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- Advice
- In My Opinion...
A shameless assessment of Ontario election advertisements and some voting tips

October 5, 2011 • Meg Pirie

You may have noticed a few things over the last month if you live in Ontario. Yes, there’s a provincial election happening and besides being incredibly important, it’s also been incredibly annoying.
Phone calls. Incessant attack ads. Flyers crowding your mailbox. OMG don’t you get it Conservatives? We’re just not that into you!

But seriously, certain ads deserve some attention, if for no other reason than to poke fun at how ridiculous they are. After all, humour can be an incredibly effective tool when it comes to disarming opponents.

Perhaps the most pervasive attack was THE TAX MAN, authorized by the CFO for the Ontario PC Party.

You might notice that this ad uses broad language to define its opponent, Dalton McGuinty, and its champion, Tim Hudak. And really, vagueness is the domain of these ads. With just 30 seconds to either sway you or put a bug in your ear, they operate through emotional appeals and repetition. These adverts are also transparently obvious. The image they selected to represent the current Premier, AKA THE TAX MAN, makes him look unfocused and profoundly constipated.

Hudak, on the other hand, sits at a desk composing a tome on the workers’ plight (or playing Sudoku, you choose), knocking on doors, meeting with Madonna and Child (a great way to make him seem more trustworthy among women, typically not as supportive of Conservative platforms), drinkin’ a double-double with the boys (before they go fishin’ or huntin’), and then finishing with a triumphant shot of Hudak and family in what could be coined Ye Olde Celebration of Heteronormative Family Values.

While these tactics are not unique to Tim Hudak, truly, this is a masterpiece as far as attack ads go. We know what the Premier is (A TAX MAN), but in a de-personalized, negative manner. Hudak & Co. have established what he represents through imagery, while emphasizing through the script—delivered in the 1st person by Hudak himself—what he will do … which is exactly the opposite of Dalton McGuinty. Even the colour scheme and music become brighter with the appearance of Tim Hudak. It’s sort of like The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Except I don’t think Hudak would shine in a musical…I might be wrong, though. PM Harper likes John Lennon, after all.

The big finish? “It’s time for change in Ontario.” What does that actually mean? What kind of change? How will persons living with (dis)abilities, trans, queer, youth, people of colour, Indigenous people, the un- and under-employed, women, and other marginalized groups be represented?

Stop asking questions, you!

Of course, for an attack ad, this works. Which is unfortunate. So, so unfortunate. But as far as establishing an identity that people feel connected to and gravitate toward, this ad wears thin. By spending so much time and energy reiterating that he is not Dalton McGuinty, Tim Hudak, the politician, actually dependent on Dalton McGuinty, since his existence is founded on an invented dichotomy between Liberals and Conservatives.

The other ad that’s been getting quite a bit of attention is provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath’s “Shoes.”

(more inside…)
- Advice
- Media Savvy
Review of Women in the Field: Lunch with Jan Wong

March 24, 2011 • Michelle Kay

While the first panel discussion of the Women in the Field: Changing the Face of Journalism symposium that happened earlier this week at Ryerson University filled me with dread and fear, the second part inspired me greatly. The goddesses must have been smiling because I managed to snag a seat to the sold-out 2011 Atkinson lecture with Jan Wong.

If you’re not familiar with Jan Wong, get acquainted. Wong’s list of accomplishments and controversies shows that she is a gutsy, opinionated, tough-as-nails journalist. Love her or hate her, you have to hand it to her. Wong’s sass and ambition have gotten her where she is today. Despite everything she has gone through in her career: racism, sexism and depression, she has managed to author four books and is penning a new book, Out of the Blue, which looks at the breakdown she experienced following her controversy at the Globe and Mail.

Her talk was titled the Risks and Rewards of Being a Journalist (and she touched on being a visible minority in the field as well.) She began the lecture on a sombre note, mentioning a case where a pregnant female officer was sent in to search a violent female inmate. She was sent in anyway, was attacked and miscarried. Her father, also a police officer told her to “suck it up.” Wong was told, “It’s always 1952 in the cop shop.” Similarly, she joked, “Well, it’s 1953 in the newsroom.”

