HONI SOIT Issue 8 may 4th 2011 WOMEN’s EDITION W E aCk T NOWlE hiS la dgE T Nd, T hE Tradi hE gadigal p TiON al OWNE N EOplE rS W E aTiON Of Th Of STa N . E EOra b ENE d hE fiC iari r E TO u N r ECONC ES day a O f a ra S T h WE r ilE d di C E ECOg S p i ST a Obliga NiSE b OSSESS N d T OTh i ON O iON TO Our privil . f ThE rEm EDITORIAL TOday a paST EmbE EgE a N , aCT r Th Nd Our d build f ON Th E miST How many feminists does it take to change a light bulb? O E pr akES di r a fu OblEm SCrimi Tur S Of One to change the bulb, and three to write about how the bulb is exploiting the CONTENTS E NaT frEE iON. frOm socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the women’s edition of Honi Soit. If I were to mention that I was a feminist to most of you there would be many groans, WOmEN’S EdiTiON Launch Party for probably some laughter and reactions such as “Pfft... women’s issues? Do they even exist anymore?” or “here we go, another ranting lefty”. But the fact of the matter is Women’s Honi that in this modern, 21st century world we live in equal pay still isn’t a thing, abortion Hey there boys and girls, come continues to stay illegal and casual sexism haunts the campus everyday and these along to the launch of the 2011 aren’t just issues for the radicals. Women’s Edition of Honi Soit. This special edition of the paper was written and edited completely by female identifying individuals on campus, giving them the opportunity to submit pieces that FRIDAY 6th May, 6pm present the issues that effect them. The versatility of the articles is dense providing perspectives on women’s issues from both ends of the spectrum. Read about the HERMANNS BAR, Sydney Uni position of women in sport and hospitality, appreciate some artistic pieces created by students and get passionate over the controversial articles scattered throughout. Light refreshments & Drinks will Hopefully by the end of this publication your view on feminism will fall into a positive be provided light and this stereotype of winging women that don’t wear makeup and burn their undergarments will begin to decompose. AVANI DIAS

Women’s collective wants you

We are an autonomous group of diverse wom*n*- identifying Usyd students who come together to share experiences and ideas, draw strength and support from each- other and plan activist campaigns and events to advance the feminist cause. If you’re wom*n*- identifying and interested in joining or want to discuss any of the issues raised in our edition of We meet on Wednesdays at Honi Soit, come along to 1pm in the Holme Women’s collective. Room. 4 WHY JANET ALBRECHTSEN IS SCREWING IT UP FOR US DISCLAIMER SISTERS Honi Soit is published by the Students’ EDITORS: Avani Dias, Alexandra Vivienne Moxham-Hall Representative Council, University of Sydney, SEXUAL HARRASSMENT IN Level 1 Wentworth Building, City Road, Cowan, Meghan Batcheldor, Jaya OUR BACKYARD University of Sydney, NSW, 2006. The SRC’s Keaney, Rachel Button, Annabel operation costs, space and administrative Eliza Paranthoiene support are financed by the University of Osborn, Kate O’Brien, The 5 KEEP YOUR ROSARIES (AND Sydney. The editors of Honi Soit and the SRC Secret THE PATRIARCH) OFF MY acknowledge the traditional owners of this CONTRIBUTIORS: Eliza Paranthoine, OVARIES land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. Vivienne Moxham-Hzll, Cindy Chong, Diary of Cindy Chong Honi Soit is written, printed, and distributed on Aboriginal land. Honi Soit is printed under Caden Penny, Liz Mulhall, Mistress IT’S A BARBIE WORLD the auspices of the SRC’s directors of student a pro- Frey, Connie Ye, Elizabeth Mora, Caden Penny publications: Pat Massarani, Rhys Pogonoski, 6 THE PURITY MOVEMENT Deborah White, Pierce Hartigan, Alistair Annabel Osborn, Kate O’Brien, Domme. Lix Mulhall Stephenson and Meghan Bacheldor. All Astha Rajvashi, Lane Sainty, Amy expressions are published on the basis that IS A SEX WORK A FEMINIST Pereira, Brigid Meney, Georgina they are not to be regarded as the opinions of ACT the SRC unless specifically stated. The Council Hilder, Nai Brooks, Lucy Randall, Mistress Frey accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of Phoebe Drake, Mia Dyson, Lock, any of the opinions or information contained 7 ART Alice Dixon, Rachel Button, and Elizabeth Mora within this newspaper, nor does it endorse any of the advertisements and insertions. Jaya Keaney 6 A VIEW OF ONE’S OWN: WE Honi Soit is printed by MPD. NEED OUR WOMEN’S ROOM ADVERTISING: To advertise in Honi Soit, Connie Ye contact Tina Kao or Amanda LeMay 8 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE [email protected] Why A FEMINIST? www.src.usyd.edu.au Annabel Osborn everyone HONI SOIT should be a WOMEN’S EDITION feminist CONTENTS3RD MAY 2011 WOmEN’S EdiTiON 8 FEMINISM FAILED? Eve: the Kate O’Brien original 9 ON COLOURED IDENTITIES Astha Rajvanshi feminist? WHY DOES BRITAIN STILL HAVE A MONARCH? Caden Penny 10 FEMINISM, FEDERAL POLLIES AND FASHION FAUX PAS Lane Sainty BUT DON’T WORRY BBG, I’M JUST BEING IRONIC Amy Pereira 11 11 WHAT’S “LEFT” OF FEMINISM? A PERSONAL ACCOUNT Sexism Brigid Meney A CHRISTIAN FEMINIST in the Georgina Hidler THE BURQA BAN Defence Cindy Chong 12 DEFENCE DOES THE DIRTY Force ON WOMEN Academy Nai Brooks AUSTRALIA IGNORES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Caden Penny 14 LOST IN HOLLYWOOD Lucy Randall VICTIM OR BUNNY BOILER IS 12 THERE ANOTHER OPTION Caden Penny 16 WOMEN IN SPORT Phoebe Drake Women in YES, SIR music: the Alexandra Cowan 17 SRC HELP good, bad 18 – 19 SRC REPORTS 20 SEXY BITCH & ugly. Ruby Feneley POETRY Mia Dyson 21 FEMMO-VISION Alice Dixon PROSE Lock 20-21 22 REVOLUTION GRRRL STYLE NOW! Rachel Button 23 REVIEWS SEXUAL HARRASSMENT IN OUR BACKYARD Eliza ParanthoiE page 4 nE explores the problems in our own backyard

Why Janet Maybe I’m just a bleeding heart social worker, and a shit-stirrer, but when I see social injustice and gendered discrimination, I get outraged, and the urge to jump on my little social justice soapbox is irresistible. I’ve heard all about the radically extremist sheikhs, and the USyd college douche bags (sorry to single you out, St. Paul’s, but when you rely on the Albrechtsen word ‘rape’ to indicate victory, you’re failing at life). But I suppose you don’t expect archaic, ignorant responses from people that are intelligent and respectable, people that are essentially in a position of power over you. Not in 2011. is screwing I lived at Sydney University Village for a year. It was a relaxed, friendly place, and I met incredible people. It was a safe haven, right in the middle of Newtown. But when I was visiting friends a few weeks ago, we witnessed an attempted sexual assault, which proceeded to be swept under the rug by the seemingly approachable and respectable Village it up for us Director, Todd Handy. It was an incredible coincidence that a friend happened to see a male resident attempt to drag a visibly frightened female resident into his apartment complex. We were able to pull the girl away and walk her home. The next day, as is exceedingly common in cases of sexual assault, the girl felt embarrassed, not wanting to ‘make sisters. a mountain out of a molehill’ by reporting the incident to the police. ViViEnnE MoXhaM-hall takes a hit at Abuse victims often internalise blame, believing that their consent, once given, is not retractable, and that the way they dress and their level of a so-called feminist intoxication mitigates the fact that a male has attempted to force himself In September 2009, Janet Albrechtsen marriage and motherhood.’ on her. I expected that. to her loveable wrote an article titled ‘Feminists This is what feminism is TV persona. What I didn’t expect was for Todd Handy to corroborate the remarks of Screwing it up for Sisters,’ in which, she about. Modern feminism This must be this girl. He seemed fairly happy with the fact that because no actual writes about how traditional feminist and femininity, for Janet because she is a assault had occurred, that there was little that needed to be done. I have values are holding women back. She Albrechtsen, go hand in feminist “wedded a fair idea that if the girl had been his sister or daughter, his response finds the political discussions, such hand. Modern women to a bitter would have been different. Maybe we should have waited until the as the glass ceiling in corporations are always going to have philosophy about guy had dragged her inside and started to rape her before we stepped and parliament that women face, to to compromise when men, women, love in – maybe then he would have responded with the immediacy and be ‘petty’. In fact, she believes that it they have children, we and life”. Greer urgency that we were hoping for. I’d like to point out at this stage that degrades women to raise these issues shouldn’t whine about not may be successful people have been placed on probation and community service at SUV rather than empowering them and getting jobs because we and beholden to for breaking picture frames and urinating on doors. This Todd guy, a proves that ‘often, women are their own have to juggle part time no one, but the thirty something, intelligent, nice guy, was telling us that because he was worst enemy’. How dare we challenge motherhood, instead, we most pertinent drunk, he ‘didn’t mean to’ force himself on her, and that he was satisfied the idea that we are entitled to the should accept the world question is… ‘is she that the ‘lengthy discussion’ he had had with the guy was sufficient in same positions as men. Instead of as it is, get married, happy?’. Obviously addressing the problem. seeing the issues women face today as have kids and not worry not seeing as all she relevant, she sees them as man-hating too much about work Todd also infuriatingly took this incident as an opportunity to pat himself is capable of doing exercises where feminism has grown to because ‘society’s bias on the back for killing all SUV social events that involved alcohol so as to around Albrechtsen, actively exclude men. makes it easier for ‘limit these sorts of things’. Let me ask you, Todd, how many times have it seems, is grunt and women to work part grumble. After all she It is not just these ‘petty fights’ to which you been drunk? Mmhmm… interesting…. And how many women have time if their preference has done to destroy Albrechtsen is opposed, but the era you raped? A culture that equates a solution to sexual violence with is to rear children’ the message of equality of feminism which she believes has ignoring any incidences of it is the real problem. anyway – so stop and independence that passed, where the ‘agenda was, and screwing it up! Germaine Greer set up sadly remains, one of man-hating’. Samantha she has quite the hide to On the Q&A panel on the 28th of Let us now come back to the question Jones. But is Sex and the City truly expect anything more from April with Germaine Greer this year, Janet asked of the Q&A panel – why liberating? It is essential to remember the seminal writer who she describes as Janet explained that for these reasons are younger generations being turned that Sex and the City is fiction. A fiction ‘the intellectual version of Paris Hilton’. feminism has gone off and is turning away from feminism? I would like to based solely around Sex. And the City. I admire Greer’s composure. If it had women away. She explained further, say it is the views of people like Janet Written, directed and produced by men. been me I would have thrown a shoe at that ‘a lot of young girls are not finding herself. She presents the exact opposite If Janet Albrechtsen believes that these her. feminism attractive… The debates views to what people like De Beauvoir mottos make for a more ‘appealing’ around quotas and discrimination and Betty Freiedan wrote of women’s I believe women are free to exercise feminism and enforces that we should are all part of a wider debate about suffrage. Albrechtsen presents modern their choice and control their own lives, actively work against the traditional feminism and we have to ask what feminism as a regression from the all- whether that means being a Samantha, roots of feminism, then I can see why it is that’s turning young girls away.’ out war waged on the state of inequality Carrie or Miranda – but that shouldn’t young girls are so confused. They are Before I answer her question, I think and submission of women that stems mean being ignorant of feminism, it told that they won’t be attractive if it is pertinent to look at what Janet from the history of feminist tradition. should not mean that women are not they read Gloria Steinham and Andrea Albrechtsen believes modern feminism The bra-burning days of feminism going to stand up and discuss quotas Dworkin, that they should always be looks like. are not something to be ashamed and discrimination, because this is part thinking about the next time they of, they symbolise a movement and of a bigger discussion, and that bigger In an article titled ‘Feminism is Finally can have sex so that they can obsess were necessary for the change of discussion starts at the beginning of the Growing Up’ Albrechtsen writes about over it with their girlfriends and that which we are fortunate enough to be feminist movement. It is a discussion how the TV sitcom ‘Sex and the City’ bras should be lacey, even if they itch, beneficiaries. Without such a radical that does not shy away from Greer’s is a prime example of the modern because men like lace and women still movement Janet Albrechtsen would ‘Female Eunuch’ but encapsulates it in liberated female; ‘four smart, rich need to service the desires of men in not be able to write her views on how an ever changing (and possibly never- women spending every waking hour order to be loved. How truly liberating is outdated the feminist movement is, she ending) fight for female equality. This dissecting their latest romp in the this scenario? would not have a job writing for ‘The movement is only scary if people like sack and their longer term desire to Australian’. Who is she to criticize the Ripping into one of the founding Janet Albrechtsen tell those girls that hook up with a man’. She elaborates movement that has allowed her and mothers of the feminist movement this history is bad and will leave them further, that ‘Sex and the City’ proves so many other women to emancipate Germaine Greer in one of her articles, lonely and unhappy and without a man that intelligent women ‘can obsess over themselves from a society where they Albrechtsen likens the reading of The (just look at Germaine Greer!). I agree, girl stuff. They can pine for Mr Right were not taken seriously by men? Female Eunuch to watching a “look often women are their own worst (or, in Carrie’s case, Mr Big) and the TV sitcoms like Sex and the City have at moi, look at moi” scene from Kath enemy, but it is not because of feminists perfect pair of shoes. They can mooch evolved because women have fought & Kim. She continues on to complain – rather, it’s because of non-feminist around in trackies, reading Vogue and against the term ‘slut’ being used in about how grumpy Greer seemed to be writers like Janet Albrechtsen. Cosmo rather than Gloria Steinem and conjunction with characters such as around her – which was in such contrast 4 Andrea Dworkin. They can aspire to

E

E Paranthoi liza

n

E explores the problems in our own backyard own our in problems the explores CADEN PENNYwrapped inplastic, it’s fantastic IT’S ABARBIEWORLD she gets to make adecisionwhether she If shechoosesto have anabortion,then theirfamilies’ lives of preserve andimprove the their bodiesandlives butto to give themcontrolover desperately need,notonly procedure thatwomen legal andmedical ‘Abortion isanessential, having anabortionandgivingbirth. usually meanssheischoosingbetween When shefirst becomes pregnant, that care for herpregnancy. about how sheisgoing to responsibly (after beinginformed ofrisks/benefits) woman’s abilityto make adecision means Isupporteachindividual When Isay Isupport‘choice’, that C CinDY many bodyimage dilemmas.Dueto this representation of women hascreated The presence ofBarbieasanidealistic such amould. ‘reassure’ us that itwas normal to not fit 100 000.Apparently thisexercise was to figure are thought to belessthan1in The oddsofawoman having sucha standing up. heavy that she would have difficulty to menstruate. Shewould besotop- to theextent that she would beunable render heranorexic andmalnourished Barbie’s estimated proportions would real-life Barbie.We were informed that Next; theteacher provided alist for a down ourweight, height and bra size. girl middleschool.We were to write Personal Development classat my all- I remember aparticularly awkward and so-called ‘girly’. Barbie isassociated withallthingspink breasts, tiny waist andblondehair. women. Sheis famous for herlarge expectations that society inflicts upon icon ofthepressures andunrealistic has often been considered to bean my buxom childhoodfriend.Barbie I have heard many complaints about However, sincethoseglorious days, for themto actout. gowns andcreated elaborate scenarios cut it),dressed themupinextravagant I brushedtheirhair(andsometimes the proud owner ofdozens ofBarbies. Like many littlegirlsinthe90s,I was honG onawoman’s right to choose

KEEP YOURROSARIES(ANDTHE PATRIARCH) OFFMYOVARIES! use, for instance. abstinence amongthem)she wants to type ofcontraceptive (andIinclude pregnant. Shehasto choosewhat be madebefore awoman becomes Of course, there are alsochoicesto breastfeed? choose herparenting style; willshe to raise the infant herself, she gets to will become apartof. Ifshechooses choose whichadoptive family herchild an openorclosedadoption. She gets to adoption, she gets to decideifshe wants or give itupfor adoption. Ifshechooses she wants to keep theinfant after birth must make adecisionaboutwhether she haschosento carry to term, she Towards theendofpregnancy, if use anepidural, whether to beinduced. to have anall-natural birth,whether to birthing center. Shechooseswhether between ahomebirth,hospital birthor midwife oranOB/GYN. Shechooses about whether shewants to usea term, thenshegets to make adecision abortion. Ifshechooses to carry to wants to have amedical orasurgical Barbie has(among alotofcareers) yet to beany withaplus-size figure. in1997.However,Becky’ there are ethnicities. There was even ‘wheelchair many friendswhoappearto bedifferent decreased. Mattel hasalsoproduced her waist hasincreased asherbust become abetter role model.Slowly In more recent years, Barbiehas dear. in 1997featured anadfor Oreos. Oh the box for first African-American Barbie more embarrassing for Mattel, was that Stacey parody intheSimpsons). Even (You may remember thetalking Malibu phrases including “Math classistough!”. Talk Barbie’in1992that spoke several Then later there was theinfamous ‘Teen with theweight-loss advice“Don’teat!”. a specialeditiondoll1963that came controversies inthemedia.There was Barbie hasfound herself caught inmany adult men. that was intended for theenjoyment of Lilli was ahighly sexualised character comic strip (andlater adoll)called Lilli. She was basedona1950sGerman Barbie didhave abizarre conception. real-life Barbie. £1 millioninherpursuit ofbecoming a of plastic surgeries. Shehasspent over the world record for the highest number a 50year oldBritish woman, has broken culture’s image ofbeauty. Sarah Burge, of transforming themselves into popular are turningto plastic surgery inhopes increasing socialpressure, many women This isChoice. their bodies. womyn theirright to autonomy over decisions for themselves. Andallowing thing: trusting women to make thebest all comes down to supportingone different things.Butintheend,it really As you can see,choiceisaboutsomany families. preserve andimprove thelives oftheir control over theirbodiesandlives butto desperately need,notonlyto give them and medical procedure that women by contrast, isanessential, legal It isaninexcusable crime.Abortion, a particular community ofpeople. and intolerable actofhatred against highly incorrect. Genocideisaviolent were victimsof real genocide, butalso highly offensive to thepeople who of Abortion to Genocideisnotonly Anti-Choice material. The comparison of Houseabortingababy usedasan None ofthescreenshots ofthat episode – April17,703BabiesSaved” business. None ofthis“40Days ofLife, March 9 and themedia,that itistoo difficult to influences, suchasfrom their family that children are exposed to somany from MacquarieUniversity. Shesaid I consulted anEarly Childhoodexpert is itacase ofadultsoverreacting? children actuallyimpacted by thistoy or But doesany ofthismatter? Are boarder namedBlaine. shacked upwithanAustralian body when shedumpedKen andbriefly It was aradical move ofindependence McDonalds cashier andanastronaut. fighter, apalaeontologist, aballerina, States Army officer, a President, a fire- been adoctor, aswim teacher, aUnited

