Celebrities: are they feminists, should we ask them whether or not they are, and in the end, does it even matter? There is currently a debate going on in modern media about whether or not asking famous celebrities whether or not they are feminists is important. Amanda Duberman of the Huffington Post is an advocate of asking celebrities because she feels that this can be a teaching moment for the rest of society as well. In her online opinion column, “Why We Need to Ask Celebrities Whether They 're Feminists,” she claims that it is not necessarily about how these celebrities answer, but it’s more about the reasons they give for not being feminists. Duberman says that many celebrities say they are not feminists because they “love men” or they …show more content…
On the other end of the spectrum lies Meghan Murphy, a writer for Feminist Current who thinks that asking celebrities whether or not they are feminists is useless. In her online opinion column, “Asking Female Celebrities If They Are Feminists Is Useless,” Murphy argues that too many celebrities have no idea what the true definition of feminism is and that asking them only causes them to get skewered in the media for answering “wrong.” She argues that their answers do not provide teaching moments because they did not become famous for their social justice activism, and that if someone is truly curious about feminism, they should ask a well noted feminist who has solid information on the topic. It is easy to see that Murphy has intended this paper for people that are already feminists, considering she published her article on Feminist Current. Murphy is likely to be more successful in persuading her target audience because she uses celebrities to appeal to the interest of the readers, she mentions that asking a celebrity about feminism is illogical since that is not their field of expertise, and she presents credibility through strong quote analysis that accentuates her …show more content…
For starters, Duberman mentions celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Lana Del Ray and their views on feminism, but she doesn’t use strong quotes from them, rather she makes comments on short phrases they’ve said such as “Lady Gaga and Co. subscribe to the ‘liking men’ and ‘embracing feminism’ as mutually exclusive theory” (Duberman 2) that vaguely reference feminism. Her use of quick phrases rather than solid quotes hurts her credibility, because it shows that she is just using these celebrities to draw attention to her article, not using them to help strengthen her point. Duberman’s article is also hurt by the fact that she doesn’t provide any solid proof that celebrities can provide teaching moments on feminism, she is only arguing her own personal opinion. Lastly, her point of attack in this article comes off as a guilt trip, and it is recognizable when she says “There isn 't much that differentiates a feminist from a decent human being.” (Duberman 3). She isn’t trying to persuade the readers into becoming a feminist, as much as she is trying to make them feel bad if they do not already associate as a
“I have no idea what a feminist is although I have heard the term before,” said Stewart. I told her not to feel bad because I did not know the meaning of the term until I took the class and gave her bell hooks’ definition. Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. Although they do not have to be an activist, they should be pro-choice. “With that being said I don’t consider myself a feminist but I am pro-choice. I give advice and let others learn from experience. A person is going to do what they want so I don’t push my opinion off on others.” While others have a clue to what a feminist is but do not fully understand their purpose. “I think a feminist is someone who wants more equal rights for women but take it to the extreme,” said Nia. I explained to her that a feminist does not have to be an extreme activist. Her response was “I still don’t consider myself a feminist because I don’t really care about trying to make a change for women’s rights. I think it’s as good as it is going to get,” said
As many of these issues are addressed daily, we have to take into consideration that a lot of these claims can be considered ethical in reasoning. In this instance, Jill Filipovic uses rational arguments to provide examples and studies to build a case that women are not just “playing the women card” but that there are real issues that they face simply because of their gender. Even though there are weaknesses within the evidence and claims being made, Filipovic does not violate any values or falsely misleads her audience. There are no signs of Filipovic attempting to prevent or silence the voices of the other side of the argument. Nor does Filipovic use her article to relay emotional stories of women being discriminated against causing her audience to be overwhelmed, causing them to loose sign in the true issue at hand. It seems that her purpose is to inform the readers in hopes that it will bring about change or awareness. Finally, Filipovic does not, in any way, attack any individuals or groups of people. She does dress the topic of discrimination between men and women but the topic is never addressed
Beyonce is known for glamour, makeup, and for dancing around in nearly nothing. She is an extremely prominent pop star, but she’s also known for being a coveted victim of the male ogle. Feminist is not a word normally used to describe Beyonce. Her recent declaration of her feminism has left many wondering if Beyonce really is a feminist. From booty shorts to hair weaves, most argue that Beyonce doesn’t look the part; therefore, she is not a feminist. She may not look the part of a feminist, but Beyonce is a feminist.
In this essay, Gay deconstructs the stereotypical view of a feminist, by showing that you can be a feminist, even if you’re not in the small box the rest of the world thinks you should be in, in order to qualify as a ‘feminist’. Throughout the essay, Gay uses several quotes and stories from other women who are either afraid to say that they’re feminists, or don’t quite understand you don’t have to be in the limiting ‘box’, even though in their moral beliefs and actions, these sourced women are, in fact, feminists. According to Gay, if we didn’t have this stereotype, then maybe more women with diverse lives and views would be able to ‘come out’ as
“Feminist” has a negative connotation nowadays; we often times here people call feminists “feminazis,” “man haters,” or even just a “bitch.” Many people think that “feminism is anti- male” (Hooks). Many female celebrities stay hush about the issues surrounding females every day, but Lena Dunham is not one of them. Stemming from a family of artists, Lena became a writer, actress, producer, and director and was put in the spotlight. Instead of keeping hush about the world and Hollywood’s issues pertaining to the mistreatment of not only women, but those of different genders and other oppressed people as well. Lena Dunham shows her bold character and feminist visions by using her pedestal to speak out on social and political issues.
