Feminist Media Round Up

Because, I am making playdough this morning instead of writing, I thought I would share some of the articles that made their way into my Twitter feed this week. I hope they supply you with some food for thought while you are sipping your teas and coffees.

This is a quick little bio-cultural piece about the actress Theda Bara.

The shop that everyone wants to love, Anthropologie, actually made these candle sticks. Because, they didn’t learn from their competitor Crate and Barrel who actually made this. What kind of world are we living in when we are actually including in our home decor the tragedies of our society?

In the always hot topic of women, body image and media, this guardian article just doesn’t ask enough hard questions about the fact that this model is a US size 6 and considered ‘curvy’ with her nickname “Thunder Thighs”.

I am so in love with the recent surge to train women in coding and other aspects of computer science. Want to be a part of this! Fist Pump.

Moccasins as shoes for non-natives make me sick. Especially when worn by people with power. But, apparently, the Bindi is now a trend. A TREND.

And my favouritey favourite (and not just because it is being made by this badass woman of awesomeness)? This Tumblr is brilliant. A great way to capture the media and spread it with some funniness.

Is there an article, podcast or bit of media awesomeness you want others to know about? Share it in the comments and I will be sure to tweet it.

10 Responses to "Feminist Media Round Up"

Janine says:

14 January, 2013 at 2:52 am

OK, I can see the issue with that racist ass candle, but I don’t agree with your thoughts on moccs or bindis. It’s just FASHION, and a bindi isn’t the same as blackface. Why do we need to be SO touchy? I personally like the idea of being inspired by other cultures, maybe even making something pretty out of the ugly parts. I used to rock a bindi in high school, following after Gwen Stefani.

It becomes a fine line when you start making rules about who is allowed to wear what. Style is personal and aesthetics aren’t restricted by race or income.

Reply
1. hisveganmama says:
  
  14 January, 2013 at 8:06 am
  
  I don’t mean to sound patronizing, but educate yourself about appropriation. It isn’t about being touchy and it isn’t just about fashion. Just like my socks aren’t JUST about fashion. It is my job to ask myself who made them, where they came from and what impact do they have on the globe.
  
  Appropriation is serious. It is speaking for or taking the voice/cultural item/history/experience of others and claiming it as your own or using it for yourself. It isn’t my job (or anyone else’s) to educate you.
  
  The same “stop being so touchy” is/has been used about other important issues like racism, poverty, violence against women. Seriously, educate yourself.
  
  Reply
Carrie says:

14 January, 2013 at 8:25 am

Well, here’s the thing….a little more respect for what one is wearing might be nice, but wearing a Bindi isn’t “wrong” and neither is wearing Moccasins. Really, it might help to bring people together as one…maybe a little more understanding of why they wear such things.
I for one don’t wear either. It’s not that I don’t respect or disrespect the wearing of them…it’s just not my thing. I am an individual and I like who I am the way I am & what I wear.
But I’d say the same thing if I were to get a Bindi…or a tattoo for that matter. Historically speaking, tattoos have been a thing for tribal groups and now it’s a fad as well.
Honestly, I just don’t think we need to be pointing fingers. We have enough of that going around in this world.
If we want it a peaceful place we need to make it one…it starts from within.
And if wearing a Bindi means discovering it’s true meaning, I think that would be fab
Peace, love & light
Carrie

Reply
1. hisveganmama says:
  
  14 January, 2013 at 1:26 pm
  
  I’m sorry Carrie but I disagree with you.
  This isn’t about ‘peace’ or not – it is about appropriating a culture’s experiences, clothing or behaviours and the potential negative impacts that this practice has on that culture.
  There is a difference between appreciating a culture and appropriating it.
  I can own Native artifacts and read Native plays, but I don’t have the right to wear their clothing or try and definitively tell their stories.
  Think of how disrespectful the ‘screaming indian’ (sic) of baseball is to the native americans who died during contact with european ‘settlers’?
  I would also argue that bands, such as No Doubt and Bon Iver, carry a significant amount of responsibility when making videos where they are parading around in head dresses or Japanese clothing. The society that they are singing to and who buy their products are perhaps not aware of the atrocities that are downplayed in this societal appropriation or ‘fashion’.
  I am sorry, but it is about pointing fingers – we all have a responsibility in our society to educate ourselves. A definitive responsibility. Would you say the same things if I were pointing out racism in a video that targeted People of Colour? Unlikely. Racism and awareness aren’t things that we can be selective about.
  
