Taking nudes allows you to explore your body; to fall in love with what you see reflected on the other side of the flash; to see your body in ecstasy. By Sherronda J. Brown, Lara Witt, and Da’Shaun Harrison Humans have appreciated nude art for centuries, as well as nude photography and recordings for as...
Tag: consent
Post
Say No to Forced Affection and Respect Children’s Bodies
It is important that even children understand this because rape culture doesn’t just bloom when you become college age. Picture this: Generic holiday movie. Old family member, bending a wrinkled cheek down to an elementary school age child. Well-meaning parents pushing them forward with, “Give great so-and-so a hug!” Usually played for laughs because this...
Post
When Incarcerated People Strike, The World Should Listen And Respond
Without mass actions like the current nationwide prison strike, which bring direct awareness to the issue, these stories go largely underreported. Note: Due to the safety of the incarcerated individuals, some names were changed to allow anonymity. We speak carefully on the phone, fully aware that anything said can become grounds to get him sent...
Post
Navigating Desire In The Wake of #MeToo
We have important steps to take in learning about desire, consent and pleasure-based sexual experiences in the wake of #MeToo. [TW: this piece contains discussions of #MeToo and sexual violence in varying forms.] Started almost ten years ago by Tarana Burke, #MeToo has spread (and in some ways, been co-opted) and become synonymous of the large-scale...
Post
Romance Novels to Read During the Age of #MeToo
#MeToo is challenging mainstream society to critically examine long-held assumptions about sexual scripts and femme pleasure. By Michelle Carroll Lately it feels like it’s nearly impossible to go a single day without hearing a viral story of sexual violence. And of course, this is a good thing. Finally the pain and shame that was previously...
Post
Aziz Ansari is Not Emmett Till, Nor the Straw Man of Asian American Masculinity
Let’s interrogate the politic of comparing Aziz Ansari to Emmett Till. A storm of articles has appeared over the last 48 hours regarding the account published by Babe magazine on the disturbing encounter between Aziz Ansari and a young woman who, in the account, is simply called “Grace.” A large majority of these articles, particularly...
Post
When “No” Isn’t Enough And Sexual Boundaries Are Ignored
Violence is so normalized that we often don’t even recognize sexual abuses in the moment. [TW/CW: discussion of sexual violence.] I recently realized that sex is unhealthy for me. Not sex in theory. No, of course not. Sex is healthy for our bodies and even our hearts and minds.When I say that sex is unhealthy...
Post
“Bitches Don’t Know What They Want”: On Unsolicited Dick Offers And Misogynoir
We support and we march in support of black men, but we can’t get to work or home without fighting through dick offers and bitch insults from them. By M. Shelly Conner Let’s be clear: I paid three dollars and a hug for street harassment. Or assault. I still don’t know what to call it. I...
Post
New Play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson Perpetuates Rape Culture
Sally Hemings deserves so much more than to be inextricably linked to her abuser. She deserves more than ‘Thomas and Sally.’ Apparently 2017 is the year of reimaging and sanitizing slavery. First, HBO announced Confederate, a show from the creators of Game of Thrones that will explore a fictionalized timeline where the South seceded from...
Post
Blac Chyna’s Leaked Nudes Reveal an Unsettling Acceptance of Revenge Porn Against Sex Workers
In Blac Chyna’s case, many seem to feel that her time as a stripper somehow negates her right to control her image. Another day, another Kardashian scandal. This one, however, exposes us as an audience more than it does the intended target. Earlier today Rob Kardashian posted a short video that he allegedly received from...