In light of the Obama Inauguration, and Sonia's recent Smash The Glass post, I'm going to take a step back from feminist ideology in the creative world and move over into the realm of politics.According to Elanor Smeal's article, "Is Obama What a Feminist Looks Like?" featured in the Huffington Post,
When the chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation board, Peg Yorkin, and I met Barack Obama, he immediately offered "I am a feminist." And better yet, he ran on the strongest platform for women's rights of any major party in American history. Feminist Karen Kornbluh, the platform's principle author, ensured women's rights, opportunities, advancement, and issues were addressed throughout the historic document.
It's not everyday that a man is featured on the cover of a feminist magazine, and as you can guess, this has struck up a lot of controversy. As you can see in the image above, Obama is in a Superman stance, with a shirt that reads, "This is what a feminist looks like." Many feminists believe that this image is problematic because it's suggesting that women are looking toward a male superhero in order to "save feminism," when women are capable of taking care of themselves.
Here is a CNN video showing how Ms. Magazine has been criticized, and also a defense from the editor.
In my opinion? These "feminists" need stop thinking that feminism is an exclusivity club, and realize that feminism is about PEOPLE who believe in women's rights. The Americans haven't broken the presidential "glass ceiling" quite yet, but I do not see this cover as anti-feminist in the least. I don't believe this cover is in any way showing that feminism needs to be rescued by a man, and it would be completely irrelevant if they showed a photo of Clinton or Palin (as the video suggests) on the cover of the "Inauguration Special." Also, NOT ALL WOMEN ARE FEMINISTS! *Cough* PALIN *cough*
I think the American feminists should be excited and happy that they are being represented by someone who exercises their rights and freedoms, regardless of gender or sex.
Going back to my first introductory post.
FEMINISM = EQUALITY
The fact that feminism is being represented by a MAN in this photo reinforces the progression of feminism. Isn't progression what we want? Don't we want our rights to be viewed as equal by all?
Apparently some people have forgotten.
It's important to remember that feminism is no longer a group of organizations or leaders. It's the expectations that parents have for their daughters, and their sons, too. It's the way we talk about and treat one another. It's who makes the money and who makes the compromises and who makes the dinner. It's a state of mind. It's the way we live now. - Anna Quindlen
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