Jessica Critcher

See a Woman Reading? Leave Her Alone.

Originally posted to Gender Focus on May 5th 2013.

A few months ago, I went to meet with a colleague at his apartment. Since I wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood and I’m paranoid about being late, I budgeted extra time to find the address. It turned out to be easy to find, so I ended up with an hour to myself. Thankfully, a person who likes to read is never bored. I pulled out a book (This book, actually) and prepared to indulge in an hour of reading in a quiet, sunny public park. I barely got through one page before a man started talking to me.

He told me I was cute and asked me if I had a boyfriend. And even after I told him I was married, he just kept talking at me. For the record, I understand that this man was just trying to be friendly, and he probably didn’t mean to annoy me or make me feel weird. But since I felt weird and annoyed, his intentions were irrelevant.

Posted 1 week ago

Asking for It

Originally posted to Gender Focus 27 March 2013

Last summer my husband was out of town for work. Though I missed him, it was exciting to be alone in Boston. I liked the idea of being mysterious and anonymous, minding my own business about town. With my tiny grocery cart, I felt like a woman with a secret. For two dollars I could take a train anywhere in the city– to an art museum or a brewery or a noodle shop or a bronze statue. If I wanted, I could go downtown and ride an elevator to the top of the tallest building in the city and scan the horizon for miles around. Wanting was all it would take to make it happen. The feeling is so pleasant that I like to carry two dollars in my pocket, even when I don’t plan on going anywhere.

Posted 1 month ago

My Boobs and I are Outraged

Originally posted to Gender Focus.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to go a whole day without feeling angry about misogyny. That day is not today.

Of all the ridiculous things said at the Oscars, I find myself most upset at Seth MacFarlane’s “Boobs” song. It’s like a splinter in my heel: it hurts and I can’t stop picking at it. The fact that I’ve already been told, in the nicest way possible, to calm down about it ties the whole thing up in a nice, sexist bow.

Where do I even start?

Posted 2 months ago

Your Arguments Against Our Permanent Birth Control are Bullshit

Originally posted to Gender Focus. Cross-posted at The Frisky.

My spouse and I are seeking permanent birth control, and the entire process has been difficult. At this point, we are sick to death of unsolicited advice on the subject (Pro-tip: If someone you don’t know says they’re not judging you, they are judging you). Everyone’s heart is in the right place, I can only assume. People think they are telling us new information that will keep us from making what they perceive to be a mistake. I get that they’re trying to help. But we continually find ourselves defending this very personal decision to total strangers. So to keep myself from screaming, I’m going to outline why the condescension disguised as concern is totally unfounded. Trust us. We’ve thought it through.

Posted 3 months ago

Buying Presents for Other People's Children: Actually Not Super Difficult

I offer some suggestions for feminists who need to buy presents for other people’s kids but are wary of the usual gendered toys. Originally posted December 17th, 2012.

Christmas
gender
toys

Posted 5 months ago

An Open Letter to Green Day: What the Hell, Guys?

I am one of Green Day’s biggest fans. But as a feminist I was disappointed by their video for “Oh Love.”

Posted 8 months ago

Women and Men who are Ambivalent about Men Who Hate Women

I reviewed “Men Who Hate Women and Women Who Kick Their Asses”, a collection of responses to Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc).

Posted 9 months ago

The Invisible War: Breaking the Silence Around Military Sexual Trauma

Originally posted to Gender Focus. I review The Invisible War, Kirby Dick’s documentary on rape in the US military.

Posted 10 months ago

Gender Focus Panel: SFU Men's Centre

I’m a few days late posting this. It was originally posted to Gender Focus on June 17th. Other contributors and I weigh in on the SFU Student Society’s decision to establish a “Men’s Resource Centre” on campus and the controversy surrounding the decision.

Posted 11 months ago

Gender Focus Panel: While the Men Watch

CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has partnered with “While the Men Watch” - a show hosted by two women billed as “female-friendly commentary” for women to access while their male significant others watch the game. Other Gender Focus contributors and I weigh in with our thoughts.

Posted 11 months ago

Women Are Not Like Cats

Originally posted on Gender Focus, March 21st 2012. I react to a piece by The Good Men Project titled “Women Are Like Cats.”

Posted 1 year ago

Invisible Children Makes Ugandans Invisible

Originally posted for Gender Focus on March 19th, 2012. My take on the hoopla surrounding the Kony 2012 campaign. In a nutshell, it’s good that you care about something, but if you want to help, it might be a good idea to ask Ugandans about it instead of a white man.