Feminist Files: The eighth bad word

• This day in feminist history: June 19 is the anniversary of the day in 1873 a court fined Susan B. Anthony $100 for attempting to vote, at which point she goes totally badass and speaks some truth to power, saying (in part), “The only chance women have for justice in this country is to violate the law, as I have done, and as I shall continue to do.”
• I double-dog dare you….: Michigan Rep. Lisa Brown was silenced in the state house for using the word “vagina” — wait for it — while talking about a bill to ban abortions. Indeed, it offended the delicate ears of Rep. Mike Callton, who said the word was so disturbing that he would never use it in the company of women. And what would you prefer, Callton (who’s a biologist, by the way)? Hoo-ha? “Down there?” The parts that shall not be named? Now we should be ashamed for even saying the names of body parts?! I have a better idea: VAGINA. VAGINA. VAGINA. I WILL NOT BE SHAMED! (And, PS: Bravo Rep. Brown. Performing the Vagina Monologues is about as classy a move as you can get. I would have just told him to fuck off. But I guess that’s why I’m not a politician!)
• Hot mess: Conan apologizes for a “tranny” joke. Lame, Conan. Lame. But I’m glad you apologized.
• Hotness: Those “radical nuns” get the Colbert treatment.
• Baby this: Back before I wanted a baby, I was exactly like this. I don’t say that as a slight, either. It’s a compliment. Just because I changed my mind and love being a mother now, that doesn’t mean I would have loved it then. Or that it’s the right path for all women. (Because I know from a very painful childhood that it is not.) Or even that everyone who doesn’t want to have a baby should change (they shouldn’t). Change your mind. Don’t change your mind. Be true to yourself. Because the last thing this world needs is another baby with a parent who doesn’t want to be a parent. PS: If you are 25 or younger, just cool your jets. You are too young to be worrying about this shit! (And I mean that with love.)
• This makes me sad: I suppose it’s not really “feminist,” per se, but it makes me sad to see Rodney King has died.