I need courage.

As I approached even trying to talk about topic of race, I must say that I felt and still feel extremely uncomfortable. In the readings, it was acknowledged by Achman and his analysis of Chris Rock that comedy can be a source of relief and means of dissecting racism in society. I have to say that I am usually the white girl in the room that is objecting to scenes from Family Guy or South Park. It has been so engrained in me from my liberal family to accept and embrace all people-- and racism or racist thoughts are not acceptable. But as I really started thinking about my thought process on race, I may object theoretically to scenes from comedies/satires, and I may be as liberal as it gets politically, but I sadly still stereotype in regarding race. So as much as I say I believe in the idea of diminishing racial disparities, am I part of the issue? Am I the REAL problem? I think I probably am. I am the person who is not willing to truly become uncomfortable when talking about race. In concept and theory, I completely oppose racism, but when I walk down the street, when I watch TV, when I think about dating--I stereotype subconsciously. I hope that the acknowledgment of this will help me. I need to start having the courage to ask questions that will make me uncomfortable.

The Blind Side

I decided to attend the movie, The Blind Side, alone. Race, unlike gender, has been a topic within class and in my personal life, that I really believe I have dodged. As I wrote my paper on class for my Communications Media course, and displayed the realities of news reporters in the media (they are typically white and fail to ask questions of substance regarding race), I did become angered, but not specifically at the reporters, but at myself. I have truly realized my ignorance in regards to racial disparities in the United States. I am a democrat, and a pretty dedicated one, so I do acknowledge the plight of the African American community and see great importance in reform and government programs to help create a bridge between racial communities. But really, honestly, if I were to be completely transparent, I would have to admit my own racial stereotypes that I form within society. I would have to admit that I do not ask the difficult questions that make me extremely uncomfortable, and I use blanket statements like poverty, crime, welfare, affirmative action, to explain racial issues, rather than truly diving into the term and deciphering my stance, like I would with specifics of certain women's issues. I do not go and stand side by side with my African American citizens and ask what I can do to create a more healthy, egalitarian relationship.

As I sat in the theatre, watching the Blind Side, all of these emotions ran through me. I saw myself in Mrs. Tuley. I would be that girl to see "Big Mike" and offer to help him, but not truly understand him. I may go further than some white people in aiding someone in need, but I do not go the depths in actually feeling the pain of their struggle. I really forced myself to evaluate this. I sincerely have not issue diving into LGBT issues, a group I do not directly identify with, but have great empathy for, so why do I have such a struggle with wanting to not only understand, but take on racial issues within society? I really became angry with myself. I don't think I have ever identified with a character in a movie like I did with Mrs. Tuley. A white, upper class, Christian woman who took on many humanitarian causes, was convicted by something that was in her backyard, merely a few miles on the other side of town, but a completely different world.

The scene where Mrs. Tuley is at lunch with her entitled friends and her friend asks "genuinely" if she fears a black boy under the same roof as her daughter, will sit within my heart forever. A huge shift occurred within me and I suddenly not only realized how wrong that statement was, but how much of a gap there is between the upper class white, and the black community. No matter who I am, I am still associated with this class and it is not my choice, but my obligation in continually breaking down racial barriers and stereotypes within my own life.

Cosby

I must admit, I am a 'Nick at Nighter.' There is something about watching shows from childhood, and tv that has very miniscule problems presented that is comforting. But when I really think about the shows I watch, sometimes I wonder if they are actually a positive influence on my formation of stereotypes.

The Cosby Show changed the portrayal of African American culture and representation in the media when it came out. A family without any major problem or deviance, the father is a doctor, and the mother a lawyer. The characters of the family all being black allowed the advancement of African Americans. This always was my perception of the effect the Cosby Show had on Americans.

Now, I often wonder if when white Americans watch shows such as The Cosby Show, Sister Sister, Fresh Prince of Belaire, and Family Matters, if we all assume the racial problems in America have diminished? I fear that these shows create a false idea in the minds of many white Americans, that see, these black families are making it and succeeding the American Dream, just like white people, therefore, race in America does not need to be addressed anymore.

