloves, towels and shoes. Pink ribbon products are everywhere during October, which is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month – but are we actually supporting those who are fighting against breast cancer by purchasing them? 

Even the CU Bookstore is getting in on the trend. Last week, shirts with the iconic pink ribbon and “GO, FIGHT, WIN BUFFS” were for sale, alongside pink and black ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ spirit beads, CU branded pink ribbon temporary tattoos and ‘Ralphie Breast Cancer Snapbacks.’ I’m not one to pass on cute CU gear, especially for a cause, so I decided to pick up a shirt.

“The proceeds from this go to charity, right?” I asked the cashier, who was wearing a pink ribbon on her collar.

Neither the cashier nor her co-workers had any idea. After a couple minutes, a random employee reassured me that anything sold with the iconic symbol was required to donate proceeds to breast cancer charities like Susan G. Komen.

I made a few calls, and a week later, got a definitive answer. According to Madison, an upper-managerial staff member at the bookstore, none of the money they make goes into cancer research or breast cancer related activities, not even on the ribboned products.

The University Book Store is not alone in using Breast Cancer Awareness month to their benefit. Even when companies do donate some of their profits to charity and research, the companies are still looking at gigantic profits. Look at the NFL. Their Go Pink campaign has fans buying overpriced gear like $80 hoodies, when only 10 percent of the proceeds go to any foundation. $8  from the profits are donated, sure, but the rest goes right into their pockets.

A pink ribbon means nothing, except that the company is maximizing on the deadly disease for profit. The symbol has widely come to represent corporate greed, marketing strategy and exploitation of the women it’s supposed to be supporting. Commercializing their battle against breast cancer with merchandise has trivialized the issue.

Though we say we know how severe breast cancer can be, it’s often marketed in a very light-hearted way. For instance, the ‘Save the Ta-Ta’s’ campaign was created “as a way to fight breast cancer using laughter and fun.”

In reality, there’s no degree of cheerfulness that can help. The campaign diminishes the struggles of people who’ve experienced the disease, who have suffered from harsh treatments or even died from it. It’s an injustice to their friends and family who underwent extreme heartbreak and mourning.

Now if the goal of these products was simply to raise awareness to the existence of breast cancer, it would be a done deal. I think we all know it exists, but do we all know what the symptoms look like or where and when to get mammograms? I’m not sure the American public knows that it can affect women of any age. It can even happen to men.

If you would like to do something to help, resist the urge to pick up any pink ribbon merchandise. Instead, donate directly to charities like National Breast Cancer Foundation, or Planned Parenthood, who are dedicated to helping those affected by breast cancer and providing life-saving services to those who need them.

This author’s piece can be viewed at CUIndependent.com

Women & Buffs Show Support for Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders

I have justifiably begun to “feel the Bern” for 2016 Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

His revolutionary grassroots campaign has united members across party lines and diverse walks of life. However, some skeptics are asking if an openly-socialist independent truly has a chance in the upcoming election.  Yet the creation of a student club, Buffs for Bernie, along with his visit to Boulder this past October, shows that Bernie as President is in the realm of possibility.

However, you wouldn’t be able to tell it outright. The media’s coverage of Bernie Sanders is lacking comparably to others’, including the likes of candidates like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton who are getting all of the publicity. Big media companies need to start covering Bernie, and soon. They’re getting behind on the times.

Bernie’s visit to CU in October drew thousands of supporters.

As a Bernie Believer, I can still see how Sanders might seem too good to be true. I mean, does he actually have the ability to provide free healthcare to Americans? Will he really be able to solve the environmental crisis on our hands? Most importantly, as a CU student, can he make college free and forgive my student loans?  His campaign offers just the solutions a liberal college student would like to see in our country; but I believe his lengthy track record and strong will can make these policies a reality.

Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, is the longest serving independent in congressional history. His achievements as a non-partisan socialist have influenced him to pave the way for the right kind of government: a government created by the people, for the people.

My personal photo from Bernie’s visit in October. I was only a few people away from the podium!

Among other issues, Bernie’s political platform supports progressive ideals like job creation, student debt reform, civil rights, and environmental protection. He marched on Washington with Martin Luther King, Jr., has been a candid ally of the LGBTQ community since 1972, and strongly believes we have to act now to change the catastrophic reality of climate change.

I truly believe he’s the only candidate to fully support women’s rights, as he’s pledged to help end domestic abuse, sexual assault, and the pay gap with his policies in office. He is devoted to maintaining a woman’s right to choose.

