By Elizabeth Larson
ON THE ISSUES delivers solid articles that are original and engaging without becoming esoteric. Every issue is carefully balanced to represent a wide range of interests and experiences: Volume XIV features two opposing pieces on Margaret Sanger, the controversial turn-of-the-century birth control advocate/activist; an interview with Renee David about French feminism and Jewish identity; photographs of African-American women from Brian Lanker’s book I Dream a World: Portraits of 75 Women Who Changed America; inspiring quotations from teenage women who organized to oppose the parental consent notification proposal; and a humorous academic piece (yes, there is such a thing) on the female jester in the court of Queen Mary I. One of the most thought-provoking features was an essay by John Stoltenberg about how, as a feminst male, he has had to reevaluate and even discontinue relationships with some of his male friends.
Despite a commitment to diversity, ON THE ISSUES — which is published by CHOICES Women’s Medical Center Inc. — does have one bias: Every issue devotes at least half a page to reproductive rights and the state of the abortion debate. In these times, the strong pro-choice slant is most welcome.