I get frustrated, because I have no answers. I feel as though it is a cycle. I obviously feel that it is extremely important and necessary for African Americans to be equally represented in the media, but I hope that stereotyping begins to change and allow for African Americans to represent multiple and all facets of American Culture.

Uncomfortable

(African American Viewers and the Black Situation Comedy: 25-95)

"First, it reduces threat (a lesson we learned from blackface minstrelsy), be it political, economic, moral, or religious. Second, the practice of stereotyping promotes ethnocentrism: the in-group is catapulted to a superior status that the out-group cannot obtain" (75).

Stereotyping allows people to perpetuate and strengthen generalizations. When white people make generalizations of the black community, it creates an attitude of superiority, because most likely all the generalizations made are negative attributes. Many of the attributes are also very contradictory such as being lazy, but aggressive.

An example that sticks in my mind is the stereotyping of African American women. When a black women does not sing well, is not athletic, does not fit the stereotypical physical assumptions that all black women have been lumped into, etc., people are thrown off. But, why? White women are 'allowed' to talented in almost areas, able to wear any style of clothing, enter into any field she chooses. But when a black woman likes country music, decides to wear cowboy boots etc., white women often are confused.

Since I was young, I have played volleyball. As strange as this sounds, I NEVER once had an African American girl on my team. Not only that, but there was not one black girl on any volleyball team in the ENTIRE league of five high schools. I also played basketball and ran track, both of which I played with multiple African American girls. My senior year, a black girl tried out for the team, and sadly, we all for the first time realized that we had never seen an African American girl play volleyball. This made my head spin. Why were there no African American girls going out for volleyball? I really do not know, but I believe it probably has to do with the stereotype set.

To even write about stereotyping by race makes me extremely uncomfortable, because I realize that I probably have similar thoughts to some of the problems I have with stereotyping. This is definitely an area I need to work on.

Once Again

Once again, I feel uptight. Once again, I read an article regarding race stereotypes, and feel outraged. How can it possibly be honorable to Native Americans to have athletic teams be their only representation in American culture? How can derogatory terms such as "Redskins" or "Chief Illiniwek" or "Chief Osecola" positively represent or honor an entire group of people we exterminated at the beginnings of our country? It cannot. If differing tribes felt honored by these terms, that would be one thing, but when Native Americans are asked if they feel respected through the naming of athletic terms Indian slangs, responses like Jim Northrup say, "Why do people continue to insist these nicknames honor American Indians when the people you claim to be honoring tell you its not?" Just because we wish it to honor Native Americans does not mean it actually does. When is intended has no significance, but rather how it is interpreted. I have such issues with any derogatory phrase used by people that do not identify with the group being "represented." I cannot imagine a slang term for 'black' being used to 'honor' the African American community... it would never happen.

When I say this, I feel so uptight and as though I am so sensitive! But, I truly believe it is slang terms like this that perpetuate racism in American today. Racism that is unidentified as such, I believe, is the most dangerous kind, as it has no hope of being diminished.

Am I Thelma, or Louise?

When I went to watch this movie, I remember thinking to myself, "hmmm what could this possibly be about?" But as I sat and watched the story unravel within the first scene and Louise ends up shooting and killing the man that began to rape Thelma, I automatically began to think of my best friend Emily Cody. I began to think, how far is TOO far? To what measure would I stand up for my best friend in the midst of her being attacked, preyed upon, or abused? I would have no problem say yelling at someone for treating her poorly, but would I shoot someone if they began to abuse her? It did not take too long for me to think about this question. My answer is yes. And here is why.

Even as women, who identify as feminists much of the time, it is easy to fall into the slope of the dangerous relationship. I have seen so many strong, confident women fall into relationships that are controlling in one aspect of another, or have been used and allured in by a man who was only seeking her physical gain. It was hard at points to watch the movie Thelma and Louise, because it was easy to see myself in both characters. I could see myself shooting someone who was raping my best friend, but I could also see myself getting roped into a horrible situation out of my naiveness. I do not know the correct the forever problem of why women feel the need for male approval. BUT I do know that watching this movie was liberating. It made me see two women who had made mistakes, but were not going to compromise on any level to lose themselves in the end. I hope someday I will be able to give a woman some advice of how to remain confident in herself without the need of a man's approval.

