Black power...I mean, Girl power, I mean, Woman power....(?)...
Okay, so maybe Gloria Steinem (think Second Wave Feminism) is still very much with us and not spinning in her grave. But the foundation upon which Feminist ideals were built now crumbles with only a few tears being shed. The Bra-burners seemingly took the last chopper out of Saigon, having died out with the Vietnam war. And so, here we women of the twenty-first century sit; partriarchy abounds, and we simply cannot be bothered. Certainly, the present generation of women (and men) are woefully apathetic. Perhaps this is because the “flower power” our parents produced now resembles a sun-dried tomato. Yes, the Baby-Boomers came to the stark realization that protests, trippy festivals, and all the John Lennon songs in the world could not conquer the inevitable sludge of the daily grind. War still abounds, and I’m pretty sure Nixon is still in office (he’s wearing a mask), whilst corporations remain obese, having fed their voracious appetites with social and political power. Has this left us slighty numb (dumb)? The resounding answer, that is - if we’re not too lazy to answer – Yes!
So what’s the deal ladies?
Women still get paid less than men for doing the same job. Pornography that grossly objectifies the female body is more popular than ever. Playboy magazine is not a rag of the past. In fact, Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends have stayed remarkably young. I suppose he’s a cheap date though (senior citizen discounts everywhere). Of course, not every girl has her dream of dating a Korean War Vet realized. But after all, who wouldn’t love Hugh, he’s done so much for (to) women!?
So where are all the Feminists? Shouldn’t these deplorable examples of misogyny have been dealt with a long while ago? I guess it truly remains a man’s world, particularly when a show like “The Bachelor” is on its umpteenth season. Oh, The Bachelor - a collection of attractive, slightly dim-witted women and one man – that sounds like every boy’s dream, or at least a Muslim paradise.
Turns out the ”Feminists” have been here all along, empowering women by reclaiming female exploitation. In fact, Jenna Jameson has even claimed herself to be a sort of Porn-Lincoln, having emancipated other female pornstars from the predominantly male-controlled Porn Industry. She made sure she had a say in the direction of filming where her genitals were going to be photographed. I guess she picked the most empowering angles! Wow, good job, Jenna, now I’ll know what to do when I’m getting paid money to have sex with sleezy men on camera. Then I can invite the whole family over on sunday after church and we can watch my screen debut. Oh wait, that would be disgusting…and though it would reveal a lot of me, it would not reveal the intellect that, thankfully, prevents such a scenario from ever existing.
Apparently, the term “Bitch” has also been reclaimed by women. Ah, yes, well, as long as I’m a bitch, I hope my master realizes that I should be walked at least two times a day. And gosh, I hope he doesn’t put the leash on too tight, it tends to chaffe. And well I’m at it, I hope he remembers to fill my water dish, I’m sick of drinking out of the toilet! Yes, I see why women have chosen to reclaim this derogatory term. Oh, wait, I don’t at all!
Apparently, Jenna Jameson is representative of a new brand of Feminism – Lipstick Feminism. Also known as “Slut Feminism” (I didn’t make that up, actual catalogued term), this sort of Feminism contends that women should embrace the sexual allure they hold over men. Therefore, Jenna’s power to attract men, while proudly showing off her body, is advocating womanly power. I think this might just be the most dangerous misappropriation of Feminism. So men are watching porn in order to escape the harsh world of Patriarchy? “Oh c’mon, baby, that’s right, make a little more coin than a man…oh my God, she’s getting into medical school…oh yes, she’s gonna be president, oh yes, yes, yes!!!” By this logic, I suppose Hillary Clinton was setting women back a few years. She migth have considered running for “President of the Tijuana Whore Trade Union”. I guess that would seem a little rigged, Bill being on the Union Board and all.
And now let us slide from one extreme to the other - Lesbian Feminists. Here’s a group that believes those with penises are really carrying around dangerous swords that cut into women, violently releasing their seed. To these ladies(?) men are virtually disposable flotsam. Anyone who has ever read Adrienne Rich’s Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence will no doubt ask, “Daddy Issues?” Rich literally claims that women must reject men completely (specifically, in the erotic realm) in order to destroy patriarchial oppression. Rich, rather regrettably, claims that women have been culturally-indoctrinated to accept the “institution of heterosexuality.” Again, rather unbelieveably, she glosses over the question of developed biological instinct. Rich refuses to address the biological explanation of heterosexuality - that men and women may have developed an evolutionary attraction to one another in order to promote pro-creation of the species. I will concede that there are particular men and women who do not fit into the heterosexual mould. But to suggest that all women are capable of Lesbianism, or should be lesbians, is absurd. Feminism, Ms. Rich, does not equal Lesbianism.
Must the definition of Feminism be relegated to such limiting duality? At the same time, can there be moderate Feminists? Is “moderate” simply a substitution for “not taking a stand or really giving a damn”? Are Lipstick Feminists and Lesbian Feminists the dominant voices heard because they are the only ones shouting? I realize women are so vastly different in so many ways – ethnically, ecnomically, politically, and sexually. Can we not at least try to create a sustainable definition? Preferably, one that doesn’t require us to burn a phallic effigy or get a boob job!
Anne
