I have heard the word (feminist) or some derivation or pejorative (femi-nazi) banded about in the media or my social community for years, but really couldn't put my finger on it. Well, as my students are working on research projects around the end of the Victorian Era (and its influences in the United States) and the heart of the Progressive Era, I came across the term in our textbook. It dawned on my that the first wave of feminist came about with Margaret Sanger, Alice Paul, and the ladies of this era. In my Master's level Historiography and (oddly) a Foreign Policy course a few years back, the topic turned to the different waves of feminism in American history, and their use as a lens to study the era and aspects of influence.
Second Wave feminism comes about during the turbulent times of change in the 1960s and after. The push was to unite women the world over under a common agenda, and in rebellion to the 1950s conformity. Ok, fast forward. Third Wave feminism is, arguably of course, what we are in right now. Some wonder if we are not entering a fourth, but I don't understand it well enough to make that call, I can only report what I hear.
Now, to cross streams of thought. I am a huge fan of the singer Pink. I prefer strong, edgy girl singers. Oddly, I also adore Taylor Swift (its my inner Tween heart, looking for simple love). But, when I saw her latest video this past week, the video for "Try". Her words are always powerful, and speak to me of a batter heart. But, when I saw the beauty of her body (well toned and sculptured), the dance she and her partner do in the video, the simplicity of the background, and then compare that to the violence they perpetrate on each others bodies. It immediately took me back to Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie". Pink (and Eminem) have both spoken to abuse in relationships, of hurting (physically) their partners. Rihanna has been openly in an abusive relationship. When Eminem raps about abuse, it is a man writing of a masculine anger in a sense that many will recognize, and fits a traditional mold. When Pink speaks of fighting with her husband or a lover, you get the sense of an empowered woman who is strong enough to stand up for herself. But, this video made me wonder: Is this fourth wave feminism? Or is this third-wave continued, played out? When the first wave women are fighting for a declaration of marital rape, control of their own sexuality, and a voice, now what is the goal of feminism? Pink, Katy Perry, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, etc, seem to have taken up the gauntlet for female sexuality, but are demanding more. It's complicated. They want to be left alone. They don't want to be a voice for feminism and equality in the traditional sense. They want to be judged on their own merits. They are open with their failures and back down to no man. So, are they 3rd or 4th? I don't know. . . . If it helps, compare first wavers in Iron Jawed Angels, second wavers with Janis Joplin in concert in 1970, and then Pink, as our latest (?) wave. I know, I just presumed that she is third wave. . .
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
"Is BET Reverse Racism?"
This is touchy and difficult question and concept. Racism is acting on a set of beliefs that based on the concept of race. So what is race? That is hard to explain, and becoming more fluid. Scholars are not sure they want to pin down the concept of race in 2013. It is an historical concept, but seems to have outlived its usefulness. Prejudice is common, and we all live with some form of it, regardless of were we come from. Acting on prejudice is a problem, and so it is best to be aware of ones prejudice and work to negate actions that may be based on that prejudice.
When prejudice becomes mainstream and moves in to the actions of institutions (companies, governments, schools, and any organization that has authority), if prejudice becomes embedded in the practice of this institution, the effects may be devastating. For example, women not being allowed to attempt to gain a place in combat roles in the military means that women will not advance beyond a basic level. If one is judged without being given a straight chance to prove their abilities, they are limited incredibly.
With this in mind, we come back to the question of black culture celebrated in television, magazines, and other cultural sources. Is there anything racist about BET? A television show that demonstrates black culture is seen as a threat to the hegemony of white culture. But why? Is it racist? No. By promoting only black culture, it is not committing a crime, nor is it really threatening to hold back any white actor. Is BET an entry point for white actors hoping to make it big, duly qualified, but unable to because the producers and execs at the channel don't find the actor to be dark enough? Not likely to happen. A celebration of a particular culture does not negate the pride other cultures should be allowed to feel about their own. The KKK is more than welcome to celebrate white culture and offer up scholarships for white children. There are white ethnic holidays (St. Patrick was not black, and neither were Lincoln and Washington, or Columbus, although he did speak Spanish).