As the table turns

I could rant and rave for hours, days, weeks, about gender stereotyping in the media, gender biasing on our campus, gender discrimination in the church, and pretty much anything involving women's issues, but when it comes to race, I grow silent. Let me try to use this blog as an introduction to my thoughts on approaching race.

I stand in silence, in ignorance. I know how it feels to be a woman, at times like I will never be able to truly become my hopes, but I have no idea what it feels like to be an African American woman. I say this with a sincere desire to yearn to listen. Just as I crave my story as a woman to be heard, I truly need to hear the stories of people of different races.

As I write this, I even become nervous about the language I use. Approaching race is so sensitive to me, because as I can emphasize endlessly that I genuinely want to understand, I will never fully get it, because I am white, I have privilege. It kills me, and I hate it. I hate that although I did not choose to be white, just by the color of my skin, I have more privilege than I even realize.

When I watch TV or a movie, I grow defensive easily by offenses made at gender, but I have to apologetically admit that I do not do this nearly as much when race stereotyping occurs. When I make this statement, I am not referring to blatant racist jokes, but rather actions made by the "black token character," or occupations that the African American character plays, etc. If this was turned and I was watching a movie where all then women were in domestic roles-- I would notice.

I recognize that I have a lot to learn, and that is not an understatement. I am hoping to be challenged, for I believe it is in the uncomfortable that we truly grow.

Complexity

Why do I look up to the people I do? When reflecting on my personal icons in my life I can't help but see that they all vary on some level. I have role models in the fashion world, in the political sphere, in my personal life, and in academics. I hate to admit that some of my role models subconsciously are probably not the best people to respect on their overall lifestyle. I have tried to process this, and at this point I have come to this conclusion: each person I admire explains a certain aspect, part, passion, or piece of who I am. It speaks to the true complexity of me as a woman, and people as individuals.

Jackie O Kennedy for her ability to walk and set her own path in the midst of terror in her personal, political, and public life.

Sarah Jessica Parker for her fashion sense

Cody Martin for choosing to serve the LORD in Chaplaincy, while relating to young people right where they each need to be met

Katie Couric for her vision, intellect, and ability to articulate her words

Hillary Clinton for her ability to be a positive, female political figure, while receiving public criticism

Fantasyland

So now that I have tried to defend the stereotypical "ideal woman" that most second wave feminists rant for hours about, I have to say, I think I am making more ground on my ideas as I read more. When reading Mankomsky's take on Lara Croft, I have to say I had to sit and process what I had just read for a while.

First, I would like to take a look at this picture:

The problem for me has never been when a heroine is dressed "promiscuously." The issue within the whole comic and game world is that the heroine is dressed up as a fantasy character for men. I would not say that large breasts is essential for a women to feel represented within the game world, and I certainly do not believe that allowing a man to have free range on my body would be a feeling of empowerment. I truly HATE when any person gets so addicted to a video game that their eyes become glazed over and they are literally incoherent. To have the women represented in the games to all be sex icons, creates women as a complete object. This is where I think I draw the line when being comfortable-- fantasizing over female bodies through cartoons seems a bit extreme and honestly perverted.

Is Buffy REALLY the root of it?

When many speak of The Buffy Effect, like many topics within feminism, people split and for the most part have a very definite reason for siding with one perspective over another. Mine, like always, is complicated.

The question is raised,

"But is Buffy really an exhilarating post-third-wave heroine, or is she merely a caricature of '90's pseudo-girl power, a cleverly crafted marketing scheme to hook the ever-important youth demographic?" This of course is the question I try so hard to dart from. As I am, and am honestly trying hard to embrace, a 5'7, more slenderly built, blonde hair, blue-eyed woman (the woman that is often portrayed as superficial by appearance and containing nothing of substance), my heart tends to want to believe that Buffy is a positive. I identify with Buffy. As critics slam her appearance as the non-ideal and the very problem that plagues society merely masked, I would like to believe the morals and ideals being shared within the plot and storyline overpower Buffy's physical appearance. In my opinion, to completely attract attention to physical appearance, and to claim that Buffy is not the "typical" woman by appearance, is actually to further complicate the issue, as a "normal" should not be defined.

