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Feminist explanations for the development and maintenance of eating and body image problems and therapeutic approaches to treatment have been largely discarded in favour of biological determinism and the medicalisation of mental health. But with more people suffering from body image dissatisfaction and the effects of disordered eating behaviours than at any other time in history, it’s time to revisit what second-wave feminists had to say about weight discrimination, writes Dr Naomi Crafti.
Meet vegan superhero Vivian Sharpe
Although written primarily as a Young Adult novel, The Adventures of Vivian Sharpe, Vegan Superhero by Marla Rose has plenty of appeal for grown-ups too, as Ruby Hamad found out.
Put aside your stereotypes about the sex industry and consider that many people, of all sexes and genders, can find the work empowering and healing. Wrenna Robertson is one such person, having worked for 18 years as a stripper. In this piece she talks about her own experiences as well as those of others, including escorts, porn actors, tantric practitioners and erotic masseurs.
The perils of speaking about Thai elephant exploitation
Recent raids on two wildlife charities in Thailand have caused outrage in wildlife protection circles. These incidents have been interpreted as an attempt to intimidate and silence wildlife conservationists speaking out about illegal elephant trading within the country. Suspicions as to the complicity of Thai authorities in the trade of elephants are well-founded, and are likely to be behind efforts to muzzle campaigners, writes Susannah Waters.
PETA: Sexy or sexist?
Long accused of objectifying women in the name of animal rights activism, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ latest ad campaign has raised the ire of many feminists who have accused it of making violence against women ‘sexy’. If PETA insist on clinging to the old edict "sex sells", they desperately need to revise exactly what kind of "sex" they are willing promote, argues Rebecca Cleaver.
British writer Lynda Renham-Cook visited Cambodia in December. She was both shocked and inspired by what she saw.
Feminism must stop ignoring animals
The goal of feminism is to dismantle the hierarchical system that values certain groups over others: men over women, whites over blacks, straights over gays and so on. This false hierarchy permits the exploitation of those at the bottom by the powerful at the top. But mainstream feminism is failing to include non-human animals in the equation – and this needs to change, writes Ruby Hamad.
AUSTRALIAN EVENT
Andrew Harvey: Heart of Sacred Activism
Australian May Tour 2012
Andrew Harvey is a renowned mystic, spiritual teacher and Rumi expert as well as the author of over 30 books. He is the architect of Sacred Activism: the fusion of mystical knowledge, spiritual awareness and radical action to support all life and the environment to transform the political, economic and cultural systems that are causing devastation in our world.
Visit www.transformationaltours.com.au for details of his Australian tour.
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