At the date in which this statement was composed last April, I probably would have agreed with its relevancy and reasoning. I no longer accept this line of thinking, however, due to my education and involvement in Anne's co-taught class I am taking this semester, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Gender. It is ironic that I began my study of gender four years ago as a freshman vehemently against feminism, and only now as a senior taking the only class required for every major or concentrator in that field have I come to appreciate the legacy and usefulness of feminism as a theory of practice and of education.
This is clearly evident in Betty Warren’s condemnation of Professor Katherine Watson’s progressive, feminist ideals. Warren writes, “It is our duty- nay, obligation to reclaim our place in the home . . . Her [Watson] subversive and political teachings encourage our Wellesley girls to reject the roles they were born to fill” (01:08:01-01:08:28). By writing this, she clearly indicates that Watson’s denial of a traditional lifestyle is deplorable. Warren also implies that Watson is not a respectable woman, being as she lives a lifestyle that is not in accordance with what a woman is meant to do. The entire publication is a direct attack on Watson’s gender identity, being that it suggests that she is not feminine enough. Warren hopes that with this publication, Watson will quiet her voice. This is her way of maintaining the patriarchal elements of their society.
I am a feminist. I knew this before Beyoncé infamously defined the “F” word on the VMA stage in 2014. I knew this before a major party nominated a female to be their candidate for President of the United States despite criticisms. I certainly knew this before Brock Turner sexually assaulted a woman behind a dumpster and only received six months, but was released in three months due to his “good behavior” (privilege). Judith Lorber speaks on forms of all this in her book Gender Inequality as she examines the now thirteen types of feminism. Before I started reading the book I classified myself as a radical feminist. I quickly became aware of my connection to third wave feminism through women’s direct engagement of with feminism, women’s rise
Women earn significantly less compared to men in the workforce, usually around 23% less. Although this is a publicized statistic and is blatantly unfair, little action is taken to ameliorate the disparity. It is time to step aside, the Beyslayers are coming through, we run the world, now countdown and let us upgrade you. Power is in the voice, and, the power of the voice can energize a nation. Fortunately, Beyoncé is that voice. Taylor Swift is a prime example of someone who uses her voice to deliver a message to society; however, her message is one that weakens the female character and undermines the capabilities and strength of women. This behavior is unacceptable and we the Beyslayers say, “Renounce Taylor, reinstate feminism.”
Although the ideology has noble intentions, the word itself has become taboo and those who identify as feminist are perceived to have the quality of misandry: the hatred of men (“misandry”). This is incorrect because feminism, unlike misandry, is the ideology that all genders should be treated equally in every facet of society (“feminism”). The true definition is absent of the phrase “aiming for equality while hating men.” Though feminism does not imply misandry, much of society is under the impression that misandry and feminism, two very different ideologies, share the same meaning. Emma Watson, the Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Women, in an event to launch the HeForShe campaign eloquently stated, “I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has got to stop” (Watson). This movement is not discriminatory toward men, in fact, the HeForShe campaign is actively encouraging the male population to join. Watson addresses the lack of male support in the movement by retorting, “It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideas” she additionally states, “How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited, or feels welcome to participate in the conversation” (Watson). Social change will
In this case women are stuck where in no matter how they act or how they dress, they end up put into a label they do not necessarily belong in. The main goal of feminism is to create equality for women and fight against the labels put on them. Though throughout time feminism itself has been given a negative label. In today 's society women do not want to be referred to as feminists from fear of being labeled as a bitter man hating woman. This is definitely amplified in media today. Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, brings up the idea of the essential feminist and where it suggests,” anger, humorlessness, militancy, unwavering principles, and a prescribed set of rules for how to be a proper feminist woman” (169). This fear of being labeled a feminist not only comes from fear of being thought of as angry or humorless, but from being attacked for not being the “proper feminist woman”.
A feminist is someone who believes that women should have the same opportunities as men. Some individuals dislike the fact of being named a feminist. While many others on the hand are proud to call themselves a feminist. An upcoming artist whose very popular in the music industry, and so happens to be a strong feminist advocate is known by the stage name Grimes. In all of Grimes’s appearances, performances, and music videos, she demonstrates her knowledge of, and her refusal to participate in, self-objectification and being sexualized. In some of her famous song Grimes reverses the male gaze, creating a situation in which men are being watched and masculinity is being deconstructed. The surprising fact of the term feminist is that men can
Since this research is only focusing on the Baby Boomers and on, our timeline begins not in 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, but in the 1950’s with the return to normalcy movement. The first question asked to all the interviewees was “What do you think when you hear the word ‘feminism’ or ‘feminist’?”. This questions tackles the first idea of the change in how feminism has been and is viewed by women in the three generations. Patricia Santangelo answered in the same way described in the first chapter of Women’s Voices Feminist Visions in the sense that she states she does not believe herself to be a feminist, saying that she “thinks it’s baloney” (personal communications, March 15, 2014), yet subscribin...
In just a few decades The Women’s Liberation Movement has changed typical gender roles that once were never challenged or questioned. As women, those of us who identified as feminist have rebelled against the status quo and redefined what it means to be a strong and powerful woman. But at...
Jessica Valenti also supports the idea of people misunderstanding feminist movement “For some reason, feminism is seen as super anti: anti-men, anti-sex, anti-sexism, anti-everything” (2). She argues that feminism does not attempt to go against something or someone, but to make people feel better of who they are and what they can do in life. Feminism is about making people be proud of who they are and “to see through the bullshit that would make [them] think there’s something wrong with [them]” just because someone said so. Thus, both writers’ definitions of feminism exclude the common incorrect belief that feminism is directed against men. However, while bell hooks sees feminism as one of the ways “to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression” (13), Jessica Valenti claims that feminism helps women to fight stereotypes they face and feel more confident in spite of the