Phone: 93827440 Sydney Hospital Level 3,Nightingale Building Sydney sexual healthcentre Xpress Clinic www.preterm.org.au Phone: 92178700 Cnr Elizabeth Street andRandleStreet Preterm Foundation www.contraceptiveservices.com.au Abortion hotline:92211933 Level 1195MaquarieStreet Contraceptive Services We bought heraBarbieinstead. fish nets. dolls wear leather, laceandthigh-high horrified withwhat we found. Bratz nearest Toys RUs.Iwas absolutely with thistoy, we obliginglyvisited the Bratz doll.Althoughwe were unfamiliar world. Last Christmas sheasked for a and sheisthesweetest littlegirlinthe My boyfriend’s cousin isfive years old Individual results may vary. Barbie doesnotexist inavacuum. ascertain theeffects ofone toy. Simply:

page 5 being pursued” is incredibly problematic. problematic. is incredibly being pursued” pursue would a predator Like Pursued? being placed are women Again, its prey? positioned are Women role. in a passive be and to be conquered as an object to male. the active by won is an extreme The Purity Movement the however of the one idea, example is or virtue value women’s idea that and is pervasive virginity to their tied and social political be seen in many can Tony (hello, in our society discourses treats Abbott). The Purity Movement a commodity. bodies like women’s of the value Once it has been “used”, the therefore body (and the woman’s decreases. woman) feminist self respecting, can So what and men do about such insidious women of regulation creepy and downright normal your bodies? Go about women’s always as you life your business. Live you around the women and treat would if a Don’t assume that with respect. remain and chooses to is a virgin woman she is a victim of marriage, until way that or a prude. Don’t assume the patriarchy and enjoys sex pursues if a woman that or as little (with as many life sex an active she as she chooses) that partners sexual she or that herself for has no respect is many sex that is a slut. Remember into things; it is fun, it brings intimacy can be it exercise, good it is relationships, stress it is a great be kinky, it can gross, their people show it is the way release, people it is the way one another, for love What off. their rocks get literally quite of the is not, is an act (or in the case sex which a non-act) by Purity Movement, women.l judge can we It’s a complete a complete It’s wholeness. I have chosen a higher I spend my time I spend my doing: emotional purity in the heart. of speech. It’s what what of speech. It’s my for standard life.” Khrystian, 21 Khrystian, life.” of the mind, purity “Purity for me is purity “Purity for ownership of her/it. ownership husband proceeds to have have to husband proceeds The idea, essentially, is that is that The idea, essentially, has ownership the father her/ prevent body and can she/ doing what it from over his daughter and her his daughter over her until basically it wants, this statement is staggering. is staggering. this statement year old devotee of the Purity old devotee year women and their bodies in and their bodies women authority and domination over over authority and domination ringing. The implications of ringing. The implications of purity.” Alarm bells are bells are Alarm of purity.” and protection in the area the area in and protection to inflict large amounts of pain on people who pretty much epitomise the much epitomise of pain on people who pretty amounts large inflict to feminist? dudes, but is it really old, rich white patriarchy you tell likely she’d then Sheila Jeffreys like feminist a radical asked If you the only my body and that violating I’m that is coercive, work sex that consciousness of a false is because work my defend I would that reason like feminist work a pro-sex speak to to were If you brain. in my implanted is work sex that body, my it’s that you tell likely would than ze Audacia Ray not just everyone, which forces system of a capitalist extension a natural just act. is a feminist work sex sell their bodies and labour and that to women, with Sheila Jeffreys’ of the middle. I don’t agree left slightly somewhere I fall I’m strong so delusion some patriarchical from suffering I’m that assessment with those that agree body but I also don’t entirely my violate to agreeing act. feminist is some amazingly inherently work sex that suggest support myself to me the money gives empowered, me feel My job makes working in an office health than my mental for and is a fuck load better my start of at the make up putting on start time I be but every ever could fucking with much I’m wonder how to shift I have much the patriarchy and how the patriarchy hit men paid to I get is fucking with me. Sure, a full face a corset, wearing but I do it whilst the thing That’s up and six inch stilettos. of make a blanket make isn’t possible to it just work, about sex like Just feminist. or not its about whether declaration else. everything MISTRESS FREY GIVES AN INSIDE ACCOUNT Movement One of the father’s involved in the Purity involved One of the father’s woman’s also simplifies a Movement question “core to one down identity Is in their being”. have women that is good person?”, “Am I a question that friends and my I been kind to it “Have taking and while also respecting family The don’t be silly. No, of myself?” care “Am I beautiful? course: is of question of being pursued?” Ok so Am I worthy I beautiful?” the “Am let to going I’m all a the idea that slide because question beauty is aesthetic to aspire can woman of worms opens up a whole other can go into. to the time I don’t have that of worthy “Am I the question However

of one of the biggest ideological in the middle conflicts in conflicts my job is definitely job is definitely my than yours cooler mine is probably still still mine is probably dominatrix puts me dominatrix professional professional Working as a Working is incredibly work feminism. Sure, my my Sure, feminism. paid get I liberating, pretty well to do well pretty more contentious. contentious. more something I love, and I love, something as a dominatrix I get paid I get as a dominatrix

can pretty much guarantee much guarantee pretty can Whilst mine is cooler. that to do at your job because I because job your do at to job is better. It doesn’t matter It doesn’t matter job is better. get you stuff kind of cool what that it is really neat but my but my neat it is really that your job is cool and I’m sure sure and I’m job is cool your I love my job. You might think might job. You my I love to actively fertilise. We can We fertilise. actively to Ancient the forgive perhaps their assumption for Greeks as I don’t on these matters had a full working think they of the human knowledge that body and the fact role an active have women as in procreation play to their ideas However well. a for around stuck have and long time interribly damaging ways. many recently, More the from Enlightenment and through Freud, to it has been and noted “proven” women that that emotional creatures of logical incapable are decision-making, and impartial thought are hormones of all those womanly because their bodies. Again, through raging as victims of their framed are women as immanence”, in “trapped body, own say. would de Beauvoir are us, women tells And so as “science” cannot escape to their bodies and tied function. Under this their biological is inherently identity logic, a woman’s what to her body and therefore, tied of The fathers body. she does with that a Purity Covenant who take the women signing before the same phrase repeat God “I choose before the covenant: as her authority daughter my cover to feminist act? is sex work a a is sex work The Purity Movement Movement Purity The As far back as the Ancient Greeks, Greeks, back as the Ancient As far been theorised bodies have women’s to be “filled” waiting vessels, as empty capacity of man. the procreative by they passive, bodies are Women’s which men have simply vessels are There is just so much wrong with the with much wrong so is just There I don’t even that Purity Movement The Purity begin. to where know sees begun in Colorado, Movement, sign a girls and pre-teens young a virgin will remain they that covenant kiss even will not they (some pledge This wedding day. their a man) until of the ordinary, does not seem so out religions of the major most considering it Where demand the same thing. out of the ordinary more get to starts to their virginity pledge they is that protect to who swear their fathers, honour during a their daughter’s this is Obviously Ball”. “Purity formal of an idea that example an extreme and I disagree widespread, is quite women’s treats doctrine that with any a that I firmly believe bodies in this way. she whatever do to right the has woman includes and that with her body, wants It marriage. until a virgin remaining assess the to however is important until a virgin remaining why reasons be a virtue, to is considered marriage a large be necessary to to is considered start I is where This section of society. behind the The rationale cringe. to (and I use the word Purity Movement women very loosely) is that rationale in mind, speech and be pure need to an is basically “pure” heart. This word for euphemism aggravating incredibly virtue a woman’s The idea that “virgin”. to her body tied is irrevocably and value is body) she does with that (and what an idea as old as time. LIZ MULHALL tells us everything tells LIZ MULHALL PAGE 6 MISTRESS FREYGIVESANINSIDEACCOUNT

against the objectification of women this resistance. Thepremise oflobbying young feminist myself, Iunderstood of perfection, beautyandsex. Asa the fetish of rendering women objects have encountered isresistance against A common thread offeminism that I here. definition feminismendsand begins equally came to understand isthat clear a local andgloballevel. Yet what I disadvantage women face bothat actively orpassively resist the continual in my eyes have beenwomen who a potential agent ofchange; feminists have always understood feminism as feminism andouridentity as women. I to redefine the way we understand the needfor redefinition, theneed For meDeBeauvoir was speakingabout me to produce thisartwork. words resonated withmeandinspired must forget andfindthemselves. These sense ofauthority, power andwill,they in order for women to claimany true In 1949,SimoneDeBeauvoir wrote that Elizabeth Mora

A Word from the Artist: Feminism, A Personal Relection greater, more sincere andmore human. mind- evolve to become something on whowe can be,can we- thefemale who we are andinstead concentrating proposes another. Butby forgetting should be,andmy mind,my nature proposes aset ofcriteria for how I the search for continual process- society As ayoung woman, Iacknowledge that individuality. the tension between conformity and find solaceinourselves andalleviate us bothfemale and humancan we the universal inclinations that make Perhaps by reverting to nature or rather foundations for this“future self”. My artwork attempts to propose the self-obliteration. and outsidetheextremity ofcomplete outside thesenegative interpretations feminist forget to propose afuture self of femininity that oursociety offers, fixated onthenegative interpretations addressing thisquestion. By becoming resistance disablesfeminists from I thinkthat at times,thechaosof essential humanity... ability to think,feel andseeingher acknowledging andadvocating her Perhaps theanswers lieinsimply individuality? our innerself?What distinguishes her However, how doesshesearch for individuality. of difference that distinguishes her to search for innerself, that mode she can forget thisandshecan begin on thesensibilityofsociety, orof Woman can continue to bedependent unresolved dilemma. to respond to thefemale identity asan self-definition. She wasasking feminists not yet succeededinthestruggle for an incomplete phenomenon,whichhad Beauvoir was suggesting feminism as learnt how to forget themselves, De By suggesting that women have not yet Beauvoir. the comments madeby SimoneDe of feminism andaddgreater value to I began to unfold thecomplex nature mores. Iguessthiswas thepoint when general isbasedonsocialandhistorical extent to whichfemale expression in woman andbegan to question the conscious ofhowIseemyself asa As ayoung feminist, Ibecame more of how we shouldlookandbehave. compromised by thishomogeneity felt that ourindividualitywas being fashion catalogues. Feminists like myself of glossy magazines and lay injustifying that women are much more than our prescribed surfaces. Women are peopletoo, I often thought, and our visualmedia to includethis was forgetting amongst those mark ourculture many explicit images that Jonathan Franzen isnot a woman. CONNIE YEonspacesfor female creativity, andwhy equal ingravity to that ofthecontent. their inputisassumed as‘important’, When menwrite aboutwar andpolitics, of eachgender pervades ourliterature. the supposeddelegated responsibilities That acertain value must beimposedon moving beyond theseconstraints. limitations negate any possibilityof acknowledgements ofoverly-defined women, butsometimes these repeated existence ofsuchsocialbarriers facing ceilings. Onedoesnotmeanto deny the hackneyed traces ofsticky floors andglass then they needaroom withoutany making inroads through publicspaces Assembly. Ifwomen are to continue boardroom, thearmy, theNSW Legislative very muchman’s space.Considerthe predominant partofpublicspace is Firstly, itisnotdifficult toseethat a gender. where female expression might transcend the publicforum, by providing aplace greater prominence andinfluence in allowance inencouraging women to not segregation - rather itisanecessary the female toilets). But theintention is space beyond theprivacy ofahome(and 2011 women shouldstill require our own to anextent, itmay seemstrange that in definitionthe dictionary of‘public’. And lack ofspacesreserved for men.Orto for herself. They inevitably point outthe idea ofawoman having apublicspace Some men(andwomen) bristle at the be aloneandthinkexpress. discrimination. Itisaplace for women to provision of a refuge from harassment and Room hasbecome more thansimplythe over theyears theconcept ofaWomen’s this room they could call theirown. But crowds ofyoung menbustling withvimin rare exotics, andsought respite from the days where women roamed thehallslike charming quirk,aquaint relic from the Room at ouruniversity Iconsidered ita When Ifirst heard aboutthe Women’s we think. women aloneto use,isless secure than But having thisroom ofourown, for money is a decreasingly gendered issue. she could comfortably write. Nowadays money and aroom ofherown from which woman neededto write fiction,they were was that if there were any two essentials a own? Boileddown simply, herargument So what didWoolf mean-aroom ofone’s unfortunate library episode. Virginia Woolf, victimofthat theangry Own” andwritten by celebrated author writing. Itistitled “A RoomofOne’s of themost lucidaccounts ofwomen’s thought oncreativity and touted asone The essay becomes astandard offeminist the barringofwomen from academia. other female experiences ofwritingand writes anessay basedonherown and Seething with indignation, the woman the woman isturnedaway. introduction. Aloneandempty-handed, Fellow oftheCollege orcarries aletter of allowed inonlyifsheisaccompanied by a access because asawoman, sheis university. Sheisimmediately denied into alibrary at avenerable English Let’s start withajoke. Awoman walks A View Of Ones Own: we need ourWomensRoom for ourroom andget writing. some money, buya decent microwave of blankpage. Let’s make ourselves ourselves. Let’s seeitasthegood sort So let’s have andusethisroom for ‘otherness’ to men. deference to orindeedany mention of with thewritten word, inabsence of creativity andthe female relationship is important for realising women’s voice. Anautonomous women’s space finding and expressing their own uses” carries detriment to women out oftheirown needsfor theirown privileging ofbooks “madeby men patriarchal even intheslightest, the content. For aslong as society remains constrains one’s beit style or writing, one’s gender neitherdictates nor is that women needaspacewhere What sheproposes, andrelevantly so, Shakespeare’s hypothetical sister. “No” to theuntapped genius of Woolf would say “No”, just asitwas an authorat all? even have beenpublished,orbecome celebrated asitisnow? Would Joan Franzen’s work have become as Franzen was awoman? Would ‘Joan’ begs thequestion: what ifJonathan on hislossover hertriumph.Butthis in thepast -thusitwas natural to focus writer. Hehaswon far more accolades is simplyamore prolific, well-known this withthefact that Jonathan Franzen latter’s win.Sure, itiseasy to explain usurped by Egan over details ofthe preferred theangleofFranzen being of ...Jonathan Franzen. Thearticle accompanying thearticlewithaphoto the National Book Critics Circle Award by on novelist Jennifer Egan’s winningof Earlier thisyear theLATimesreported publishing housesandmagazines. in fourteen established trans-Atlantic reviewing literature andbeingreviewed overwhelming majorityofmen in publishingfound aconsistently statistical reporton genderdisparities Last year theWomen inLiterary Arts’ in literature are still far easier to dismiss. that menare afforded. Women’s voices being treated withthesameattention women. Women’s writingis still not or not,by menover othermen and of thepower wielded,consciously throughout Western history, asymbol The answer isthat thepenhasbeen, sold orbeentaken seriously? AnnwouldLucile oraMary nothave that works written by anAmandine should there have ever existed afear James, theBronte/Bell sisters. Why Take George Eliot,George Sand,P.D pseudonym many female writers feel. to adopt amaleorandrogynous Consider alsothetraditional compulsion weighty fundamental issues.Why so? and families, they often become these But whenamanwrites aboutfeelings gravitate issues. to writingabout‘their’ likelihood for menandwomen to each It isunhelpful that there still isgreater magazines andfrivolous gossip columns. than notto bebanishedto ‘women’s’ families, thesearticlesare more likely When women write aboutfeelings and

