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Jessica Valenti

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Jessica Valenti (born 1978) is a prominent blogger and feminist writer from New York. She received her master's degree in Women's and Gender Studies from Rutgers University and has worked for NARAL Pro Choice America, Planned Parenthood, and Ms. Magazine. Her work has been featured in The Guardian (UK), Bitch, Guernica Magazine, and Alternet.

Biography

After co-founding the "Real Hot 100," Valenti was named one of Elle magazine's "IntEllegentsia" in April 2007. Her first book "Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism matters" was published by Seal Press. She appeared on the "Colbert Report" on June 5, 2007 to discuss her book.

In her interview with Salon.com, Valenti discussed her blunt style of writing and activism, by suggesting Feminists have been slow to adapt their message to a changing culture. "Feminists are so used to backlash in the media that we like to stick to the same message. But we've been putting out the same press release for 30 years. We need to change a bit, even if changing it opens us up for more criticism."

Criticism

Jessica Valenti was subject to criticism from a fellow feminist blogger, Kortney Ryan Ziegler, a.k.a nubian, who objected to the illustration on the cover of "Full Frontal Feminism". ] "Why the WHITE NAKED torso of a woman? (We) are always up in arms about how women’s bodies are portrayed... is this what white feminism is these days? Why does feminism have to be so overtly sexualized?" In addition to the images self exploitative aspect, she criticized its racially exclusive nature: "It is so obvious that this book is not for my young cousin, her friends, and a number of other young women of color who believe that they should be treated the same as any other woman. But I guess, they don’t matter, do they?"

Ama Lee of the “Feminist Review blog” also expressed her opinion that Valenti “overwhelmingly reflects the viewpoint of its white, middle class, (primarily, if not entirely) heterosexual, entitled, American, liberal feminist writer”. She also criticized Valenti’s writing style as “Flamboyant and egotistical… trite… oversimplified and, quite frankly, bratty”]


Jessica Valenti also faced censure from other feminists when she appeared at a fund raiser for Bill Clinton, and posed with the former president in clothing that appeared to be intended to emphasize her breasts. Ann Althouse noted "Jessica writes one of those blogs that are all about using breasts for extra attention. Then, when she goes to meet Clinton, she wears a tight knit top that draws attention to her breasts and stands right in front of him and positions herself to make her breasts as obvious as possible?... Lord knows we need more comical feminists" ]

Althouse's criticism's were echoed by Liz Funk on the site Huffingtonpost.com, leading to a lengthy feud between her and Jessica's friends at feministing.com. Valenti did however retain the support of the feminist blogger Amanda Marcotte.

Books

  • Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters (2007)

Published Articles

External links

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