Feminism and Cognitive Dissonance
Monday, October 16, 2006
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.
9 came
9 Comments:
*clap clap clap clap* it's like you transcribed my fourth year painting thesis from oil paint to blog. And in addition to that (which was mostly about media... almost to prove that looking at those images doesn't inflict the viewer with anorexia) the media is media... they're just... sleazy. That's ok, but you're right, let's talk to the ones in power... like the women MPs / Scientists / Artists.... how to we as a society make how women are viewed more positive? Also, who's responsible for bringing up the 12-year-old girl living in the suburbs? Where did she learn it was "cool" to walk out the door with her thong hanging out???????
You rock J.... Sis. oxoxoxoxoxox (Miss you!!!!!)
I was hoping you in particular would reply. I was interested to know an 'artists' perspective on things. If art is 'sexist' can't it still be 'good'?
We have a painting in our meeting space that is bad representation of those goddamn vagina flowers. Drives me crazy.
Georgia O'Keefe? hahahahah! Yeah, as subtle as a sledgehammer eh?? hahahha! I wish I could show you some great examples of historical "sexist" art, and the female "rebuttle"... remind me and I'll pull out some books... oxoxoxoxoxo Glad your back J!
me too! I have to say, I really like the Pearl Earring painting, and I actually did a copy of it for my mom. I think sometimes people just need to sit back and enjoy things for what they are on the surface, and stop the *constant* analysis.
SlimFast is also a Unilever company. The fact remains though, that they are using real women (although definitely the pretty side of real), and that's not something that other companies can claim. Even magazines like Jane that are supposed to be for the average smart lady have crazy "beautiful" women in their ads.
You lost me in the last couple of sentences of the rant there. I agree with everything you say up to that point though. I do fit many female stereotypes such as dishwashing, child-rearing (seem to be doing an ok job anyway!), enjoying prettying myself up. But I also like to build and fix things, and can check my oil and change a tire.
so there.
Haha. I lost myself in the last paragraph.
I'm very bad at ending essays/rants, etc. I'm not very good at coming to conclusions and summarizing. So feel free to skip that part, and keep "discussing". :)
How's this for a question... did it every occur to any of you that you are the "pretty side of real"??
:)
I can't check the oil, but I can open jars and I like to get dirty!
sis
An ad is just an ad - it is there to sell a product, and the best way to do that is to generate a "feeling" or mood. Mac ads are clean and simple, ironic, funny, and make me want to use Mac products because I like the idea of those traits. If I was a slick fashionista who wants to be a part of the avant-garde, then ads for Guess may be attractive to me. And the Dove ads really appeal to me because they stir something up for me, and I take notice because not a lot of commercials do that.
People shouldn't pass the buck and blame the media for their problems - good parenting, and strong role models are what create successes and values. When people (boys and girls) are raised without these things, that's when the media becomes a teacher. It's not the media's responsibility to make sure it's always sending the "correct" message.
jules
I was taught, in my first year Gender and Social Equality class, that anyone who believes in equality among the sexes is, by definition, a feminist.
I had started to write this really long comment that went nowhere what-so-ever, but decided just to delete that stuff and just leave the very first part.
maybe it's just all about branding: we should call ourselves equalists, instead of feminists. then the world view behind the word wouldn't be so unclear. but it kinda sounds stupid.
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