Page 7 On Coloured Identities Coloured On unit and the uprising of slutty, sexually sexually of slutty, unit and the uprising but sorry, I’m women. promiscuous or violent to a stand taking women can environments home oppressive progression societal be a negative hardly to having off not better are - children households and witness in unhappy live has been a There parents. fighting which of dynamics in society, switch say to too early but it is tradition, defies consequence of this is a negative that as individual, rights attaining women of members acknowledged and valued society. developed identities sexual Moreover, Liberation during the Women’s with the in accordance Movement of The Pill and other up- development social movements radical and-coming during this period of time (1960s onwards). be it sexuality- a woman’s I believe being- or her sexual preference sexual with feminism. do has nothing to is placed upon much emphasis Too and the of women the physicality ‘immorality’ of sexuality. apparent all different from comes Empowerment capitalise to mediums and it is ignorant of women. upon one development the academics look at don’t we Why prestige fame, achieved have that their brains? due to and respect and enjoy buy magazines we Instead, or size bust around centred television all think this If we demeanour. ditsy still do these values why is wrong, has or ‘skankyness’ Sexuality exist? focus the misrepresented become It is of women. of the development with feminism ridiculed and associated is freedom But sexual as a failure. The of feminism. only one element poses sexuality surrounding questions a is ‘why question the over-stated man high-fived promiscuous sexually condemned women and a his effort for suit?’ These are should she follow actively feminism that double standards not the only but are redress, to seeks cause. the feminist to associate dead or unneeded, were If feminism group Collective a Women’s would why an equal pay would Why in USyd? exist in March Sydney at occurred have rally be there on earth would 2011? And why pro- signed surrounding being petitions ever- weren’t if feminists choice rights every that say This is not to present? but it the same fight, fights feminist issues within society the varying shows are action. There feminist for call that is - the only criteria all types of feminists in achieving and belief goal the common and men and women, equality between wrongs. endorsed traditionally righting collective of is a celebration Feminism dignity and empowered honour, It is about strength. unwavering for and men, fighting women liberated are Sceptics injustice. and against rights the to open their eyes to simply refusing faces to see the and injustices remaining Feminism them. to right fighting proudly far. is not dead. Not by Feminism Failed? Feminism Kate O’Brien charmsKate O’Brien the sceptics Unfortunately there is a common myth myth is a common there Unfortunately it is dead, over, that about feminism- one am I for done. Well, failed, caput, say To straight. put the record to here glory, in all its diverse feminism, that popular and kicking (despite is alive All the sceptics folks! right belief). That’s (and the women simply ignore seem to feminist let to refusing men) who are is why die down- ideals and aspirations the fight Because around? still feminism equality has not been over, is not yet ‘reached’. wholeheartedly it necessary to I feel our predecessors, acknowledge as who are especially those feminists when they were as they now active politically our bleary-eyed, at were come We have age. uni-student active, wife” the “stepford from a long way in so clearly depicted predicament the 1960s. And prior to life everyday have Women that! for thank goodness can we In fact, knew?! who brains- AND of homecare be the main source careers. highly academic tie down presented choices are more Essentially, pursue choose to can we women- to can we work; or professional academic as a housewife be a nurturer choose to home mum. at or stay ask, ‘So then, I hear the sceptic inequality?’ facing women are how it, to down when it comes Basically earn less than men, are still women tough tug-of-war a faced with often (since and home life life work between the majority of complete still women victimised more and are housework) of physical than men - both in terms and within violence and psychological a Does this seem like media portrayals. you? to existence harmonious, equitable hear I suppose the other issue I mostly from extends about whinging sceptics in contemporary feminism that the fact in nature. and varying is unclear society and concept as a undefinable It is almost and it is this lack in itself, is a philosophy relation in often times (most of unity at issues in society surrounding ethics to should actually feminism or what to run with. seem mean) which sceptics is a of feminism nature the hazy Perhaps but it is an ambiguous concept downfall, opinions amongst varied with many comes The unity in feminism subgroups. is, - that basic cause the common from women. for rights maintaining (such as stereotypes past Negative burning, man-hating bra the crazed, been endorsed previously lesbian) have misrepresented have the media and by as a whole. alone feminists let women, and unprogressive It is narrow-minded and feminists of real unaware remain to It is this are. objectives the varying what of disregard and blatant generalisation that branches feminist contemporary feminist active undermine the politically of today. feminism has I hear that often All too of down the break us because failed roles has gender female traditional of the family in the collapse resulted These modern forms of sexism are are of sexism These modern forms of our women many so insidious that inequality has gender believe generation battle and the feminist been eliminated thank the baby They has been won. and try to work good their for boomers see they what from themselves distance apathy It is this rampant as radicalism. has crippled that women among young deeply action and allowed feminist almost go inequality to entrenched unnoticed and unchallenged. more), (and many these reasons For and in relevant is still being a feminist women. young us as crucial for fact women lots of young would So why a stick out with their eye poke rather feminist? as a than identify feminism think women A lot of young don’t see one, they For them’. ‘isn’t for issues of inequality and repression how while impact them. Secondly, directly the same deserve women believe they and opportunities as men, they rights passionate be wildly need to think you a yourself call to about it, in order want a lot of women Thirdly, feminist. the because feminists as identify to associations has long-standing term wing men and left towards with hostility politics. based on These objections are feminism. Think about misconceptions probable it is quite that about the fact will one day degree in your the guys the same for than you money earn more than half your more Imagine that work. some from friends will suffer female violence in or sexual kind of physical less than Remember that their lifetime. representatives of our SRC one third the number and count Try women. are ‘slut’ used in the heard you’ve of times are The impacts of sexism week. last everyone. affect and they numerous or be political to don’t have You issues - about feminist care to radical is about being aware being a feminist peoples’ of such issues, correcting feminist about the misconceptions to open contributing movement, women dialogue about the challenges equality defend and being willing to face women. for do? do feminists So what to strives movement The feminist social and for the political, fight actively However, of women. rights economic and sign petitions to don’t have you to be in demonstrations participate pursue aim to Feminists a feminist. equality and choice in their own out mean pointing This might lives. jokes their sexist friends that your to or it might offensive actually just are challenging issues of mean confronting at workplace or your in discrimination uni. oddity – is not a historical Feminism it as a modern movement reclaim let’s and complex the diverse furthers that everywhere. of women interests

be a FEMINIST? be We live in an era where the pay the pay where in an era live We widened and women has just gap in under-represented grossly are and in senior positions parliament and Domestic in corporations. is women violence against sexual objectified are Women common. in popular culture and sexualised female sexuality but authentic and stigmatised to be continues rights reproductive Women’s reviled. and some challenged constantly are the politicians advocate mainstream of abortion. criminalisation But why and where are women still still women are and where But why for equality and choice? fighting That being said, feminism is not just is not just being said, feminism That hold often Feminists of beliefs. one set issues. about many views disparate surrounding the debate example, For (as recently the banning of the burqa and complex is very seen in France) ‘feminist’ view is no definitive there on. Being agree must all feminists that own your is about having a feminist equality for opinions on how and why be pursued. must women a boyfriend) and you don’t need to be don’t need to a boyfriend) and you about solidarity It’s or angry. violent in demanding that among women and the same rights be afforded they opportunities as men and be allowed their lives. live they choose how to What does it mean to mean it does What won’ feminist battle has been been eliminated and the of what sight lost we’ve As a generation, is a means. Feminism really feminism for equality and fights that movement not a cult, there It’s women. choice for don’t (you to adhere no rules to are or having shaving from abstain to have gender equality has gender our generation believe our generation that many women ofthat many sexism are so insidious sexism are ‘Modern forms of

Does it evoke images of angry, man- of angry, images Does it evoke women with hairy underarms? hating think it is simply a you Or maybe is out-dated that movement radical think you Perhaps and unnecessary. be left-wing only ever can feminists students. or hippie uni activists political But what really springs to mind when mind springs to really But what think about feminism? you Feminism; noun; the advocacy of noun; the advocacy Feminism; of the on the ground rights women’s equality of the sexes The Oxford Dictionary defines feminism Dictionarydefines The Oxford as follows: What is feminism? What ANNABEL OSBORN has some ideas OSBORN ANNABEL Page 8 On Coloured Identities CADEN PENNYdefendshercountry Why doesBritainstillhaveamonarch? marginalization with race and ethnicity women experiencing multiplelayers of in thelate 70sinanattempt to unify Historically, thepolitical term surfaced makes meuncomfortable.colour’ For one,thevery term ‘women of racism. blatant (whether ornotitisintentional) in instances where they are faced with to make‘women ofcolour’ negotiations of thesefactors hasoften ledmany location andorigin,butthedominance impossible) to ignore thepoliticsof I amaware that itisdifficult(often individual, cannot confirm nor deny. generalizations to arisethat I,asan many complexities, curiositiesand My skincolour haspaved theway for myself. identity guidesothers’ perceptions of question the extent to which my racial ancestral element hasalways ledmeto and define my existence to onesingle and theirdesperate quest to locate many peopletimeand again, I engage inthissortofdialoguewith “So you’re from India!Cool!” “Oh, they’re from India” “No, but,where are your parents from?” was younger…” “Well, Iusedto live inCaringbahwhenI “I mean,originally” “Castle Hill” “What are you from?” ASTHA RAJVANSHI talksfeminismandrace Firstly, let’s discuss the actual role of cannot understand. ago, years 223 only founded been stability.Australia,thathaving One and an continuity of established sense inherent has This thousand years. one over a for by monarch overseen condescending. been has Britain and them find I offensive fact, In me. bother comments these And British. am I the modernworld. theyare outdated irrelevantand in that nothing; does Monarchy the that argued being is It monarch?” smarmy asked “why does Britain still have a have and people Some smug observations. are there alongside the vicarious excitement, However, World. Western the of captured the collective imagination has union fairytale This QVB. the at sale ‘Commemoration Mugs’ for the of full everywindow a is there on and news featured of have condoms covers Jewels’‘Crown magazine, celebrity portraits the smiling adorn Royal Their the British family.on attention William refocused has Middleton Kate Prince and of marriage The

acting in ways often associated with stereotypes by dressing, speakingand of cultural conformity andracial out oftheirway to avoid pressures going witnessed ‘women ofcolour’ For thisreason Ihave even often that they were bornwith. individuals for having theskincolour an exotic commodity, and congratulates but instead itreduces racial identity to common ground orbondwithanother, have beaninnocent attempt to build Thismaya lotofBollywood movies?” love Butter Chicken!” or“Do you watch and generalized responses suchas“I originally from India,Ioften get naïve telling others that my parents are phenotypes withexoticism. Upon reinforces stereotypes and associates regardless ofourethnicities, it between meandotherwomen, When cross- cultural dialogueoccurs that is,white/ Caucasian. Hispanic descent– from ‘non-coloured’ Eastern, African, Indigenous and of (butnotlimited to) Asian,Middle- who are ‘coloured’ –thoseinclusive exclusion, separating women like myself amongst womanhood. Itallows for introduced categorizes of‘otherness’ solidarity for minoritiesandhasinstead away from itsoriginaldefinition of however, thisterm hasbeenpulled as acommon issue.Inrecent years, oas ean eta. Therefore neutral. The remain Royals election. political for stand the from Brits. They do not vote nor goodwillcan they and voluntary services donations, charitable encouragingforresponsible also is Royalfamily The world. the of rest are and howBritain represents toitself the country the of face the Monarchy The are unity. They National for stands country. our in our sensibilities, heritage and pride espouses She culture. traditional British of symbol a is Queen MonarchyThe The represents aphilosophy. insightful country” discoveries. or revelations the not rule are even don’t “they like statements Therefore legislature. political or parliament of members active not be to do pretend Family Royal the Clearly Churches of England and Scotland.” established the with relationships important has and Forces Armed the is of Head Justice, of She Fount also Government. to respect important with roles fulfils formal and ceremonial but country, the ‘rule’ not does Majesty “Her that says Monarchy British the of website Monarchy.official the The The initial response was an was response initial The a becoming republic or remaining Britain a monarchy?” favour you “would people British asked poll that a conducted twice BBC The and togetherness. joy of sense the remember I view. a better for jostled and flags Jack smiled, cheered, waved their Union and Queen crowdgreetedThe she people. her the the of stretched arm graceful Out window. black its A opened and strangers. past drove limousine of crowd with a along cold, the in together huddled the were We street. a of on side family my is with memories standing earliest my of One entry to othertourist spots. and goods food, accommodation, airfare,forpaytourists these of All £7-17). at a tour, for tickets buy whom of (many day every Palace Buckingham the visit who tourists of thousands are there money”: “they cost the government so much as such arguments to response In ethnicities and religions. views, political differing its of all – Britain represent to free are they the treatment andexpectations ofeach for there isastark variation between thinking withother‘women ofcolour’, Not every coloured woman willalignher through image andself-representation. to negotiatecolour’ their own identities and friendlypractice, leads‘women of and heritage isseenasanaccepting differentiating one bytheirskin colour address suchissuesofrace, where difference.” Theunwillingness to openly is to recognize analready discredited even generous, liberal gesture. To notice race isunderstood to beagraceful, Toni Morrisonpoints outthat, “Ignoring Whiteness andLiterary Imagination, other cultures. InPlaying intheDark: their absorption andappreciation of tiresome diatribe that interferes with world, andhave instead become a longer anissueintoday’s globalized say that thesenotionsof racism are no As acounter-argument, many would (albeit multicultural) society. and participate ina strictly non-Indian increase thefact that Ivery muchlive background asIndian,nordoesit But, thisdoesn’treduce my family accent to accompany ourconversation. because Idon’thave astrong Indian my skincolour isn’tdarkenough,or an encouraging tone, perhaps because others “hey, you’re notvery Indian!”in ‘white people’. Sometimes I’m told by from you. away km 000 17 over live they will Complainer,Ms that remember that and Mr day then, until But change. Family. one Royal Maybe our love We 1999) though in keepAustraliatothem voted (Even referendum. that a in out voted In be can to they case, culture. belong not Australian may Royals British The anymore. State of Heads as them want not does Australia if understandable is It of monarchy. form some have that currently countries forty over are There monarchs? have not do States United the and Australia because simply it Is we? should up part of our identity. And why monarchy is like their asking us up to givegive to Britain ask To of JuliaGillard? Australian people are in support same. 82%. What percentage the of exactly was response the 2006, in later, decade 1993. a Over in 82% overwhelming step backward. not limit)one’s identity islike taking a of characteristics that can empower (but conceptions of feminism, beingignorant outdated space ofwhite-dominated to make spacefor themselves inthe diverse backgrounds have fought hard choice. Butwhere women from many by acoloured woman isanindividual and identity; every negotiation made for bridgingthegap between race There isofcourse nodefinite solution power.” history sothat peopleunderstand that a poorassjobofcommunicating this a lotofpower for us,butwe’ve done named ourselves. Thisisaterm that has instead ofunderstanding that we self that they thinkWhite peoplecreated it, from somany Whitecolour’ people, of colour heartheterm ‘people of “…Unfortunately somany timespeople United States, comments: Reproductive Justice Collective inthe Loretta Ross, from the Women ofColour and women ofcolour to make points. the differences between white women necessarily meanthat we must negate out ofthat basicidentity doesnot non-white. However, liftingoneself having theshared experience ofbeing culture andcommunity, irrespective of

page 9 for that matter, the rest of Australia more scrutiny than they deserve. Julia shirt and tie combinations, are just fine. LANE SAINTY explains it all (who are, collectively, rarely accused Gillard has copped much, much more They have far less pressure, far fewer Julia Gillard owns a shirt that I really, re- of being well dressed). Since becom- than a couple of well aimed remarks choices to make, and therefore, far less ally hate. It’s ugly. It’s satin. It’s an offen- ing PM, Gillard has been subject to a over one particular outfit. O’Farrell’s opportunity for blunders. I mean, what sive shade of brown, it’s unflattering and relentless stream of criticism regard- weight loss may have had received some can be said about Tony Abbott’s hair? it clings in all the wrong places. Upon ing her personal appearance. Be it her attention during the campaign, but the That there isn’t mwuch of it? It certainly first glimpsing it a while ago, I couldn’t clothes, her much maligned red hair or overall coverage of Kristina Keneally’s doesn’t inspire the same fusillade of help but exclaim “Oh Julia, that is a her nose- which seems to grow larger in trademark ski-jump hairdo was far more commentary that Gillard’s does. And an god awful shirt!” earning myself what every passing cartoon- it’s been picked comprehensive. Political journalist Anna- ugly dress will receive more coverage I thought at the time to be an unfairly up on, pulled apart, and discussed by bel Crabb was informed via Twitter last than an ugly tie every time. given glare from my mother. most of Australia. Surely this can only be year “You will never be taken seriously interpreted as either incredible political unless you do something about your And this is why I have done what every “What?” I protested. “It IS an awful apathy or a demonstration of how lucky ridiculous hair.” Would a male journal- young person is loath to: admitted that my mother was right to chastise me.

PAGE 10 shirt!” we really are. All things considered, a ist be told that they will ‘never be taken PM with slightly unusual earlobes is a seriously’ on a bad hair day? I think not. Julia Gillard deserves better than ongo- Mum somehow managed to simultane- first world problem indeed. ing and unkind scrutiny of her looks, and ously sigh and snap at me. It is, frankly, far more difficult for indeed, to pretend that the flaws of any That said, a small amount of personal women in the public arena. Mia Freed- of our leaders are only skin deep is sadly “You wouldn’t be so quick to say that criticism is occasionally justified. There’s man pointed out last year that women incorrect. about a male politician! You of all little harm in letting a pollie know when are simply faced with too many options. people shouldn’t be commenting on Ju- a particularly appalling item of clothing Dress, pants or skirt? Short or long hair? Besides, one gets the impression that lia’s fashion choices!” she said, pointedly should be stashed deep in their closet, Make up or not? What about acces- our pragmatic PM would much prefer looking down at what I was wearing. Re- never to emerge again. Really, it’s being sories? (The answer to the question our policy approval, or indeed our votes, alising that my outfit consisted of faded cruel to be kind. And sometimes, the “Brown satin shirt?” is, of course, always than our endorsement of her clothes, pyjama pants and an oversized white spotlight is put onto male politicians no.) It’s a confusing maze, and one that hair or earlobes. Love her or hate her, t-shirt with a picture of Isaac Newton too. Just look at the coverage received I suspect Gillard detests having to navi- she’s remained remarkably unflap- on it, along with the fact that my hair by Barry O’Farrell’s shrunken waistline gate on a daily basis. pable in the face of unkind criticism resembled a misshapen bird’s nest, I felt in the 2011 NSW election campaign. But that would probably reduce a thinner guilty. Admittedly, I was not in a position these examples are exceptions to the It’s also more difficult to ‘recycle’ skinned person to tears. For that, if to be criticising the attire of anyone, let rule. women’s clothes; wearing the same nothing else, Gillard deserves a break. alone the Prime Minister. jacket or dress over and over again gets And as long as that brown satin blouse Overall, the evidence overwhelmingly picked up on over time. Men, on the stays firmly in the closet, I will happily But that, obviously, didn’t stop me. Or, shows that high flying females receive other hand, armed with a couple of suit, give her one. Fair’s fair, after all.

