Dear NPR, Thank You

I'm afraid of white men who are excessively drunk and rowdy. This is a ridiculous fear, because if I am going to be afraid of men who are excessively drunk and rowdy - race shouldn't factor in. I own this. I realize that there are several reasons why my fear is biased unfairly.

Juan Williams made a prejudiced statement similar to mine, on national television. However he did not express why and how his fear was unfounded, or how his fear (shared by millions of Americans) isolates Muslim-Americans. He announced his fear without discussing what it meant to him or American culture, and was completely lacking in sensitivity to Muslim-Americans. He slipped up. He said something he shouldn't have, but he said it.

Many people are now rushing to his aid, and calling foul on NPR. But, I'd say NPR protected its image as well as its viewers from an individual who lacked the common sense and tact to not alienate an entire religious/ethnic group of people. While Williams was being honest and did not intend to upset anyone, he obviously lacks the foresight necessary to be a popular news personality to a station that prides itself on being inclusive.

If Juan Williams had said that when he sees a black man walk into a bank he becomes nervous, there would be no question on whether he should be fired or whether that comment was completely inappropriate. If Williams had said that if Jews moved into his neighborhood he'd be uncomfortable, there would be no question that the comment was foul and unnecessary. But, in America's current climate, it has become okay to slight Muslims and to admit broad and sweeping prejudices against them. What is worse, is that many news stations are now backing Williams in his insensitivity. Therefore, making it acceptable for viewers to casually admit their own bigotry with a sense of impunity.

I can understand fearing terrorists - that is natural. However, insulting all Muslims goes beyond fear of terror. It shows a lack of intelligence.

I am not solely sex appeal

I'd like to think that I encompass more than one adjective. That there is more to me than being female, or ethnic, or middle class. That I am more than ugly or pretty. That my face and body can be utilized for more purposes than sex. But, culture likes to focus on one aspect of a person, especially if that person is female. And, for women who have the mixed bag of problems that are associated with conventional prettiness, any moment in which that woman does not "live up to her potential" is a slight against humanity.

I revel in my ability to make some of the most horrific faces that people have ever seen. And, while plenty of people find it funny, plenty of people wonder hy I would even be seen making the face at all. While the face would be disturbing on anyone, there seems to be a lot of upset over making an unattractive face while female. Because a woman being slap-stick funny endangers her sex appeal, and our culture spends most of it's advertising dollars trying to convince women they must be sexy at all times. I am wearily awaiting the day when there's a product to erase wrinkles on our faces while excreting.

And, there seems to be a much bigger issue at hand in females being funny in general. For any semi-well-read feminist knows that female comedians are often put down and cruelly described from within comedy as well as outside. I for one, have had enough. I say women should enjoy their ugly moments as much as they do their sexy/pretty. An ugly face can be just as moving as a sexy one.

Get your game faces on ladies.

Barbie

I am so excited at the change in girls toys, specifically dolls. And, when thinking about dolls and girlhood, Barbie comes to mind.

Even saying the name Barbie brings up all sorts of mixed emotions for me. The hours of ecstatic play I had, the obvious impact it had on my perception of beauty, the luxury, the racial limitations, the beauty, the impossibility of her body. Barbie is so much more than just a toy to thousands if not millions of women and girls who have played with her. As with many things in childhood, Barbie helped fashion our perceptions.

A few short years ago Barbie's world consisted of motherhood, bride, babysitting, nursing, and if you were lucky perhaps a pediatrician. I won't go into the specifics of why all of the afore mentioned are sexist, but obviously Mattel had it decided that a woman must marry or nurture and anything else was out of the question. But now, the doll industry has realized that little girls have just as much imagination as little boys - and perhaps both boys and girls can be interested in the same things. Mattel has released several dolls who are now scientists and engineers. Perhaps we can have Barbie Freight Driver in the upcoming years, or a stay at home doll for boys who are more domestically inclined.

While Barbie has made leaps and bounds in her career options, I'm afraid that Barbie still has some length to go. Thankfully, Mattel has actually made dolls with black, latina, and asian features. Not just the same face with different skin tones (which I remember from my childhood). And, I about died and went to heaven when I saw that black Barbies are being featured with textured hair. However, I'm perturbed by Mattel's "African American Doll" section. Do they have to be separate? Are black people too impatient to look through dolls of both races? Or, are white people upset that they have to sift through black dolls? And, why is it that there are no other ethnic dolls offered? There is a very large hispanic population in America - but they don't get to have a section of dolls? It seems much easier to group all the dolls together featuring an array of different skin-tones, with small text underneath reading "click for more colors." This is how most online shopping is done... doesn't seem so difficult. What's more, going to the Barbie homepage the entire flash add is white-blonde Barbie. With the many colors (yes even unnatural ones) of Barbie skintones why don't marketers jazz it up a bit with some Barbies of color? I understand that the white, blonde Barbie is iconic, but I also understand that when Barbie was created whites and blacks couldn't share a drinking fountain - I'm hoping we've progressed since then.

And then these are just fucking awesome:

Phat Looks for Chubbies

Unfortunately, being fat and fashionable is hard. Even though most women wear a 14-16 in the US, most department stores are not willing to invest in the fat market. In short, fat clothes be ugly - you really have to look if you want something nice. So, for all those women who like to be fashionable but are more voluptuous than not - here are some ideas.

For the last 2 years I'm sure everyone has seen there fair amount of sparkly outfits. Sparkles, sequins, glitter are not typically viewed as classy, but recent fashion has changed that perception quite a lot. For those looking for fashion ideas for a sparkly-night-out here's some eye-candy.

Saks Fifth Avenue



Some less expensive options at Faith21