Historic coincidences?

October, 1929:
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council overturns a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, in what was colloquially referred to as the "Persons Case". This case -- spearheaded by women who went on to be known as the "Famous Five" was aimed at allowing women to sit on the Canadian Senate. This has the double (and much more noteworthy) effect of making women known as "Persons" for the first time.
...
At the same time the Wall Street market crash plummets America into the depths of a depression that takes a second world-wide war to end, and less than a month later - Canada experiences it's worst Earthquake in recorded history, killing 28 persons. The underwater earthquake measures 7.2 on the Richter scale, causes a tsunami, and snaps several submarine transatlantic telegraph cables.
The outcome of this was of course that women in Canada could not use these wires to telegraph anyone in Europe to brag about their new found "person-ness".

Coincidence, or not?

(Note: This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Please do not attempt to learn or use any of this information for any reason whatsoever.)

my back alley entourage

FAKE CROSS PROCESS ALERT!

over-sexualization

article link: http://blog.mlive.com/neurotic_mom/2009/03/skanky_dora.html

Although I'm a little behind on this subject, the 'new tween Dora' frightens me. Mattel has now released images of the actual doll, which, according to them and the articles written since it's release in order to (I'm sure) calm the fires the initial design ignited, is more acceptable and less overtly 'sexualized' (read about it here : http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/9/29/dora_links_doll_revealed_mattel_releases.htm )

Unfortunately, I don't buy it. Hell, even the comments on that article seem staged. "I'm a latina grandmother and great aunt and I want to say that I am very pleased with the tween Dora. She's very pretty and very appropriate. A good role model for teen clothing. I am buying one for my granddaughters and nieces and one for me!" Oh, I'm so sure. What a great role model this doll is for young girls. The Dora we've come to know is not afraid to have a great adventure, defies to confines of the female stereotype, is perhaps slightly overweight, cares not for fashion, only practicality, is a savvy problem solver and is smart! Fluidly speaking two languages at 8 years old! Now, in her 'tween' years, her life revolves around fashion, hair styles, and make-up? What kind of image is this selling our youth? All adventuring ends at the cusp of adulthood? Now is the time to focus on becoming something to be seen, not heard? Fashion is your new passion?

I think people fail to understand this point; it's not because Dora's new shape is too womanly, it's not because her clothing isn't age-appropriate, and it's not her long lashes, lip gloss and long, flowing hair. The issue lies in the fact that these elements are now her entire reason for being. It presents a reality to young girls that depicts a need for these things. So, even if the resulting doll is not nearly as shapely as the first image, or her hair not nearly as full and flowing, the entire context of the doll remains; she is a fashion plaything now, where once Dora represented a denial of the feminine boundaries set upon us by the Barbies and Lady Lovely Locks of my childhood. She represented an evolution in the presentation of girls in childhood toys, and the possiblity of change within societal representation of power. Dora was the ring leader in her exploring, the male characters turned to her for guidance and direction. This new presentation of her identity elimates all of the power she bestowed in her youth, and makes her into nothing more than a mannequin.

We need more strong female role models in media for young girls. The tween Doras, Miley Cyrus', Bratz dolls, and countless other (Disney) tweens in short skirts give them nothing to aspire to. I want tween Dora to grow up as Dora should; I want her to be wearing some practical rugged jeans or cargos for all of her exploring; perhaps a more demanding form of exploring, something along the lines of Kim Possible's dectective work, more savvy and unique, not just another tween with a new hair do.

It's 2009, we can do better than this.