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.