Wong then changed the tone and told a personal anecdote: Ever since she was young, she wanted to be a journalist. She never wanted to be Superman. Clark Kent never got the scoop. Who cares if you can fly? It was Lois Lane who broke stories.

Wong went on to point out that women need to speak up more, to fight for what you want and just try. “You don’t ask, you don’t get.”

The most useful part of her talk were the six steps for success:

1) Have a dream. Identify what you want. Hers was to become a foreign correspondent in China, which she did eventually after working hard and being smarter and more talented than her competition.

2) Learn how to read a balance sheet. In other words hone your skills. Shake yourself and pick up the tools you need. Do something that scares you that you’re not comfortable with. She says she learned business reporting even though she knew nothing about it. She also touts the importance of speaking another language. “It’s the key to uncovering culture.”

3) Position yourself. Learn how to change a disadvantage (we all have one) into an advantage.

4) Don’t be shy. Let everyone know what you want and your real goals.

5) Distinguish yourself. Keep improving on your writing and reporting. Everyday is a new story, a new challenge. “I don’t care what the assignment you’ve been given is. Think big. Write for page 1.”

6) Never assume the job is yours. You may have a job one day, but the next it might no longer be yours, so just put your best work forward.

Despite her past controversies, she is an incredible speaker. Not only is she brilliant and takes no bullshit, it was especially uplifting to see a woman who is a visible minority be successful in such a tough field. Her career and presence is quite impressive, and after the talk I was able to chat with her.

I asked her about fear and how to be brave, and she answered that you just have to go for it. Everyone is fearful and being brave doesn’t come naturally to people, but you just have to jump and the rest will fall into place. Wong also touts the importance of finding a mentor. She simply said to write to people you admire and ask to meet them. Most will say no, but a few generous souls will agree to meet and talk. It’s about perseverance, following up and making connections.

All in all, Jan Wong’s talk was the highlight of the Women in the Field symposium. I left feeling enthusiastic and inspired. The path to a successful career in such a competitive and hard field is still daunting, but it is reassuring to know that there are trailblazers out there that you can reach out to and who are willing to share their tidbits of wisdom.
- Advice
- Body Politics
Think Before You Tattoo!

June 25, 2009 • Desirée O

I got my first tattoo when I was 18. It was actually my 18th birthday present from my sister and was part of an amazingly wild May 2-4 weekend. But as crazy as the weekend was, the tattoo part of it was extremely planned out.

I had wanted a tattoo forever, and although my mom was okay with it, she made sure I had found a reputable (i.e. clean and capable) place to get it done and had really, really thought about what I wanted.

She talked to me about how having a tattoo visible in certain places could effect aspects of your life like your career. She explained to me that what I may want now might not be so cool 20 years down the road. She even drew examples on my back so I knew exactly where I wanted my tattoo placed.

To this day, I love my tattoo (and each that has followed) and have no regrets.

But that’s just me.

Kimberley Vlaminck on the other hand…

(more inside…)
- Advice
- Food Fight
I Need Your Vegetarian / Vegan Help!

April 24, 2009 • Desirée O

First of all, this is not a post about the pros/cons or ethical/eco/health issues of vegetarianism.

For my own reasons, and after one failed attempt a few years ago, I’m again going vegetarian, perhaps even vegan (I love cheese, but my tummy doesn’t!).

I’ve been meat-free for a few months now and things are going great. I’m feeling awesome! My complexion has changed for the better, I’ve dropped a few pounds (I’m not trying to loose weight, but I did have a couple pounds of fat that I needed to rid my body of if I wanted to be healthy), and even the flesh under my fingernails looks nice and rosy and pink. And I’m full of energy!

The main reason my former attempt at vegetarianism failed was lack of yummy recipes and knowledge of meat-free alternatives available.

So here is where I ask for your help and expertise…
(more inside…)
- Activist Report
- Advice
what’s your strategy?

October 11, 2008 • Anna Leventhal

Voting season always brings up all sorts of civic-philosophical issues for me. Like, I have trouble believing in the potency of my single vote, and yet that’s the entire principle of a democratic electoral system, duh. And should I vote for the issues I care about, or against the issues I hate? Or, like my avowedly socialist housemate, I could abstain from the whole thing, or spoil my ballot as a statement against the powers that be, blah blah blah - but is anyone listening? (I probably won’t do either of those last two, but they are food for thought.)

