Posts tagged feminism
Dolling Up South Asian Feminism & Sustainability: Exploring Barbie’s Impact

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has taken the world by storm, starring icons like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, and more. The movie provides a peek into Barbie World, where things are quite the opposite of our real word, and where patriarchy is non existent…until it is. The movie’s delve into the concept of feminism and its relation to the main character, Barbie, is quite an interesting take on the subject, especially for young viewers. The movie’s portrayal of a strained mother daughter relationship that mends itself in the face of crisis is also emotionally stirring and might tug some strings in some sensitive audiences.

It is important to analyze the impact of a movie as big as Barbie, that has a bigger audience, and whose marketing was played out to perfection, with the press tours and the Malibu Dream House, on diverse communities like that of South Asia, and the consequence of the Barbie trend on sustainability and fashion.

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Cover - Gola - The Lioness Of Iran

March is Women’s History Month and despite it being 2023, women are continuing to fight for basic human rights — in this country and around the world. One of the biggest female rights movements right now is taking over Iran. Jejune had the pleasure to photograph and chat with Iranian singer Gola, who is a force to be reckoned with. Born in Iran, she paved her way as a musical artist where there was none. Having been exiled from the place she calls home, Gola turns her pain into music that empowers the women of Iran and her listeners all over the world. Unafraid to show the real beauty and the brutal nature of the current regime, she has been rightfully called the Lioness or Iran. She makes those around her feel inspired, empowered, and wanting to do better. Jejune was excited to speak with Gola further on her personal journeys and the future of Iranian women, please read on to learn more!

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Mereki - The Indie-Pop Princess For Positive Change

Mereki, the Australian/English Indie-Pop princess, is spreading kindness one song at a time, literally. Mereki created Merekis Clubhouse in 2016 as a platform for creativity and a space for up-and-coming female artists. The Clubhouse motto “Be Kind” grew into a nonprofit of its own and now hosts annual benefit concerts that help raise money for charities. Music still drives the source of inspiration for Mereki with her most recent single “Presence” which dropped in December. Jejune got the chance to talk to Mereki about her work inside and outside of the studio.

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Why the Women of Iran are Leading a Revolution

Unveiled women are marching the streets of Iran protesting decades of oppression as the death of a young woman sparked a new wave of revolution. These women are challenging one of the main pillars of the Islamic Republic of Iran by cutting their hair and burning their hijabs in the streets. Despite being faced with violence, they are standing strong for the reform of a repressive system and the world is standing with them.

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Coming Together to Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion

Devastating news breaks on June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has officially reversed Roe v. Wade declaring that the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States has ended. This ruling erases nearly 50 years of precedent but this fight is far from over! On July 31st (next event on September 21st at 9:30pm!), The Meteor, a group of journalists, artists, filmmakers, and media leaders who embrace the value and importance of stories through the power of words, hosted Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion at Joe’s Pub. This event consisted of various talented artists performing a personalized piece addressing this crucial moment in time. You will want to continue reading below to learn more about the event and performances along with further information about The Meteor.

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Abortion Importance in the United States

In 1970, Jane Roe (a false name used for her privacy) challenged a Texas law that had made abortion illegal. Identifying that state laws took away her rights as an American by the fourteenth amendment. The outcome of this event was that the Supreme Court, at the at time, determined that women have the constitutional right to choose to have an abortion, vs the right being determined by individual states.

Throughout history in the United States, most cisgender men in politics have had the final say on what women can do with their own lives, including what they can wear, how they can act, and what they are allowed to do with their own anatomy. So, it isn’t shocking that they are trying to take over the ability for women to decide if they want to get an abortion.

Roe v. Wade was the protective barrier for women in this country, and with it overturned the United States has already criminalized abortion in at least five states so far, Politico, while over eight trigger laws are set to be applied in the oncoming future.

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Adi Yacobi Reminds Women How Special They Are!

Songwriter, singer, and an advocate for body positivity and women empowerment, Adi Yacobi shares her trajectory and how music changed her life. She uses her psychology and sociology background to understand not just her own feelings, but also to understand and help her listeners create a better reality. Everyone has a story or something related to their bodies and appearance that they want to change. Still, Adi comes with a message, "I'm Special", which reminds all women that they are “special, unique, beautiful, and gorgeous naturally — just the way they are”. Please, continue reading to learn more about Adi, her music, her projects, and how she has contributed to the world and community with the #WEMproject, Plastic Free Israel, and 4Ocean.

