my fight with Oprah

I am SO MAD at Oprah.

As an American ex-pat living in Israel I have my O magazine brought over as often as possible from family and friends. Everyone knows hope much I love Oprah, I haven’t missed an episode since TiVo came to town and I cherish my O magazine. I read it cover-to-cover, sometimes twice. Then I pass it around to all of my friends, to share the love.

But  I read a disturbing “article” in O magazine’s July 2010 issue that shocked me to my Oprah-loving core. On pg 111, the 8th “declaration” of ‘rules’ we should feel free to break this summer while reading our summer reading books, they declared that readers should feel free to “Ignore memoirs by people who have barely cracked their 30′s.”

EXCUSE ME?!

Oprah, you are either trippin’ or your staff is slippin’ because what the hell, girl? I support you in all you do. I listen to all of your advice. I memorize all of the rules. I know that a girl with a big butt needs to carry a big purse. My book shelves are arranged by color and that my house has to rise up to meet me. I know all the inside thoughts of murderers and people with disfigured faces. I’m not saying that I’m writing a memoir style book about the true struggles of life in your twenties for a woman, but what I know for SURE is that I never expected such an outright demeaning statement declaring young women’s writing irrelevant to come from O magazine of all places!

But I did not know that my adopted mother, Oprah, supports ageism that crushes the creativity of young women. And let me be clear: I was crushed by this statement. Oprah, who tries to find the human being in every murderer,  abuser, convict, celebrity, soccer mom and saint that she ever interviews would approve of a comment that as a rule declares all women writers who speak their truth before 30?! Angela Davis was 30 when her autobiography came out. Should we have ignored that one, too?

So I am officially mad at Oprah. I’m mad at O magazine. And don’t give me some psycho babble about me expressing displaced anger about her canceling her show. Because I was sad about that one. When Oprah made that announcement I cried with her. Not the ugly cry, of course, just the one where your voice cracks a little and a tear run down your face. But this comment is so hurtful and such a slap in the face to your young readers, momma Oprah. Wouldn’t it be awful if one of your South African girl-students thought that their writing could be ignored, that their lives were not as meaningful in their twenties, that their creativity was worth nothing to older, wiser women?

For young women of diverse backgrounds struggling with adversity, our twenties are challenging, confusing, uphill battles against sexism, racism, societal norms and ourselves. A little support and encouragement from our more experienced sisters could only help- and a dig from a major magazine that is supposed to foster best life-living, can knock us down a peg or two, and I assure you we don’t need any help in that particular department.

Signed, sad, disappointed and most likely to be wearing shlumpadinka sweatpants while writing this,

Your (ex) Biggest Fan in Israel

Women Create

I know so many amazing women.

In time, I wish to be able to write about all of them. But in this post, I want to focus on two of my closest friends in Israel. Both women are brilliant, smart, motivated, multi-lingual and artistic. Both women are immigrants to Israel. Both women are independent and brave. Both women are mothers, both have triplets (all together now: Oy vey! Keinehora!)! Both women are artists, who began to create art after they had created new lives. They are recreating themselves in a way. I am so inspired by these women and I want to share their art with you.

Hilary is my honorary second mom/sista-from-anotha-mista from Kibbutz Saad. As well as playing several instruments and being instrumental in introducing me to her band, who allowed me to share a wonderful and musical year with them, Hilary is an acclaimed artist, as of the last few years. Several years ago, she took a class and that class turned into beautiful flower paintings and landscapes. Then came her abstracts- her use of color is amazing and the first 3 of that installment hang proudly in my living room. They lend color, depth and personality to the otherwise white blank slate room. They make me think of Hilary and her strength.

Hilary has 5 sons and a husband. That’s right, the woman has 6 kids in her house! I mean her oldest son helps a lot and her husband is a champ, but then she had triplets and God Bless Her, she then had one more just for fun. She is a nurse full time and over time, so she cares for people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Her outlets, her music and her art are so expressive of her fun-loving personality, her kindness, her creativity, her open, adventurous side and her sensitive, feminine side.

Her latest installment of work is based on images of bamboo- the original piece was on request from a friend but as soon as friends and neighbors saw it, and the others- variations in size, color, negatives, neons, black and white- they began selling and going up in homes all over Israel, the US and Europe! Now, painting for fun is one thing, and it’s great- but on top of all of the other things to do in your life, to dream and act on a business concept, now that’s just fierce. But I understand her- I mean these pieces are good and they should be sold. I think that in the right markets, they could have serious mass appeal, which implies that her future work could have the same effect. I really believe in Hilary’s art and I love it. If you want to see more or get in touch with Hilary, contact me!

Marcia is a Brazilian queen, independent, strong, honest and kick-ass. Recently, she began designing clothes and, having been one of her first models I can tell you, this girl has vision, style and a serious understanding of how to make women look good. Her first two designs just hit stores all over Israel and I personally wear her wrap-meets-cardigan almost everyday. Marcia took this huge step- a new career, a new artform- within a year of just having triplets and building a new home. I don’t know anyone who would have the strength to do that. But she did. The first time I saw Marcia’s clothes, I already wanted one of each- they are flattering to all body-types and super sexy- dresses, tops, sleeves, oh my!

Marcia is the friend who met me at the airport when I made aliyah and helped me through the some of the hardest times of the past 5 years- and helped me celebrate some of the best times! Marcia has had quite an intense and amazing few years, she married a great man and gave birth to triplets! Yes, another set of triplets I am proud to know and love. With a big move and a broken leg, this woman has had her share of challenges this year.But she’s a champ and with her amazing family by her side, she’s kicking ass with her new clothing line!

Despite it all and with it all in her pocket, she still has the strength to start her own clothing design line, mass produce and market her women’s fashions. Her style is awesome, very feminine, very free-flowing, sexy, comfy but not shlumpadinka, curve-loving, beautiful fabrics and colors. Go here to see more and find a list a of stores, or contact me to get in touch with Marcia!

There are things we can all do everyday to support creative women like Marcia and Hilary- we can wear their designs and hang their art in our homes. We can talk them up, forward this post and other PR around to our friends and make sure we do our part to support these fierce women and their creations.

Go ahead, girls! Keep those creative juices flowing, we’re with you!