In any case, it seems like a near-universal truth that, with the exception of a few optimistic enthusiasts, Canadians don’t vote for the party we care about. Rather, we vote for one despicable dirtbag in order to keep another despicable dirtbag out of office. Depressing as strategic voting is, it’s often necessary, and now there’s even a website that will tell you how to vote in order to prevent a Harper majority. All you do is enter your postal code and it’ll give you a breakdown of your riding and a recommended candidate. Besides being useful if you’re into that sort of thing, it’s kind of an interesting experiment in statistical data dealing with large populations, and, like, the power of the internet, man.

N.B. - According to the website, my riding is apparently guaranteed to go NDP, so I’ve been instructed to “vote with my heart”. Sweet, count one ballot for the Marxist Feminist Jazz Dancing Karaoke Party.
- Advice
- Media Savvy
Now What?

January 23, 2008 • Stacey May Fowles

Rabble.ca has launched a great new “advice column” for activists called Now What?

When the stresses and strains of daily life combine with the realities of an unjust world, sometimes you just need some good advice. Ms. Communicate is here to take your questions, and each week we’ll feature her response.

The first installment? Ms. Communicate outlines your options for dealing with that obnoxious right-winger in your extended family (we all have ‘em.)

…you have my permission to use as much swearing as you deem appropriate. Racism and sexism are much more offensive than profane language, in my view.
- Advice
More Friday Fun: Walt Disney’s “Story of Menstruation”

September 14, 2007 • Stacey May Fowles

Maybe I’m in a good mood today, but for some reason I’m all about “amusing.” On that note, please enjoy this long-lost 1946 animated Disney film, The Story of Menstruation. Disney and Kotex partnered to “set young ladies of the forties straight on the real story behind the mysterious changes their bodies were going through.”

From BoingBoing:
Neither sexuality nor reproduction is mentioned in this influential film, and an emphasis on sanitation makes it, as Disney historian Jim Korkis has suggested: ‘a hygienic crisis rather than a maturational event.

Watch the video and learn the following piece of advice:

“Once you stop feeling sorry for yourself and take Those Days in your stride, you’ll find it’s easier to remain even-tempered.”
- Advice
- Media Savvy
How not to be Shameless

September 14, 2007 • Stacey May Fowles

Something funny for your Friday. A UK website called So Feminine has published their Ten Commandments of “Making the first move” and I have to say they made me chuckle a little bit. Not that my educational expectations were all that high. Check out this gem:
2. DON’T show you’re confident: you don’t like men who come over as cocky, right? It works the same both ways.

I don’t know about you, but confident and cocky seem to be two very different concepts to me. Then the list gets even more hilariously confusing and contradictory…
6. Be yourself: don’t try and be something you’re not just to pull him. Be sexy, but be you.

7. Watch your appearance: he has to think you’re gorgeous and classy right from the start. First impressions stick around!

8. BUT don’t go over the top: you don’t want him to think he’s not good enough for you or make him feel in any way inadequate. If you try too hard it could have the opposite effect and send him bolting for the door!

9. Once you’re in there, remain forward: men can be intimidated by a woman coming on to them and they might not know how to react. Don’t be shy about making the second or third move too!

10. BUT try and be as discreet as possible: this is the hardest bit. You have to let him think he initiated things, otherwise his male pride could take a battering…

Phew! Okay, so I’m supposed to be myself, but if myself is confident, I’m not supposed to be myself, but I should be a sexy version of myself, but not too sexy as to make him feel inadequate, or intimidating, but if I am indimidating I should keep being intimidating, but to protect his pride, not too intimidating, you know - intimidating in a non-confident, kind of sexy but not too sexy way that’s myself but not too much like myself….

via Jezebel
“Ladies beware” - of everything

August 7, 2007 • piKe krpan

At work today my co-worker, a well-meaning and wonderful woman, asked me to watch a special video clip on the dangers of some type of breast cancer with her.

I was feeling unwilling. Not because I wanted to be ignorant (although some days I do want to bury my head in the sand), but because I was healthily suspicious. My suspicions bore out.

