Media - xoJane

I Just Got Blindsided By A"Hit Piece" -- Let Me Explain Them To You

Mandy — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400

I was contacted by a reporter who said how she had been "enjoying" my pieces in xoJane and wanted to profile me. That's how it started.

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.

This Week In Bad Science Journalism: Fat People Stink, Am I Right?

s.e. smith — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:30:00 -0400

“Can You Smell Obesity?” “Obesity Has A Smell” “Is That Obesity Smell On Your Breath?” “Obesity Has A Scent” “Apparently You Can Smell Obesity”

Does Pop Culture Have A Responsibility to Educate?

s.e. smith — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:00:00 -0400

A question I get asked a lot as someone who talks about pop culture from the perspective of a critic who roots my work in social issues, namely: does pop culture (and television in particular) have a responsibility to educate the audience?

9 FREE TIPS For Improving Your Rape Coverage TODAY, Mass Media!

s.e. smith — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:00:00 -0400

If I never see the words "seduced," "had sex with," "affair," "forced her to have sex," and so on in a headline about a rape case again, it will be too soon.

How To Build A Personal Brand, Day Three: Let's Get You Some Press!

Mandy — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00:00 -0400

Don't read what they say about you. Count the column inches. Cuba Gooding Jr. told me that once. SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Zerlina Maxwell Receives Rape and Death Threats for Speaking up for Women

s.e. smith — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:30:00 -0400

Commentator Zerlina Maxwell did a brave thing this weekend. She went on Fox News, not exactly a bastion of human rights commentary, and said that if we want to stop rape, we need to educate men on the subject, rather than putting the responsibility on women.

Fifty Shades of Zoe Barnes: Why I Identify With The Female "House of Cards" Villain

Mandy — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:00:00 -0500

There was no actual course called "Faustian Bargains 101" at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. So I improvised.

Dove Made A Shampoo Commercial Featuring A Blind Woman And I Reluctantly Like It

s.e. smith — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:00:00 -0500

In other words, yes, Shirley, blind people really ARE just like you.

A Paralympic Track Star Is Accused of Killing Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and The Jokes are HILARIOUS

s.e. smith — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:30:00 -0500

Whatever Steenkamp endured in their relationship before her death was quietly shoved under the carpet, and no one talked about it; just like no one talks about domestic violence in any cases involving “heroes.”

On Being A 17-Year Old Anti-Feminist

Olivia Singer — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:30:00 -0500

I remember, as a teenager, having a disagreement with a friend of mine when I wouldn’t call myself a feminist because I said that it implied that I hated men and I was terrified of being seen as anything other than a desirable, sexual being who just loved guys.

Glenn Beck Revokes the President's "Man Card"

s.e. smith — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:30:00 -0500

I wasn’t aware that Glenn Beck was the current head of the "Who’s a real man?” club, but evidently he is, and he used the power vested in him to strip President Obama of his man privileges.

I'm A Blatant and Unapologetic Media Pirate

Jessie Nicole — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:00:00 -0500

If something exists digitally, I have probably at least tried to obtain it illegally.

The Best of the Super Bowl Ads

s.e. smith — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:30:00 -0500

If you came here for an outraged rant on the most offensive, the most sexist, the most ridiculous, the most appalling of the Super Bowl ads, you came to the wrong place.

Bon Appetit Compares Beyonce to a Pork Chop, Can't Figure Out Why Readers are Pissed

s.e. smith — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0500

For those just tuning in, yes, it is offensive to compare a woman to a piece of meat, or to meat in general.

"India's Daughter" Revealed, But Should She Have Been?

s.e. smith — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:30:00 -0500

The tensions over whether the victim’s name should be revealed, both in India and beyond, highlight ongoing debates about privacy for victims, especially in the wake of a death, when victims can’t speak for themselves.

Tragic School Shootings Bring Out a Certain Type of Media Misery Merchant -- Like This One Who Just Pitched Me

Mandy — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:00:00 -0500

I don't think I'm much better than other media tragedy merchants. But at least I'm not sending out PR pitches inspired by the Connecticut shooting today. Let's discuss.

You Are Not a Family Man If You Kill Your Family: A Primer on Writing About Domestic Violence

Jen Girdish — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:30:00 -0500

When you quote at length the abuser’s friend’s “side” of the incident, talk about the victim’s college transcripts, or her employment record, you are participating in some good old-fashioned victim blaming.

It Happened to Me: I Lost A Job For Calling Out The Company's Rape Apology

Dan Solomon — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:00:00 -0500

Making the point that people with jobs in journalism have no business speculating about the truthfulness of rape allegations is well worth losing some steady work over.

I Worked A Glamour Job At Page Six While Grappling With Crippling Depression

Laura Buchwald — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:00:00 -0500

It’s hard to call celebrities out on their faults when you are barely functioning yourself, but that’s exactly what I did.