OK so Marina and the Diamonds is one of my all time favorite artists. Her catchy, girly, pop tunes are full of relatable lyrics and female empowerment. Her newest album titled "FROOT" and contains songs that celebrate her independence and freedoms. One line from her song "Can't Pin Me Down" is "Do you really want me to write a feminist anthem? I'm happy cooking dinner in the kitchen for my husband"
I think that these lyrics exemplify her identity as a feminist. Her purpose in writing these lyrics is to prove that as a feminist and a woman, she can make decisions for herself even if they don't classify as typical "feminist behavior." As a woman she has the ability make whatever decision she wants regarding her identity and see herself equal to men obviously. After all, feminism is about equality and not superiority.
Side note: Olivia knew this was the topic for my post before she did hers and she admits to copying it :-)
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Gender Justice Week
This week at Saint John's Prep was known as Gender Justice week. This seemed like an interesting event and i decided to go to he first event this week that was run by some gender studies students from Merrimack College. Different students led workshops for the boys and girls named, "The friend zone" "Healthy college relationships" "feminism" "masculinity" and "Sexism and gender equity"
I chose to go to the last option which happened to be the least popular. There were no boys in the room, just four girls, a teacher, and the students teaching us. The next hour was honestly great and i was relieved to not have boys in the room with us. Everyone was open to sharing ideas and we answered personal questions. One of the most beneficial parts of that day was something called a Gender Bread person. The Gender Bread Person thing helped us distinguish Biological Sex, Gender, and Gender expression, which is all quite complex and confusing but helpful. So i got a lot out of that , because there was very little male interaction
The second day however the boys from Saint Johns prep ran a stereotyping based even where they created the ideal man and woman according to the opposite gender. The box for ideal man was pretty classic; muscular, tall, nice hair, abs etc. The ideal woman box said (they actually said this)
No hair, sex, skinny, long hair, and NO PERIODS. It is really great to hear that an entire group of men had agreed that their ideal woman would lack an extremely important aspect of the female anatomy. I found this to be extremely misogynistic and i think young men should be educated on the true anatomy of both men and women in a realistic way.
In the great words of Grainne Casey; "If you want a girl with no periods you probably want a none year old girl, or another boy"
I chose to go to the last option which happened to be the least popular. There were no boys in the room, just four girls, a teacher, and the students teaching us. The next hour was honestly great and i was relieved to not have boys in the room with us. Everyone was open to sharing ideas and we answered personal questions. One of the most beneficial parts of that day was something called a Gender Bread person. The Gender Bread Person thing helped us distinguish Biological Sex, Gender, and Gender expression, which is all quite complex and confusing but helpful. So i got a lot out of that , because there was very little male interaction
The second day however the boys from Saint Johns prep ran a stereotyping based even where they created the ideal man and woman according to the opposite gender. The box for ideal man was pretty classic; muscular, tall, nice hair, abs etc. The ideal woman box said (they actually said this)
No hair, sex, skinny, long hair, and NO PERIODS. It is really great to hear that an entire group of men had agreed that their ideal woman would lack an extremely important aspect of the female anatomy. I found this to be extremely misogynistic and i think young men should be educated on the true anatomy of both men and women in a realistic way.
In the great words of Grainne Casey; "If you want a girl with no periods you probably want a none year old girl, or another boy"
Friday, February 27, 2015
Dress Code Angst
A common theme amongst white girls on the internet is complaining about their school's dress codes. Girls argue that it is unfair that they have to keep their shoulders covered and not wear leggings at school. The big frustration over this really is wondering/assuming that this dress code was put in place so that boys are not distracted from learning in class. that is not the case.
On a personal level, I can testify that dress codes rightfully exist elsewhere. Going to an all girl school is great for the most part because we all wear a uniform and dress codes usually aren't an issue until our dress-down days. During the summer months, we girls are also asked not to wear any clothing that may be too low cut or short simply because of the school itself. NDA obviously does not want a bad reputation, so it wants to make sure that we all look like professional young ladies rather than hoes ok peace out
just kidding no one is a hoe
you do you ladies
On a personal level, I can testify that dress codes rightfully exist elsewhere. Going to an all girl school is great for the most part because we all wear a uniform and dress codes usually aren't an issue until our dress-down days. During the summer months, we girls are also asked not to wear any clothing that may be too low cut or short simply because of the school itself. NDA obviously does not want a bad reputation, so it wants to make sure that we all look like professional young ladies rather than hoes ok peace out
just kidding no one is a hoe
you do you ladies
Music
Some of the most sexist remarks ever made were probably made by a angry man rapping. I don't really know why rap music is so violent and sexist sometimes but thats just how it is. Eminem is a huge culprit of using sexism in songs. His songs are literally sometimes so vulgar and offensive that they make no sense.
