Sexist Culture and the Sexualization of Breastfeeding

Breasts. When the topic is addressed, the most prevalent images are commonly Victoria’s Secret’s pneumatic blondes and Kate Upton gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, scantily clad in a string bikini. These are but a few examples of the same beauty standard which enters one’s mind as the topic of female breasts is discussed. However,…

#MeToo, #IBelieveYou …#IBelieveMe: Everyday gendered harassment and unlearning self-manipulation.

This month was met with the emergence of allegations against Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, concerning sexual misconduct and incidents of sexual assault. This spawned a worldwide call for solidarity amongst women on social media who had never before admitted to experiencing sexual harassment and assault. Before long, I was confronted with this reality on…

Wits Mail & Guardian Society Competition Submission; Response to “The Millennial Question.”

Tough to Manage. Entitled. Self-Interested. Lazy. This is what Simon Sinek answer is, in short, to “The Millennial Question”. It is this broad view that is used to describe people born in 1984 onwards and is one which is commonly believed (evidence of which is how verbalisations of the term ‘millennial’ are often derisive). It…

What makes a man?: An analysis of toxic masculinity and normalized aggression in male children

This is a question which has made room for much debate. In my Sociology class, one girl proclaimed that what men are made from the lies they tell. While we all chuckled at that view (which, for the most part, remains true), the question remained unanswered. I would argue that traditional society’s view of what…

“This Here is Mine”: An analysis of the politicized discussion surrounding black women’s hair.

For centuries, African women have practised rituals of beautification and used protective styles to prevent breakage, dryness, and damage. These rituals become highly socialised in the present day and now black women all over the world use innovative technologies to protect and style their hair. Such methods include wigs, weaves and braiding, and chemical straightening…

“Maybe it’s not about race,” : The relationship between Gaslighting, Dog Whistle Politics and Perspective.

How many times have you entered a discussion about race, and then been asked a question which made you doubt whether the discussion was worthwhile or not? Has this feeling been coupled with the other person uncovering the 'holes' in your argument by dissecting the connotations of certain 'coded' words and then, before you knew…