I think BP should have got a really dense guy to review this issue and be totally shocked that women bind their breasts (diagrams included), have nipple hair and experience boob shrinkage. It would be sort of cute to read a “dude, this blew my mind” critique by someone incredibly naïve on the subject. However, this zine isn’t going to blow the minds of any women because almost every issue related to boobs are covered in here. Basically, you’re bound to stumble across something you can relate to or have experienced first hand and that’s a comforting feeling. No issue is too risky or taboo to discuss in this 48-page booklet. There are personal accounts on breastfeeding in public, dealing with a breast reduction operation and cancer. Also, sprinkled throughout the zine are modern-day Madonna and Child images as well as a post-op boob snapshot that reminds the reader that breasts aren’t sex objects, but a source of food and a site for disease. Although a pro-feminist health zine, I found the “burn your bra” articles subtle in tone. Feminist ideologies were expressed through stories and personal experiences in light, humorous and reflective ways. Although there were highly instructive pieces like how to give yourself a breast exam, the overall tone was not commanding but empowering. (Erin Kobayashi)
health zine, #3, 48 pages, Jae, $3, 101 Spruce Hill Road, Toronto ON, M4E 3G5, [email protected]