A prime example of some sexist things Eminem has said from a recent song called So Much Better
“I got 99 problems and the bitch ain't one / She's all 99 of them I need a machine gun / I take ‘em all out I hope you hear this song / And go into a cardiac arrest, have a heart attack / And just drop dead and I'mma throw a f**ing party after this”.
And thats not even the worst of the song. The problem with Eminem is that his subject matter of songs is usually abusive rather than sexual like most other rappers. Unfortunately Eminem is extremely popular amongst teens but tbh I actually am a fan, not because of the abusive subjects, but just of his songs in general so yeah this is sort of hypocritical. Teenagers that listen to this music soon begin to develop ideas about women and are influenced by the lyrics which is unfortunate and kind of scary. Eminem's music glorifies the abuse of women and talks about it constantly. This is a prime example of how men seek out revenge on women who have done them wrong in the past by using every opportunity to be dominant over women.
Read more at http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/eminem-hip-hop-we-shouldnt-accept-misogyny-in-2013#l1fk1OTDrZtQzY9A.99
Read more at http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/eminem-hip-hop-we-shouldnt-accept-misogyny-in-2013#l1fk1OTDrZtQzY9A.99
Not for Everyone
Feminism is a broad topic that is generally inclusive of all women. It is important that feminism extend its arms to women of color, trans women, and women of various cultures. The absurd trend of minims has appealed to many females who believe that women have enough rights and that men have he right idea.
More traditional women tend to stick to the ideas that cooking and cleaning is women's work, and the job of the woman is to take care of her man. Just because you choose to take care of your husband, and voluntarily cook and clean, does not mean that you are weak or against feminism. You can believe that you deserve the same rights politically and socially to men, and still pick up his plate at the dinner table. The worth of a woman, or anyone really, is not measured by your actions that conform to a stereotype
More traditional women tend to stick to the ideas that cooking and cleaning is women's work, and the job of the woman is to take care of her man. Just because you choose to take care of your husband, and voluntarily cook and clean, does not mean that you are weak or against feminism. You can believe that you deserve the same rights politically and socially to men, and still pick up his plate at the dinner table. The worth of a woman, or anyone really, is not measured by your actions that conform to a stereotype
Friday, January 30, 2015
Who are you wearing?
"Who are you wearing?"
One of the most frequently asked questions at all award shows. Reporters flock the red carpet chasing down celebrities to ask them what name brand designer they're wearing.
George Clooney recently wed the famous and extremely successful human rights activist Amal Ramzi. Amal was working on her first big case of 2015 arguing against the Armenian genocide of 1915, when a reporter approached her and asked her who she's wearing. Without hesitation she responded, “Ede and Ravenscroft."
Ede and Ravenscroft is a brand of clothing exclusively for robes for graduation, judges and lawyers.
As such a successful woman, it was surprising for her to hear that question in such an intense and professional environment outside of the red carpet.
It isn't often that you hear about men getting asked about their clothes but when seems be asked that quite a lot, which is understandable when you wear such elaborate clothes, but in a professional environment such as a courtroom its not appropriate.
Women are still striving to be recognized as more than just an object or simply a walking mannequin for a brand
One of the most frequently asked questions at all award shows. Reporters flock the red carpet chasing down celebrities to ask them what name brand designer they're wearing.
George Clooney recently wed the famous and extremely successful human rights activist Amal Ramzi. Amal was working on her first big case of 2015 arguing against the Armenian genocide of 1915, when a reporter approached her and asked her who she's wearing. Without hesitation she responded, “Ede and Ravenscroft."
Ede and Ravenscroft is a brand of clothing exclusively for robes for graduation, judges and lawyers.
As such a successful woman, it was surprising for her to hear that question in such an intense and professional environment outside of the red carpet.
It isn't often that you hear about men getting asked about their clothes but when seems be asked that quite a lot, which is understandable when you wear such elaborate clothes, but in a professional environment such as a courtroom its not appropriate.
Women are still striving to be recognized as more than just an object or simply a walking mannequin for a brand
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Why You Should Love Marina and the Diamonds
Why To Love Marina
She's amazingly talented. She has an amazing voice that never sounds auto-tuned. Her voice adds character to the songs she sings and makes them enjoyable. She also writes all of her songs and plays the piano when she performs acoustically.
Her songs themselves are awesome. Her songs vary from lighthearted and feminine to dark.
She's a feminist. Her feminine style and songs are often geared toward feminine issues. Her song "Sex Yeah" talks about the sexualization of the media and women in the media throughout history. (You should give it a listen)
Her second album "Electra Heart" focused on womanly archetypes: Housewife, Beauty Queen, Home wrecker, Idle teen. She celebrates each archetype in the songs of that album.
Overall she is a good role model who owns who she is and encourages women to be strong and be who you are. She doesn't put down women who are 'dependent' on men or who like to serve them. She encourages women to own their sexuality and doesn't shame anyone. She's great.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)