[glbtq]

WORK ON A NEW FEMINIST MAGAZINE!!

Contact: HowlingHarpies@aol.com

So, here's the concept: I'd like to call the magazine "Howling Harpies" and have vintage pulp fiction style covers for each issue. (or find a web designer who can give that feel to the entire website... I myself am not particularly tech-savvy in this area) Feminists will be depicted as these cartoonish, exaggerated raving lunatics… terrorizing the mainstream nation with words like "heterosexist" and "paradigm." There will be all these tongue in cheek horrifying, sensationalistic quotes like: "They insisted that sexism still existed!!!" "They pounced on random guys in subways who called them sweetheart!!!" (and perhaps an individual pulp fiction cover for each article)
Why in the world would I want to depict feminists in this way? I think a quote in Iris Marion Young's "The Scaling of Bodies" really gets across the feeling I'm going for. As I read this article, Young is pointing out the uniquely frustrating ways in which modern day prejudices manifest themselves. Although it is no longer accepted to openly discriminate against groups on the basis of prejudiced notions, these notions exist at the murky level of the unconsciousness and affect how we interact with all others in our everyday lives. However, because there is a "discursive commitment to equality for all" (Young,124) the problems of racism, sexism, heterosexism and the like are listed as "solved" in the mainstream consciousness. If the "let’s be nice to everyone" laws are on the books, what are we crazy feminists blabbing on and on about?
"When the more bold of us do complain of these mundane signs of systemic oppression, we are accused of being picky, overreacting, making something out of nothing, or of completely misperceiving the situation. The courage to bring to discursive consciousness behavior and reactions occurring at the level of practical consciousness is met with denial and powerful gestures of silencing, which can make oppressed people feel slightly crazy." (Young, 134)
So, basically "Howling Harpies" are all those who dare to speak up in class and question whether sexism is really a "dead" issue when we've never had a woman president, and female bodies are used to sell beer.
I think it will appeal to a high school-college age crowd. Philadelphia NOW is interested, and I know that their endorsement will help the "Howling Harpies" cause a great deal.... but what I really need are writers, web designers, artists, cartoonists... yada yada yada, who want to work on this project! (if this describes you, or any of your friends... please let me know!
Thanks!
~Melody
HowlingHarpies@gmail.com

UPDATE: we have around 90 people involved thus far... and our first publication is scheduled for march 8th. (featuring an interview with Bitch of former bitch and animal fame, and an interview with Liza Featherstone: staff writer for The Nation and author of the new book Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Worker's Rights at Wal-Mart:-) The print version should come out in May.

These are the (VERY VERY) tentative sections:

1)Note from the Editor: pretty self explanatory. I introduce the issue, show a few notes from readers… address stuff that readers brought up… yada yada yada.

2)This month in feminism! (short, just gives a few "this is what happened in feminist history" moments juxtaposed with a few "feminist history that is happening as we speak" moments)

3)Feminist Warriors (an interview with a different kickass high-profile feminist each issue)

4) Howl~ the heart of the magazine... personal narrative type articles about basically anything. (within a feminist framework of course) There can definitely be some steady columns here. (ie. a diy crafts section, a lgbt issues section, a sexuality section, a reproductive health section, a creative writing section, yada yada yada)

5) Arts/Entertainment/Music Section

6)Section for reader-submitted poetry/artwork

7) Discussion Board: feature an article, short story, photo show, or any type of feminist art yumminess every issue. After this artwork has been displayed for a couple of weeks on the Howling Harpies site, we will have a specific time and place for a discussion board about said piece. (monitored by several howling harpies... and if at all possible, the creator of the artwork herself)