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Lauren Bucca is The Queen of Our Hearts

Author and British Monarch enthusiast, Lauren Bucca just published her first book, titled Queens. The book highlights 250 Queens, from historical to the present day. The book is separated into five chapters, each a different chronological period, and each chapter describes the role of a queen, the challenges they faced, and how they were depicted. After reading this book, Lauren hopes readers are inspired by the determination and drive these Queens had to shape the modern world. Queens can be found through independent bookstores or wherever you order your books! Continue reading Jejune’s interview with Lauren Bucca to understand the making and inspiration of this book!

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Erika Severyns: Raising A Voice Through Music

As we grow, we start to realize the truth about being a woman in this society — we face pain, assault, unjust gender roles, voices of judgments, and discrimination. But despite this, there are so many incredible women who fight to be strong everyday. Berlin-based songwriter Erika Severyns reminds us every woman has to be the strongest woman she knows with her single Strongest Woman. She gives courage to all women, writing a song about a traumatic event in her life and opening the door to discuss sexual assault. All the proceeds from her Bandcamp album are being donated to Good Night Out, a non-profit that’s creating a safer nightlife by training spaces, event organizers, and communities to respond to and prevent sexual violence. We talked to Erika Severyns about her music career, latest album, and the MeToo movement. Check out our exclusive interview with Erika Severyns to learn more about her.

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Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez: Reckoning With Male Gaze

We’re all familiar with social patriarchy —a social world organized under compulsory heterosexuality. Only the heterosexual male desire is accepted as “natural” and “normal,” whereas all other sexual practices and desires are considered as “abnormal” or “an exception.” It’s a structure prioritizes men's pleasure. Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez who is a Brooklyn-based singer/composer created her latest single “Better For You” highlighting how women contort themselves physically and emotionally to be more desirable. It shows clearly the impact of the heterosexual male gaze on women but at the same time, it shows us how women can prioritize their pleasure. She invites us into her unique sonic world with harmonic nuance and lyrical poetry. We talked to Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez about her music and personal life. Check our exclusive interview with Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez to learn more about her.

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Miranda Joan: Home Is Where Your Heart Is

Hard to miss! Miranda Joan, traveler of the world, is spreading her music with positivity everywhere in the western hemisphere. Despite her new recently-released single “Rushed”, the French-English neo-soul singer is unstoppable in spreading her musical talent, and we will even be seeing a new single in French later this year. She further shares her talent through Femme Jam, NYC's first all-female-led jam session which she co-founded. In our interview with Miranda, we talk about her sensational journey in spreading positivity through music. Keep reading!

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#MeTooMpls —The Music of the #MeToo Movement

The power of a single story becomes stronger when that story becomes a movement for change. That is what the #MeToo Movement is about: survivors sharing their stories of harassment, assault, and violence in order to promote awareness, change, and empathy. In using music as a catalyst for storytelling, Mischa Suemnig organized the #MeTooMpls project, a songwriting collective of Minnesota Women/Femmes/Trans/Non-Binary Folk. The mission of #MeTooMpls is straight forward: It is aimed at creating songs to raise Minneapolis Women/Femmes/Trans/Non-Binary Folk voices; Supporting sexual assault survivors; And raising funds for Planned Parenthood. All the songwriters involved were asked to write and record an original song on the subject of #MeToo. Without any further guidelines, the artists delivered songs ranging from heartbreaking songs about surviving sexual assault to inspiring songs about feminist icons and their influence on their lives. The album that they created is at once polyvocal and unified —it is a a mixture of lamentation, hope, and demand for change. It is the music of #MeToo.

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New Directions with Paula DeAnda

Paula DeAnda is glamorous and grateful. The Texas native and 2000s' icon comes back stronger and sexier with her latest single, “Freaky.” With her new song, DeAnda shows her maturity as an artist and a woman, encouraging listeners that they can find a source of empowerment within themselves. DeAnda is always looking ahead, finding ways to give back through her music. Jejune had the opportunity to talk with DeAnda about her amazing music career, all things “Freaky”, and what she’s hopeful as we progress into a post-pandemic reality. To learn more about Paula DeAnda, continue reading below.

