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Zine: Hip Mama
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If I've learned anything as the Politics & Community editor here at Tripod, it's that we as a society need to come up with a more flexible model of what it means to be a family. As tempting as it might be to jump back 40 years under the guise of a return to family values, that Donna Reed shit won't solve our problems anymore."Hip Mama" may not be the answer either, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. It describes itself as "a quarterly zine for progressive families." "Families" in this case means teen mothers, single dads, welfare parents, gay and lesbian parents, and other non-traditional families, as well as the much-hyped nuclear family. In the most recent issue (#10), a former stripper explains how pregnancy made her love her body for the first time, and how welfare reform may force her back to the stage; a skeptical mother humorously ponders the virgin birth; and a young couple offers advice on infant allergies from laundry detergents. The content includes fuzzy anecdotes, personal struggles and practical parenting information -- but the articles are always short and entertaining.
Perhaps the best part of "Hip Mama" is the sense of community that runs through the pages. Ariel Gore, "editor/publisher girl," gives her phone number in a few different places. The subscription fee is on a sliding scale: you pay $12 to $20 (whatever you can afford) for four issues. Or: "If you want Hip Mama bad enough to steal it, let us know. We'll probably send you a free copy and save ourselves the bank charges." These features -- along with the articles, the inspiring letters to the editor, and the pictures of subscribers' children -- make it clear that "Hip Mama" is an important "meeting place" for those who feel alienated or annoyed by mainstream parenting dialogue.
Letter to "Hip Mama" #10: Teen Mom Rising"Dear Hip Mama,
I am seventeen years and live with my mother and younger brother. I got to high school once a week, and work three nights a week. The rest of the time I spend raising my son. My little angel. I recall being asked if my son was a mistake. No, I replied. He was a blessing. As a teenager I believed I was invincible, with all the knowledge in the world. I took my entire pregnancy, plus a couple of days after having my baby to realize I was hardly a Super Woman nor, for that matter, Super Mama. Thank you for your articles on teen moms, they made me realize that I am not alone in being a single mom trying to raise my son, the best I know how.
P.S. It makes me laugh when someone says, " I know how you feel, I babysit."
Sara 'n Sam, Sonoma, California"
(p. 4)
If you're not a parent, and don't plan to be anytime soon, don't ditch this zine. I'm 23 years old and unless something goes really wrong, I'm not going to be a family man in the near future. Despite my childless status, this is a refreshing read. It's nice to hear positive stories about the types of families that are constantly disparaged by the media and image-boosting politicians. It's exciting to see that there are plenty of ways to be a successful parent. And most of all, it's inspiring to witness the deep feelings of love shared by the children and parents. Pick up this zine and you'll realize that real family values were never forgotten, and they have nothing to do with politics, rap lyrics, or TV violence.
Have you read this zine? How many wrenches would you give it? (The more wrenches, the better a Tool for Thought it is.)
Tripod members give this zine 3.1 wrenches so far.
For more zines and alternative publications, we recommend Desert Moon Periodicals.
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