But don't worry bbg, I'm just being Ironic AMY PEREIRA tells you phrase, don’t mind me). still reproducing and reinstating and expectations is just plain these outdated modes of thinking annoying. If you’re so passionate what grinds her gears But seriously in a less concerning gender equality? about demonstrating the contrast assonant tone, sometimes I am ‘Lighten up, Amy, it’s just a joke’ but and progress of women in today’s New Law lawns, Manning, Fisher simultaneously shocked and stacks, your car, my room. You name why does it have to be joked about, society as opposed to fifty years bewildered by both guys and why does it have to be mentioned ago, please fulfil your feminist it, it’s happened there. Please, don’t girls alike who ‘perpetuate these be so coy, so demure, so oblivious at all? Just don’t, it’s that simple. potential and write an essay on it, gender stereotypes.’ In what way [Insert token feminist banter right major in gender studies or read to what I’m referring to. Casual is it funny? How am I supposed to sexism, it’s all the rage with the kids here] I believe that by joking about some Kristeva. Just don’t tell me instantaneously recognise that the these things, it undercuts all the to genuflect, make you a culinary of today. As a student of USyd, I’m speaker is making a joke, subverting constantly astounded at the fact work and progress that women have delight or attend to my rightful expectations, making a comment achieved in the last century or so, it room in the house and expect me that just about every day I witness on current gender roles and some douchebag saying something somehow becomes an amusing and to fully appreciate and applaud stereotypes by trivialising it in the undermined concept in .3 seconds. the words of ironic ‘wisdom’ that utterly inappropriate, offensive and form of imperatives like ‘get to the positively outrageous. ‘Make me a How is that right at all? If anything, emerged from your mouth because kitchen, bitch!’ How am I supposed it just reinforces gender inequality. all your words make me want to sammich, get back to the kitchen, to be aware of the ‘evident’ fact get on your knees gurl.’ What is this, I mean what am I supposed to do is drown kittens, pluck out my that those words present a parody respond with ‘Oh…haha, I see what eardrum and then go home to I don’t even… ‘Haha don’t worry of what the speaker actually thinks baby girl – I’m just being ironic.’ you did there! Reminds me of the leak frenzied words out of my own about the role and value of women good ol’ days with no voting rights! shriveled and fatigued mind onto Oh I’m sorry I must have missed in society. Because in all sincerity, the giant asterisk hanging above And what about that old topical a page [see also: this article]. So it just seems at face value that the chestnut ‘the glass ceiling’? What a please people, in order to save my your head with the disclaimer that speaker is being a misogynistic, the views and opinions expressed right laugh it all is!’ aural membranes, a tree and most condescending, snivelling, bulbous importantly someone else’s kittens were not actually those of the toad. A BULBOUS TOAD, y’hear me? The more those kinds of statements speaker and did not necessarily (because I’m not going to lie, I don’t are haphazardly blurted out, the actually own any kittens myself): reflect the official position of the I just detest how despite going to more those ideas are emulated speaker - FOR FUCK’S SAKE. ‘But one of Australia’s most prominent take your oh-so-hilarious post- in the minds of the people who feminist irony elsewhere because like you realise… I don’t actually and leading tertiary educational not only say them but hear them think like that, women are good for institution, these ideas are still here it’s not amusing anyone, also. I don’t care if you think especially my neighbour’s cats. more than making a sandwich and manifest. If they exist here then everyone knows you’re joking. blowjobs… like yeah sometimes they surely the rest of the country has no Your joke isn’t funny and no one smell good.’ Jkdahgakjdhgksdjhgs. hope. The concept that a woman’s is laughing. Your allegedly obvious WHY DO I ATTEND UNIVERSITY WITH ‘rightful’ place is to be catering comment, subversion and mockery SUCH A SELECTION OF DIMWITTED to a man’s desire is so outdated of ‘former’ social norms, issues NITWITS (always wanted to use that and redundant, so why are people What’s “left” of feminism?: A Christian A Personal Account Feminist? BRIGID MENEY says you don’t need to be a lefty to be a GEORGINA HILDER takes a different perspective feminist When looking for who to blame for the inequality between genders across history, In most respects I’ve been raised in the has now become only a left wing our accusatory finger quickly points straight on up to the big man in the sky; the way every clichéd’ conservative girl has concern. Some of the most prominent ultimate patriarch, the god that created man first, that attributes the destruction been. Emphasis was placed on knowing Feminists in history were also great of the world to the first woman, that tells husbands to lead the family and wives to how to cook a variety of meals, iron conservative women, many of high submit. Yet, it is the same God blamed with these sexist tendencies I chose six years efficiently and converse and conduct social standing. Abigail Adams, the ago to inform who I wanted to be as a young woman. The content of the Bible in oneself in perfect etiquette. One of nine wife of Second President of the United modern day society can often be regarded as a tool to oppress and create a hurdle children, (all from the same mother States John Adams, was a public for the fight for equality between the sexes. What does this say about Christian and father *gasp*) I spent most of my fighter for women’s property rights, women? Are we a bunch of passive, submissive women skirting around the edges of childhood traipsing around the naval and increased female opportunities church halls, arranging flowers, seen but not heard? Is that what God intended when bases of the world with my military particularly in the field of education. He kindly placed Eve in the garden to keep Adam company? Heck, no! Contrary to father, before attending an Independent In March 1776 she proclaimed “we common misconception, the Bible is an incredible go-to source for feminist values. Catholic school in the stereotypically will not hold ourselves bound by Not only did it present a radical view of women for its time of composition, but from middle class Hills district. I don’t Laws in which we have no voice or the creation story to revelation, a world view is embedded where women should remember ever missing Church on representation”. In-between fighting be equally respected and valued as men, where the two genders were created to Sundays and had seven years of classical the good fight, she also proved to be a compliment one another in governing earth together. The world that God intended is piano instruction before anyone realised formidable first lady while mothering not oppositional to feminist values, in fact it’s entirely harmonious. it was my younger sister who possessed six children, one whom would become To begin with, the depiction of women in biblical stories was incredibly radical for all the musical talent I naturally lacked. the sixth president of the United its time. Written by Moses in a unquestionably patriarchal era, the creation story However there is one element that is States. Caroline Chisholm, a name was radical in that man and woman were created equal in status in the image of decidedly part of me that somehow recognised by many Australians as the God, appointed to rule earth together, perhaps the first ever example of equal makes me far from a conventional face of the five dollar note for many opportunity. Powerful stories of women in the Bible, like Deborah who led the entire conservative: I proudly consider myself years, was a Catholic conservative, nation of Israel, continue to put women in the spotlight when most women sidelined a feminist. as well as a woman of principle, or considered second class citizens. In regards to Jesus’ resurrection, the Bible relies who went on to set up immigration on the testimony of women, a testimony that never would have held water in a court I can hear the outcries of centres and employment agencies of the time. The Bible is the original feminist text! “contradiction!!” escaping the mouths for struggling migrant women in of conservatives as I write this. For alot Australia, in-between mothering her However, does this mean the Bible advocates gender homogeneity in society? I know of the twentieth century, and certainly nine children. it doesn’t. Instead of a world where the difference between genders is absent, it all of my life time, feminism has been pushes for a world where those differences are acknowledged and celebrated. But is perceived as a dirty word particularly So why, if we have a history of this an issue? Is it a limit in freedom of choice? I don’t think so. In my experiences it in right wing circles. My older sister conservative women fighting for the only consolidates my pride in being a woman, and in the unique skills and strengths was shocked last week that I might freedoms we enjoy today, do we women are blessed with. Our gender, whether by choice or by birth, does affect contemplate wearing my “this is what see not only a lack of activity, but a who we are, and where our strengths lie. Of course it is never as black and white a feminist looks like” slogan t-shirt, lack of interest among conservative as that, we now know that our sense of gender isn’t necessarily a binary system. down to my volunteer fire fighting base, men and women? (I say both men Nonetheless, the discussion and focus on the relationship between the sexes in alarmed at “what they might think!”, and women because feminism is the Bible is not God telling us who or what we should be, but letting us know that due to the many negative connotations not limited to gender just as it is not our differences should be valued, that men and women are both necessary for a that come with feminism from a right limited to political ideology. Human PAGE 11 successful and diverse society. When I read these passages, I see God telling me that wing perspective particularly. To put it rights and preventing discrimination He has created me as a woman for a very important purpose, of equal importance to simply, one can argue it’s almost “un- are a concern for all of humanity). man. As a Christian woman I act and fight for gender relationships as God intended lady-like” for a good conservative girl to Conservatives have gotten lazy and them – relationships of co-operation, equal appreciation and respect. proclaim herself a feminist. left (forgive the pun) the activism to others for far too long. Oh we’ll bitch There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, Too many conservative women use this and moan about another pro-abortion for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 as an excuse to right off the feminist protest or poster, but god forbid we movement altogether. Should we not actually have to activate and make a be engaging in the movement to rid stand on women’s rights and change it of the negative connotations rather the negative perceptions of feminism. than writing it off completely? Being The Burqa Ban a conservative feminist therefore, has The other day, in response to a rant I CINDY CHONG gives us a brief account deemed itself to be a lonely role in the was having about the sexualisation of France’s controversial ban on the full head-to-toe Islamic veil has come into force, with current climate. The numbers of females women in the media, I was confronted women who wear a niqab or burqa in a public place risking a fine of €150. Despite the who have resigned themselves to the with the statement, “sexualisation recent warning by France’s highest administrative body, the Council of State, that a total attitudes of the world are astounding. of women in the media is healthy as ban in public places would be unconstitutional, except in some cases, French President I’ve heard such comments as “I don’t it promotes heterosexuality” (you Nicolas Sarkozy decided that France would go ahead with the full ban. Citing the dignity really see the point in my tertiary know who you are). Last I checked, of women and the respect of the values of the French Republic, Sarkozy asked his education; I’m just going to be a stay at no political ideology, or religion, government to work on a bill that is expected to be introduced in the French parliament home mum anyway.” The point of this officially saw women as means to an by July. Those who have been calling for the ban say the burqa is a mark of gender account is not of course to vindicate end, and this statement propelled me inequality, against other French values such as human rights, and a breach of the nation’s stay at home parents (I myself was significantly in my encouragement of secular foundation. raised by one and feel that not enough more conservative women to embrace credit is given to the men and women the feminist cause. I don’t intend for a Last month, the French prime minister François Fillon said he wanted to “solemnly who, where they are financially able to, collection of women to bra burn (lets reaffirm the values of the republic”, arguing that “concealing the face places the people sacrifice a career in order to raise the face it, they are practical), shave their involved in a position of exclusion and inferiority incompatible with the principles of future generations). However for a girl heads, and start believing that they liberty, equality and human dignity affirmed by the French republic.” of 19 to express openly that she didn’t are the same as men (we are not the feel that she deserved to become the same, but we are most certainly equal The proposed ban has been contentious in France, where almost 10 per cent of the 62 best most educated and intellectual despite obvious differences). What million population are Muslim. Amnesty International opposed the measure, saying it woman she could, because of her lack I do hope to see is a generation of “violates the right to liberty of expression and religion of those women” who wear the of career plans, was cause for concern. conservative women develop strong burqa and the niqab “as an expression of their identity or their convictions”. In 2004, One can only assume that her views minds and principles, with solid ideals, France passed a controversial law banning Muslim headscarves and other “ostentatious” were formed by the company she keeps who can believe that they deserve religious symbols in the classrooms of the French public schools and other public (*cough* her boyfriend *cough*) and more than what they have now, and buildings. the society around her. to change society’s attitudes towards It’s an issue that tends to divide opinion among feminists and secularists, both inside and women. This is not grotesque nor is outside of France, with views split between those who would welcome sanctions against What perplexes me is how Feminism, it unladylike or a contradiction, but what they see as a symbol of the religiously-justified oppression of women, and those in the truest sense of the word, that is in fact a creation of the ultimate who oppose the state interfering with religious freedom and the basic right of citizens to demanded equality for all women, conservative woman. dress how they please. year army army year rd cadet; a fellow officer. When I had officer. a fellow cadet; the division in her back to taken division one of our fellow tears, get ‘just was response member’s With a criminal it already’. over puts the onus on the that system coupled with proof to provide victim places a woman’s a rumour mill that act of acts as the highest sexual understand to it is not hard treason, this beyond she did not pursue why a psychologist. telling both of these say, Needless to each year more and many females have and most ADFA, left have Defence altogether. defence left women spending on encouraging unless is useless join the military to that culture the sexist redress they back out. It took women drives the for scandal sex a slanderous, attention its finally rivet media to culture. and its old seated on ADFA incidences of the regular Somehow, were assault and rape harassment, ‘sexy’ enough or not sensational Once the latest the news. make to down in get bogged investigations pages, news off the time and drop will for change impetus the political be lost. – do not you plea to So this is my a better Demand prevail. evil let and racism of sexism, free future, these often homophobia. All too our day-to-day into slip offences and slips sly comments through lives sound naïve It may of the tongue. to make we need but and idealistic, up to and stand heard our voices we the only way That’s inequality. a change. will make *Smith’s name has been changed. *Smith’s between two accommodation accommodation two between of in sight buildings on campus, The ‘Big window. her bedroom was this incident to Guns’ reaction around walk to women order to in pairs blocks the accommodation through deterrence – because too would be civil society instilling granted a leave During much effort. the assault, an officer her due to to she return her demanding called If she did not, he said, ADFA. to demonstrated have then she would the qualities she did not have that be an officer. necessary to another occasion, On a separate in a Canberra assaulted was woman weekend The following backstreet. in the her attacker she recognised He hole Shooters. watering ADFA be a 3 turned out to Defence Force was a professional professional a was Force Defence offered that organisation exciting an to create opportunities in making a difference whilst career however, The reality, word. the real story. a different was to you introducing me begin by Let division – Kane the ringleader of my include Smith*. His party tricks foreskin, coin inside his fitting a 50c spreading his pants, and dropping about how and hollering his cheeks is. His favourite hairy his arsehole watching porn group is pastime White Snow sessions – who knew doesn’t have Dwarfs and the Seven of pride include be PG! Moments to rat and laughing as pet a getting his his cum run down he watched thigh during Physical girlfriend’s - Ladies and gentlemen Training. finest. ADFA’s meet as a legend While Smith is lorded woman his cohort, amongst as either sexually treated are . obscure or sexually promiscuous, sluts or lesbians. ADFA . . basically, that culture ingrained has a severely aware in time, only is snap locked as insofar feminism wave of third is begrudgingly presence women’s experience my you give To tolerated. put on my I had honey in a snapshot; face in my thrown doorknob, drinks out, and I went of the night most with being glassed threatened was had a sister my same night, – that and had to her head at jug thrown even My aggressors stitches. get “Go labeled a petition organized but (GFYB)”, Brooks Fuck Yourself For of Go cover the crafty employed value core – one of ADFA’s Best Your a fine say, Needless to statements. of officers bunch of men and future our country. of this deeply rooted Because be to women for it is hard culture, to In an effort or respected. heard and behaviour the attitudes control constantly are they of women, this is the add to To sexualized. of the Rumour Mill. A process horror the truth does not matter. where And matters. people say Only what had is Mary-Louise people say what ‘good with two threesome a devil’s a spit roast. loves and blokes’ manifest does not just This culture female In 2009, two itself in words. raped. One were Officers Navy unconscious knocked was woman “Is the young man to be man to “Is the young now, the army from sacked and ruined, or wounded, for or bruised, perhaps, to perhaps, Driven, life? army suicide, as young Is his are? men so often along with crime, of going prank, an undergraduate Is the young so great? be to moreover, woman, named, and acclaimed, and and promoted, with entrusted hereafter on command frontline Who some field of battle? her in any trust would In response to the Australian the Australian to In response so (ADFA) Academy’s Force Defence political scandal’, ‘Skype sex called wrote: Bob Ellis commentator would be position? Who high army Or sound truthful? she was sure Or reliable Or loyal? of judgment? under fire?” to is this a prelude Bob, dearest, your and uploading videos of you would That the internet? to wife anniversary delightful be the most across came wife surprise – if your her writhing her friends looking at bah, what’s Because, body. naked of privacy?! the point speed, not up to who’s anyone For on ADFA cast was spotlight a recent cadet a male due to month last cadets to six other broadcasting with a female sex himself having These men subsequently cadet. shots throughout screen spread cadet The female the Academy. of her unaware completely was to soft porn, and contribution it. to did not consent certainly when further fuel the fire, To the to reported was the incident Dean of (the military Commandant as a treated it was the academy), ‘minor disciplinary matter’; a slap- to see Good offence. on-the-wrist watching are our big guns in defence their personnel! out for this blatant is, that The sad fact of control a woman’s for disregard in body is commonplace her own our for university military Australia’s reason I know The officers. future there. go I used to this is because an Army 2009, I was Throughout I joined with at ADFA. Officer Cadet the Australian that the expectation Nai Brooks airs ADFA’s dirty laundry. dirty ADFA’s airs Nai Brooks DIRTY ON WOMEN DIRTY DEFENCE DOES THE DOES DEFENCE ‘BLATENT ‘BLATENT Military Military University’ in Australia’s is commonplace woman’s control woman’s control DISREGARD for a a DISREGARD for of her own body of her own body feature early 20 feared phenomenonduringthe ‘Female Hysteria’ was awidely public embarrassment andshame. minor, desire for privacy orfear of feelings that theincident was too not reporting it to thepolice were The most common reasons for crimes inAustralia. to bethemost underreported assaults against women are believed reported itto thepolice. Overall, violence from anon-partner had women (16%)whohadexperienced it to thepoliceandonly1in6 an intimate partnerhad reported had experienced violence from Only 1in7women (14%)who age of16 sexually abused before the Almost afifth(18%)hadbeen former partner this assaultfrom acurrent or women (34%)experienced More thanathird ofthese violent orsexual assault a experienced had (57%) More thanhalfofthewomen women. approx. 6677Australian adult interviews witharandom sampleof Component (2002)conducted Women Survey: Australian The International Violence Against Caden Penny investigates. against women. Violence Australia ignores revolution andmoral superiority of de-rail the ideas oftheindustrial classes were beingabused, itwould the fact that women ofallsocial very difficult.If he were to expose faced adecisionthat hefound to talk abouttheir trauma. Freud women benefitted from beingable or sexual assault.Many ofthese women were victimsofviolent an overwhelming numberofthese across the shockingdiscovery that prior to thesesymptoms. He came about their lives andexperiences he would askhysterical women coined the‘talking cure’, wherein Stress Disorder in1981).Freud would later be called Post-Traumatic and lackofself control (Thisillness attributed to the female weakness men didnotunderstand. Itwas shaking fitsoranything that experienced insomnia, depression, used to describe women who th Century. The term was other peoplesay’

