Female Representation in the Media

I recently came across this video which I think nicely explains why it is so necessary to take a class like this one. I hope you guys enjoy it too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NswJ4kO9uHc

Scandal

After listening to last week’s presentation on “Mad Women”, I started to watch the series Scandal, which immediately became my new favorite TV show. Olivia Pope’s character embodies a strong female in the political world. However, after the presentation I began to realize that all “strong” women represented in TV are not as strong as we think. After researching I came across an interesting article, “Olivia Pope and the Scandal of Representation” on The Feminist Wire. The article states that instead of the series focusing on the strength and power of a female protagonist it  “actually centers on the seemingly salvific protagonist of imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy and the lengths to which all people – women and men, black/brown and white, gay and straight, etc. – will go to preserve it.” It’s interesting to see that all of Shanda Rhyme’s shows express the ideals that all can survive in a patriarchal society as long as they “play the role demanded for them.” While Pope’s character is one of the first African American protagonist, which seems very progressive, the entire story plot is her obsession with the President, an extremely powerful and white character. What is also interesting is the lack of background information given about Pope’s character. The article states:

“The type of information we are allowed to know about Olivia is quite reminiscent of the ways black actors and actresses accent the story lines of white folks in television shows that do not claim to place them at the center of the drama. As a result of this sacrifice of significant character development, the character of Olivia Pope must rely on stale media representations of black women for the semblance of substance.”

Reaction to Disney Princess Presentation

I never really thought of Disney princesses as having a negative effect on young girls before. They're a phenomenon that you grow up with. This presentation in particular struck a chord with me, first and foremost, because it's a topic that I am fairly familiar with. I've been impressed upon by these characters, and, of course, my favorite Disney princesses are those from the first wave of Disney princesses - the Cinderella's, Snow White's and Sleeping Beauty's. My very favorite characters, however, were the Disney villains.

As mentioned in the presentation, many Disney princesses (especially the first wave princesses that I mentioned above) are portrayed in very much the same way - damsel-in-distress, Barbie-like young girls. They always manage to be saved by the handsome prince in the end. They are usually defined by their sexuality and fascination with pretty consumer goods and fluffy animals. Disney villains, on the other hand, are, ironically, also often portrayed as woman. However, I argue that they are much stronger than the Disney princess and portray a better role model for young girls. They are goal-driven, independent and are fascinated more by power than a horse-drawn carriage and glass slippers. Alas, the Disney villain is always defeated in the end (usually by the male figure who saves the princess), proving that (at least, according to Disney) a women who strives for greatness can never win.

I was also particularly fascinated by a quote from the New York Times article "What's wrong with Cinderella. Lyn Mikel Brown, author of "Packaging Girlhood," states "Playing princess is not the issue. The issue is 25,000 princess products. When one thing is so dominant, then it's no longer a choice: it's a mandate cannibalizing all other forms of play. There's the illusion of more choices out there for girls, but if you look around, you'll see their choices are steadily narrowing." Once again, the real damage done to young girls is enforced by consumerism. The idea that girls are bombarded by these images of the Disney princess gives the impression that this is the "right" image of a woman. Despite the fact that princesses are being portrayed as stronger and more feminist, Cinderella and Snow White are still prominent Disney figures. While I have not been to a Disney store recently, I would imagine that girls are being impressed upon by these classic characters as much as I was when I was a little girl.

Of course, at the end of the day, just as the sentiment that was expressed in the presentation, we love them anyways. After learning about these possible detrimental effects these characters can have on children, I would not stop my own kids from watching these films. They are a right of passage and (while prime examples of gender stereotyping) are entertaining for every generation.

Class Presentations

I thoroughly enjoyed the different variety in the presentations that happened yesterday. Two of the presentations that made me really think about the perceptions of feminism were the Disney Princesses and Celebrity Feminists. The way that the Disney Princesses was broken really made me think about the evolution of the princesses personal journey and the narrative behind them. When it was brought up about the earliest princesses having a father figure in their lives versus the current group where it is most often not mentioned really made me start to think. Is this evolution a means to try and reduce patriarchy in Disney princess movies? In the early films there would most often be a father figure and then his role would be placed upon the prince charming to look after and guide the princess. She never really has a say in any action that she partakes in, it's already laid out for her. Yet, now these young women are defined by their personal traits and end up either saving the male figure or not needing one. Now it just makes me wary of when I have young girls which princess movies I want to show them, so they don't turn up with a "happily ever after" complex.

Then with the celebrity feminists, I think that the definition of feminism is so broad and has a negative connotation to it, it's hard to pinpoint who is and isn't. If one is defining being a feminist off of independence and female empowerment then there are plenty of role models. Yet, it's a slippery slope especially with pop stars to maintain a strong empowered female image, while still being their own individual and not the label's puppet. Being a feminist can encompass a lot of different aspects, which I think is the defining reason many people don't want to take on that title. So then just be an educated and self-aware female, that still loves men, but won't take crap for nobody.

