And Possibly Dinosaurs
The best parts of being a homebody
Today marks 100 years since the 19th amendment was ratified. And while we celebrate this day as the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, let’s be very clear: it’s the 100th anniversary of white women’s right to vote.
I’m really excited to introduce Sareeta of Flight & Scarlet for today’s blog post! She’s going to talk all about how to be a feminist in your daily life, which is awesome advice we can all use! Take it away, Sareeta!
This post contains affiliate links that I could make commission off of. All opinions are my own. Learn more.
If there’s one thing people don’t want to talk about, it’s periods. Trust me, I was among those who thought it was super taboo until not too long ago. But I’ve changed my mind and I’m pretty open about it now.
After all, half of the population experiences them at some point in their lives. So it’s something we need to talk about. In fact, some of my best girl friends and I (here’s looking at you, Angela) talk about them all the time.
And that’s super important, for many reasons. So this month, I’m going to be talking about how periods affect different things around the world.
Today’s topic? Periods affect girls in developing countries in a big way. Like, not just “okay, you need to start using pads and tampons and can get pregnant” kind of way. In a “you are probably going to drop out of school” way.
Seriously.
Leslie Knope is obviously the best character in Parks and Recreation. Followed closely by Ben Wyatt, Andy Dweyer, Ron Swanson, Chris Traeger, Ann Perkins, Tom Haverford, and April Ludgate. In no particular order.
The worst character, on the other hand, is obviously Jerry Gergich.
Kidding. It’s Jeremy Jamm. He’s lit’rally the worst.
Welcome to Part 2 of the Knope-ify Your Life series on And Possibly Dinosaurs! We’re discussing ways to be more like Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation, just in time for Galentine’s Day tomorrow!
If you’ve seen Parks and Recreation, you know how important government is to Leslie Knope. She’s super amped up about it.
But here’s the thing: for most of us, it’s really not that exciting. We know government is important, but we don’t necessarily see the impact it has on us day-to-day. Sure, we’ll see it when gay marriage is legalized for the entire country. Or on election day. But after that? Not much.
So, how can we fix that?
February starts next week, which is crazy on so many levels. But it’s also exciting, because it’s home to my two favorite holidays: Ash Wednesday and President’s Day!
Kidding. My birthday and Galentine’s Day!
No, that wasn’t a typo. I really mean Galentine’s Day. It’s celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, and it’s when you get all of your gal pals together and love on each other. Typically over some waffles. How amazing is that?!
Ah, the holiday season. The best time to get together with family and donate the remainder of the money you have set aside for tax-deductible charitable donations.
Don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing. Even if you’re donating for totally selfish reasons like a tax write-off, you’re still helping people.
Well… maybe.
It depends on the charity you’re donating to. After working for several different nonprofits, I’ve learned a lot about which charities are deserving and which are… less so. Here are my favorite charities to donate to!
Excuse me while I white-splain something.
Back in September, I became aware of a prejudice I have. I didn’t even realize I had it until Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj got into it at the VMAs.
And people say Miley and Nicki aren’t good for anything.
This prejudice? It’s called tone policing.
I’m a proud feminist. I love being a woman, and I call people out when they use my gender as an insult.
A few weeks ago, one of my male coworkers asked a group of male coworkers where “you girls” are going for lunch. All the while, I was helping him with something. So, without even turning to look at him, I said, “you seem to be using the world ‘girls’ as an insult, and I don’t appreciate that.”
And yet, I still find myself offended by it. Not just the use of the word, but the word itself.
A different male coworker always calls me the “marketing girl,” and it really rubs me the wrong way. So why is the word girl so demeaning?
by Randi of Randi with an i
Hey, I’m Randi with an “i” and I’m not a guy.
As someone who has been #blessed with a gender neutral name, I’ve grown up having a way different perspective of – well – your name.
When I worked my last job as a reporter, I would frequently receive emails addressed to “Mr. Shaffer.” I would answer my phone line as “Randi Shaffer” and was never taken aback when the voice on the other end of the line quipped a surprised “Oh, I thought you would be a man!”
The basis for that column was how often people mistook me for a man. But things have changed so much in the last half-decade alone, since I first wrote that piece.
Let’s back up for a minute.
We’ve all heard the phrase over and over again: chivalry is dead.
With plenty of women (myself included) striving for equal rights, it seems a bit backward for us to constantly be waiting for men to open the door, pay for our meal, and pull our chairs out for us.
But is it really that backward? Can chivalry and feminism coexist?
I’m a proud feminist. I could talk about feminism all day any day, and I love connecting with other feminists. But here’s the thing: I don’t agree with all other feminists. Take one, for example: Beyoncé.
Whaaaaaat? Isn’t Queen Bey the face of feminism? After all, she stood in front of a giant light-up FEMINISM sign that one time.
Sure, she’s got great ideas about feminism. But I don’t agree with everything she does. And that’s okay.