you didorwhat not deserveit, no matterwhat alone. Youdid year Thisyoung oldgirl. woman mates, hadgroup sex witha19 along with11otherCronulla team Matthew Johns admitted that he, over $96millionworldwide. (setting a new record) and grossed purchased by 1.52millionpeople televised comeback fight was year hewas released: Mike Tyson’s three.He onlyended upserving The given a10year sentence in1992. rape ofan18year oldgirlandwas Mike Tyson was convicted ofthe examples inthe media: want to believe. There are many people dobelieve, butwhat they problem. Putsimply:itisnotwhat perpetrator allows oneto ignore the trauma. Whereas to sidewiththe in their pain, horror, distress and to sidewiththe victimis to share vulnerability. Caruthexplains that do notwant to accept their own there isevil inthe world. They also People donotwant to admitthat a manisrapist orwife-beater. a woman isaliar, thanto say that It ismore comfortable to say that to ‘hear no, speakno, seenoevil’. as theepitome ofsociety’s desire University) describesthisresponse University Press andEmory Hopkins University Press, Rutgers papers inconjunction withJohns University andhaspublished who attained aPhDfrom Yale researcher andfeminist academic trauma prominent (a Caruth Cathy want to have sex withourparents. represents avagina andthat we all went onto describe how ashoe sexual desires andfantasy. Hethen was the fulfilment ofthese women’s changed that histheory theabuse from thetalking cure. Instead, he the middle class.Hebacktracked ‘You arenot Camperdown) Hospital (MissendenRoad, the Royal Prince Alfred (call 95156111)orvisit provides a24hrhelpline The NSW RapeCrisisCentre City Road). Jane Foss RussellBuildingG02, 8627 8433orvisitLevel 5ofthe at theUniversity ofSydney (call isavailablecounselling service A free andconfidential did orwhat otherpeople say. not deserve it, nomatter what you Women: You are notalone.You did victim. can inflict anothertrauma uponthe condemnation andscorn ofsociety have absolutely noidea.Such think he would dothat”. You it”, or“Idon’t “she deserved it” comments such as“she wanted really happened. Itisvile to make judgment withoutknowing what abhorrent to make any definitive guilty. Iamsaying that itwould be that allmenare automatically him. However- Iamnotsuggesting Traumatic Stress Disorder. A year and hasbeen diagnosedwithPost- attempted suicideseveral times reported the incident to thepolice, joke oreaten ameal with a haveshared you because automatically innocent simply Neither isamale friend would nothurtawoman. skills doesnotmeanthat he man’s music, movies orsport The fact that you like acertain television program. proclaimed “family-friendly” Johns was given hisown self- after this revelation: Matthew . .

feature Lost in Hollywood... Lucy Randall looks for a feminist voice in film

In 2010, for the first time in history, a struggle, imagine the impact on women where filmmaker Gillian Leahy spoke of films cannot be made without financial woman was finally awarded an Academy students. Despite my limited experience her experiences teaching young women backing, and it is no surprise that one Award for her best direction, for a in directing films, I have directed for film studies. She remarked that female of the most famous contemporary film in which there was merely one two years a festival of women’s films, students felt timid in stepping forward filmmakers is Sofia Coppola, the speaking role for a woman. The winner, showcasing works that have featured to take control of the camera, while daughter of Francis Ford, Hollywood Kathryn Bigelow, is a director known women in major production roles, their male counterparts felt much more directing royalty. Despite a short career for her male-orientated action pictures, predominantly directing. Some audience confident in doing so. Film is much like in film (director of four films, all of and despite a relatively long career of members, regardless of gender, are no other medium. Many try to discredit them big budget, incredibly rare for any making big-budget films, was virtually puzzled by this purpose: why would I film as a common media, a medium filmmaker working in the industry for unknown less than fifteen by name years), Coppola was until The the first person ever Hurt Locker. allowed to shoot a Before her film in the Palace of nomination Versailles, indicative and win, only of her pull. To even three women get a short film off in more than the ground is more eighty years than an arduous had been task, it is massively nominated expensive, and for Best beyond that, you Direction. In almost always need the words of a strong dose of Australian muscle, authority filmmaker and ego. Jane Campion As is the case and previous with any product nominee, that is unethically with five produced, our nominations buying power can per year over have an influence. eighty years, - Whether you’re “you do the a filmmaker or not, math”. I do consider who’s not have making the films the muscle, you’re buying authority or tickets to see: ask ego to be any filmmaker making films. distributing a film Cinema I learned this by cinema, and in making they will cry, kiss my first short and beg for you to film last buy a ticket and to semester, tell all your friends to that is commercial beyond the point after more than four years studying film choose to be exclusive in my decision buy a ticket. Buying power at the cinema of artistry or intellectual credibility. theory. Every filmmaker encounters making? Is this form of discrimination is massively strong - the duration of Regardless of what credibility you care turns that are spirit-crushing, really going to solve a problem? a film’s cinema run will depend on its to give to film, there is no doubting its considering the demands of production, success in its first few weeks. Consider At this stage sadly, as far as I am potential to speak to people. “Whether and for me, as a first timer, struggle was signing up to the First Weekenders’ concerned, the answer has to be yes. we like it or not, cinema assumes a going to be inevitable. However, I was Group, a mailing list which will inform I’ve been asked, what if I had been pedagogical role in the lives of many saddened as I found myself constantly you what films made by women are up approached with the greatest portrayal people. It may not be the intent of a in need of the assistance of the male for release. members of my mixed crew in the of women’s desires, suffering and filmmaker to teach audiences anything, handling of equipment, and being a girl experiences of the mundane I’d ever but that does not mean lessons are not - If you are a female film student and who throws like a girl, it was very hard seen, but it was directed, written and learned,” writes author bell hooks. “It you feel a gender difference in the way making verbal demands from my cast produced by men, would I choose not to has only been in the last ten years or your class is taught, speak up, whether and crew, regardless of their sex and include it? so that I have begun to realise that my you speak to your student centre or students learned more about race, sex, age. As one of two women in my class, Films from all over the world about faculty to make a complaint, write and class from movies than from all the I felt dwarfed by the panache of my “women’s subjects” are often written anonymous letters, or make anonymous theoretical literature I was urging them fellow students. and directed by men – a classic example phone calls. to read.” Female film students are not alone: is The Color Purple, a story of an African while the average number of women American woman’s rise to personal Despite films portraying, as hooks puts studying film is proportionally equal to empowerment, directed by a white it, the “reimagined, reinvented version - Support film festivals that that of young men, there is typically man, Steven Speilberg; let alone one of of the real” her students identified more support women filmmakers and an average of less than 10% of films the great feminist classics, Thelma and strongly with the images seen in film websites dedicated to the cause, widely produced and distributed that Louise, also directed by a man. than any written text. Arguably, works such as Movies by Women, Women of visual art are the same. A movie (www.moviesbywomen.com) and are being directed by women. For the Women who have entered their films in can speak to us whether we have a Hollywood (www.blogs.indiewire. first time ever, just this year the Cannes the festival have often strongly identified knowledge of its context or not. Thus, com/womenandhollywood) and Film Film Festival has four of its twelve films with its purpose, writing to me to my greatest concern for the industry Directing 4 Women (http://www. in Official Competition directed by remark on the struggles they faced in is a lack of voice: if films speak to us, filmdirecting4women.com). women. If women who have successfully making films. “Seen & Heard” was held entered mainstream filmmaking who are we being spoken to? Sadly, 14 last year at The Red Rattler in Sydney, Happy viewing. Victim or Bunny Boiler is there another option? Caden Penny discusses the place of women in horror films from Creature from the Black Lagoon ridiculous than the last). Krueger and The Exorcist (1973) I often find myself defending my love (1954) to Scream 4 (April 2011). I laugh Voorhees are repeat offenders. Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Regan of horror movies. Men scoff and say with glee, whilst my boyfriend hides MacNeil (Linda Blair) “sif, girls are too scared”. Women gasp, behind me. I admit that such storylines and poor Whilst it may not be to everyone’s taste shift uncomfortably, and then invite quality filmmaking do appear in (US cinemas offered ‘Exorcist Barf Bags’ me to Manning less often. I watch (at The overwhelming stereotype of horror many horror movies. However, to the to patrons at the original screenings), least) one new horror movie per week. I movies is as follows: rest of the horror film industry, this The Exorcist is arguably the greatest enjoy each subgenre from classic slasher An ensemble of unnamed scantily clad B-grade subgenre is like the dorky and horror movie of all time. The film was to zombie swarms to psychological women are chased through the rain embarrassing younger cousin that your nominated for 10 Academy Awards and thrillers. I have seen every horror film by a masked man. It begins to rain, of mum forces you to hang out with. It has features two outstanding female actors. course, so their clothes little in common with the rest of horror; It depicts the demonic possession of a become see-through or it was simply born in the same family. young girl and her mother’s pursuit to inexplicably disappear. save her. The plot is flawless, intense Horror movies offer adventure, The women are then and heart-wrenching. chopped down exhilaration and alternate perceptions or mutilated or of the world and reality. And let’s not The Loved Ones (2009) tortured or raped or forget the tremendous special effects. Lola Stone (Robin McLeavy), Holly murdered by the man. In recent cinema (post-2000) there has (Victoria Thaine) and Mia (Jessica The lone survivor, if any, been a new wave of horror movies that McNamee) is a virginal brunette. are brilliantly crafted and performed, An independent Australian film hailed loved by the critics ... and yes, feature as ‘Pretty in Pink meets Wolf Creek’. It I don’t think I need to kick-ass women. These are likeable involves a pink satin dress, paper party explain the moral of women with character development, hats and a drill to the forehead. The film that story. The other believable motives and the ability to ultimately explores the tribulations of stereotype of women in kick the head off a baddie. The following youth, grief and relationships. Lola, the horror movies is a cringe- list is comprised of high-quality pro- villain, is psychotic but sympathetically worthy caricature of a jilted feminist horror movies (There are a portrayed. Holly is determined to save ex-lover who punishes the few old-school movies included. I guess her boyfriend. And then there is the male object of her affection. women’s liberation did rub off on some mystery of the angst-ridden Mia. These depictions of women, as people). victim or bunny boiler*, are the Carrie (1976) epitome of misogyny. The Descent (2005) Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) Juno (Natalia Mendoza), Sarah (Shauna Carrie received two Academy Award Horror movies are also Macdonald), Beth (Alex Reid), Rebecca Nominations. It is the perfect film for accused of having 2D (Saskia Mulder) and Holly (Jane Noone) anyone who was mistreated in high characters, The Decent has an all-female cast. school. Carrie is an awkward teenage terrible acting The first half of the film inflicts the outsider. Her mother is a deranged and flimsy or claustrophobia of underground caving. bible-basher and her schoolmates are predictable And then, just when you think you can’t jerks. Then one day Carrie discovers she plotlines. Horror take the tension anymore, the women has telekinetic powers... films do tend to encounter flesh-hungry creatures that spawn sequel appear far too human. The film exposes Zombieland (2009) after sequel the strength of female courage and Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (each more friendship. (Abigail Breslin) Zombieland is hilarious – but it is not a satire. It is a genuinely scary zombie apocalypse movie that happens to be populated by amusing characters. Wichita and Little Rock, two sisters, are expert swindlers and con-artists. They are savvy, witty and can beat down zombie hordes.

For more kick-ass women in horror: Kill Bill Vol. 1. (2003) & Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004), Alien (1979), Saw II (2005), Hellraiser (1987), Jennifer’s Body (2009), Cinema True Blood (TV series), Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Kick-Ass (2010).

[And for Arts Students who only watch foreign films]

El Orfanato (or The Orphanage, 2007), El Labertino del Fauno (or Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006), Låt den rätte komma in (or Let the Right One In, 2004) and Ringu (or Ring 1998).

... And that’s probably enough.

* The term ‘bunny boiler’ is a commonly used reference to the film Fatal Attraction (1987). Alex Forrest (played by Glenn Close) becomes obsessed with a married man with whom she had an affair. Ultimately, she boils his daughter’s pet rabbit in a pot. 15

neutral topics 1 percent 1 topics neutral

gets 5 percent and gender gender and percent 5 gets

FACT

men’s sports. Women’s sports sports Women’s sports. men’s

news sports coverage goes to to goes coverage sports news 94 percent of local television television local of percent 94 let the sexism continue to slide. For to slide. continue the sexism let first is the hospitality people, many the have in. To work they industry malleable minds in the most youngest, some of to being exposed workforce in the workforce treatment the worst an and creates is simply unacceptable, can that cultures of sexist acceptance their lifetime. women throughout affect to push this lead a fight need to We issue higher in the public consciousness it discussed and debated; and have to ensure procedures effective creating very it’s Yes, it is dealt with in full force. is “just in hospitality sexism true that it should be. not how but it’s it is”, how well as they currently are, receive more more receive are, currently as they well placed on boards, and are scholarships this as a raising to some way will go we issue within our society. legitimate supporting and promoting a new a supporting and promoting leaders. female sport of generation see more to with a push Perhaps sporting scholarships receiving women positions on leadership and achieve will indeed begin to we boards, various women our of recognition see broader in sport. to of the media it is also the role Yet, this. As a media student, help foster of the of the role aware I am well opposing and despite public interest, media for a quota to arguments I do not think it is out of the coverage, attention bring to to public interest the success of our sportswomen. has Thus, although media coverage reporting on study the latest increased, only that sport revealed of women’s is of sports reporting 10.7 per cent sport. women’s covering to dedicated if this is the case, that argue I would clearly has an quite then Australia to comes problem when it attitude our sportswomen. acknowledging a enforce to commitment a Getting as However, be easy. will never quota as to perform continue our women don’t have security, a female doesn’t a female security, don’t have break to strength the physical have to tends that – something up a fight a lot of people are happen when there is: what My question drinking together. is a male manager that guarantees singlehandedly deal be able to to going If you violence anyway? with physical this the surface, beneath scratch just and it does not hold together argument one issue that apparent soon becomes – cannot violence and alcohol – physical in hospitality. the other – sexism justify has not been this culture A big reason so long is the casual for addressed Being a of the workforce. nature little very have you means that casual an make to were If you job security. be to and were complaint internal as so many with a bad reaction, received your for easy be very it would are, less you simply give to employers eventually and less shifts and with you out”, “phase you to little ground very having On the other on legally. stand the idea of side of the coin, job for as a temporary hospitality to an inertia creates students many this isn’t very often, action, as take in for work plan to they the industry be a and it won’t of their lives the rest to admit I am the first forever. problems cause to want “I don’t of the rationale to going not even when I’m trouble long” very a lot for be here makes of sense. reasons valid These very inactivity do not mean for can we that however, PHOEBE DRAKE throws the ball around the ball DRAKE throws PHOEBE

world lie? world two, are there perspective, my From in problems overarching separate prove that industry the hospitality still a is there that unquestionably feminism. place for and of these is the perception The first employers by of women treatment I have The examples and colleagues. of a glimpse just show described above throughout is common that a culture portrays that a culture the industry, to playthings sexual as purely women them, with little the men around serve or opinions. their thoughts for regard When discussing writing this article up a he brought with a colleague find in the industry men often problem behind the be employed to – a struggle attractive bar when less experience, and customers who attract women is work. While this to available are tips discrimination, of gender an example another this is just opinion, in my on being judged of women example rather than their their attractiveness sexist skill or merit, perpetuating culture. these that believe I strongly helped create have perceptions a lack of big problem: the second Though women roles. leadership in the industry, represented well are in represented not well are they such as roles higher-responsibility I have Personally, management. under a female worked never for argument A common manager. that in venues is that this occurrence an opinion piece on the introduction the introduction an opinion piece on ‘if that, media coverage for of quotas all, it sport at playing on insist women should be beach volleyball.’ clearly a number quite are there Whilst I could of issues with this statement real on, the comment potentially this is broadly be that to seems problem general. in of wider society symptomatic that further question Indeed, one could our sports women do not take if we subject them to why then seriously, a introducing further derision through quota? stance a take to we need Ultimately, our where In an age somewhere. an at playing are sportswomen need only look (we amazingly high level their outperforming the Matildas’ to bringing home the by male counterpart see this), there Asian Cup in 2010 to and it must in attitude be a change must happen on a number of levels. the Australian this year, Earlier launched several government gender the to fight in a bid alternatives whilst divide in sporting organisations

none

employed and continually and continually employed Yes, sir Hospitality is an industry that we are are we that is an industry Hospitality as students. by surrounded constantly employ outlets Our on campus majority of those and a vast students campus, off in the industry employed So how students. are nation-wide young, as progressive we, is it that have people of the world, educated sexist the rampant accept to come the same as the norm while at culture there is that perceptions time letting in our modern feminism no place for of this has been a shock to anyone – anyone of this has been a shock to it is”. how “just that’s because cornered by a male employee who a male employee by cornered despite me on a date take wished to I of “no”, answer unwavering my hurting for fault my it was thought asked When I was guilty. him and felt the males on a ladder so that stand to skirt, I passed it look up my could Working in taste. in bad off as a joke ass has been my has meant hospitality been opinions have pinched and my a been called on. I’ve down looked condescending of names from plethora to the more and babe sweetie ones like And slut and bitch. like nasty A closer look at women in hospitality by ALEXANDRA COWAN by in hospitality women A closer look at working in the began When I first about eighteen industry hospitality girl a naïve merely I was ago months help but I couldn’t the country; from and colleagues of my think the best applying at When I was employers. work I couldn’t that told and was pubs only boys behind the bar because that I trusted behind the bar, worked behind reason be a valid must there one not being specified. this, despite When I was Interestingly, as I started my research research my started as I Interestingly, to be a found this I this article, for unoriginal and largely reoccurring for and writer theme. Sports journalist in Baum, commented Greg The Age, Yet, since I was a child, I have always always I have a child, since I was Yet, cheer and, lack of remarkable noticed a our for coverage, media furthermore, will not be surprised You sportswomen. during lunch with a that, know to myself I found week, male friend last when the subject offended somewhat and he smirked in sport arose of women playing ‘Women and commented, hilarious.’ soccer? That’s I will be the first to admit I am not to admit I will be the first despite sporty person, a terribly a number of different played having childhood and my sports throughout I will said, however, adolescence. That etc swimming rugby, tennis, watch with a competitive anything (basically country all, in a it. After spirit) and enjoy our sport and places emphasis on that up brought we are our sporting heroes, and cheer and gold the green wear to and, for compete as they on our teams well. part, compete the most Page 16 SRC HELP: Leaving an Abusive Relationship

