Anyway, today, I am tackling feminism. This topic is often associated with a variety of definitions, movements, and ideologies. Before I even delve into the print image of feminism, however, I am going to compile information on the growth of feminism, where it stands today, where it is going, and what I would particularly like to do with it if I end up using it as the basis of my project.
Feminism's history is a little ambiguous due to the fact that there is no concrete charter of any sort that self-claimed feminists uphold. Of course, the concept is greatly apparent through history in women's rallies and protests for suffrage, equal wages, etc. Then, during World War II, Rosie the Riveter, in all her feminine glory, became a huge icon to women seeking equality and rightfully deserving it. Currently, there is no official documentation of the movement as a sovereign entity; it is more of a social phenomenon that has branched off into many different theories, studies, and causes. For more on its, history click this! or this! As women have exercised more political rights and personal liberties over time, the feminist voice has emerged to continue advocacy for gender equality, as well as prove women's worthiness of an equal status.
Now, I don't identify as a feminist. I choose not to label myself for several reasons, but the most relevant reason to this project would be my discontent with the image that is projected onto me if I claim myself as such. The negative connotation of the word "feminism" is primarily derived from and perpetuated by media. Because of the media's aggressive and misconstrued trend of feminism, the evolution and perception of modern-day feminism is completely skewed when compared to the movement's original intentions. Feminism started as a call for women to be politically, socially, and economically treated exactly the same way as men, which I totally stand for. However, through the media, different forms of feminism have emerged and have become more of an attack on men rather than a union with them, blaming them for the discrimination of women, as well as the stereotypes that surround women. In order for contemporary feminists to achieve their goals efficiently and respectfully, they might want to consider some new approaches. For more on the problems inherent within 21st century feminism, click this!
Although many women's equality movements are advocating for political rights such as the right to abortion, feminism has taken on many different social stigmas that it is fighting to defeat. These include "Free the Nipple", the trend for women no longer feeling forced to wear uncomfortable bras for society's sake, as well as for the removing of censorship when it comes to exposing naked breasts, and the trend of women growing out their leg hair and armpit hair, because if men aren't pressured to do so, why should we be? Although I do find some faults in the bra-bashing-brouhaha (bras are not legally binding), I do very much so agree with eliminating censorship of women's bodies in media and in real life, especially when it comes to menstruation and breastfeeding. Check out this story that inspired my embracing of feminine anatomy. If you don't feel like reading, it's about an art student's visual rhetoric project that captured a woman laying in bed with blood on her sheets and sweatpants, indicating that she was menstruating. Her image was removed from Instagram twice.
So after all of this, I decided to google "feminist magazines." Here is what I found:
So after all of this, I decided to google "feminist magazines." Here is what I found:
Feminism in the media, for the most part, attempts to promote this flashy, reckless, fierce womanhood that is spreading like wildfire. After clicking on several of the titles and exploring the magazines' websites and blogs, I believe these magazines are trying too hard to conform to modern feminism. Instead of informing readers about feminism's roots/goals, they are isolating any non-feminist; threatening them instead of welcoming them. I'm all for girl-power, red lips and all, but I'm also for boy-power, and trans-power, and undecided-power, and human-power. If I decide to tackle feminism for the remainder of my project, I will definitely stray away from this mainstream image of it. (Even in the description next to "Off Our Backs", it states that it is exclusively for women. So much for gender equality.)
To wrap this all up, I have only two things left to say: I could very easily offend a lot of people if I don't choose my content carefully, and that exact challenge really excites me. I feel I could take this topic in a brand new direction.
Again, please feel free to vote in my poll. I am also going to set up a submission section of my blog for any other suggestions.
To wrap this all up, I have only two things left to say: I could very easily offend a lot of people if I don't choose my content carefully, and that exact challenge really excites me. I feel I could take this topic in a brand new direction.
Again, please feel free to vote in my poll. I am also going to set up a submission section of my blog for any other suggestions.
"Digital History." Digital History. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
"Feminist Magazines - Feminist Majority Foundation." Feminist Magazines - Feminist Majority Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
"History and Theory of Feminism." History and Theory of Feminism. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
Law, Bridget Murray. "What Feminism Means Today." Apa.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment