s.e. smith - xoJane

Don't Gender Me, Bro: Writing Under a Gender-Neutral Byline

s.e. smith — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

Writing under my initials for a very long time has allowed me to observe the way people relate to a writer on the basis of perceived gender, because people seem to have an urgent, desperate need to slot each other into gender categories.

H&M's NBD Approach To Plus-Size Model Shocks, Astounds World

s.e. smith — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 -0400

We're starting to normalize the appearance of plus-sized models in fashion as just a natural variation of human bodies, rather than something shocking and awful.

I Have the BRCA Mutations, But Unlike Angelina Jolie, I Can't Afford a Preventative Mastectomy

s.e. smith — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400

For now, all I can do is hang my hopes on the slim percentage that I won’t get breast cancer, knowing that if a tumor develops, it’s not like I can afford to treat that either.

Lucy Liu Talks Candidly About Racism And Stereotypes In Hollywood

s.e. smith — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400

Lucy Liu is perfectly happy naming, and talking about, the elephant in the room: racism is a problem in Hollywood.

My Unconscious Body is Not Your Playtoy

s.e. smith — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:30:00 -0400

The dehumanisation of unconscious people is part of a larger culture that also dehumanises conscious people.

21 Things Making You Fat RIGHT NOW

s.e. smith — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Fat. It’s everywhere. A dangerous predator lurking around corners, ready to jump out when you least expect it.

Your Breasts Are Not Allowed At Prom

s.e. smith — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:30:00 -0400

Are these seriously the depths to which we have descended as a society, that three young women can be turned away from prom for having breasts?

That Time I Puked on a Plane Because of Some Lady's Stank-Ass Perfume

s.e. smith — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

Let me be blunt: Most people don’t want to smell your stank-ass perfume, okay?

Plus Size Knockout Justine LeGault Owns the Cover of "Elle Quebec"

s.e. smith — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400

I’m not used to the “Daily Mail” being positive about larger bodies.

It's Blogging Against Disablism Day, and I'm Talking Disability Hate Crimes

s.e. smith — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:00 -0400

Today is Blogging Against Disablism Day, an event organized to explore ableism/disablism and their larger social impacts worldwide. Disability hate crimes are just one of the many issues faced by the disability community.

I Can't Support Assisted Suicide Until the Right to Live is Equally Valued

s.e. smith — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:30:00 -0400

There are a few topics that, as a general rule, I just refuse to discuss on the Internet. Assisted suicide/right-to-die is usually one of them.

Is Wikipedia's "American Women Novelists" Category Horribly Sexist? Some People Seem To Think So

s.e. smith — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400

My first reaction to this was “My stars! I am offended! I shall retweet this to remind myself to read it later and prepare to flame with righteous outrage!”

It's World Penguin Day! Celebrate with 10 Cute Penguin Videos

s.e. smith — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:30:00 -0400

Because here's the thing: Penguins are really cute, and we've all been having a rough time lately, and I think we could use some cute animal videos. Am I right?

The First Time You Ever Got Drunk: xoJane Edition

s.e. smith — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400

Which xoJaner got drunk on vanilla extract? Which one sat on a couch downing SKYY and cranberry juice while watching "Titanic"? Who ended up with a shorn head? CLICK TO FIND OUT!

READ THIS: Five Upcoming YA Titles I'm Super-Excited About

s.e. smith — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:30:00 -0400

Today, I’m teasing, tantalziing, and enticing with five upcoming releases that I’m excited about -- and I think you will be too.

Yes, You Can Be A Mentally Ill Parent...If You Want to Be

s.e. smith — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:00:00 -0400

When it comes to handling tantrums, counting to 10, cooling down, and all the other tricks needed to handle kids growing into themselves, some of us crazies are old hands.

City Folk, You Puzzle Me: Do People Really Not Know Their Neighbors?

s.e. smith — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:30:00 -0400

I know everyone on my road by sight and by name. I’ve been into almost every house on my road, and I’ve looked after animals, gardens, mail, and other sundry matters for my neighbors -- and they’ve done the same for me.

We Love You, Boston

s.e. smith — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:48:00 -0400

Like the rest of the xoJane staff, I am shocked, horrified, and enraged by the events in Boston today.

Kermit Gosnell's Abortion House Of Horrors And The Media

s.e. smith — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:30:00 -0400

Suddenly, last week, the media exploded with claims that there had been a massive coverup and the Gosnell story wasn’t being covered by mainstream media.

My Therapist Made Me Quit Watching Glee and Last Night's School Shooting Episode is a Great Example of Why

s.e. smith — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:00:00 -0400

So, “Glee” did a school shooting episode. My first reaction was “Of course it did.”