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EDITORIAL: Lexy Panterra - Baddie Good

Lexy Panterra dances through life and never says sorry. The singer, rapper, and dancer uses her platform to empower women and girls to be their best, authentic selves. From “TwerkOut” - her online twerking classes to her latest album Baddie Vibez, Panterra leads with an image of confidence, strength, and femininity, encouraging her fans to unapologetically practice self-love. Jejune had the pleasure to get to know more about Lexy Panterra, we got to talk about her music, venturing into rapping, her passion for dancing, and what makes her feel good. To learn more about Panterra, continue reading below.

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Liberty Styles: When Times Are Tough, Music Unites Us

While some people have never understood music, for some people music shapes who you are. One of those people is Liberty Styles. She says 'Music has always occupied most of my time/thoughts even if I wasn’t necessarily doing it professionally.' Her second EP Roam Wide, which is set where she grew up, reflects complicated emotions like love, isolation, and coming together during tough times. She is influenced by many styles of music including jazz, funk, flamenco, grunge, alternative. Tap dance is the main thing that shapes her music. Liberty also wanted to honor the strength of working womxn with The Waitress, which is a unique example of solidarity. She shows her activism in different ways and all proceeds from this tape will go directly to G.L.I.T.S., a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. We talked to Liberty Styles about her music, future plans, and voluntaryeer projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Liberty Styles.

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COVER - Victoria Konefal Dreams Of A Green Future

Victoria Konefal brings passion to this world by dreaming of a green future. You may know Victoria from her work on Day of our Lives, where she plays the fierce and independent Ciara Brady, and Victoria’s legacy is continuing to grow off-screen with her tremendous conservation efforts with organizations like Heal the Bay and Thirst Project. Conservation has taken a backseat during the turmoil of the pandemic and it is people like Victoria who are helping to put the spotlight back onto what we can do in our everyday lives to make a real contribution to conservation. In honor of Women’s History Month, we were very excited to talk to Victoria about the impact of a woman’s voice — we discuss her experience in Hollywood as an actress, working with women directors, and being an advocate for a better and brighter future. For more on Victoria Konefal, please read our exclusive editorial interview below.

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Ain't I A Woman? Cheri Moon's Anthem of Empowerment For All Women

It is International Women’s Month and Cheri Moon is here to kick it up a notch. Cheri’s new single harkens back to a staple in women’s rights history: Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman” speech. Sharing the same name with the famous speech, Moon’s “Ain’t I A Woman” is a powerful anthem for 2021. The message of her music resonates with soulful celebration with the punchiness of a pop-ballad. Outside of Cheri’s music career, you can also catch her working along side Good + Foundation. In our interview with Cheri, we talk about Sojourner’s influence today for women everywhere and what hopeful emergences we have seen in the past year for feminism. For more on Cheri Moon, please read our exclusive interview below.

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Nikki DeLoach’s Guide to Self Love

Nikki DeLoach is someone to look up to. Since her days on the Mickey Mouse Club , DeLoach has starred in MTV’s hit series Awkward, guest starred in NCIS and Criminal Minds, and taken over Hallmark. But DeLoach’s work does not end when cameras stop rolling —she’s been taking up activism for over a decade. The co-founder of What We Are, DeLoach aims to encourage women to tell their own stories, as she has done. She pursues every cause that is dear to her and inspire others to do the same along the way. DeLoach went in detail with Jejune about these causes, making the most out of the holidays amid COVID-19, and why we should all be activists. For more on Nikki Deloach, read below.

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Let Acharya Shunya Give You 2000-Year-Old Vedic Wisdom

Meet Acharya Shunya — a spiritually awake internationally renowned and awarded spiritual teacher and scholar of nondual wisdom (Advaita) and a classically-trained master of Yoga and Ayurveda. The first female head of her 2000-year old Indian spiritual lineage, Acharya has dedicated her life to empowering health and elevating consciousness worldwide. Learning from Acharya is an opportunity like no other; she gives 21st-century seekers with the rare opportunity to receive authentic teachings, with a distinctly down-to-earth, feminine flavor.

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Warriors Amongst Women

Women have been fighting for the same rights as men for centuries. Brave and fearless leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Mary McLeod Bethune, Simone de Beauvoir, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Angela Davis passionately fought for women's rights and helped shape the movement for gender equality.

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