Random Words Don't Stop Cancer

Apple. Black. On top. 

Have you seen these messages on your Facebook feed over the past year? Probably. 

All of these phrases relate to some sort of meme that is supposed to spread breast cancer awareness. We all know about breast cancer. The current meme, the fruit one, doesn’t provide any relevant or helpful information about breast cancer. If our inboxes are going to be flooded with spam, the least people could do is give us some facts. The message reads:

 We are playing a game. Someone proposed that we WOMEN do something special on Facebook to help with Breast Cancer Awareness. It’s easy and I’d like you to join us to help it spread. Last year it was about writing the color of the bra that you were wearing  in your FB status and it left men wondering for days why the women had random colors as their status. This year it has to do with your relationship status. You will state where you are, by posting one of the codes below. Remember, don’t reply to this message. Just type your one word response in your status box on your profile. Then cut and paste this whole message into a new message and send it along to your female friends:

Blueberry: I’m single
Pineapple: It’s complicated
Raspberry: I’m a touch and go woman
Apple: Engaged
Cherry: In a relationship
Banana: I’m married
Avocado: I’m the “other one”
Strawberry: Can’t find the right one
Lemon: Wish I was single
Grape: Wants to get married.

The bra game reached TV. Let’s get this one to do the same and show everyone how powerful women are

Say a random word does not spread awareness. Making men “wonder” doesn’t do a bit of good. It does not lead to a cure. If I post the word “brown” in my status saying that I wear a brown bra, cancer cells do not quake in their boots. Researches don’t make breakthroughs. The pain of chemo patients doesn’t lessen.

If you want to help, donate money. Donate your time. Post a status message listing scientifically proven methods to prevent breast cancer and risk factors. This helps stop the disease and spreads awareness. Telling everyone you prefer to be on top during sex does not.

Treating those as you want to be treated is not a hard concept

The house next door attracts the worst neighbors. The worst were the drug dealers who would stand outside screaming at each other. The cops came by at least once a week. The first weekend they lived there, the cops showed up three times. Needless to say, we were thrilled when they were gone. Whether they were arrested, kicked out or moved, I don’t care. All that matters is that they are gone.

Now we have an odd family. Their son frequently comes to the door asking unusual questions, favors and whatnot. They also do not know how to be a considerate neighbor.

Last night, around 11:30, I could hear them outside screaming at each other. One person was crying. Why anyone would take a fight outside in four inches of snow and 19 degree weather is beyond me. Around six this morning, they were outside yelling again. The morning shout fests are nothing new.

I find myself thinking of an episode of “King of the Hill” I saw a few weeks ago. A bad neighbor comes to town, and through a series of events, is forced to move out. In the world of television, a bad neighbor moves away or is evicted fairly easily. If only that were possible. Instead, we are forced to ignore them or move. 

During the week, certain hours of quiet are expected. Between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., be courteous. Standing outside screaming annoys everyone, but wake us up and it makes us dislike you even more.  

Remember that next time you come by and ask for a plunger. 

Yes, women love Star Wars too

Guess what? Women are science fiction fans!

Shocker, right? By now, most of you know about Katie, the girl who was made fun of for liking Star Wars. In her honor, fans everywhere are encouraged to wear a Star Wars shirt on Dec. 10 in support. 

When most people think of science fiction fans, the typical fan boy imagine appears in their head. According to an article by CNN, women make up about half of the science fiction audience. The growing popular of the retail website Her Universe backs this up. Her Universe sells Star Wars gear for women. During the beginning of December, Her Universe sold out of some items and sizes. The success of this site should show that women are a dominant force in this market. 

Girls shouldn’t feel like they have to hide their love for science fiction. A girl should be able to walk into the toy department at any store, pick up an action figure and buy it without ridicule. Women should be able to walk into a comic book store and pick up the latest issue of Spiderman or other comic book. 