Although I would hope to believe I am correct, and could probably talk about this until I am blue in the face (and of course never back down), I have began to really put my guard down and have realized that I could be wrong. I do realize that when young girls and women watch Buffy, they see her capable of achieving anything she desires and going into tasks typically prohibited of women, and then her physical appearance being one that has already been engrained into women as the ideal to attain creates the correlation of physical appearance and ultimate success.

I have to believe that we still have not touched on the root of the evil. Ultimately, I think an overemphasis on female body image contributes to much of the division within the feminist movement.

Who is the Monster?

I write this blog with a heavy heart and want to sincerely state that my views behind body image is complex and not easily understood. Although I hold opinions on women's image that not many feminists do not share and would most likely claim is the root behind women's insecurities, I do not claim that there are not severe consequences with any perspective or view that is implied to the extreme. I write this blog with having experienced my sister, my best friend, battled anorexia for 2 years. Although it may seem as though I should completely reject women's magazines and other forms of image influence due to watching my sister suffer, I actually hold the opposite perspective because of my sister

This video reminds me so much of my sister, but thankfully, she was saved.

My approach to body image is not one of rejection, but one of embracement and true understanding. To completely reject women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue, etc is to place a band aid over a deep wound. The band aid will only last temporarily, and most often when it is removed, the cut is deeper and more infected. When listening to leading feminists such as Naomi Wolfe in her Beauty Myth, or critics of the high fashion industry, I do truly identify with the pain behind their arguments. Women have such a battle with image and how it is tied to their identity. But it is my goal over the next few blogs and in my paper on gender to try to explain how I sincerely believe with all my heart that although magazines, fashion, and different mediums to effect the way people view themselves, they are not the root cause of insecurity within ourselves.

My story is this--

I watched my sister spiral downwards in a battle for her life, but more importantly her identity. I sat through counseling sessions where the therapists told her she was beautiful. I begged her to eat. I threw away all fashion magazines in our house. I wore baggy clothes. I ate more in front of her. I never talked about image. I would follow her into the bathroom. She still continued to suffer. My sister had it all. She was a varsity athlete, 4.0 student, freshman class president, on the church worship team, had a large group of friends, and a stable family. My sister was not fat. She was 5'9 and weighed 120 pounds preanorexia. At the worst point in her battle, she weighed just over 100 pounds.

To say that the media, especially magazines, is the issue behind self-image is to take the easy route. My sister beat her anorexia. I flew home my freshman year of college to hear her speak about eating disorders at a high school near our house. As I listened to her speak, and I began to understand her deepest and darkest secrets, I realized that the root of a distorted body image does not lie in the influence of the media, but rather the ideal taught not only to women, but to men as well, that you must be everything. It is an issue of control. When life becomes hectic and competitive, people search for any mode of control possible. I believe women and men search for different areas of control based on what we are socialized to think is important. Body image for women is an area of control that can reap immediate success in the eyes of peers.

I do not write this claiming to have all the answers, but rather to state that we must search deeper. We must be willing to look at all aspects of a women's life and realize that the issue of body image that plagues most women and destroys many is far more complex than merely blaming the media.

Behind every smile

After watching the movie The Monstrous Regiment of Women, I literally felt as though my soul had been shot. Being on a progressive Christian campus, my frustration for gender equality is rarely struck down. I had began to forget or in some ways suppress the reality of American Christiandom.

As I sat and heard the thoughts of the women on the documentary, my anger quickly turned to sadness. My heart returned to the days of high school and growing up. My parents are the best example of and egalitarian relationship that I know. Both my mom and dad are individuals with their own passions, ambitions, and perspectives. They are not threatened by one another, but rather inspired and motivated. I always remember my dad telling me that he is the most in love with my mom when he sees her leading, because he know that God gave her specific passions. My best friend's family situation was very different from this. She is a member of the Mormon Church and the moment one of the women in the documentary started talking about how sorry she was for at one point in her life wanting to pursue her selfish ambitions, my immediate reaction of anger turned to sadness-- a sadness that made me feel sick.

Just like these women in the video, my best friend comes across as one of the brightest people. As we grew up, I saw my best friend's confidence and charisma slowing molded by her church. The crazy, intelligent, ambitious girl she was in middle school, turned into a leader among women, but a helper among men. This idea has always consumed my mind... if a woman is a strong, vivacious leader among men, why can she not be one among men??