Abuse can take many forms and is The first and most important thing to do If you are receiving a Centrelink The SRC have caseworkers who can help widely understood to begin with more if possible is to get out of that situation. payment, you may be eligible for a crisis you with advice, support, referral and subtle controlling behaviours, such If you are living with the perpetrator payment. Similarly Housing NSW may advocacy around any of these academic as possessiveness, intimidation and find somewhere to stay and get out of be able to help you with a RentStart processes, or with issues relating to jealousy. He might regularly put you that situation ASAP. Stay with a friend payment that will cover the cost of Centrelink, housing etc. You can also down, check your phone, tell you what or family member. If you can’t stay with bond for a new home, moving fees and access the SRC legal service to find out to wear or what you can do. Abuse can a friend or family, get a referral to a connection fees for electricity, water about your rights. take many forms and can involve one or Women’s Refuge. An SRC Caseworker and gas. There is a range of telephone and more of the following: Physical abuse, can help with that. If you are concerned about your pet the internet support services you can access psychological and emotional abuse, If you’re not living with your abusive RSPCA have a program called ‘Safe Beds if you want counseling, information, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, social partner still consider leaving that for Pets’ that helps provide temporary advice or referral(s). Consider using a isolation (cutting you off from friends relationship. Don’t wait around to see if accommodation. There may be a small phone or computer that the perpetrator and family), financial deprivation, he really is sorry and won’t do it again. fee for this service. does not have access to. property damage and stalking. If you are concerned for your own The University has processes and Lifeline: 13 11 14 Regardless of what form it takes, is safety, even after leaving, you can take support services to help students in Domestic Violence Line: 1800 65 64 63 entirely unjustifiable. Regardless of out an AVO (apprehended violence difficult situations such as this. You may Domestic Violence National Hotline: what the perpetrator says before or order) putting restrictions on them be able to seek special consideration for 1800 200 526 after any abuse, no one is responsible contacting you or coming within a any assessments you have at the time, Rape Crisis Service 1800 424 017 for causing that abuse except the certain distance of you. If they breach and if you end up failing your subjects Police or Ambulance 000 perpetrator. the AVO the police (Campus Security) at the end of semester you can apply to If you, or someone you know is in an It must be noted that abusive will take further action. You may also have your marks converted from fails abusive relationship, take the next step. relationships are not always men being want to consider pressing charges. The to DNF (discontinued not to count as It’s not easy, but neither is staying in an abusive towards women. Abusive Police have Domestic Violence Liaison fail). These processes require evidence, abusive relationship. relationships can also occur in same-sex Officers who are specifically trained to such as a police event number, medical relationships and sometimes women support survivors and can advise you of certificate, or letter from a psychologist being abusive towards men. Whatever the steps. or counselor. the relationship, it is simply not OK.

NEW ASK LILY Q & A with students who need help Sexual and a dog who has all the answers.. NEW Immigration Service Send letters to: [email protected] This issue of Honi Soit is Harassment: A new pro bono arrangements are in place until the end being written autonomously of 2012. by women. As Abe is a male Immigration law service is dog, and recognises the What is it and They allow anyone who held or had privilege he has enjoyed as being offered twice a month a result, he is happy for this applied for a Temporary Skilled Graduate column to be written by his by the SRC’s Legal Service. visa (subclass 485) on 8 February 2010 colleague Lily. what can you to apply for permanent General Skilled Malcolm Charlton of Charlton Lawyers, Migration on the basis of the old Skilled Level 29 Chifley Tower, Chifley Square, Occupation List. do to stop it? Sydney, will meet with students Dear Lily, I am shy and hard-working. My parents have If you feel uncomfortable when between 4pm and 6pm on the first and They also allow anyone who held made many sacrifices for me to be able to last Wednesday of each month at the someone at university or work relates to a qualifying Student visa when the come to University. I study whenever I can you in a certain way, you may be being offices of the SRC. The following is an changes were announced on 8 February and I never go out so that I am not tired for subjected to sexual harassment. article by Mr Charlton on the recently 2010 to apply for a Temporary Skilled classes. My teacher told me that if I spent introduced skilled occupation list Graduate visa (Subclass 485) on the some night time with him that he would help Sexual harassment is against the law and the new GSM visa points test for basis of the old Skilled Occupation List. me to get better grades. He says that it is and is any behaviour of a sexual nature permanent residency and associated Qualifying student visas are subclasses all right to do this because he understands that: legislative changes to protect students. 572, 573 and 574. being a student and will not do the wrong • you do not want; thing by me. Nothing wrong has happened but I just do not feel comfortable. Please • offends, humiliates or intimidates The New Skilled Occupation The Temporary Skilled Graduate visa you; and (Subclass 485) provides a stay period explain to me if I’m doing the wrong thing by List introduced in mid 2010 of 18 months and allows the holder to avoiding my teacher. I do not want to fail any • creates a hostile environment. classes. In February 2010, the Australian work or study in Australia. If this is happening to you you should Government announced a number of These arrangements provide current and Nervous come along to the SRC and talk to changes to its Skilled Migration program a case-worker to decide who is the former students with time to explore which took effect in mid 2010. These further visa options. Apart from General best person to complain to about changes included the withdrawal of the Dear Nervous, Skilled Migration, other visa options are If a teacher, or anyone else for that matter, this behaviour. This may be the Migration Occupation in Demand List available through employer or state/ asks you to do something that you are not University’s own Staff and Student and the introduction of a new Skilled Equal Opportunity Unit; the Anti- territory sponsorship. Information about comfortable doing, you do not have to do it. Occupation List These changes were other visa options can be found on the It does not sound like the teacher is being Discrimination Board of NSW; or the not retrospective. Anyone who had Australian Human Rights Commission. department’s website. very professional by asking to spend “some applied for a General Skilled Migration night time” with you. It actually sounds like You can also make a complaint to Fair visa before the announcement of the your teacher might be starting to harass you. Work Australia for Unfair Dismissal Free Immigration changes will be assessed on the basis of There are many rules that can protect you from if you are dismissed because you the old Skilled Occupation list. Law Advice... this. Talk to an SRC caseworker to make sure complain about sexual harassment. An you are looked after. No one deserves to feel application for Unfair Dismissal must Students When: 4pm - 6pm on the first and last uncomfortable like you have described. Even be made within 14 days from when the Wednesday of each month, if it is just a misunderstanding it is best to sort dismissal took effect. The changes included generous Where: at SRC office. these things out as soon as possible. transitional arrangements which Contact: 02 9660 5222 Lily Maggie Hayes, Solicitor, SRC Legal have been extended to current and (appointments required) Service former students. These transitional

phone: (02) 9660 5222 | email: [email protected] Drop-ins (no Appointment required) www.src.usyd.edu.au | Level 1, Wentworth Building Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1 to 3pm Contact SRC HELP If you are not on main campus contact SRC on: 0466 169 664 Level 1, Wentworth Buliding 17 V Donherra Walmsley [email protected] PRESIDENT’S REPORT twitter: @srcpresident

Welcome back to the latter part of Whilst it is true that there are more one in society, and that unless it is semester – that time of year when women students than men at the otherwise specified, it is the lens you realise that exams are terrifyingly university, that does not mean that through which policy is formulated, close, and a week off is really not barriers to women’s engagement have and media generated. Women’s Honi long enough to have a break and been removed. Men are still much is about looking at things through a catch up on that backlog of uni work. more likely to go on to postgraduate different lens once a year. Remember if you are struggling with study than women. Men have higher uni work, there are a whole range of starting salaries as graduates. The voices Also – the fact that whenever any services available within the University of men still dominate tutorial spaces issue that specifically affects women is to help you out if you need it – there both through the assigned readings, brought up, people immediately start is everything from workshops on how and in discussions. If you don’t believe crying “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MEN?!” to cope with stress, to workshops on me, next time you’re in a tutorial take (I’ve never heard the inverse) kind of how to write an essay, as well as the note of the gender/speaking time ratio. demonstrates the dominance of the SRC being available if you need help Furthermore, even though the number male lens in society. with academic appeals or special of women graduating from Journalism/ 4 – By having autonomous spaces/ consideration and so on. Media/Communications type degrees collectives/editions of Honi Soit you’re is far greater than the number of men, This week’s edition of Honi Soit is an ignoring men and without men nothing men still overwhelmingly dominate the will be achieved. autonomous women’s edition, which media. The women’s edition of Honi means that all content was produced Soit is about giving a voice to women, It is completely true that the feminist by woman-identifying people, and all and giving them a space to write and be movement will not achieve its ends of the editors were woman-identifying. published. without male allies. We need men to I’m not going to go into the queer be a part of the movement if we’re theory on why I used the terms 3 – Why do we need a specific edition of going to get anywhere. Furthermore, woman-identifying, I’ll leave that for Honi Soit to talk about women’s issues, I believe that a society that the the queer edition, but if you want it why don’t we have one to talk about benefits of a society that has equal explained don’t hesitate to shoot me men’s issues, they have problems too! opportunities (and responsibilities) empowered to go out and communicate an email or tweet me (@srcpresident). and argue their case in broader society. No-one is saying that there are not for men and women are felt by both Every year, there are inevitably It’s also important to recognise that issues that are specific to men. The men and women, so naturally men complaints about the existence of autonomous organising is not done in one that always gets raised is men’s SHOULD be involved in the struggle this edition of Honi, and I’m going to isolation. Autonomous groups have mental health and the fact that men to make our society more equal. use my report to address a few of the alliances and relationships with groups are more likely to commit suicide than The issue of autonomy is a fraught issues which grind my gears (which that are open to everyone who believes women, and are less likely to seek help if one. Fundamentally, the idea behind won’t change the minds of anyone in the cause. They are just one piece of they’re mentally ill. YES THAT IS A HUGE autonomy is about empowerment. who’s going to complain, but that’s ok). the overall puzzle. PROBLEM. Yes, we as a society should We have autonomous organising collectives for campaigns, because 1 – It’s sexist to have a women’s be looking at addressing that problem. Personally, I can’t wait for the year we believe that it is the people who edition of Honi Soit. No, it does not mean that you need when we don’t have a women’s edition are affected most by the issue who your own edition of Honi Soit. The fact of Honi Soit, when we don’t need Incorrect. Sexism refers to the should be behind the campaigns, and remains that issues that affect women affirmative action policies in elections, institutionalised and systemic because we believe that one of the exclusively or predominantly are not and when the fact that a leader of a oppression of women in society. best ways of overcoming institutional given attention in ‘mainstream’ society. union or a party or a country is a woman Gender discrimination and sexism are oppression (and this goes for queer and My favourite (or most rage-inducing, is not considered newsworthy - because NOT repeat NOT the same thing; so indigenous and other groups as well) depending on how you want to look at when all of those happen, we will whilst it is true to say that this issue is by empowering people to feel that it) example of this is the GST: there is no have reached equality. Unfortunately, of Honi Soit discriminates on the basis they can shape change. Autonomous GST applied to men’s shaving items, as we’re not there yet. And until we are, of gender, it is not actually sexism, spaces and organising groups are also they are deemed a “necessity”, however, autonomous editions of Honi and because men are not systematically about “safer spaces” – some women there IS GST applied to women’s sanitary autonomous organising spaces have an oppressed by society. If you’re going may feel more confident to speak products (i.e. tampons) – apparently important role to play. to complain at least be accurate about they’re a luxury item. I think that this up and have input when they are in the terms you are using. example pretty clearly illustrates that a space without men. Autonomous men’s interests are looked after where spaces provide the place where they can 2 – We don’t need a women’s edition women’s are not. The point I’m making have their voices heard, and it is often of Honi Soit because there are more here is that in reality, the perspective of through building confidence in these female students at university than the white straight male is the normative “safer spaces” that people will then be male students.

Become a member of the SRC! src Get involved! Join in person at the SRC Office or the SRC Bookshop Buy Cheap Secondhand Sign the petition for a National Get involved with the Student Transport Concession Scheme books NOW! SRC’s campaigns... http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ Visit the SRC bookshop Tell us what you think about lectures Level 4 Wentworth a-national-student-concession-card.html being podcast. Fill in the survey at: 18 www.surveymonkey/s/podcastlectures V ANTI-RACISM COLLECTIVE REPORT Following a week of As Honi Soit goes to press they remain Melbourne and a convergence of decides conditions are improving in uncharged and in solitary confinement. refugee activists at Curtin detention their country of origin. It will also be rooftop protests and fire centre in WA. applied retroactively, so the change will The fires in detention centres in the last potentially affect the refugees involved at Villawood detention few months were lit for the very same Serco tried to change visiting rules at in protests at Christmas Island and centre in Sydney’s reason that Woomera, Port Hedland and Curtin to allow only one-on-one visits, Villawood in recent months. west, Immigration Villawood burned under Howard. It is despite a letter signed by 700 detainees the government’s policy of mandatory requesting an activist delegation be The fires, riots, rooftop protests and Minister Chris Bowen detention that has pushed refugees to allowed to meet with them. Over 300 hunger strikes are not going to end by has announced Howard- the brink. Months on end in detention, refugees joined a sit-in and hunger enshrining more punitive measures in esque changes to uncertainty about asylum claims and strike while refugee activists blockaded law. Only an overhaul of mandatory constant fear of deportation are the real the road in solidarity. The hunger strike detention will. Under Howard, the Migration Act, crimes. Suicide attempts and self-harm ended on Tuesday afternoon. the refugee movement forced the are skyrocketing and mental health dismantling of the detention regime— effectively re-introducing Under Howard TPVs left refugees in professionals continue to condemn the now we need to do it again. limbo for up to five years, only after Temporary Protection effects of the detention system. The which they could find out if they could The Anti-Racism Collective campaigns Visas. refugees languishing in detention have stay permanently. If the government for the rights of refugees. We meet nothing left but to protest. Protesting refugees have been labeled has its way, any refugee that has been on Mondays at 12pm on the New as criminals, so the government On Easter Monday around 250 convicted of a crime while in detention Law lawns, and everyone is welcome. responded by snatching 22 detainees protestors rallied outside Villawood. will be unable to bring their family to Call Clare on 0415 821 485 for more from their beds last Friday night and The rally also coincided with a protest Australia, and the government can information. taking them to Silverwater prison. at Maribyrnong detention centre in deport them whenever it arbitrarily Climate Action Collective REPORT Liberal Councillors forum “Lessons from Japan: the case This is not the first time Sidler has and has been supporting motions against nuclear.” Without the resources resorted to undemocratic manoeuvres to expel activist groups. To defend Declare War on Student of the SRC we could not function like to undermine the Climate Action women’s rights on campus, and student Climate Collective we do. Now we are fighting Liberals Collective. Against the decision of democracy in general, we need to fight on and off campus. While Tony Abbott the SRC executive, he censored CAC’s men and women who support Liberal The SRC General Secretary and Liberal is whipping up climate denier hysteria report to the O-week handbook at and right-wing politics. That is where the Chad Sidler has attempted to shut down with his ‘people’s revolt’ against the the beginning of the year. In its place real problem lies. two democratic student groups: the carbon price, Chad Sidler is on campus he put a two page spread by Liberal The Liberals justify all this by saying Climate Action Collective and Anti- issuing decrees to abolish a grass-roots Environment Officer Adam Foda which they are keeping ‘students’ money on Racism Collective. I doubt the average climate campaign. did not mention the words ‘climate campus for students’ and not ‘partisan student knows that Liberals stalk the change’. Denier? I think so. corridors of our SRC, much less that they Thankfully at the last SRC meeting politics’. Leaving Sidler’s own partisan are using their positions to wage war the council voted to overturn Sidler’s This is just one battle in the war Sidler politicking aside, students are not docile on grass-roots student activism. Sidler motion and granted the Climate Action is waging against all student collectives, creatures that exist only in lecture recommended “that the Climate Action Collective a budget of $2000. Thirty which he has dubbed ‘extremist’. The theatres and libraries. We have a history Collective (CAC) and the Anti-Racism students from all collectives turned Anti-Racism Collective (ARC), which of leading the great social movements. Collective (ARC) are to receive no up at the meeting to express their Sidler also wants to abolish, was denied We have a right to discuss politics, speak funding, support or use of SRC resources outrage. The Liberals (one of which funding and a stall at O-week this year, out and organise collectively for social or resources that are available to the was draped in an Australian flag) tried and the Women’s Collective handbook justice. But we need SRC support to SRC”. to avoid being held accountable to the was not allowed to be published in ensure we can carry out our campaigns. SRC Council. When the policy went to first semester. Given this report is This week we will be raising awareness I am a member of the Climate Action a vote they tried (but failed) to leave to being published in Women’s Honi, we against Liberal attacks on student Collective. We campaign for 100% avoid quorum – the minimum amount would like to clarify our view that this democracy – look out for us on campus! renewable energy and Green Jobs. of people needed to hold a vote – and has nothing to do with Sidler being a Erima Dall We are against new coal fired power stop the meeting. Democracy and man. Hilton is an International Student stations and nuclear energy. A few accountability are evidently meaningless and women who ran on Sidler’s ticket, Climate Action Collective (meets 1pm, weeks ago 60 people attended our to them. is a member of the SRC executive Chancellor’s Garden, Monday.)