Mindy Kaling: Feminist?

As a Mindy Project/Mindy Kaling fan, I found it really interesting to learn about the show and Kaling’s stance on feminism. Although she is a very well-respected screenwriter, actress, and public figure, I do not consider Kaling to be a feminist. It is true that she has gone great lengths to make people respect her, as she has faced much criticism all of her life for her weight, race, and gender. Although she is a well-respected OB/GYN doctor on her show, which perhaps is progressively feminist, her character is portrayed as a boy-crazy and obsessive woman who does not feel complete without a man in her life at all times. This aspect of her character bothers me, because it conveys the notion that although a woman can be successful in their career, she still cannot be complete without a man.

This also raises the question of whether The Mindy Project would attract the same number of viewers without Mindy being a little bit crazy and always on the lookout for her next great love interest. If Mindy was focused solely on her career, this would eliminate a huge part of the drama and comedy of the show. However, if the main character were a male doctor, the love aspect of the show would probably be trivialized and the women would be chasing after him rather than the other way around. Although it’s progressive to have a female doctor lead, the fact that she is constantly obsessing over men almost makes the show seem like a step back for feminism.

Reflection on presentations and discussions

Overall, I thought today’s presentations were very interesting and thought provoking. The final three presentations and discussions struck me the most and left me wondering about our make over culture, magazines, and who, including celebrities, actually know what feminism is. Although I am somewhat familiar with Zooey Deschanel’s work I didn’t know she identified as a feminist (although I was happy to hear that.) I thought the clip shown in class did a great job explaining that feminism can look and be many different things. Just because someone wears bows in their hair and loves pink doesn’t make them not a feminist. I think sometimes we all get so wrapped up in stereotypes we forget things aren’t mutually exclusive. Also, I think it’s important to note that when comparing celebrities like Lady Gaga and Beyonce to Zooey Deschanel and Tina Fey it’s important to recognize that they work in different mediums with different cultures. From my experience in the entertainment industry music is a much harsher world but also usually has a wider audience.

Also, while we talked about the burden of representation lightly in regards to Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling I wanted to elaborate. While I do agree that since there are so few successful female showrunners that have the power to choose how they are represented, I also think it’s important to keep in mind that is it a television show. Without conflict and controversy, tv would not exist. No one would watch a show about a perfect female who had no problem because it would be boring. (I doubt anyone wants to see a show with a perfect male, either). However, I do think it’s vital for females to be aware of how they are representing and they do need to acknowledge that they are role models and setting standards and expectations.

reaction to makeover presentation

The presentation today about beauty and the makeover really stood out to me. Personally, I was repulsed by the bridal show and the trash that is shown on tv. However, I think sometimes they are so extreme that most people don’t take them seriously or look to them as role models (at least I hope) but it is important to realize what stereotypes are out there and how they are influential. Although I don’t want reality plastic surgery shows, I do read fashion magazines, pin about fashion on pinterest, and read fashion blogs so to an extent I am influenced and I thought the presentation did a good job of creating discussion and made me think twice about what I learn from tv shows and fashion magazines. Later today I was reading this article about how a woman had to take 35 minutes to be prepped for tv while the man next to her took 3. I think that speaks to our society and values, but that is nothing new. However, she does argue that although she could refuse make up and look like a Walking Dead character as she references, she doesn’t. Instead, she politely asks for light make up because it’s a means to an end. She wants her voice to be heard and without the proper make up she won’t be allowed on TV or people will be too distracted to listen. While I don’t necessarily think this is true, I do think it’s accurate. Sometimes, the smaller flights like make up on tv aren’t worth sacrificing not being heard on a more important issue. However, does this reinforce the problem and keep women silence by choosing to go along with the 35 minutes of make up? If woman continue to stay silent for “a larger purpose” will the problem ever be fixed? 

Also, i dont think these shows about beauty make overs empower woman at all. It doesnt encourage them to do anything except take the easy way out and get plastic surgery or spend a large amount of money on certain types of clothes. So why do these shows exist? someone must be watching them? i think these shows are definitely targeted towards woman, probably with low confidence. The idea of societys standards of beauty is highly debated in todays world. I think shows like What Not To Wear could benefit from helping contestants find their own personal style in an appropriate way instead of telling them what to wear and that they loook awful. (i'm thining of episodes i've seen of overweight women showing too many body parts).

Todays presentation also made me think of the Dove evoltuion commerical that showed how an average person went through a complete transformation to become an add that we see daily. I think this clip shows really well how everyday people are manipulated and how what we see is being sold to us as an image and unrealistic ideal. I think it's great that companies like Dove raise awareness.

Below is the link to the dove commerical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Below is the article I read today about TV make up.

http://thoughtcatalog.com/chloe-angyal/2013/12/mascara-lipgloss-and-other-wastes-of-time/