On this week’s 51%, you’ll hear about women who are changing the game, literally or figuratively. First the literal, as in developing video games. Then, a female farmer fights for land use; a teenager grows wary of lipstick ingredients; and an essay about changing a human brand.
Female gamers do not always have it easy in the virtual world. But, as Rhiannon Corby reports, they are finding ways to combat sexism in video game culture.
Another change is happening and it’s because of Julia, a young organic farmer in Germany’s Berlin. She says big companies that have nothing to do with food are buying the land she needs to produce the local organic food her customers want. And Julia and her fellow farmers are fighting back. Michael Scutarro explains.
It’s a weekly ritual for some women and girls—stopping by the make-up counter to check out the latest beauty lines. At age 19, Youth Radio’s Joi Morgan makes it her business to know what’s in when it comes to the latest cosmetics. But only recently has she started to wonder about what kinds of chemicals she puts on her face—lipstick in particular.
While we’re on the subject of looks, and the prices to be paid, writer Dr. Jeri Burns offers her take on societal reaction to people as unchanging brand. She says it’s time to face the music.
Dr. Jeri Burns is a storyteller, writer, and educator living in New York's Hudson Valley. You can find her at www.storycrafters.com.
And that marks the passage of time for our show for this week. Thanks to Katie Britton for production assistance. Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock. Our theme music is Glow in the Dark by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio.