Okay, that's a lie. It wasn't your last chance. But this is a special party--we're putting the feminine back in feminism with party dresses and cupcakes.And c'mon, what better way is there to celebrate finishing university than to pretend I'm 16 again?
Ah Levack Block. The new Yupster bar of choice.
ReplyDeleteSadly I'm going to be in Halifax when this goes down. Tell me how it goes!
omg, is this for real?
ReplyDeletewhat a shame.
feminism is not about regression, why not be more creative?
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWhy not be less of a jerk?
We've toiled away, unwashed and miserable (or me anyway) all year. Now that school's over. We would like an excuse to wear something pretty and eat delicious cupcakes and have a dance party with our awesome feminist friends.
I would hardly call getting dressed up regression. In my case, it's definite progression since there will be a shower involved.
As for what feminism is about, I think that's open to interpretation. How about instead of hiding behind anonymous snarky comments, you join McClung's and contribute to the feminist debate?
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ReplyDeleteHey Anon,
ReplyDeleteJust to put the launch party theme in context, it's our sixteenth anniversary. And honestly, being around for 16 years is definitely something to celebrate about.
Other than that, Carla covered it all. (Thanks Carla.) We encourage a wide range of ideas and voices from women, men and members of the LGBQT communities, and I think our content reflects that.
Our pink flyer, on the other hand, reflects our universal love of cupcakes, spring and coming-of-age celebrations for any gender.
So, I'm also confused. Where's the regression?
Hm, my better judgement tells me to bite my e-tongue, but for the sake of contributing to some feminist debate, I'll risk blogger etiquette and add my two cents to this stream.
ReplyDeleteI don't think dressing up is a problem; I do think that defining feminine in terms of party dresses and cupcakes is alienating to many of us, feminist or other. Putting feminine BACK in feminism? In my own interpretation of feminism, the only femininity that has been denied a space is an obligatory and unproblematized one.
That said, you deserve to celebrate, and cupcakes are awesome. Congratulations on reaching year 16, and congratulations on reaching the finish line, Jess! Hurray for feminist journalism, and party on!
Heather- All completely valid. I heartily agree.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I wouldn't want to define feminine in that nature. In fact, I think the magazine content speaks for that. Two sentences below a party invite, however, do not. I admit this is problematic.
Perhaps I should have just included the invite and not written anything? But that probably would have upset someone else.
I'd rather have people take issue with the content of the magazine than a launch party invite.
Also, in defense to all, I just re-read the two or three sentences that I did write. It was clearly all very tongue-in-cheek.
ReplyDeleteI do welcome debate on the topic, though.
i'm going to try and come and i'll dress like a fucking janitor so anonymous doesn't cry themself to death.
ReplyDeleteWell, since I steeped you into some bitter tea ladies, I guess I'll clarify.
ReplyDeleteFeminism is about equality among the sexes, transgendered et al.
Putting femininity into feminism is an outdated concept. Have you ever heard of conservative feminism? It's the idea that women can be equals and still be stay at home mom's and still relinquish power to men...how's that for interesting?
Well, as usual McClung's is turning into pink cow dung.
Alienating the very sex that is needed to equalize the new divide of women/men.
Do you attract or alienate people by having a cupcake party?
You attract girly types who want to play dress up but be taken seriously at the same time. You alienate anyone else who doesn't want to do this or anyone not coerced into coming to this launch by association with someone who's worked for the publication.
On the surface simplicity, as Bjork has said. And this simply sounds saccharine. There. Concise non?
I wouldn't come to this, this is not what my idea of feminism is about.
Sounds more like a journalist who doesn't know what they want in life but will cling to the next b(u)oy to pull them through...
Now you're clinging to feminism...but negating some of the very key aspects of it and using limited logic to justify it.
lol...have fun cupcakes, i'm sure it'll be a gas.
you are the one viewing feminism with limited logic. v. narrow minded.
ReplyDelete"You attract girly types who want to play dress up but be taken seriously at the same time."
ReplyDeleteThank you for creating a new stereotype. I'm glad that I can now pigeonhole myself into the category of a "girly type who wants to play dress-up but be taken seriously." As if there aren't already enough pre-allotted stereotypes out there for women to fill.
I don't think one woman (or man) who volunteers for the magazine fits into this neatly prescribed stereotype. So no, I don't think we are alienating women (or men).
Our volunteers come from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, represent many of the faculties at Ryerson, and all have different notions of feminity and feminism.
And you know what? That's cool. We're in it for the dialogue. (Anyone is invited to get involved. You obviously have something to say--why not say it in a forum that isn't a blogger comment box?)
However, I will admit that we are alienating funsuckers and people who hate cake.
CAT FIGHT! CAT FIGHT!!
ReplyDelete(Sorry, I couldn't help myself!)
we're not going to turn anyone away at the venue if they're wearing pants. how's that for inclusion, anonymous?
ReplyDeleteomfgz, who is this anonymous personae??
ReplyDeleteeff you c k!
me wan cupCAKE!
yayayayay!
I'm pretty sure if I felt so strongly about something, I'd sign my name behind the comments.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll be at the launch. A man. Wearing pants. Celebrating a magazine's 16th year of championing feminism.
I'm not sure where the fault lies in such an evening...
As I re-read this thread, the only thing that keeps popping into my head is Homer Simpson yelling -- "Don't you hate pants?!?!"
ReplyDeleteIt's from "The Last Temptation of Krust" episode where Krusty goes on a George Carlin style bender only to be bought out by the Canyonero company at the end. Classic episode. "Whoa Canyonero!"
cupcakes and dresses screams girly, it doesn't scream feminism.
ReplyDeletewhy you connect 16 years with sweet 16 is out of date and nostalgic in a completely indulgent way.
making the leap to feminism is a stretch.
i don't think McClung's is championing much at all. it's a chance for inexperienced writers to create a magazine that embodies feminist ideals.
it's just lame.
and why do you need to know who i am? would it make a difference if i'm male or female? because it really shouldn't.
you ask, "what better way is there to celebrate finishing university than to pretend I'm 16 again?"
how about being an educated, mature, accomplished 20 something that's celebrating a triumph in her own skin, instead of reverting back to a time where you didn't have this grace and maturity or self-awareness and independence?
"It's a chance for inexperienced writers to create a magazine that embodies feminist ideals."
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. McClung's provides a forum for young writers, particularly young women, to hone their writing skills and develop ideas about feminism, the world and themselves. I personally believe that mentorship is one McClung's key strengths, as is the discourse that evolves from exploring feminist ideologies and issues that are of interest to young women.
What's so lame about that?