Foxy Folklorist: Folklore, Culture, Sex -

If You Are Against Sex Trafficking But Do Not Support Cyntoia Brown, Please Shut Up Forever

December 10, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

News is circulating about the teenager Cyntoia Brown, who was trafficked into sex work and managed to escape by killing her captor. She will remain in captivity for over 50 years as a result of the court ruling. Is this how our society wants to support victims of sex trafficking? Read more

The Unequal Distribution of Trauma in Heterosexual Dating

December 4, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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Imagine a culture where sex is viewed as transactional, and yet no one ever receives the proper education to help them talk about and negotiate for sex. Imagine that one gender bears the brunt of the responsibility for sex, being seen alternately as tempting sluts to ravish or innocent virgins to protect until marriage, all without any support for reproductive rights. Guess which gender is more likely to be traumatized? Read more

Why I Teach about Race as a White Person

November 16, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I just taught a workshop for a local group on diversity and inclusivity, heavily focused on race and ethnicity. There was some ambivalence on my part, but also, it was totally the right thing to do. Here’s why. Read more

Dear U.S. Government: Trans People Exist. I Know Because I Research Them.

October 29, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I’ve been researching transgender identities and issues for over a decade, so I’m appalled at the U.S. government’s erasure of them on its official websites. Here’s why you should be up in arms too. Read more

Are Christians Upset at Trump’s Suggestion That Places of Worship Need Armed Guards?

October 27, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I am livid at the news of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, but even moreso at Trump’s suggestion that places of worship wouldn’t be as vulnerable if they had armed guards. Are conservative Christians on board with this, given the so-called war on Christianity? Read more

The American Folklore Society Meeting 2018 #AFSAM18

October 25, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I’ve been attending AFS for about 15 years, and while it’s always a fun and intellectually exhilarating time, this year’s conference spoke to so many of my interests – from narrative to #MeToo – that I had a really stellar experience there. Read more

Two Reasons for Men to Hate Women

October 20, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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While I’m thrilled that we’re finally having an extended conversation about violence against women on a larger cultural scale, I also want to talk about the reasons behind said violence, focusing on two major reasons for men to hate women. Read more

Sexual Assault in Fairy Tales & AFS This Year

October 18, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I’m off to the annual meeting of the American Folklore Society (AFS), and unlike last year when I presented on a bunch of hilarious (and socially relevant) Biden memes, this year I’m talking about sexual assault. Woohoo, party! Read more

If You Dislike Toxic Masculinity, Try On Hegemonic Masculinity

October 8, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I am glad to see so many more people using the phrase toxic masculinity, due to recent *cough* Kavanaugh *cough* events in the U.S. However, if calling masculinity toxic sounds a tad glib, I’m here with a solution: use the more scholarly term. Read more

Normalize Being Trauma-Informed in a Time of Kavanaugh

September 29, 2018 By Jeana Jorgensen

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I want to tell people to normalize trauma, as in information about trauma and discussions of trauma, but I don’t want to come across as saying trauma is normal (though it’s common) or trauma SHOULD be normal (because it shouldn’t). But alas, it is, especially right now. Read more