I talked to Brianna Farrell, a fellow freshman, feminist, and Bernie supporter, who believes he is the only person up to the task of solving our nation’s greatest issues.

“What I like most about Bernie Sanders is that he gives me hope about politics,” Farrell said. “Politicians say a bunch of stuff they don’t mean to appeal to people. But Bernie Sanders is one of those people that truly believes what he says; he wouldn’t say it if he didn’t believe in it…I see him as someone who can really change the game up.”

The student organization called ‘Buffs for Bernie’ is also supporting Sanders in his bid for presidency. The group has over 200 members and counting. The members state that they believe in Bernie because he fights for students, believes everyone deserves health care and because he cares about people, not money.

Bernie Sanders might not be the most rich and famous candidate gunning for the White House in 2016, but that’s exactly why he’s our best hope; he’s a man for all people (women included*).

*Although seemingly arbitrary to include women in a statement that says ‘all people’, some candidates’ track records have shown they have not been devoted to the needs of 50% of the people in our country: the women.

BERNIE 2016

 

A different version of this author’s piece can be viewed at CUIndependent.com

“This is Not What a Rapist Looks Like” – Controversy Surrounds UK Universities’ Consent Education

The ongoing conversation about sexual assault on college campuses is far from over, especially considering Obama’s announcement that 1 in 5 American women will be the victim of rape or attempted rape. I think many of you would agree that there’s no reason why 20% of the female population should experience such a horrible violation to their bodies, period. It’s an epidemic, and it’s evident that something needs to change.

In the UK, Universities have stepped their rape prevention game up by mandating that students attend ‘I Heart Consent Training Sessions’. One student, named George Lawlor, went viral with his claim, “This is Not What a Rapist Looks Like.”

In a student publication called The Tab, our equivalent to the CU Independent, George published his feelings about his invitation to a class on consent. He claimed it was “the biggest insult I’ve received in a good few years”, though thousands of students across the UK are required to attend the class every year.

“[The invitation] implies I have an insufficient understanding of what does and does not constitute consent and that’s incredibly hurtful. Next time you consider inviting me or anyone else to another bullshit event like this, have a little respect for the intelligence and decency of your peers.”

First of all, I

I can kind of see where he’s coming from, but I don’t agree with him in the least. George is approaching the situation from a common misconception about what sexual assault is like. Many of us imagine a creepy man hiding behind a bush in the middle of the night, only to jump out as a girl walks by. However, statistics show that in 90% of cases, women know who sexually assaulted or raped them. It happens most often with people you’re already in a relationship or intimate with. It could be done by a friend or a family member. So, I’d like to ask George just what exactly a rapist looks like. The stereotype of a rapist doesn’t match up to realistic statistics.

That’s why consent is so important.

As students, male, female, or gender non-conforming, we play an incredibly important role in setting the atmosphere for our own campuses. There’s something every one of us can do to stop the violence from happening to our fellow buffs, and hint, it’s not as simple as for rapists to stop raping. It’s our responsibility to make informed decisions in sexual encounters.

Nevertheless, this scenario raises the question on whether or not these classes would be helpful here in the United States. If we had a similar program here at Boulder, I think the high number of sexual assaults would rapidly decline. Perhaps the Title IX violation suit against our college and 50 others nationwide would largely cease to exist.

I applaud the UK in their attempt to end sexual assault on their college campuses. I absolutely think this class should be mandatory for all students.

The Secret Sauce

The University of Colorado at Boulder had not seen a new college in 53 years. That is, until this Fall.

The inaugural event for the College of Media, Communication, and Information (CMCI) was held this past Monday in the prestigious Byron R. White Club Room within Folsom Stadium. CMCI faculty, staff, and students were given an opportunity to interact with one another, while enjoying an endless macaroni and cheese buffet and hearing a celebratory speech by the Founding Dean, Lori Bergen.

Bergen, a national leader in journalism, believes the innovative new college will be changing the game for colleges and media across the nation. “CMCI launches a new era,” she said in her welcoming remarks. “…What we’re doing is nothing short of revolutionary.”

The “revolutionary” creation of CMCI was not taken lightly. According to Phil DeiStefano, Chancellor at CU Boulder, the college was 4 and a half years in the making. Before, majors like Journalism & Mass Communication were offered under the Arts & Sciences track here at Boulder; a track that was not created to help students prepare for the fast changing media industry.