When the young woman in the documentary started crying, my heart returned to a Sunday I attended the Mormon church's Women's Relief Society. When I arrived, the women had made numerous amounts of foods (all extravegent and overly done), they were all individually beautifully put together, and the organization of the meeting was like nothing I had attended before. It began to dawn on me, all these women have to focus all their time, energy and gifts to one thing, homemaking, which truly limits them as individuals. This was their time for their leadership skills to shine as Joseph Smith states, "women of the Church are given some measure of divine authority particularly in the direction of government and instruction in behalf of the women of the church" (J. F. Smith, p. 5). As the meeting began, we stood and recited the Relief Society Pledge of fertility. I could not believe what I was actually saying! When we finished, we sat down, and begin talking about our weeks. Women immediately broke into tears, stating that they do not feel adequate for men or God; their houses were messy, their children arrived late to soccer etc. The guilt behind their voices, and the pain behind their stories made me sick. They had each been programmed to believe that they are serving their community best, and the most faithful to the LORD when homemaking. All of the dreams they had each created as young women had been slowly refocused to a womanhood defined by motherhood. I began to sob when I heard my best friend speak. She spoke of how she was so afraid that her future husband would not be satisfied with her, and how she never felt adequate for the LORD. At that moment, I realized behind every smile, and every "happy family"-- their is a story. Without a true choice, and a choice without guilt or persecution as its consequence, women, religious women at that, will never be able to truly find satisfaction as a homemaker or a career woman.

http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/basic/organization/Relief_Society_EOM.htm

Oh, you want me to be Wonder Woman?

When some women, and many Christian women at that, hear the word 'feminism,' they cringe thinking that there is no way they want to be associated with such a thought. Not many know that there is a wide range of perspectives within the feminist movement. First off, there is First, Second, and Third Wave Feminism, but there are also subsets within those three phases. Liberal, Radical, and Social Feminism, are three completely differing views within the idea that the way in which women are currently treated in society is injust.

After trying to brainstorm for this blog post, I have realized that I have so much anger within this very concept of having to lump my feelings into an assigned group. I fall into the category of being a Liberal Feminist for the most part, because I do think in order for female advancement, women have to throw themselves into typically male-occupied jobs and positions. BUT, in my opinion, this does NOT mean that each individual woman is required to choose a career. To me, it means that every woman deserves the exact opportunity to CHOOSE a career. To assert that all women must choose a career creates an idea not that she can be anything, but that she must be everything. She must be a mother, a wife, hold a profession, and ultimately be presentable, if not beautiful.

It boils down to sacrifice. Women, biologically, are given the ability to give birth. This ability has correlated into the mother having sole responsibility for the home. BUT the last time I checked, it takes not only an egg, but a sperm as well to conceive a child. A man, the father, has just as much responsibility to raise the child as the mother does.

I truly believe that the LIberal Feminist Movement has just created the desire in women to feel the need to be everything. I want to know how men feel about this. Do they feel like they have to be everything? Do they feel less of a man when they do not make it home for dinner, when they don't check in with their wives to tell them how beautiful they are, or when they don't spend enough time with their kids??

Progress HAS to be made within the way women are projected in the media. Pornography HAS to be seen not as a way for a man to live his fantasy, but rather a form of cheating on his wife. Above all, I truly believe not only women, but men too, must be me socialized to think that any choice they choose for their lives, whether in the work force or in the home or both, is accepted by society.

Do NOT let him wear her clothes!

This chapter made my mind drift to a day in high school that I did not think all too much of then, but have analyzed time and time again lately. I was babysitting a little girl around the age of 6 and a little boy around the age of 4. Like many little girls are, this one (Katie), had her entire room stuffed with every princess dress up costume imaginable and every item was of course pink or purple with an excessive amount of sparkles and gems on it! We decided we would play dress up and of course we would all be princesses. The little boy's face lit up when we mentioned "the princess game," and he ran to get the pink sleeping beauty like dress. I did not think too much about whether or not this was "okay" with his parents for him to be dressing up like a princess. We decided to go all out0-- make up, sparkly dresses, high heels, hair accessories. The little boy and girl were having a blast, and then the mom walked in the door. I have never seen such a look of horror when she saw her little four year old son dressed up in a princess costume. Jake said, "Mommy don't I look SOOOO pretty," as he twirled around. She responded with, "Oh my word NO Jacob, you look disgusting!!! I have told you that you do not play with little girl toys, only little boy toys!!" I think my jaw must have dropped. She looked at me and proceeded to tell me how this just cannot happen, because his father had a screaming fit when Jake painted his toe nails and how this could lead to really sinful behavior later in life.



