In the United States we are experiencing unprecedented attacks on reproductive rights, with record numbers of bills introduced in states in 2011 and already in 2012 that restrict access to abortion. A major national debate revolving around female contraception and whether or not it constitutes "preventative care," and whether employers and insurance companies should be required to cover things like birth control pills and IUDs, is raging. While this is a brief overview of the issue, one thing is clear: rights that U.S. women won in the 1970s are once again under attack.
Anyone who cares about media knows that it reflects and shapes our values and opinions. For some time at Bitch Flicks we've wanted to focus specifically on how reproductive issues and abortion are represented in movies and television shows. A moment like the infamous "schmamortion" scene in Knocked Up--when a character can't even speak the word "abortion"--says that Hollywood isn't helping the reproductive rights cause. However, you can contrast that with the strikingly honest and realistic take on abortion represented in the television show Friday Night Lights. But there are always more than two sides to the story, and we'd like to explore as many as we possibly can.
Here are some ideas for films and television shows to write about, but please propose your own ideas. Your piece should (in case it's not obvious) focus on how the film/TV show treats the issues surrounding reproduction. (Note: We're not looking for pieces specifically about motherhood; that's an upcoming theme we'll announce.)
Friday Night Lights
Vera Drake
Roseanne
Knocked Up
Juno (we've already published a review, but will accept a piece looking specifically at Juno's choice)
House
American Dreams
Mad Men
Grey's Anatomy
Waitress
American Horror Story
Obvious Child
Six Feet Under
If These Walls Could Talk
Dirty Dancing
Maude
The Cider House Rules
Greenberg
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Degrassi
American Horror Story
Battlestar Gallactica
Mother and Child
The High Cost of Living
...and the list goes on
Here are a few basic guidelines for guest writers on our site:
- We like most of our pieces to be 1,000 - 2,000 words, preferably with some images and links.
- Please send your piece in the text of an email, including links to all images, no later than Friday, April 20th.
- Include a 2-3 sentence bio for placement at the end of your piece.
Email us at btchflcks(at)gmail(dot)com if you'd like to contribute a review. We accept original pieces or cross-posts.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: btchflcks(at)gmail(dot)com
For submissions: btchflcks(at)gmail(dot)com
Website: http://www.btchflcks.com
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