One of CMCI’s most valuable assets is it’s interdisciplinary focus. Students are instructed in every form of digital media, regardless of their major within the college. The goal is to foster media literacy in students, continually throughout their years here as undergraduate students, and beyond in their career fields.

Patrick Ferucci, a Journalism professor, is one of the CMCI faculty members new to CU. Although he’s had previous experience working in the Journalism department in various colleges including Southern Connecticut University, Quinnipec University, the University of Missouri, and most recently, Bradley University, he has never seen anything like CMCI.

“I think the interdisciplinary nature is the key”, he stated. “Whatever your preferred media might be, [you will be] understanding the other media, the other ways to tell stories differently, and how to engage people.”

He thinks students would benefit most by exploring the various options and amazing opportunities this college has to offer.

Bergen agreed, remarking that students have an advantage here at CU Boulder. “[This college] could never come to fruition anywhere else…[Other colleges] will not have the secret sauce that sets us apart in Boulder. The secret is our think-do attitude…All of us are embarking on something new.”

https://twitter.com/thetrinitybomb/status/646121684487897088

Why #MasculinitySoFragile is a Perfect Example of Feminism

If you’ve been on Twitter lately, you’ve most likely seen the trending hashtag: #MasculinitySoFragile. The hashtag was created by feminists to start a healthy discussion about male gender roles and the potentially damaging effects hyper-masculine ideals can pose for men. This societal norm is one of the effects of the patriarchy, and has limiting and egregious implications for both genders.

Here’s my take on it:

https://twitter.com/thetrinitybomb/status/647241950341402628

This phenomena is called toxic masculinity, and it restricts masculine roles to only violent, unemotional, and sexually aggressive ones. There’s always pressure on men to “man up”, or “act like a man”. But what does that even mean?

Can true manliness be found through the use of a special man loofah?

https://twitter.com/avabenezra/status/634135987581517824

(The loofah can also be paired with this leather scented body wash.)

when ur masculinity is so fragile that u have 2 buy this so u can feel like a man again http://t.co/ytF4mlCiHX—
meme girl (@gothicpeachh) August 15, 2015

This pen looks promising.

Such fragile masculinity http://t.co/xbbk7ymJGB—
Lilly d'Ascendis (@LillyDAscendis) August 18, 2015

Can consuming these tomatoes help?

More in painfully fragile masculinity: fun fact (they're tomatoes) http://t.co/V8gLUmI55j—
Ryan ▫️⬛️ (@mamma_earth) August 18, 2015

The fact 0f the matter is that there shouldn’t be a difference between tomatoes for men or tomatoes for women. (The fact that that needs stating is concerning in it’s own right.) Feminists are not only concerned with equalizing women’s rights to be on par with the advantages of male privilege, but we’re also interested in getting rid of the damage a patriarchy does to male social equity. The above products might seem funny, and they are, but their creation is rooted in a social system where men are taught to show masculinity at every opportunity.

The need for the constant demonstration of masculinity is rooted in sexism. If women are typified as fragile, weak, girly, maternal, liking pink, sexualized, etc., men are forced to take up the opposition: strong, manly, the sexualizers of the women, the providers, protectors, etc. What happens if a man’s personality or demonstration of manhood doesn’t fit into societal’s standards? Pain, an identity crisis, and a whole lot of emotional baggage, just as when a woman doesn’t fit into what society says her role should be. This type of masculinity is where heteronormativism and rape culture is found, as well.

Masculinity is fragile because it’s a social construct. No one automatically learns to be masculine from birth, no matter what parts they have below the belt. And sure, we all have conceptions of what a “real man” stereotypically looks like, but deep down, I think a “real man” is someone who thinks women should have the same rights as men, and vice versa. There’s nothing sexier.

Carly Fiorina, the only female 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate, denounces feminism

What blog is complete without an honorary post about the 2016 Presidential election, and therefore a comment about Donald Trump’s antics? He certainly stirs up quite a bit of controversy wherever he goes and with whatever he does; I could talk about so many problems he poses by simply existing. For instance, I could talk about his racist commentary on immigration, his lack of policy, narcissism, that mop he swears isn’t a hair piece, or, more importantly, what disastrous effects he would have on our nation.

Instead, let’s talk about his sexism toward Carly Fiorina, the only female 2016 candidate for the Republican party. Let’s talk about her views on feminism as an introduction to the true definition of feminism and its bad rep here in the U.S.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump remarked on Fiorina’s appearance in a Rolling Stone article. “Look at that face!”, he said. “Would anybody vote for that?” [I can hear him say it in that godawful voice.]