WOMENS OFFICERS’ REPORT [email protected] For the past few months the women’s movement? And is it still relevant? the women’s special of Honi Soit is the violence and sexual assault continue officers’ inbox has been overflowing one time in the year when women can to occur. In my opinion men within the feminist with hate mail from various men highlight issues that affect them. movement are a necessary facet So I guess these tiresome nights around campus that are very passionate in order to take things in the right Sure, there isn’t a men’s collective, that the collective has spent editing about the fact that this special issue direction. But that’s not to say the a men’s room or a men’s edition the paper were all done in an effort of honi is completely created and autonomy of the women’s collective and of Honi Soit… But the issue here is to stimulate discussion and maybe edited by women. “Why isn’t there a this edition of honi should be scrapped. that women are still classified as the change your state of mind. Become a member of the SRC! men’s honi?” “There are more female To many, what the ‘safe space’ that the “inferior gender” and the options for undergraduates around campus, Everyone will never agree on the Join in person at the SRC Office or the SRC Bookshop Women’s room in the Holme building women are definitely not as broad as therefore they don’t have issues that fact that women still have problems provides is a valuable and treasured they are for men. There may be more need to be dealt with” “Women’s or that the women’s collective have

ideal. The women’s collective that female graduates around university, src Officers? That’s an oxymoron”. These an autonomous publication of Honi meets at 1pm on Wednesdays, in but beyond the gates of USYD things Get involved with the are some of the direct quotes that every year. But if nothing else we that same room, is again a group of aren’t so encouraging. Equal pay is still stem from these complaints. There hope that students on campus will SRC’s campaigns... individuals that have a unique platform something we need to fight for, there is an ongoing debate surrounding the think about issues around the topic that allows them to showcase their is still an all time low in the figures of autonomy of the women’s collective and of feminism. Because when people opinions and organize events themed female representation in parliament, the consequently, that of this publication. talk, things begin to happen. with ideas that are shared with the rights for women workers are definitely And the ever-prevalent question arises: others within the collective. And lastly not on par with men and domestic do men have a place in the feminist 19

Mia Dyson Mia Dyson

I am yet to find to I am yet reddens me, it finds me instead. by its luminosity. I am flushed, docile it flexes wrists my at sleeves, my at and lingers thread by winding itself thread forearm. on my the hairs through of the daytime me questions it asks and its and of nature musings I do this cringing,and asks, why myself. to and folds it sits in the crooks sides of my itself comfortable. make and tries to dwelling - of an old tyre in front sat cat, a lost by tired counting its scratches its ridges of its motions dreaming and and driveways along highways I am its characters through vicarious laughing and crying laughing and crying. always of a dwelling glow the warm night & day & night of the old ebb and flow in afflicted stretch saddened roads the night, arms their skinny across bare wrists out, open wires, the water. still yet bearing all of our weight affection for desperate high and thoughtlessly, drive we above. gather, they in passing parks roots. tree at small animals huddle tonight, before than it was the moon more into steeping and paws illuminating me - away and shy I cover lowered, I’m resonance) its sallow savouring (still mind, limb… the messenger scenery in at gazing lost gets white on the green, and billowed pillowed it now, the sun is in the ground palpitates and then it speaks the dirt but a holy ghost, us like to funnels its meaning into grass and clay polymer roses and the surrender the vehicle a sunless sky towards reaching and small animals huddle closer at roots. tree be to there for opening and doors clicking like hours and all closing all day and all day and all night night, allnightalldayallnightallday reason enough becomes night until to leave won’t know you but you here I’ll find it stilting their drop eyes your until distance me from away yourself taking are you poetry holding successful exhibitions of “self of exhibitions successful holding receives artist in which the portraits” in models waif –like from fellatio Manhattan. Gallery, bins (Dietch garbage are Richardson like artists 04) However makes that an industry by protected undermining yearly dollars billions of their insecurities on and preying women and so produces he the work through lucrative lest earnest, it is the more Henson that of individuals like artworks be lampooned. to likely more are majority the vast that say to It is safe seen even have would of Australians it not been so had portrait Henson’s meantime damned, in the publically of images escape it is impossible to in on bus stops, minors sexualized in Even stations. train and at magazines has enabled the the home the internet model” “preteen to access of links easy legality complete promise that websites, nakedness, of total the absence due to gain can users fee” a “small for were of young of images hundreds access to as as 3 to young as Russian girls from Anderson as 12 mimicking Pamela “old” body bikinis. The naked poses in skimpy of a child is damned in art while only of Brazilian the death before years two Reston, model 1.72m Ana Carolina starve to her employers by encouraged of a 12 weight expected the to herself and than 1.5m tall, old girl no more year deaths identical, almost the subsequent, both models, of the Ramos sisters, treated are 2006-07 the years between While it would occurrences”. as “freak assume all models to be inaccurate it is true that disorders eating suffer in 100 adolescent one approximately a nervosa, anorexia girls will develop rate, mortality disease with a one in five and the promise rate a 15-25% relapse is achieved, if recovery even that, health will be left and mental physical and it is certain damaged permanently of those girls will be paid few very that When US Glamour their efforts. for them to and asked 300 women surveyed they thought negative every down write the had about their body throughout a 35 to up with between 97% came day, not nearly as many 100 such thoughts, made industry millions as the fashion year. last and the extreme that I am hopeful of Barnett’s censorious nature the hypocrisy will illuminate proposal public of egomaniacal and cowardice on individual artists attacking figures, real avoiding whilst incomes meagre that with industries confrontation like powerful deemed either too are too hard , or and advertising fashion I pornography. internet like control, to old has a 12 year that do not believe to agree to or autonomy the insight body of her naked photographs have but as usual this displayed publically of the debate has not been the centre and not the and as usual it is the image of attention. individual who is the focus plan will do nothing but Barnett’s galleryowners artists, inconvenience art simply because and art appreciators of interest enough focus is not a great public. It will not prevent the general to objectified being and feeling women and production and it will not stop I am of child pornography. consumption a to hear of a paedophile going to yet yearning, their to sate gallery national simply far are avenues less conspicuous accessible. too to the prevalence of hyper-sexual of hyper-sexual the prevalence to in the media and the of children images form as the the childlike of promotion which, adult women for ideal sexual of pornography with the fetishisation conditioned in advertising, has and rape equate audience to the contemporary around The furore nudity with sex. any been which have images, Henson’s for uncontested similar and largely less on the reflects years, twenty over on and more “sinister” intent artist’s has that audience a contemporary their sense of innocence through lost of sexualised a media avalanche and entertainments. advertisements conservative Australian Prominent when Devine, Miranda fear-mongerer speaking of the Henson scandal, images that bemoaned the fact context “sexual in a children presenting these days so commonplace are the capacity lost have seem to they is not While this point shock.” to Henson’s to necessarily applicable to and points founded it is well work of the the issues flanking the edges the look at One only has to debate. made mere Inquiry, Seven Zippora to exhibition Henson’s before weeks of and “acceptance” see the prevalence in public of children images sexualized of models 2008 images media. In May Clark (15) (16) and Levi Seven Zippora published in Russh were in a bath naked the The shoot referenced magazine. Depp and Johnny champagne bath in the mid- shared Moss allegedly Kate in were and model actor Both nineties. and respectively and 20’s their early 30’s substance documented both had well abuse issues. In the Russh editorial with four naked both models appeared & Chandon in of Moet bottles empty posed as if Clark was the foreground, some was While there unconscious. the the images, surrounding controversy of the board director cleared, shoot was the Donald McDonald declaring that and “submittable” was not publication be classified, did not need to therefore the Classification that the fact despite of nudity the depiction Act prohibits under 18. activity in minors and sexual her first said that later Seven Zippora on with Clark under direction kiss was the shoot. nudity, I am of the opinion that the arts, should to especially in respect regime. a classification not be subject to body, The demonising of the naked we female, is something particularly a to relegated have now should by Under age. less sophisticated previous, history art entire our direction Barnett’s seminal images review, require would strikingly Puberty, Munch’s Edward like would photograph, Henson’s similar to the naked be denied classification; and Raphael would of da Vinci cherubs of art history. the pages from evaporate American like All the while “artists” a man Richardson, Terry photographer harassment sexual as many with almost him as photographs claims against to continue would his portfolio, to cheques for pay generous receive old supermodels 15 year photographing clad as scantily styled Wixon Lindsey like legged and open mouthed splay Lolitas, whilst Opening Ceremony labels like for

A Senate inquiry launched by A Senate in Guy Barnett Christian conservative of the extension 2010 has proposed to classifications film and literature of his proposed the visual arts as part argues Barnett scheme. reclassification nudity full frontal containing films that and classification should be refused depicting and literature all artworks he classification, nudity should require of “artistic the concept that also insists merit” and should be made is void the depiction to so in respect legally body and the naked violence of sex, inquiry federal in art. If the proposed Board the Classification is accepted to the power have will potentially of and distribution classification deny deemed and artworks films, novels It is its standards. by unacceptable the fraught that this debate amongst bodies, frequently subject of women’s the subjects of art, and their treatment come mass media has once more by play. into to the Bill referred Barnett Senator of 2008 suggesting Henson controversy angst” the image the “community that old girl excited 12 year of a naked to support his evidence sufficient was Henson’s program. re-classification 2008 23rd of May polemic exhibition for a playground has long provided from to distract politicians eager surrounding and or disquiet scandals other policy issues. The Henson welcome a provided exhibition resignation the from distraction Milton of then Aboriginal Minister of drug and in the light Orkopoulos before 24 hours just charges, child sex opened. Then Prime the exhibition quick to Rudd was Kevin Minister as “revolting”denounce the images his merit”, and “without artistic by echoed was uniformly sentiment of Then Premier of politicians. a slew the to Morris Iemma referred NSW and disgusting” as “offensive images for Senator while Hellen Polley, to are “If we proclaimed: Tasmania it may these photographs accept sinister to more open the floodgates “ pathways. to suffer for a girl of 12 The potential hearing national harm at psychological denounce photos publically leaders body as “offensive”, of her naked “disgusting” “revolting” appears or on our leaders. been lost have to Polley’s it is Senator However, a particular, displays that statement The ignorance. childlike almost non-sexual Henson’s that suggestion in a child displayed of a naked image an encourage somehow would gallery the production in unseen escalation sexualizing of images and acceptance naivety implies a ludicrous children, of the media. It is state the current to women and girls in this depiction of has been determinedly the media that politicians in discussion by ignored both Henson and the surrounding refer in art. I of censorship matter RUBY FENELEY explores FENELEY explores RUBY nudity and art

or Art? Objectification Objectification Naked women: women: Naked PAGE 20 contentious space. Voting blocs traverse Contest has always beenadivisive anda political neutrality, theEurovision Song issues explicitly. Yet despite claimsof event that hasnever dealtwithgender far to applyafeminist reading to an It may bepushingcultural studies too described asvampy. costumes that could bepolitely makeup, ankle-snappingheels,and presentation usuallyinvolves theatrical sexualised to thehysterically insane, the aesthetic styling. From the hyper- the songsthemselves are secondary to For many otherfemale contestants in herarcane composition. managed to depoliticisethe word ‘gay’ Astonishingly sheeven successfully Lou whoin2003sung: This ispatently obvious inGermany’s political message from lyrical crackers. It’s often hard to extract adistinctly an obvious forum for feminist debate. Eurovision SongContest hasnever been lib andgender equality. Butthe they’ve allbeaten thedrumfor women’s Helen Reddy, TheSlits,BikiniKill- Feminism’s always beenaboutmusic. ALICE DIXON doesafeminist reading ofEurovision FEMMO-VISION women. love for skateboarding, andlater, mountain bikes, andIfound agreater up unicycling over racing downhill dad’s heartwhenhechose to take I thinkmy brother andibroke my in dad’s books to work offabike trailer. the menacebutInever earnedenough customers.serving My hero was dennis skip binoutthebackwhiledadwas aimed for chippedaway letters onthe aspirations to shoot at birds butIjust bike frames andtubing.Hehad had to make slingshotsoutofbroken alternative plansmeand my brother I pocketed spare ballbearingsfor well deserved. fast food from across theroad tasted mainstream radio. whenlunchcame, pump tires allday listening to bad marks withprideandwas happy to little assembly, butI wore thosegrease me working onscooters that needed the schoolholidays. hemainlyhad Growing upiusedto work for Dadin making strategies. was always lookingfor clever money was definitely worth more buthe it for somesmallchange. Thebike owned abike shopandtraded me bike frame andat thetime my dad The onlythingIever won was abmx A BMXBIKEFRAME hits you onabrand new day and thepromise Iwillsendyou, away, all ourtroubles they willfade Let’s get happy andlet’s begay, and ourworld willbeallnew ends, for tomorrow never never friends, Let’s get happy andlet’s be

with sex tourism andchildtrafficking. philanthropist, concerned particularly Ruslana isawell regarded politicianand resemblance to theAmazons. Further, Ruslana andher‘wilddancers’ bear how empowering thesongis.Sure, Hardly ‘IamWoman’. Yet it’s amazing the stage for three exhausting minutes. whips andfire violently leapt across costume, andwiththeassistance of dressed upinarevealing Xena-esque musician inherhomecountry Ukraine, Lyzhicko, arespected composer and fruitful feminist analysis. Ruslana 2004 that we findsomeofthemost Yet itisinthewinningentry from talented. won; cuteness sure, butshewas also with. Itwas ontheseskillsthat she another teenage girlcould sympathise awkward style ofdancingthat only idiosyncratic singing voice andthat left her to winonherskillsalone–an by ascaled down soloperformance, totally mundaneappearance, matched dress paired withopaquetights. Her by wearing anoffice-appropriate black rebelled against the‘feminine norm’ last year’s teen winnerfrom Germany, Most obviously, LenaMeyer-Landrut, dance floor. potentiality of femmo fighting onthe remiss thento completely ignore the during thedress rehearsal. Itseems by publically thankinghishusband from Denmarkcaused astir in2004 cause for secession.Tomas Thordarson explicitly cited entry into Eurovision asa identities. Formative state Montenegro post-Soviet rivalries andnationalist room instead. I madeoutwithmy girlfriendintheart year. cut. Ididn’teven botherthefollowing adventist. BigsurpriseIdidn’tmake the knew my parents weren’t seventh day because shethought Iwas adyke and taught cooking classesand hated me homophobic 5foot tall coach whoalso was outswitha highschoolgirlstry The closest Igot to playing for theNBA insufferable, notthesex. then that itwas thesexism that was skills. Itwas ashameIdidn’tknow body ifIkept practicing my dribbling development ofmy apparently female false hopethat I’d beableto fight the scrawny arms.Itgave measenseof while flexing every musclein my two mirror andpullingmy singlet down crisis. Iremember lookinginthe I hadsomewhat ofagender identity became obsessed withMichaelJordan When Idiscovered basketball and prose Lock between them.Yet bothuseacommon probably resent any links beingdrawn superficial similarities,and would Ruslana andFemen share only women reclaiming theirbodies. just attentionit’s grabbing; anactof shock tactics can beseenasmore than subverting thesecultural attitudes, their and mail-order brides.Provocatively reduced Ukrainian women to prostitutes the pervasive globalattitude that has is theexact opposite –to question them to sex objects,theirobjective some argue that Femen’s actions reduce ire amongst feminist groups. Yet while Unsurprisingly thishascaused some requires themto strip down. Femen argues that gaining attention Known for theiroutlandishprotests, This uniquegroup iscalled ‘Femen’. prostitutes.’ brothel andUkrainian women are not with placards yelling ‘Ukraine isnota was greeted by topless angry activists rights groups. The(un)luckywinner condemnation, andnotjust from human the Ukraine. Itfaced international ran acompetition to‘win a wife’ in In February aNew Zealand radio station assassins take upmost oftheairwaves. verbal sex objects,andoccasional Soviet face at home.Mail-order brides,non- mention thepervasive patriarchy they depicted intheWestern media,notto Eastern European women are usually This isavery different image to how but fearsome woman. expression offeminism; that ofajoyful, dancer isvery muchaculturally distinct is that hercreation oftheerotic wild What isparticularly striking however to secludeusfrom theengineering bush grow unprecedented out the front, broadmeadow. We let thelavender But itwas intheheartofindustrial Spanish-esque overgrown cottage. character- itwas awell lived in,mildly The housewas rickety butfullof of beerandwearing tool belts. fix things,butactuallyjust drinkinglots pretending to betradies threatening to with projects &going around thehouse I spent most ofourtime coming up became my best friends.Lbootyand I lived withghost &lbootywhosoon warehouse. moved into after having to leave the all lived was ahouseIeventually Little blue,thehousewhere they & rescue remedy. introduced meto crisisplans,selfcare print, punk&radical politics.She a refreshing meshoffemme, leopard amazing women I’ve ever met &was Their housemate was oneofthemost louder &heaps more vegan. seemed to get ahelloflotbetter, from my favourite folk rock band,life When Ibefriended two queerpunks TWO QUEERPUNKS I didn’treally have one. home. on meaboutlove, relationships and withstand thetruthsthat dawned my selfcare notresilient enoughto grew cold andunhomely. andIfound volatile relationship, littlebluesoon them from thedanger ofasuddenly which Ifound myself drivingoneof pipe from thetoilet orthepoint at was theconstant detaching ofthe was slowly falling apart.Whether it of thisromanticised cottage that coincide withtheslow deterioration started to fight alotseemed to The timeswhenghost andLboot your underwear. while you hungoutyour clothes in paused to look orwhistle at you jockness whenasilhouetted worker were reminded oftheindustrial You got usedto itafter awhile,but machinery. workers mundanelyoperating heavy all fitted with constantly silhouetted an illusionwithitsseriesofwindows, and clangingofmetal. It was almost mainstream radio andtheclashing warehouse that pumpedout treemulberry &atowering industrial In thebackyard there was a jocks we were surrounded by. Go, go, go wilddancers!! Forever andever As Ruslanashouts: requires avariety ofstrategies. the war iswaged onmany fronts, and cause offeminism may beshared, but Equally, we must recognise that the a cacophony ofdistinct pop-stylings. certain ideasofgender. Eurovision is and countries represent andreject how certain communities, cities opens upfurtherquestions regarding reconfiguring of female power. This nations. Ruslana represents a radical debates occurringwithinparticipating staging andpresentation represent the choiceofparticipants, songs, So, why Eurovision? Inmany ways reframing aspects of women’s liberation. consider reprioritising, reorganizing, and felt inAustralia forcing allfeminists to of theworld. Yet theseripplescan be highly variable plights ofthewomen agitation, as well ashighlighting the with ‘non-western’ forms ofgender They are confronting traditionalists for strengthening themovement. blossoming offeminism are crucial total cultural relativism, these regional communities. Withoutpromoting certain ideologiesandneedsofdistinct unique manifestations represent the I can’t pretend to understand. These it occurs withinacultural framework feminism ofFemen. Butthat’s because Idonotpersonally subscribe to the internet dating sites, have gone viral. European beautiesthat, thanks to these sexist attitudes toward Eastern Warrior Princesses,challenging constructing themselves asUkrainian and power. Metaphorically they are is presented asasite ofpride,autonomy don’t begfor attention. Rather thebody and respect. Thesescantily clad women wave asameansto command power tactic; uniquelysurfing feminism’s third Lock PAGE 21 Revolution grrrl style R e v i e w s now!