  Reply
Emily says:

14 January, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Hi all,

I think this is a really interesting post and it opens up a whole host of important issues for debate and discussion.

Outside of the specifics of cultural appropriation, I think your post does a great job of emphasizing the fact that we as individuals and consumers have the onus of learning about where our media/clothing/food/products/ideas/politics/beliefs etc. are coming from. All too often we, perhaps inadvertently, appropriate something for our own uses or because we think it is trendy or cool.

In my view, there is absolutely nothing wrong with interacting and engaging with the products, people and customs of other cultures. I think that moving across cultures and reaching out to others is a wonderful thing and helps avoid the ethnocentric judgements that we make against other people.

That being said, I think the better word for that is appreciation, and it requires more than wearing a glittery bindi or moccasins because I like them. Therein lies the difference between appreciation and appropriation. If Gwen Stefani was particularly connected to the culture she is representing, or was celebrating THE CULTURE (rather than the fashion statement) I feel like I would be less concerned. However, she has openly said she knows nothing about the culture, she just likes the look.

I might ask why this kind of appropriation is acceptable, even defended, when a famous person sporting a swastika would cause an uproar. Certainly the circumstances are different, a swastika is representative of genocide and unconscionable violence but I believe that appropriating spiritual and cultural items willingly blind is committing a violence of its own.

I also really like that you brought up sporting team names. There are so many, across organizations, that I find offensive against first nations people. We would be hard pressed to find a baseball team that appropriated african culture or used a racially insensitive mascot or team name. It wouldn’t fly. So why does this?

Why are we okay with some forms of appropriation and not others?

Again, this is only my view. But we are all responsible for what we put into the world and I would like to see more appreciation and inclusive celebration rather than H&M capitalizing off the sale of Moccasins (the production of which did not involve the consultation of any first nations groups) and the like.

Thank you for opening up an important conversation!

Reply
Stefanie says:

27 January, 2013 at 11:21 am

I often feel like the native appropriations police of Pinterest, which makes this a funny comment to leave, but I disagree with you on the subject of all traditionally native attire as appropriating. It’s a large business, the manufacture and sale of non-ceremonial native stuff, and one that keeps many people afloat. My 2 brothers are full-blooded Oglala Sioux and have proudly given me mocs, beadwork, and leatherwork done by their friends and bio family. I wear them because they were thoughtful gifts but also because they’re pretty. I feel like we should trust Indian people to put forth the products they’re comfortable sharing with us, and assume that if it isn’t Indian-made and sold it’s not up for white use. Otherwise we’re being sort of condescending.

Reply
1. hisveganmama says:
  
  27 January, 2013 at 12:26 pm
  
  maybe my point is being misunderstood: if a person has a relationship with the native seller or purchases from a native community that is slightly different and shows a connection and respect.
  It is when companies like Victoria Secret use native images and attire to sell something totally unconnected or to support misogynist attitudes – or when ppl like Juliette Lewis wear Native attire and have no understanding of their behaviour or attitudes. Or when it becomes a fashion accessory that is worn without respect or appreciation.
  
  Reply
  1. Stefanie says:
    
    27 January, 2013 at 2:50 pm
    
    Yes! True that. Do yourself a favor and never search ‘headdress’ on Pinterest.
    
    Reply
Stefanie says:

27 January, 2013 at 11:22 am

Oh, I also like this gawker flow chart: http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/39/2010/04/bad4d049d61d274736807ae9898b726a/original.jpg

Reply
1. hisveganmama says:
  
  27 January, 2013 at 12:27 pm
  
  Brilliant and does a great job of capturing the point. Thanks for sharing!
  
  Reply

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