Women around the world face deep challenges and discrimination unique to their circumstance. Being a women in the modern world entails that we are aware of the struggles of our fellow females- and do we our best to see the world in Black, White and Color.
(Dorthea Lange)
Motherhood: We're all likely familiar with this woman's face. She appears in our history textbooks as the face of the Great Depression, the dust bowl, and the migration of farmers in search of a better life. She is candid- she has no time, no energy for affectation. Her brow is worn from hardship, form anxiety or too many hours working in the sun. Her children flock to her as if she can shield them from the hardships they've undoubtedly survived and have yet to face. She reminds me of single mothers everywhere, who stand between their children and starvation. The weariness of persisting is evident but she has come too far and has too much to lose to give up now. In her eyes, I see the sacrifices every mother makes for her children and the love she has for them.
(Beyonce)
Femininity: I wish I could have included all of Beyonce's stunning visual album Lemonade but to me, this picture captures perfectly the message of that work. Women have always been part of the ritual- from Egypt to Rome, women were prized for their fertility. Lemonade reclaims the narrative of female sexuality by bringing together all varieties of women- from old women, models, poets, mothers, daughters and more. It represents the spectrum of female emotion and portrays it in stunning aesthetics that find beauty in all female forms. In particular, Lemonade represents the poignant difficulties and beauty of being a black woman.
(European Commission DG ECHO)
Violence: Women are the most vulnerable refugees. Along their journey, they risk abuse on every side- from authority figures, to refugee camps or welcome centers, to violence before they even left. Displaced women are prone to violence because without the stability of a home, men take advantage of them. The refugee crisis is rising in size- and with it, the plight of women becomes increasingly more dire.
Phenomenal Woman
BY MAYA ANGELOU
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Physical form: Women, perhaps more so then men, are identified by their bodies. Maya Angelou's celebration of the female form defines women as glorious, triumphant, phenomenal in every shape, and in every way.
(Frida Kahlo, self portrait)
Self perception: Frida Kahlo represents the artistic capability of women. Her collection of work included 55 self portraits, representing how she perceived herself. Kahlo represents how women see themselves. Though not all women are artists, Frida Kahlo embraced herself and her view of the female as art represents the long tradition of the female body as art.
(Dykes to Watch Out For, Alison Bechdel)
Media roles: As the characters above joke, following the Bechdel Test leaves very few movies that pass the test. Women are often added into films as secondary characters, which serve only as a plot device or love interest. The Bechdel test's simple requirements (outlined above) demonstrate that the media sees women less as individuals and more as stock characters.
(personal conversation from Melodee Gallion)
Relationships: The message above demonstrate the inter-personal relationships between men and women. After blocking contact with this man on Snapchat and texting, my friend was solicited on Facebook. Men and the media portray women as owing men their attention. Men believe that women owe them attention- and often can't accept when that attention is denied or diverted.
(Wonder Woman movie poster, IMBd.com)
Women in Movies: The Wonder Woman movie portrays the contrast between the idyllic female existence of the Amazons and World War I. The movie grossed over 800 million dollars world wide. Many have looked to Wonder Woman as a dynamic female character and a breakthrough tin the box office.
(weknowmemes.com)
Biological process: Women and their periods have, throughout time, been the subject of much scrutiny. In the past, women were isolated during their menstrual cycles. Now, however, periods have become a running joke and PMS has been used to generalize women's behavior and emotional outbursts.
(quote: Rihanna, format, Gigwise)
Relationship: Women are expected to be monogamous- that is to be in one relationship at a time. The interview's questions portrays the fact that the media (and men and women) assume that women need relationships to be happy.
(coolmaterial)
Sex: Looking at this magazine cover, you may not have noticed anything different from the normal Cosmo or Vogue or People cover art. "CoolMaterial" created a series of magazine covers that demonstrate the role of women is sex in popular culture. Magazine covers exemplify the fact that women are used for sex in their personal relationships and in the eyes of the media. Sex has been exploited and the media has eliminated
Media roles: Popular culture has a huge influence on the perception of women. Legally Blonde, a comedy about "ditsy" Elle Woods, who is accepted into Harvard Law to win back her boyfriend, exemplifies how women are seen as either beautiful or smart- not in between. However, Elle Wood's role portrays the dichotomy. The women throughout the movie are unique- they do not adhere to stereotypes and creating meaningful female friendship.
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