I am still so ashamed looking back on this situation. I was 16, and I guess I did not realize just how wrong the mother's reaction really was. Not only will that encourage him to never play with his sister's toys again, but it will enforce his to believe that anyone male engaging in an activity outside of the male set gender roles is wrong.

All For a Man?

When watching the screen, whether it be in the movies, or on television, women seem to have not made a significant amount of progress in regards to the way she is projected. I must admit, I sat for a good 30 minutes scanning through all of my favorite movies and television series, trying to find a female character that was portrayed as a strong, confident and ambitious woman. I thought of movies such as Mona Lisa Smile, The Sound of Music and Sex and the City (the show I watch loyally, partially on the basis that it represents empowered women from a different angle than Second Wave Feminists touched on), but found myself in a huge dilemma, as I could not get past the statement of Betty Friedan, "...the only goal a woman is permitted is the pursuit of a man." (1963:32). Although these two movies and even Sex and the City feature intelligent woman who are defiant to male-dominated society around them and raise many questions within the society of their time, all story lines are based around the pursuit of the man.

Regretfully, I cannot stop thinking about Sex and the City. I believe some of what this show aims at signifying, is vital to the women's movement-- sexual pleasure. As men have openly flaunted and boasted sex, women have been socialized to remain submissive and silent on topic. Sex and the City allows for this discussion of openly talked about sex, and not for procreation! Four women who would be seen as "power women," are portrayed as powerful not only through their careers, but their beauty and ability to be in complete control of their physical lives.

I then have to pause. How much control do these characters on Sex and the City REALLY have? Carrie Bradshaw's entire career is centered around being a columnist about sex. Although this is yes, empowering at times, it also proves false in numerous occasions as she constantly defines herself by the men she is with. The Sex and the City movie concludes the series by having Carrie being left at the alter and her having to sacrifice for the man ('Big') who wants a small, private wedding at a courthouse-- which does not at all reflect Carrie or what she actually wanted. In the end, yes she had the man, but she also sacrificed. And although freedom of sex, career, and personality is allowed, the pursuit of the man is still the end goal and desire.

I have to admit that I had the same thought process with Cosmopolitan Magazine. It seemed empowering to be able to talk about the same "things" for lack of a better word, that men talk about. Cosmo, being centered around sex, may not be empowering at all, but rather a tool to aid patriarchy. I mean how can sex be empowering if it is constantly about satisfying the man's needs!?

Disney: An Unquestioned Authoriy

Growing up, I was the little girl who wore Disney Princess dresses to church, school, and the where ever my mom would allow. The countless amount of videos, sing along tapes, clothes, and toys, were some of my prized possessions as a child. Never would I have questioned the meaning of these stories, as they were all Fairy Tales-- dreams that could be made real for me as long as I believed.

As I now sit and watch Disney movies with the little girl I babysit, my feminist mind races. I find myself thinking, "No this can't possibly be the message they are trying to send. It's Disney, for goodness sake!" But now as I have began to look more closely, I realize that reaction is Disney's complete intention. Innocence and imagination have been linked to Disney in a way that has become interchangeable.

I cannot help to think of the gender roles Disney time and time again reinforces through the Princess movies. In every Princess movie, the Princess is controlled and in the end given her "Happily Ever After" through the winning of her Prince Charming. One extreme example is The Little Mermaid. Ariel trades her voice for legs. In other words her power is stripped from her in order to be happy with the "man of her dreams,"Prince Eric. She trades her independence for subjection to authority of a man. Although this may seem an extreme analysis, it is perpetrated through most Disney films. Every princess finds her value in her prince and being rescued.

