Interview me baby!
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by asking you 5 questions of a very personal nature.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed you will ask them 5 questions.
These questions were asked by (the fabulous) babyinthecorner
1. How can a true feminist enjoy the often misogynist mainstream hip-hop?
Personally, I know the lyrics are harmful and derogatory to the way we view women. I think it's about understanding the difference between how to treat women in real life and how they are portrayed in the music. Often, that line is non-existent, which is what makes it so problematic. I wish more mainstream hip-hop artists would find other ways to be sexual and catchy without using the language they often do, but dammit, I love Snoop Dogg!
2. How do you think you would be different if you were born and raised somewhere above the Mason-Dixon Line?
I can honestly say that being a West Virginian has never been how I define myself, but I am very proud to be from the Mountain State. When I was in Argentina, I heard the John Denver song "West Virginia mountain mama, take me home" and I welled up with pride. I know living in Virginia and going to school is not much different than being in West Virginia. Compared to people who come to live in Virginia from other parts of the country experience much culture shock, but I am an extremely adaptable person and I generally am able to find positive things about most everywhere. I was raised with a father who is somewhat (well, more than somewhat) conservative and I developed my own views and attitudes as I grew. I don't think I would be different as a person if I had been born above the M-D line, but I might have had different experiences that led me to who I am today. I guess life is all about the choices we make and the experiences that define us, so I can't really be sure of anything up to this point.
3. Where do you want to live after you graduate from college?
I want to live everywhere! I really want to travel to Europe for a year with one of my best friends. If we get the funds and we get our asses in gear, we plan to land in The British Isles and then go to mainland Europe and spend a year traveling around to various countries where we have friends. We want to spend at least a month in each place. Some of our choices are: England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, etc. :) I hope it works out. But as for where I want to live, it's a toss-up at the moment. I want to have the amenities of a big city, like Chicago or Philadelphia.
4. How do you think the specific age difference between you and your mother has affected your relationship with her?
I've always had a unique friendship with my mom. We've shared things some of my best friends haven't shared with their mothers, but I don't know if that's because she is so young. I can share music and pop culture with my mom that other people might not be able to, considering she was only 18 years old in 1988. For instance, we can jam to Michael Jackson like no other. Because she's only thirty-eight, my mom will most likely be around for the major events in my life. If I chose to have children, she will (god willing) be there to support me.
5. What did you learn from reading Cunt?
I learned that we have to demand respect from people. We can't just sit back in the corner and hope something will happen. We have to relate how important it is that people respect us as women. I learned that it's OK to call someone out and that standing together as women is so important if we want to accomplish really important goals. I learned the power of sisterhood, not degrading other females to fit in with a patriarchal society. Lastly, I learned how truly awesome my cervix is!
2. I will respond by asking you 5 questions of a very personal nature.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed you will ask them 5 questions.
These questions were asked by (the fabulous) babyinthecorner
1. How can a true feminist enjoy the often misogynist mainstream hip-hop?
Personally, I know the lyrics are harmful and derogatory to the way we view women. I think it's about understanding the difference between how to treat women in real life and how they are portrayed in the music. Often, that line is non-existent, which is what makes it so problematic. I wish more mainstream hip-hop artists would find other ways to be sexual and catchy without using the language they often do, but dammit, I love Snoop Dogg!
2. How do you think you would be different if you were born and raised somewhere above the Mason-Dixon Line?
I can honestly say that being a West Virginian has never been how I define myself, but I am very proud to be from the Mountain State. When I was in Argentina, I heard the John Denver song "West Virginia mountain mama, take me home" and I welled up with pride. I know living in Virginia and going to school is not much different than being in West Virginia. Compared to people who come to live in Virginia from other parts of the country experience much culture shock, but I am an extremely adaptable person and I generally am able to find positive things about most everywhere. I was raised with a father who is somewhat (well, more than somewhat) conservative and I developed my own views and attitudes as I grew. I don't think I would be different as a person if I had been born above the M-D line, but I might have had different experiences that led me to who I am today. I guess life is all about the choices we make and the experiences that define us, so I can't really be sure of anything up to this point.
3. Where do you want to live after you graduate from college?
I want to live everywhere! I really want to travel to Europe for a year with one of my best friends. If we get the funds and we get our asses in gear, we plan to land in The British Isles and then go to mainland Europe and spend a year traveling around to various countries where we have friends. We want to spend at least a month in each place. Some of our choices are: England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, etc. :) I hope it works out. But as for where I want to live, it's a toss-up at the moment. I want to have the amenities of a big city, like Chicago or Philadelphia.
4. How do you think the specific age difference between you and your mother has affected your relationship with her?
I've always had a unique friendship with my mom. We've shared things some of my best friends haven't shared with their mothers, but I don't know if that's because she is so young. I can share music and pop culture with my mom that other people might not be able to, considering she was only 18 years old in 1988. For instance, we can jam to Michael Jackson like no other. Because she's only thirty-eight, my mom will most likely be around for the major events in my life. If I chose to have children, she will (god willing) be there to support me.
5. What did you learn from reading Cunt?
I learned that we have to demand respect from people. We can't just sit back in the corner and hope something will happen. We have to relate how important it is that people respect us as women. I learned that it's OK to call someone out and that standing together as women is so important if we want to accomplish really important goals. I learned the power of sisterhood, not degrading other females to fit in with a patriarchal society. Lastly, I learned how truly awesome my cervix is!