Happy Halloween! I know that's a pretty threatening little kitty there, huh? I think it's actually one of the better pumpkins I've carved, with no small thanks to the template I used. It really makes all the difference.

I'm a little bummed I don't have hundreds of kiddies coming to my door this year, but I may be a crazy old lady and throw mini chocolate bars from my balcony, which my trusty kitty-pumpkin by my side.

Because of my most recent volunteer gig, I've been thinking a lot about "feminism", and what it means to me.

The gig entails meeting once, sometimes twice a week with a group of women who pride themselves on being "feminists". As you can tell by my use of quotation marks, I'm not sure how I feel about that word.

I took a few women's studies courses in university, and even then, it did not feel right to me to blindly accept that philosphy completely. I agree that men and women should be equal. I believe that everyone should be equal. But should and is not the same thing. And maybe it never will be. If not, maybe we should look at why, rather than complaining that it isn't.

I also don't believe that equality can be reached without including everyone. What is the point on meeting every week, this small group of women, if we aren't discussing things with those in power - in this case, men?

This week, we talked about women in the media. Specifically, we watched "Killing Us Softly 3", which, if you had never seen it, can be seen here:





I saw this in university (and maybe I'm just cranky that I had to sit through it again). But I disagree with much of it. Sure, there is the feminist philosophy, but there is also art, and aesthetics. People like to look at nice, attractive things. Advertisers know this, and their job is to get people to look at their advertisement. And a lot of those people are straight men. Who like to look at boobies, and legs. And, yes, most men like to look at thin (aka: "healthy"), beautiful models. Hell, even artists knew this.




I wonder if this woman had a giant zit on her forehead, or a scar on her chin. She might have, and the artist may have omitted it. Why? Because it just looked better.

What would Jean Killbourne say if this painting was an advertisement for... a pearl earring? Would she say this painting was sexist because the women is looking away? Looking childlike?

Another thing that kills me about the film is her complaining that the models are silent. THESE ARE PRINT ADS. No one talks. But I digress.

The media is often blamed for eating disorders like anorexia. If that was the case, wouldn't all women who are exposed to the media have anorexia? Personally, I think anorexia is a mental illness, and is individual. A girl might look at an ad and obsess over how she doesn't look like that. But most women I know don't, and that's the difference. There is something else that is going on within her, that should not be blamed on the media.

I'm not defending the media. Actually, I am. But I do recognize that not all media is socially responsible. But why should they be? Take the Dove advertising campaign, for example. Very cool. I think they have a great message. But, again, they are selling a product. And they know their audience. Who buys their product? Women. And maybe a woman would be more likely to buy their products if they agree with their message. I love what they are doing, but it's a gimmick. Once the gimmick has been used up, over exposed, etc, they'll move on to the next big idea.

Or maybe I'm just cynical.

Or, maybe I'm right. Searching for something else, I discovered that Axe, like Dove are a Unilever company. And, in case you haven't noticed, Axe doesn't really believe in "real beauty".

Aaaaallll this to say, I'm okay calling myself feminist, for now. When I listen to my group talk, I can nod my head and say "sure". I'm pro-choice, I believe there is no such thing as justifiable rape or assault. I don't fit many 'female' stereotypes. I don't wash dishes very well. I can't take care of children. I'm the sexual aggressor in my relationship. I think prostitution should be legal. I laugh at And this is where it all starts to fall about: where I don't fit the "feminist" stereotype. I'd be interested to hear what my other 'sisters' feel about this.

Discuss.