RACHEL BUTTON unleashes her inner riot grrrl I’m sitting in my room staring around in procrastination women should be quiet, demure and humble, doesn’t Scene: I’m sitting with three of my guy at the many posters I’ve managed to cram onto every mesh well with the incredible force and power of a friends who are talking about pedals, amps, inch of my wall -Nirvana and Iggy Pop scowl down distorted guitar or bangin’ a set of drums. guitars, technical stuff. with fiece PUNK ROCK attitude, sweet Pink Floyd smile mysteriously, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant ooze male With the explosion of mainstream rock ‘n roll in the Guy: You look bored... we must be boring bravado, and the Beatles are too busy crossing Abbey 50s the dominant idea was that men started bands and you... Road to give a shit about anything. To put it simply, I women stayed home and did the knitting. David Segal, want to tell you that these people’s music has changed in an article in the Washington Post (2004) suggested Me: Nah, you’re not. I play guitar. I want to my life. To quote Almost Famous (an essential source), that the minority of female musicians in our world today learn about it-- I think I know what it feels like ‘...to truly love some stems from them being ‘sidelined during the first 20 silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it years of the development of the rock guitar’. Try catching Guy: You’re probably thinking about shoes hurts’ (I met Dave Grohl last year and cried all the way up with Jimmy Page after 20 years. Maaan. That’s and stuff right now, right? home). disheartening. This, of course, is why only two guitarists, Joan Jett and Joni Mitchell (hey, maybe I should change Me: ... It only just recently occurred to me, however, that I’ve my name to Joan?) made the Rolling Stone list of 100 surrounded myself with idols who are paradoxically Best Guitarists. According to this list ‘You’re pretty good, This is why the philosophy of punk rock is so cool inspiring and yet incredibly limiting. Their presence only for a girl,’ is about as generous as the dominant social - riot grrrls wanted to “destroy the myths that further emphasises my social conditioning from seeing discourse gets towards women rock musicians. support boy rock - like, that you have to spend your MEN behind the drumkit, MEN sha-redding the guitar, developing years alone in your room playing along to MEN in all the lineups of gigs and festivals and MEN ‘Girls don’t see guitar heroines and, in the absence the records of your heroes.” (Kathleen Hanna, Bikini writing and being written about on the pages of music of role models, they never bother to pick up the Kill) Somehow, according to male perspectives I’ve publications. In fact, the closest I can apparently get as instrument’ (No Girl Allowed? Washington Post, 2004). encountered, if you don’t know every classic rock a woman in music is the status of a ‘muse’ (groupie) - However, I don’t think it’s an “absence” of role models, album or what pedal Steve Vai used you apparently someone to be written about in songs, but never the but rather the dominance of male “role” models which don’t have the same level of love for music. But try one to write them. And that makes me fucking angry. makes aspiring to be a musician for women so difficult. telling me that all the girls screaming for the Beatles It’s a process of idolisation that has disconnected me loved them any less. Imagine giving them all GUITARS! Music, especially rock ‘n’ roll, has since its beginnings from the real truth: these men, albiet incredibly talent, Imagine allowing them to channel that Raw Power been dominated by a fiercely masculine discourse. Mina are just people. ‘WHAT? EXCUSE ME, WHAT? They knew (heh...geddit) - that pure excitement and love for Carson in “Girls Rock! Fifty Years of Women Making about the Clash when they were 2 years old? They music into a hundred kick arse bands! It could’ve Music” puts it adroitly that ‘the guitar is still synonymous started learning guitar in the womb? How did they get started a REVOLUTION, man! It could’ve changed the with male’. But why? Its idea, I think, that music and that guitar in that uterus?! Holy crap, I’m lightyears way we think about music forever! But since we’re male sexuality are overtly intertwined. That’s why they behind! I’ll never be that good!’ I think that’s why it’s here, stuck in 2011 without the convenience of time named it rock, you know...cause it rhymes with cock. so important to bring back some kind of feeling that was machine, I urge you, talented, wonderful reader, to Yep. Oh, you didn’t know that? Wow, where have you developed in the 90s, particularly from the riot grrrl punk take action! If you love music, voice those feelings, been? But seriously, think of the word ‘rockstar’ and movement, to support, rather than patronise, any girls learn an instrument, start a band! I want revolution what is immediately conjured up in your mind? It sure who want to play music. I for one have been confronted girl style now! ain’t a lady. The typical expectation of femininity - that with this idea many times. REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:

Satisfaction Cut Season 1 Dir. Duncan Graham You may have missed Satisfaction because it was only shown on Foxtel. It follows “Cut,” Belvoir St Theatre’s new one woman play starring Anita Heigh aims to create the lives of sex workers and their managers at a high class brothel in Melbourne. “not a play as such…but a kind of mindscape that offers access into our collective Satisfaction Season One manages to defy the common clichés about sex workers. dark matter.” (Sarah John, Director) It follows a cyclical structure flicking between The women are not oppressed, victims of child abuse, alcoholics or drug addicts. reality and a surreal dream world experienced in the mind of “The Woman,” a And on the opposite end of the spectrum, there are also no Pretty Woman- character who leads the audience on a journey through her mundane life, her job style delusions of a fairytale ending. There are captivating storylines, dynamic as an airhostess, and as she is followed by the threatening presence of a haunting personalities and believable character developments. The focus is on the lives, man with “eyes like ash.” emotions and relationships of the women. It is not simply a new bizarre sex request each week (like Secret Diary of a Call Girl). The show is shocking and As a whole, the piece can best be described as shockingly visceral. It opens and intriguing, but avoids becoming exploitative or sensationalised. It is almost worth remains in almost complete darkness – the kind of stifling blackness that makes watching for the visuals alone: exquisite lingerie, haute couture dresses and one wonder whether they’ve simply fallen into a black hole, lost forever in a fantasy room decor. void. It’s this sensation that’s used so brilliantly as the audience delves into the deep consciousness of “The Woman,” exploring tales of her childhood as well Each of the female leads has their own motivations and perceptions regarding as memories and strange symbolic dreams. The soundscape is one comprised of their vocation. Lauren is a mature woman who finds that sex work allows her to strange white noise, which keeps the atmosphere on edge to the point of nervous assert her independence, find freedom from social constraints and to explore agitation. As a whole, this landscape of light and sound creates an interesting REVIEWS her sexuality. A young mother, Chloe, found herself engaging in sex work ever abstract set where a physical one is actually absent. since she ran away from an unstable home at age 14. The adorable aspiring Anita Heigh’s performance is incredible to watch – her calculated movements, author, Tippi, sees sex work as an opportunity to expand her mind and learn piercing primeval screams and delicate grasp of the tricky dialogue switching about the world. Tippi says “I have a family; they know what I do and love me”. between second and third person is expertly controlled. Her performance is And Heather is in a devoted lesbian relationship, but is a fetish specialist for male paradoxical – in speech, she’s disconnected from the events she’s retelling and yet clients at work. The actresses are up-and-coming young Australian women. physically, inherently involved. The immediacy of her confronting performance Satisfaction Season One is sexy, witty and emotionally touching. Watch it. commanded my attention from start to finish, aided by the small and intimate space of the Downstairs Theatre. As a whole, the existential themes and jarring Agit-prop style of “Cut” make the piece an extremely memorable experience, which in a unique style forces the audience to question the true nature of reality. 22 R e v i e w s

Wounded Rhymes Let England Shake Lykke Li PJ Harvey The Swedish pop songstress has shown how she has grown up. The stripped back If there’s one thing you can guarantee about a PJ Harvey album it’s that it won’t arrangement and old-school girl pop-feel shows how her first album ‘Youth Novels’ sound like anything you’ve heard before. Full of surprises, so far in her 20-odd year has come full circle to a full-blown heartbreak in ‘Wounded Rhymes’. career she’s recorded 7 albums and though her voice is instantly recognisable and The songs aren’t all about heartbreak and sadness, though. Take the lead single ‘Get the records might have a common thread in that they’re generally intensely personal, Some’, blending licentious lyrics with a sound that sits very comfortably between they all sound remarkably different. 60’s girl group and 80’s riot grrl. Lykke Li’s illuminating melodies make the song sexy, The music behind Harvey’s bombed-out message has universal resonance. She confident, and fun. “Unrequited Love” is a beautiful set up track to the single “Get tweaked and distorted the vernacular of old protest songs just enough to shake off Some”. The two tracks together really show the description of the character Li is the quaintness of age. The pieces find root in centuries old Celtic songs. illustrating. “Unrequited Love” has a folky type melody, with a three-part harmony featured in the chorus. The section in which Li hums a counter melody perfectly “The Colour of the Earth” marches to the doomy drumbeat of Irish folk songs, but its captures the introverted nature of the singer. After this somber ode to indifference, use of autoharp creates something shimmeringly surreal. “The Glorious Land” lays a “Get Some” comes in and solidifies the idea that nothing matters. snaking, psychedelic bass line under a battle-cry trumpet, played menacingly off-key. But the most telling nexus arrives in “The Last Living Rose,” which bridges medieval “I Know Places” brings you back to where “Youth Novel” left off, with a very bare chords and the modern primitivism of the Velvet Underground. “Let England Shake” and gentle acoustic sound supported by a male backup vocal which really gives the has a sound all of its own. It’s a perfectly pitched tonic to all the nitpickers that sit on first taste of that heart-felt sound that I was waiting for. The song transitions into every note. an instrumental piece, which flows on beautifully from the first part of the song. It continues with that warm tone on “Jerome” which takes a move in a more up tempo Musically, the album is rich with horns, autoharp, violin, and xylophone joining bass, direction, with more interesting electronic sounds that keep folding back through the drums, and guitars. All of that results in as difficult and demanding a listen as you’re track and reflects well off the vocal. bound to get from a modern pop record (at least since ‘White Chalk’), but one that is ultimately quite rewarding and uplifting despite the dour undertones. Let England Borrowing heavily from the sixties pop resurgence, the album on a whole is thought- Shake is anything but conventional or contrived, another bold, confident release by provoking, dark, and addictive. It’s a pleasant surprise after her first record, as it’s all an artist that continues to amaze and astonish us all, no matter how ready we claim topped with her Scandinavian quirkiness, unselfconsciously insane melancholy, and to be for her continual right turns. This is one of Harvey’s most accessible albums creativity. released yet.

Super wild horses R.I.P. Poly Styrene A little bit pop, a little bit punk, this female duo from Melbourne signal hope for the weathered feminist music fan. On drums and guitar, Amy Franz and Hayley Punk angel and heroine McKee pump out punchy melody lines and hand clapping rhythms underneath She typified the feminist punk movement of the 70s with scathing lyrics about vocals which switch from scratchy-sweet to shouting. Their music contains male-dominated music. Sadly, the punk world lost one of its great pioneers on the threads of the raw, stripped-back anarchy of the 80s Australian post-punk scene 25th April, as X-Ray Spex’s iconic leader Poly Styrene (aka Marian Joan Elliott-Said) and the DIY female attitude of riot grrrl with an at times poppy inflection, all succumbed to breast cancer. She was 53 years old. swirled around in a grungey inner city garage in Melbourme. `

Rumors of her death became increasingly credible, when her UK spokesperson Super Wild Horses shout, bang out loud drums and bass lines and play with confirmed the news on her Facebook page. The statement was, “At the centre of rhythms in a way that doesn’t pay too much attention to musical exactness or it was Poly Styrene, a bi-racial feminist punk with the perfect voice to soundtrack technical skill, a steadfast facet of the all-boys club of heroic classic rock. At rebellion. Poly never sacrificed the intelligence or the fun in her music and style. their Repressed Records show last year the pair launched into a song half-way Her trademark braces and dayglo clothes were a playful rejection of the status through their set only to lose their groove a few moments in and spiral in to a quo and of conformity and complacency. She dissected gender politics, consumer slight clusterfuck of runaway rhythm. They chucked it in and started again after culture, and the obsessions of modern life in a way that made us all want sing a few seconds, going on to finish an awesome set. It reminded me of how rarely along with her.” that happens in modern live music, and how harshly they’ll probably be judged Loaded with witty, anti-establishment sentiments that seemed to dismiss proper because of their gender. But also of how refreshing it was – they are human feminism in favor of fierce individualism, Styrene transformed the Riot Grrrl beings! Real people, women, can create music just like them! So maybe I can movement that would follow, long after she abandoned X-Ray Spex in 1979. The too..? band’s hit, ‘Oh Bondage, Up Yours,’ remains a key track in punk history, having The two also regularly swap instruments and share vocals, posing a pretty proved itself a timeless classic. Like many punk bands from the era, their career fucking kick-arse challenge to the pop patriarchy – to masculinist domination, lasted just three years with few, intermittent reunions thereafter, but their mark stylistic rigidity and the exclusionary primacy of technical prowess, valuing on the genre, the culture and music history at large is immeasurable. instead creative collaboration and an honest, inclusive approach to making Poly Styrene will be best remembered for the raucous opening line of ‘Oh music. Bondage Up Yours’, which became a rallying cry for women artists battling to make it in a sexist industry. Stirring up millions of fans, she belted the lyrics As a queer feminist music fan, it’s easy sometimes to slide into apocalyptic REVIEWS “Some people think that little girls should be seen and not heard, well I think, ‘Oh narratives about the demise of female music since riot grrrl. But no! There’s bondage, up yours!” still hope! It’s just less unified, less specific, less overt than Kathleen Hanna’s DC. More subtlely feminist. And perhaps, for exactly those reasons, more Protest singer Billy Bragg said, “Punk without Poly Styrene and X-Ray Spex revolutionary both in the plurality of voices expressed and the challenges it wouldn’t have been the same.” posits. Super Wild Horses gives me hope for women in music and fighting the bullshit of cock rock tyranny and women as raunch/groupies-not-musicians. Listen to them now! 23 Students’ Representative Council BECOME A MEMBER! The University of Sydney Join in person at the SRC Office or SRC Bookshop (details below)

The SRC provides the following SRC Books - Big savings on textbooks on campus! services to SRC members... • Buy & sell your textbooks • Search for books online at www.src.usyd.edu.au Student Support & Advocacy Located: Wentworth Level 4 (opposite the International Lounge) • Centrelink Advice ASK US • Academic Appeals ABOUT Emergency Loans • Discontinuing/Withdrawing $50 emergency loans for students in need • Students at Risk • Show Cause Student Publications • Exclusion • Honi Soit - the SRC’s weekly newspaper • Tenancy Advice pick-up a copy available on campus • Fee Refunds • Student Handbooks: O-week, Counter Course, • Harassment & Discrimination International Students & Women’s Handbooks. • International Students • Plagiarism & misconduct Student Rights & Representation SRC Representatives are directly elected by students SRC Legal Service - NEW! each year to stand up for students’ rights on campus • Referrals and in the wider community. • Discrimination & Equal Opportunity • Employment law We are located at.. Level 1 Wentworth Building SRC • Minor criminal matters/traffic offences/ fines down Stai • Victims of violence (under City Rd footbridge) RS Ph: 02 9660 5222 • Debts Student www.src.usyd.edu.au Central • Immigration law wentworth If you are at another campus, building email: [email protected] The SRC’s operational costs, space and administrative support are financed by the University of Sydney. SAVE on Secondhand on Secondhand • We buy & sell textbooks according to demand • You can sell your books on consignment • We are open to USYD students & the public Search for textbooks online www.src.usyd.edu.au/default.php BOOKS Call us to check availability and reserve a book.

Eastern Avenue Carslaw

F is he SRC Books has a NEW Location! r Roa d Footbridge Level 4, Wentworth Building (Next to the International Lounge) Main Gate Jane Foss Hours: Mondays to Fridays 9am - 4.30pm Phone: (02) 9660 4756 CITY ROAD Butlin Avenue Email: [email protected] | www.src.usyd.edu.au Level 4 Mereweather Wentworth