Perhaps he’s only saying that because yes, people might indeed vote for her? After all, she’s tied for sixth place and remains the only candidate to graduate from the undercard debate in August to the primetime slot at the second GOP presidential debate last night.

It’s worth asking whether or not Trump would comment about the appearance of one of his male competitors. I think not. He sees Carly as just another woman, who, despite her political views and plans for the country if elected, can be reduced down to just her looks.

His attempt at an an apology is both lacking and disingenuous. Last night, he continued to reduce her to her appearance, saying, “I think she’s got a beautiful face. And I think she’s a beautiful woman.” Regardless if she meets traditional beauty standards or not, this is not an apology in my opinion. Want to give a true apology? Tell her how much you respect her as the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, or as a politician, or even just as a woman.

Further, Fiorina released the campaign ad below in response to Trump’s insults.

“Ladies, look at this face,” Fiorina states. “And look at all your faces. The face of all leadership. This is the face of a 61-year-old woman. I am proud of every year and every wrinkle.” Seems pretty worthy of some feminist praise, right?

It is a surprisingly feminist viewpoint, considering her book describes modern-day feminism as “an orthodoxy that seeks to portray all men as the enemy and women as requiring the constant assistance of government.”

As we know, feminism is for gender equality, and the EMPOWERMENT of women. True feminism seeks to hold men to higher standards; it’s not man hating, and it definitely doesn’t try to paint them as the enemy (although it’s hard to make a case for Trump).

 Regardless of the Republican controversies, I’m a Bernie Sanders girl. #BernieSander2016

Reading a Newspaper: The Fundamental Differences between Online and Print

The old-fashioned model for the consumption of news often depicts a middle aged man sipping his morning cup of joe, reading the daily issue of The New York Times before starting his day and going off to work. The 21^st century model, thanks to the internet, has caused many news sources to shift to mainly online means of media. Although there are many variances between the types of media, such as the size and purpose of photographs, usage of quotations vs. summary, length, and accessibility, the purpose and main points of the article endured.

As I made the lengthy trek to the Starbucks on the Hill, I realized that the first essential difference between a print copy and online version of The New York Times was the level of accessibility. Finding an actual copy of a newspaper is difficult in today’s digital world. There are many stories on The New York Times website, including those on their top ten most popular stories list, which are not available on today’s issue of the paper. I did notice an obvious difference in format and picture composition and orientation. The physical newspaper included landscape photos of the entire scene, rather than zoomed-in images. The online editions of the stories did include some landscape photography, but also couple portrait images alongside video supplements and graphs. The articles in print were noticeably longer, covering the entirety of the story at hand, employing necessary quotes from sources. This was demonstrated especially when I looked at the differences in a specific article.

The first article I chose to compare to its online companion brought some initial confusion when I realized both editions were identical. The headline, chosen images, and content of the story, “Report Renews Hope and Doubt on Missing Students in Mexico” were exactly the same in both the paper and website versions of The New York Times. The story was detailed and well-written, conveying a need for awareness and action concerning 43 missing Mexican college students. As I dug further into the paper, I realized that this story was an anomaly and most online versions of the articles were completely different or condensed in content. For instance, my second choice was analyzing the differences between articles describing the Syrian refugee crisis. For instance, the two online versions of the article did not include very many direct quotes from the main source, the president of the European Commission, as the print article. The online versions relied a lot on summary of the topic, most likely due to their young, target audience.

The critical differences between the print and online versions of The New York Times has quite a bit to do with the audience they’re targeting. Young, busy readers, like college students, are simply trying to get the gist of the story in the fastest way possible. Older readers, formerly the idealistic models of news consumption, are reading to get the whole story. These essential differences embody the affect media has on our lives, and therefore, the ways we construct our ideas about the world around us.

Welcome!

Welcome to The Friendly Neighborhood Feminist, a blog to discuss women’s rights and other social justice causes!

Zooey Deschanel’s character on ‘New Girl’ said it best.

Although I may have just steered you away from reading any further, I hope you explore the future topics I’ll be covering with an open-mind. I’m not the bra-burning, angry feminazi you might be imagining, but rather a college freshman interested in advocating for others and creating social change.

I am a freshman majoring in Journalism, and ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by stories featuring social problems. As a prospective journalist, I believe it’s our job to amplify the voices of those unheard in our society.

If I do my job right, you’ll see our society in a new light after reading. Feel free to engage me in a debate or ask any questions you might have.

Hope you enjoy!