Some men seem amazed if they find a woman who enjoys science fiction. A Star Wars themed MMORPG game, “The Old Republic,” has drawn in thousands of Star Wars fans. On one particular fan site my husband and I visit, several of the male members are shocked that I’m a Star Wars fan. The internet is littered with stories like this.

I’m wearing my Han Solo shirt today. What are you wearing?

Sexism is killing our politicians

In a perfect world, a person’s gender would have nothing to do with politics.

During this election season, we’ve heard about several instances of female candidates being degraded or insulted in the public forum. These insults are, unfortunately, the norm. The problem arises when media members and other politicians make gender-bashing cracks.

Rush Limbaugh said, “I’d rather look at [Christine O’Donnell. l] than Mike Castle. I think she’s kind of cute.”

Other insults include she-goat, mean girl, and tight little butt. Period, PMS and menopause jokes are common place.

These types of remarks sway public opinion, according to an article by USA Today. The public listen to the various media outlets to help decide whom to vote. Calling female candidates names lowers their opinion in the public’s eye.

Male candidates are insulted, too, but it’s seen differently. Former President Bill Clinton is adored by thousands because of a sex scandal, not his politics.

Abigail Adams said, “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.”

We women cannot have a voice if we lack representation. We cannot have a voice if our female leaders are seen as a joke.

Poor Elmo

Stop the presses. Katy Perry showed cleavage on Sesame Street.

Months ago, Katy Perry filmed a short with Elmo to her song “Hot and Cold.” She modified the lyrics to be kid-friendly. Parents freaked out at seeing the clip on YouTube, stating her dress was too low cut and breasts bounced too much.

Seriously?

The dress was not that low-cut. It looks like what you would see walking into a random store. In addition, what small child watches Sesame Street and looks at the guest’s chest? He is watching Elmo. Odd are that most children don’t even know who Katy Perry is.

In addition, why would anyone listen to people on YouTube? Hundreds of thousands of comments on YouTube are written specifically to bash. People find errors or something to be offended by in everything.

Let’s face it, if the makers of Sesame Street thought her dress was that bad, they could have given her something else to wear.

Another Weak Little Owl

"Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," was released today. Like almost every children's movie, the hero is a young boy, Soren. His sidekick is a girl, Gylfie. She's a smaller owl who shows signs of weakness from the beginning. Soren protects Gylfie. She states she's a good navigator, but this isn't explored much. When they learn to fly, she's the one that has the most problems. She's the one who tires first. Her character is shown as weaker.

This strong male, weak female dynamic has been done in hundreds of films. It needs to stop being the predominant set-up. Mix it up.

For once, can we have a kids' movie with a strong female character? Even if the female is the sidekick, which is fine, can't she be strong and capable? By constantly showing children this type of dominant dynamic, we only further the gender gap.

As children, many of us looked up to particular characters. There are not nearly enough fictional female characters for girls to look up to. Growing up, I thought Princess Leia from "Star Wars" was the best. She took control of her rescue, never backed down and was just as, if not more capable, than the others. A more recent example is Hermione Granger of the Harry Potter franchise. Not only is she smart, but she is equal to Harry and Ron. These are the type of role models girls need.

We need more Princess Leias and Hermiones.

Plastic surgery and weddings?

E! has found yet another show to pollute our airwaves with: “Bridalplasty.”

Brides complete various tasks to win plastic surgery procedures. After she wins a task, she goes into surgery. Contestants are eliminated through the show by voting. The winner makes her appearance at her wedding with her brand new body, or the “perfect bride.”

According to E, “"Viewers will witness his emotional and possibly shocked reaction as they stand at the altar and he lifts her veil to see her for the first time following her extreme plastic surgery.”

This show is just disgusting. The wedding is just a show, not a ceremony to commemorate the love and commitment of two people. In addition, the entire “perfect bride” concept is harmful. It mocks the entire concept of loving someone for who they are.

Congratulations, E!, on making marriage a joke.