Not to mention, every Disney Princess is the image of an extremely skinny, young girl. Disney quietly reinforces the idea of having an anorexic looking body in order to be beautiful, being shy and timid in order to be desirable, and allowing a male to dominate her in order to see value.

This is not only effecting little girls to believe that their sole value is in the man who rescues them, it is also effecting young boys to believe that they have the ability to control and dominate women.

Disney has the ability and authority to display a message without really ever being questioned.

Madonna is a feminist

Sadly, binary thinking occurs much too often when defining feminism. The term feminism today has a negative connotation, and is almost always associated with Second Wave Feminism, a time when throwing your bra in the bon fire was liberating. I will say, I believe although this may seem extreme now, Second Wave Feminism was necessary in its time and has led women to have the privilege to be Third Wave Feminists. Without Second Wave Feminism, a time of extreme rebellion from patriarchy, Third Wave Feminism, a time where moderation is now allowed, can exist with authority and purpose.

There are many polysemic signs throughout pop culture and really almost anything is up to the eyes of the interpreter. When one thinks of Madonna, and in particular when a Second Wave Feminist thinks of Madonna, he or she would most likely say that she sets back the movement and is a depiction of what society tells women to be-- a promiscuous, but sweet, alluring beauty.

Madonna would say differently. As empowerment for Second Wave Feminists and some Third Wave Feminists is rejection of what has been society's definition of 'feminine', Madonna, along with myself and many Third Wave Feminists, would say that complete rejection does not always lead to progress. I do acknowledge that Madonna pushes the limits of feminism. But I believe that is the true beauty of her argument. She persistently presents that whatever the media tells her to do, she will do the complete opposite. And she has the power and authority to do so.

This is one example just briefly touched on and I realize that it could be debated for 500 pages of an analytical book. I will come back to this example often and explain myself further and more detail as more gender discussions arise. I truly believe it is important to recognize that one image, like Madonna, could possess an ideal for one person that could be contradictory to another.

As Madonna to some represents the image a woman that sets back feminism, I view her as an icon for Third Wave Feminism-- a woman exerting the authority to control her complete image.

Differing Lenses

I must admit that I have always mocked people who "blog." Not because I do not think it is a great way to connect, but because I so many people who it as an avenue to rant and display a self-righteous attitude. And well, let's just say I have not trusted myself to not fall into that category. But as I continue to listen to classmates, friends, and peers debate issues within our society domestically and internationally, much concerning the media's influence on today's culture, I have decided to attempt a blog for discussion.

Being a Political Science and Gender Studies Major, my thoughts will most often be geared towards these topics, as I find my passion within politics. The subjection women across this media, is so frequent that I doubt many people even notice what really is being presented. It is my goal to bring to question some ideals within American society through looking at different examples in the media which contribute blatantly, or in many cases are concealed, and then discussing whether or not people find it threatening to a specific race, gender, class, etc. I of course will present my side, which you may interpret as very liberal. :)

When thinking of cultural studies, my mind always gears towards perspective. I can not help but to react to specifics within the media through my own lens, which has been molded from my own experiences. I realize this is the same for every person, which obviously causes differing opinions. But my question is, which I have been attempting to answer since my senior year of high school, is there a perspective or view that is more "correct" than another? When leaving God out of the calculation, I admit, I most often lean in the direction that certain perspectives on politics and issues can have a better approach than others. But when God is considered, which in my life is very important, it is hard for me to speak with authority as to what God considers the correct perspective, and in my opinion rightfully so. One of my greatest problems with Christianity is not the Christ we follow, but the people who follow him and the arrogance that often come with it.

It is my goal to ask the difficult questions and try to take the stance that may even threaten the loud voice of many Christians. Being on a Christian campus, where the conservative, right wing (though many would like to think has been rejected) still lingers and influences much of our thought on race and gender in particular, I find myself in MANY troubling, and frustrating conversations. My fear is that my thoughts and stances will be correlated as to what I believe God thinks. This is rather going to be a public view of my thought process, that I will of course always try to keep somewhat filtered!

Hillary Clinton, one of my role models, is one of the prime examples of a divided debate. Her picture and name even brings controversy. People either love her, or hate her-- and most times love rant about her.