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Gabriella
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Listen: Diplo’s Summer Playlist, New Talib Kweli and More

Summer, Summer, Summertime is upon us and that means we need to get our music in order so that we can lounge with maximum efficiency. Here are some new tunes and a playlist that I came across that will keep our ears entertained as we relax poolside.

Diplo’s Summer Playlist - 102 songs and over 6 hours long. It’s like having Diplo with you. Need I say more?

Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood have been getting the remix treatment lately - remember Lana Del Rey and Barrie-James O’Neil covering Summer Wine? Well now Gold & Youth and Trust have made a remix of Sinatra and Hazelwood’s Lady Bird - hear it below…

And here’s some new music from Talib Kweli complete with an animated video …

Get More:
www.mtvu.com

Enjoy!
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Gabriella
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My Feminism Is Better Than Your Feminism

A few months ago I went on a little rant about the use of the word “bitch” by “feminists.” You can read the full article “Why Do We Call Ourselves Bitches” but the gist of it is - how do you “reclaim” a word that was never yours to begin with?

If you’ve spent any time online in the past month then you probably heard about Supreme suing MOB over the Supreme Bitch trademark. In the counterclaim MOB claims that Supreme is misogynistic and touts MOB products as “unapologetically feminist”.  Now, just because someone alleges something in a counterclaim doesn’t make it true - it’s just that person’s version of the facts.  But I just find it difficult to listen to this bullshit any longer.  MOB has no business calling anyone misognynist - it’s like the pot calling the kettle black.

In the MOB answer and counterclaim, MOB states:

Central to MOB’s message is the reclamation of the word “bitch,” a term used to denigrate women, particularly those who spoke and acted counter to “conventional” feminine characteristics of passivity and acquiescence. MOB - which stands for “Most Official Bitches” - embraced and celebrated these so-called undesirable characteristics of strength and assertiveness, and in the tradition of other historically oppressed minorities, re-appropriated the epithet from its abusers.

MOB Answer and Counterclaim #122, p.14.

I don’t agree with that. But ok, MOB says they are reclaiming the use of the word “bitch” as an expression of power. So WHY did MOB create designs that use the word “bitch” as an insult directed toward other people?? It’s clear in the following designs that the intention is to INSULT not EMPOWER.

married to the mob bitch better have my money

married to the mob money over bitches

married to the mob bitches get stitches

married to the mob other bitches just front

married to the mob bitch relax

That’s not all. MOB further denigrates itself by basically calling the wearer a prostitute, simulating sex with a gorilla and labeling the wearer a cunt - probably the worst insult you could call a woman.

married to the mob will fuck for chanel

married to the mob men are the new women

married to the mob cunt

And let’s not forget my all time favorite. “Men Are the New Women.” I remember when this first came out and I was completely dumbfounded. I could not comprehend how the statement “Men Are the New Women” was feminist in any way. Perhaps (if you are not completely coherent) it may seem as an empowering statement. But, please ladies, lets think about the actual words and what they mean. You are basically insulting men - by calling them WOMEN. HOW IS THAT EMPOWERING TO WOMEN? {microphone drops}

married to the mob men are the new women

Some may say I’m being really harsh. Perhaps I am. But this hypocrisy has been going on for far too long. I don’t doubt that MOB’s intentions are good - I just don’t think there’s enough thought going into the messages being perpetuated in the spirit of “empowerment.”

Here’s a look at works by other designers that are actually positive and about empowering women - what I define as feminist…

StopObjectification Charms by Norma Kamali
norma kamali empowered

Standout pieces from DIMEPIECE
dimepiece womanhood collection

ain't no wifey

treat your girl right

And we all know I’m a fan of Herstory - here’s a great one from HELLZ.
hellz herstory

You don’t need to insult other people to make yourself stronger. If you do, then you’re no better than your “oppressors”. I realize that there are many types of feminism and that all feminists are not the same. I just don’t think it’s ok to spew hatred toward women and call yourself a feminist. Just my two cents.

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Posted in CULTURE, FASHION, feminism, life Comments (6)

Gabriella
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Preview: New INSA Rainbow Life Leggings, Crop Tops and Leotards

insa rainbow life leggings

INSA is bringing back his ever-popular leggings in the Rainbow Life colorway.  I love this colorway and would love to get a pair of these leggings to run in.  If you’re not into leggings - or if you’re into the head-to-toe spandex look then you’re in luck because he’s also releasing Rainbow Life crop tops and leotards.  You can wear lycra for days.  No word yet on the release - just now it’s coming soon.  Will keep you updated on Twitter about the drop date.

insa rainbow life leggings insa rainbow life leggings insa rainbow life leggings

Photos - Nic Gossage
Edits - PJ Smith
Models - Kate, Juanita, Mo

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Gabriella
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Video: Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne Facemelt Remix

Best friends Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne prancing around in lots of Chanel. Do I need to say more? Watch below.

Source: HungerTV

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Gabriella
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Video: Janelle Monáe - Q.U.E.E.N. feat. Erykah Badu

I just came across this video for Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monáe and featuring Erykah Badu. I never thought of these two ladies performing together but it makes perfect sense. Both are incomparable to anyone else as they forge their own paths, sounds and looks. I also respect these women so much for defining success on their own terms. Janelle Monáe shows us you can be sexy, beautiful, and powerful all at once without taking your clothes off and without downgrading herself by calling herself and other women “bitches”.

Source: HighSnobette

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