In the past few days, there have been articles and blog entries with clich�d references to women:

"Soccer Mom"

"Chicks"

"Catfights"

"Broads"

Is the intent to subvert the stereotypes by reappropriating the terminology - "taking back the chick," in essence? Or is the intent to be provocative?

I haven't seen the analysis or content to support subversion of stereotypes. And there's a difference between conscious provocation that explores boundaries and simply trotting out the same tired old stereotypes.

Even the naming of the blog as "Broadsheet" is representative. Is the only available reference for what defines a "broad" Rosalind Russell's character? Was Barbara Stanwyck too risque? As good as "His Girl Friday" is, it sends a pretty clear message about the appropriate roles for women - either give up your job and settle for a safe marriage to a dull insurance salesman, or return to a job that you love....and re-marry your boss. Her character is never defined by anything other than her relationship to another man. Both states of being reinforce the notion that women are most often (and easily) defined by their relationships to men.

Your article titles of late do the same. Salon, I expected more.

Sarah

(Posted this elsewhere, but it's a general comment on the blog).

I like the concept, which is why I'm so disappointed in the results.

In the past few days, there have been articles and blog entries with cliched references to women:

"Soccer Moms"

"Chicks"

"Catfights"

"Broads"

Is the intent to subvert the stereotypes by reappropriating the terminology - "taking back the chick," in essence? Or is the intent to be provocative?

I haven't seen the analysis or content to support subversion of stereotypes. And there's a difference between conscious provocation that explores boundaries and simply trotting out the same tired old stereotypes.

Even the naming of the blog as "Broadsheet" is representative. Is the only available reference for what defines a "broad" Rosalind Russell's character? Was Barbara Stanwyck too risque? As good as "His Girl Friday" is, it sends a pretty clear message about the appropriate roles for women - either give up your job and settle for a safe marriage to a dull insurance salesman, or return to a job that you love....and re-marry your boss. Her character is never defined by anything other than her relationship to another man. Both states of being reinforce the notion that women are most often (and easily) defined by their relationships to men.

Your article titles of late do the same. Salon, I expected more.

Sarah

Would you preface a description of a male pundit with the adjective "thin?" Or any adjective concerning appearance?

Did we see "Bald Man Nominated to Supreme Court?"

Stop perpetuating the double standard. I'm still trying to understand the mission and purpose of this blog other than to perpetuate stereotypes.

Sarah

Why question the New York Time's treatment of face transplants as a "women's issue" if you're discussing it on your "Women's Issue" blog?

It's all just a giant distraction to keep us from focusing on what's really important. If we're talking about face transplants, maybe we won't think about the bigger issues facing this country (and planet).

Sarah

If the house is not a metaphor for the body, could it be one for a relationship?

Sounds to me like when Home Body and Husband purchased the home, both were optimistic and earning incomes to support the predicted renovations.

Fast forward, the house isn't what it was cracked up to be and Home Body's Husband finds himself paying for the majority of renovations for a home that he doesn't like. Home Body has lost her job not once, but twice. Maybe he feels like things aren't as they seem and looks to retreat to the safety of a more stable home.

I'd dig beyond the "We should have bought another house" request and see what can be done to assuage his anxiety.

It's not just about the house.

My biggest beef with the broadcast was the playing of music at the beginning of each speech (for everyone except for Altman). It was rude and completely destroyed any semblance of spontaneity during the broadcast.

It's not the awards that we remember after the broadcast has ended - it's these tiny moments of humanity. Where were the Sally Fields, the Jack Palances, even the Susan Sarandons and Tim Robbins?

For a community that prides itself on pushing social boundaries, the Oscars stayed clear of the outer bounds.

Sarah

PS: No plunging necklines? Hello...Felicity Huffman.