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By Sandra Fu
Lets face it. It is not a secret that Meltmagazine.com is geared toward women (though hurray for all you male fans who read it!). Weve got a hunky guy featured on every cover -- usually with an accompanying interview -- but we also dare to challenge media stereotypes of what women read. Certainly there are articles that are femalecentric, but they generally feature an admirable woman or activities women participate in that are typically male-dominated. We do not perpetuate the idea that women sit around all day figuring out how to trick a man into marriage or promote the concept that they focus all their sexual energy on the male orgasm, as some womens magazines would like you to believe. So in honor of women and all of their wonderful complexities I wanted to expose you to a few notable websites where you can read about things that interest and concern you guessed it women.
http://womensissues.about.com
This is an excellent resource for women. Whether you want to learn more about
how women are affecting politics, whose challenging womens rights and
what the consequences are, or if you want to find out what a womans options
are when she gets pregnant, this is the place to turn. The center section is
appropriately called In The Spotlight where current issues in the news
or websites with information affecting women are featured. It covers a wide
range of interests and if what youre looking for is not there, never fear.
This site is endlessly clickable and the content extensive. On the left side
are a range of topics so comprehensive that it puts to shame that dusty set
of encyclopedias youve had since childhood. It even graciously covers
mens issues as well. But if that whole alphabet thing of the encyclopedias
still appeals to you check out the Essentials portion. It lists a womens
issues A-Z Site Index where topics I never even dreamed could concern
women (though now I understand why they do) are covered.
One of my favorite features is a Biographies of Notable Women resource where women from the 20th and 21st century who contributed to feminism, politics and womens rights are featured. One of the things that, in retrospect, saddens me about my high school years is that it seemed we rarely discussed influential women in history. I remember Susan B. Anthony, but I think thats just because she was on a coin. Read up on this section, study it, send your daughters there hell, send your sons there (thats possibly more important). I loved this site so much I simply cannot believe I didnt find out about it sooner. All women can find a use for this site, so bookmark it in your list of favorites.
http://www.bitchmagazine.com
The postmodern womans dream site. They have taken the commonly understood
(and most commonly used) derogative noun for a woman bitch and appropriated
it, so it is instead a word to celebrate. As they put it Its a noun,
its a verb, its a magazine. It touts itself as the feminist
response to pop-culture and covers everything from 9/11 to Playboy magazine.
Though both a print and web magazine, you can also get some of the features
from the print version at the site, which is a nice bonus. Certainly, feminists
who read the site will not agree with all the opinions expressed, but it is
a wonderful forum for women writers to exchange ideas and definitions of feminism.
I have agreed with as many articles that I have disagreed with, but Im
glad for its existence. The topics are current, edgy and often controversial,
and one thing is for sure all of the pieces are opinionated. If you prefer your
commentary mild or more of a pleasant exchange then perhaps this is not the
site for you, but I recommend you give it a chance. You never know what perspective
youll read that would not have occurred to you prior, and strangely enough
you may be persuaded to agree.
http://www.venuszine.com
Do you feel that when it comes to music and art women are neglected? So does
Venuszine.com. Read about rocking riot grrrlz Sleater-Kinney or the melancholic
Chan Marshall of Cat Power. Forget about Britney and Christina. The only times
youre likely to see them mentioned in Venus is usually in contrast to
whichever artist they are featuring. Find out about the latest film, art or
book by a woman that you just have to check out. This site provides female artists
(some famous within their genre and others just starting out) with some well
deserved recognition that they might otherwise not get. And you never know what
amazing talent is out there unless you look.
Ignore all those publications whose only recognition of a womans talent is exemplified by the size of their breasts or how little clothing they can strategically fit over their primary and secondary sexual organs. Venus understands the feminine presence and it is yours to peruse at their site (though similar to Bitch, Venus comes in a print form as well). Not only will you find out about notable female artists, they also have a section where you can find out interesting bits about cities inhabited by Venus readers and they also have D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) section where you can learn to self-publish or make your own hipster belt. Definitely a fun site worth checking out.
Well, that about sums it up. Happy clicking!
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