Thursday, March 25, 2010

Venus zine was bought by someone who thinks feminism is irrelevant. What?

Dear Venus Zine;

We were in love once. I will always cherish the good times we had. Sadly, I think we need to break up.

At 24, I was hoping I wasn't too old for you. I thought we were going to make it work. Alas, due to some of the comments made by Ms. Beardsley that were quoted in a recent Chicago Reader article (and I know you know what I'm talking about), I have reconsidered. Anyone who thinks feminism is irrelevant or an "old-fashioned concept" is pretty lame. We can celebrate all artists, regardless of gender, even if we are just lousy feminists.

I know that Ms. Beardsley didn't mean her comments as a slap in the face to all of the women who read Venus... but it was. Feminism is about at old-fashioned a concept as equality, fairness, and a sense of pride in oneself. I know you need to grow-up, but to forget your history makes me feel almost... betrayed. I guess we just don't have the same values anymore.

If I wanted to read a trend filled "woman's magazine" devoid of substance, I would have read Jane. But I didn't. Because it sucked. Sometimes I would read Bust if there was someone I cared about on the cover, and I always read Bitch, but you and I... we had something special. I guess those memories will have to be enough.

I'm pretty disappointed, and I need you to know it's not me. It's you. I hope you will fare well in the future. It just won't be with me.

Sincerely,
K.