The video clip was actually a short news segment from a local television news show. You know the ones: they run about 5 minutes, they have news heads like “Your children are being poisoned by their toys and no one is telling you anything about it” or “You thought your doctor knew all the risks, but we found out that you are doomed” etc etc. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating, but these intense stories are generally overblown “unknown” risk stories, where you are the victim of some strange disease, or manufacturing defect, or nasty pedophile, or whatever, and you really have to pay better attention and look out for your vulnerable self in this dangerous world.

It is not coincidental that these stories are directed at women; women, who are generally portrayed as the victims or the caretakers of potential victims (ie children and the elderly). These stories have email vareities, too - “don’t buy this cough medicine” or “don’t park on a downward slope facing east near a pschiatric institution” blah blah. I feel a momentary twinge of guilt when I deny my forwarding powers. You know these scare emails - you’ve likely forwarded them, well-intentioned woman that you are - they are about the perfume killer (perfume sample offered to you is actually chloroform) and the abduction in the mall parking lot (just when you thought that being a good shopper would save you from the bandits).

The current issue of Bitch Magazine debunks many of these emails as powerful hoaxes of the urban myth variety. (The best source for debunking these things, I find, is the site www.Hoax-Slayer.com.) Finally! This scare tactic revealed for what it really is - an attempt to foster fear-mongering about women in public places - the old anti-woman, pro-domestic attempt to convince you that you are simply safer if you stay home and stay unnoticed (and cover yourself up, too!). Writer Niki Papadopoulos does a great job of pointing out that while your female relatives are ostensibly looking out for you by forwarding you this stuff, the circulation of these emails serves to reinforce a skewed picture of threats to women’s safety. (Now, I won’t even talk about how many of the forwarders are my same women friends who don’t send me links to petitions and actions on abortion, women in education, because that stuff is too “political” for them!) Now, if I seem to be overreacting, think about it this way. If we continually encourage women to not dress or act a certain way in public to avoid being scrutinzed/catcalled/raped, it is a short step from blaming women for the violence they encounter (“She was dressed like that, she asked for it!”). Once again, women must be responsible for their choices to avoid danger - men are not held accountable for their “hormonal instincts”.

In fact, men are much more likely to be the victim of a violent attack by a stranger. So warn your men. And keep forwarding emails to your women-folk that urge them to support actions to expose the epidemic of domestic abuse in our country - a far, far far greater cause of violence against women than any dude with a perfume sample.
- Advice
A Confession, A Promise and A Funeral?

July 22, 2007 • Stacey May Fowles

“It doesn’t say great things about me, but smoking has been a constant presence in my life for a long time- and I don’t remember what I used to do - or how I used to be without it.”

-Emily Flake, These Things Ain’t Gonna Smoke Themselves.

For the last six months I’ve been hilariously “pretending I don’t smoke.” I’ve gone from being a ten-year pack-a-day, stupidly proud, reckless, chain-smoking fiend to hiding my habit from my family, my friends, my employers and (occasionally) my live-in partner. Although I’m sure that there’s been some benefit to reducing my smoking habit considerably by means of concealing it, my life has gotten ridiculous. Who am I fooling? I am 28 years old and I am hiding my habit the same way I would when I was 16 - and yes folks, that’s how long I have been smoking.

Let’s face it: the smoking party is over. No one smokes anymore and no one is stupid enough to even vaguely believe it’s not going to kill you dead. For those of you who are young and toying with the notion, don’t fret- I’m not going to go on the “smoking is gonna get you” rant, cause quite frankly we all know it and I’d be a hypocrite if I spouted it off here. I’d rather come from a place that suggests you define yourself, and since we’d all rather define ourselves as non-smokers, let’s do that, shall we? See, that was easy enough.

So, what the heck am I doing? I’ve been a fool. I’ve been hanging on. I’ve been putting this off and putting this off, but I have to make a final decision to define myself either as a smoker or not. I think we’re all in agreement that it would be better for me to make the decision to be a non-smoker, so here I am, doing just that. I’m just not committed to smoking in the same way I was, so I’m going to do a very public dumping of the habit just so you, Shameless readers (smokers, non-smokers and “pretenders”) can watch me fall apart and pick myself up again.

(more inside…)