Madonna MDNA Tour

It is no secret that I love Madonna. I've loved Madonna since I was six years old. Her music, her fashion, her style, her moxie, her politics--everything. In high school we had to write a compare and contrast paper and I did mine on Eva Peron & Madonna. When I got married, my bridesmaids walked down the aisle to a string quartet version of "Crazy for You." She's one of my feminist and fashion idols and I was excited to go see her live for a second time (I saw the Re-Invention Tour in DC, 2004) in Edinburgh last night and knew she'd put on an amazing show.

I've seen a few tweets about people being disappointed she performed too many new songs--unless it is a "best of" tour of course she's going to perform songs from the new album; tours are meant to help promote albums. I didn't have a problem with that, although the new stuff was used a lot of Auto Tune, my problem was with the violence.


During the performance of "Gang Bang" Madonna brandished several guns and shot at masked dancers while graphic blood splatters appeared on the screen behind her. For me it was just too much and in extremely bad taste following the tragedy in Colorado this past week. I know Madonna likes to shock, much has been made over her flashing her nipple in Istanbul, but this was just not needed. Sex or sexual reference doesn't shock or surprise me but graphic violence does.


I don't allow Blondie Boy to have any toy weapons. Right now it isn't that big of an issue but no guns, swords, knives, ninja stars---whatever no weapons. To me that also includes water guns; he can have squirting animals but no guns. I won't let him play with video games where you kill or hurt people when he is old enough either. I know a lot of people will say it is taking things too far but for me I don't want to encourage or indirectly support violence in any way shape or form.


When I was little and growing up you didn't have to worry about going to see a movie and getting shot. I'm not saying toy weapons or video games are the cause of the horrible mass shooting that keep happening but why would I encourage my child to act out violence? Why would I allow him to pretend to hurt people? What good does that do?


So for me, as a mother, the biggest disappointment on the MDNA tour was the overt violence. Yes it sucked there wasn't an encore but what sucked more was that she was glorifying guns and violence--not indirectly but directly. I wish that her tour manager, choreographer or someone along the way would have said YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. YOU ARE MOTHERF*ING MADONNA! VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY AND SHOCK EVERYONE THIS WAY.


She looked amazing and other than the lack of an encore the violence was the only thing that spoiled a great show for me. It did not top 2004 for me but even Madonna on her worst day is worth seeing--she's Madonna. I just wish she'd realize she doesn't have to shock us all, we love her already.

Feminist Friday XV

I'm knackered from a whirlwind trip to Blackpool so apologies if I'm more rambling and random than usual. My friend Karen tweeted me a link to Yes That Jill's blog post about a hair salon in Canada who, well words can not describe what they are like, but their ad campaign will make your jaw drop.

Yes that says "Look good in all you do" apparently including accepting your violent partner's "I won't do it again" necklace bribe for the black eye he just gave you.  How someone could use domestic violence to promote their business, let alone glamorize it, I don't know. This ad completely disgusts me and if you click through you'll see their other images are not much better. Even more shocking is that the salon refuses to apologize for the images.


Women who experience violence need help and assistance not some salon making light of their horrific experiences. What do you think? Are you as disgusted as I am? I can't say I'm shocked since advertising often uses violence against women as a thinly veiled theme for their advertisements, but this is deliberate and direct.


If you can please make a donation to Glasgow Women's Aid, who desperately need your support more than Fluid salon do. 

Feminist Friday XV

Here's how it works. Write a blog about being a feminist mom, raising a feminist child, a rant or anything that falls under the realm of the theme for the week. Come back and link your post and post the button on your blog.


That's it.


You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your post and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.


When you've published it, come back on Friday and via a widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for 4 days.


Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support other feminist Moms.


The more support you give, the more you will get back! I can't wait to meet and interact with other feminist moms around the world!

Feminist Friday IX: Violence Against Women

I have so many things I could say but I'm exhausted and just back from Manchester (cop out I know) and I want to get this up. I loved that poster. I'm so tired of women being made to feel guilty for the way they dress or where they walk at night or if they drink too much; no matter what no one asks to be raped, assaulted or beaten. That the poster turns all those misplaced assumptions on their head is just amazing.  When NBH lived in DC with me he worked for an organization called "Men Can Stop Rape" and it's so true that a large part of stopping violence against women is working with men and boys to create a culture free of violence against women.


I'm going to instead ask you to look at the amazing work done by Glasgow Women's Aid.  I'm honoured to be on their Board of Directors and what they do for women and children affected by domestic violence is amazing. The video made by their Hot Chocolate Club lets you hear the voices of children affected by domestic abuse who've used their Children and Young People's Services.  I'll leave you with some frightening statistics: 

• 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives.
• On average, 2 women per week are killed by a male partner or ex-partner in the UK.
• In 90% of domestic abuse cases, children were in the same room or in the room next door of where the abuse took place against the woman.

Violence Against Women

Here's how it works. Write a blog about being a feminist mom, raising a feminist child, a rant or anything that falls under the realm of the theme for the week. Come back and link your post and post the button on your blog.


That's it.


You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your post and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.


When you've published it, come back on Friday and via a widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for 4 days.


Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support other feminist Moms.


The more support you give, the more you will get back! I can't wait to meet and interact with other feminist moms around the world!

Feminist Friday IX Theme: Violence Against Women

This week's theme is inspired by this image my best friend sent me:

Use this image as a jump off point for your post this week. Any feminist inspired or related post based on your thoughts/reaction to this image will work.  There certainly has been plenty of stories on the news recently you could draw from as well.  Since some of you may have something to say but don't necessarily want your name on it I am happy to host anonymous posts on this topic; the info on how to contact me is below.

The Friday Feminist Mom Round up

Here's how it works. Write a blog about being a feminist mom, raising a feminist child, a rant or anything that falls under the realm of the theme for the week. You don't have to be a mom or parent to participate. Come back and link your post and post the button on your blog.


That's it.


You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your post and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.


When you've published it, come back on Friday and via a widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for 4 days.


Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support other feminist Moms.


The more support you give, the more you will get back! I can't wait to meet and interact with other feminist moms around the world!