Friday
Dec212007
A risqué Christmas list
Friday, December 21, 2007 at 11:09AM
On my wishlist, I have a few books and magazines that are related to feminism. Well holy hell you'd think that was some kind of dirty word! First my dad, who isn't usually like this, said "Full Frontal Feminism? Bust magazine? Is there a side to you I don't know about?"
Um, you know I'm a feminist right? Then no, there's not.
The part that really bothered me though was this portion of the conversation:
Him: Bitch magazine? Couldn't they have picked something a little softer?
Me: Why does it have to be softer? To make you more comfortable?
Him: Well what's the male equivalent? Should I start a magazine called Prick?
Me: I hardly think that's the male equivalent of the word "bitch" Dad.
And when he shared my printed wishlist with my grandparents who asked for ideas, he didn't give them the first page (which contained the books and magazines). I guess to shield them from the horror and filth that is feminism.
Then a couple days ago, I overheard someone else say, while looking at the list, "I'm definitely not getting her something called Bitch!" I hope she does though. Hey, if you're reading... it's actually a pretty good magazine!
Honestly, both of these people were saying these things in jest, and I accepted it as such, but I was caught off guard because I truly didn't think anything of it when I added them to my list. I mean, I think I added Bitch the same time I added the crock pot and the brown heels.
Oh well, I'll have to buy Ms. for myself I guess!
Um, you know I'm a feminist right? Then no, there's not.
The part that really bothered me though was this portion of the conversation:
Him: Bitch magazine? Couldn't they have picked something a little softer?
Me: Why does it have to be softer? To make you more comfortable?
Him: Well what's the male equivalent? Should I start a magazine called Prick?
Me: I hardly think that's the male equivalent of the word "bitch" Dad.
And when he shared my printed wishlist with my grandparents who asked for ideas, he didn't give them the first page (which contained the books and magazines). I guess to shield them from the horror and filth that is feminism.
Then a couple days ago, I overheard someone else say, while looking at the list, "I'm definitely not getting her something called Bitch!" I hope she does though. Hey, if you're reading... it's actually a pretty good magazine!
Honestly, both of these people were saying these things in jest, and I accepted it as such, but I was caught off guard because I truly didn't think anything of it when I added them to my list. I mean, I think I added Bitch the same time I added the crock pot and the brown heels.
Oh well, I'll have to buy Ms. for myself I guess!
in Family, So Annoyed, Women
Family, So Annoyed, Women
Reader Comments (10)
One year Marj Garber's _Vested Interests: Cross Dressing and Cultural Anxiety_. My mother special ordered it but complained, "You should have seen the looks they gave me!" Bitch is great but Bust is more fun! I hope you get what you want this Christmas.
That should say "One year, I asked for"
I love you Shannon. Your dad was concerned by full-frontal bust magazine because in a guy's mind, those types of phrases are linked to boobs. You wanting a magazine about boobs makes your dad think you're a bisexual/lesbian.
I think women need to understand that a man's "heh, boobs" center of the brain never really goes away, and never grows up. Well, mine hasn't yet, and I don't plan on letting it die. I get too much enjoyment out of it.
It's odd that you and I are friends. I'm what feminists hate. We'll have to have a convo while I'm home over break.
Okay, so in college, I took a course called "Reading & Writing Sexuality" taught by a lesbian feminist. Best course EVER! One of our text books was called "Cunt." When I took coursework home over a break, everyone in my family was *very* uncomfortable with that particular book. (Check the book out.. an interesting read. It's on Amazon.)
And the other day I stopped at the library and had some late fees to take care of. I think the librarian about died when she was reading me the items that were late and had to say, aloud, "The Vagina Monologues." That pause, foot shuffle, throat clearing, foot shuffle seemed to go on for an eternity.
Society! I tell ya!
Oh PS> If you're on a femme vibe, I also *highly* recommend "Sex & Single Girls: Straight & Queer Women on Sexuality." There are a lot of really well written essays in there.
i heart both bitch and bust. i am sure my dad would be uncomfortable buying them for me. . . i imagine he'd think they were some kind of dirty thing. dads!
This reminds me of a convo I had with my husband recently. We were talking about political parties and I had said that there were a few hot topics that kept me pulling in both directions. And so he wanted to know the democratic platforms that had me so concerned. First and foremost I said, "abortion". (I'm VERY VERY pro-choice) I then said a few more items to which he responded with, "But none of those things directly effect you." I flipped and said, "how does the government dictating what I can and cannot do with my body not directly effecting me?!"
Anywho - I think feminists get a bad rep. I have to say, if it weren't for you I would have never found Feministing.com (and I frickin' love it). I've never heard of Bitch magazine but I would totally get you the subscription so you could tell me all about it! :-)
Merry Christmas!
Bitch...thanks for enlightening me on a great new read! Merry Christmas!!
Wait, you don't think prick is comparable to bitch? I kind of do. :-/
i love bitch magazine : )
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