So, what if we had a commercial on television dominated by white people? Would that offend anyone? What if we had a magazine full of white people? What if we went in to a store and all the pictures on the walls were white? Or just a vast majority, with a black person or Asian person tossed in to even it out, so it doesn't seem like a KKK convention? Would it surprise anyone that the KKK has a television channel? I just looked again, and although I won't post their link directly, it doesn't take a lot to google them. The following is from their television channel, a section for youth.
Andrew would like to talk to kids for a few minutes each week. He is proud to be a white Christian boy in America, but he knows that because of his minority status, the odds might be stacked against his people. Kids will enjoy hearing a few comments from Andrew as he warns them of things to watch out for because he cares!
The language attempts to mimic the voice of ethnic minorities in the American past who attempted to rally together without institutional power. Unfortunately, Andrew does have institutional power largely on his side, and the deck is not stacked against him. He just doesn't like to share.
So, no, BET is not reverse racism. Can a black person be prejudiced against whites? Yes. Also very likely is prejudice against a fellow black of a different shade, suprisingly. We are more complex in our dislikes than we are credited with being. The real question, when dealing with racism, should be who has the power to enforce their prejudice. You don't have to like me or what I write. As long as you are not in my classroom, you will never have to fear whether my prejudice is being used against you. That is truly the only realm where I have the power to use my prejudice. Lucky for those who are in my classroom, I am very aware of my prejudice, and work hard to keep it in check. We all live with prejudice. The key is learning to balance your feeling with your reality. To take a deep breath, walk up to your prejudice, put your hand out, take a risk, and pull the mask of the boogey man off. Ultimately, if we truly believe in a just God, we believe that humans by nature are good. So, don't be so afraid of them. Don't look for the worst in people. Instead, until you get burned personally, treat me as a human being. Give me a chance to disappoint you.
When prejudice becomes mainstream and moves in to the actions of institutions (companies, governments, schools, and any organization that has authority), if prejudice becomes embedded in the practice of this institution, the effects may be devastating. For example, women not being allowed to attempt to gain a place in combat roles in the military means that women will not advance beyond a basic level. If one is judged without being given a straight chance to prove their abilities, they are limited incredibly.
With this in mind, we come back to the question of black culture celebrated in television, magazines, and other cultural sources. Is there anything racist about BET? A television show that demonstrates black culture is seen as a threat to the hegemony of white culture. But why? Is it racist? No. By promoting only black culture, it is not committing a crime, nor is it really threatening to hold back any white actor. Is BET an entry point for white actors hoping to make it big, duly qualified, but unable to because the producers and execs at the channel don't find the actor to be dark enough? Not likely to happen. A celebration of a particular culture does not negate the pride other cultures should be allowed to feel about their own. The KKK is more than welcome to celebrate white culture and offer up scholarships for white children. There are white ethnic holidays (St. Patrick was not black, and neither were Lincoln and Washington, or Columbus, although he did speak Spanish).
So, what if we had a commercial on television dominated by white people? Would that offend anyone? What if we had a magazine full of white people? What if we went in to a store and all the pictures on the walls were white? Or just a vast majority, with a black person or Asian person tossed in to even it out, so it doesn't seem like a KKK convention? Would it surprise anyone that the KKK has a television channel? I just looked again, and although I won't post their link directly, it doesn't take a lot to google them. The following is from their television channel, a section for youth.
Andrew would like to talk to kids for a few minutes each week. He is proud to be a white Christian boy in America, but he knows that because of his minority status, the odds might be stacked against his people. Kids will enjoy hearing a few comments from Andrew as he warns them of things to watch out for because he cares!
The language attempts to mimic the voice of ethnic minorities in the American past who attempted to rally together without institutional power. Unfortunately, Andrew does have institutional power largely on his side, and the deck is not stacked against him. He just doesn't like to share.
So, no, BET is not reverse racism. Can a black person be prejudiced against whites? Yes. Also very likely is prejudice against a fellow black of a different shade, suprisingly. We are more complex in our dislikes than we are credited with being. The real question, when dealing with racism, should be who has the power to enforce their prejudice. You don't have to like me or what I write. As long as you are not in my classroom, you will never have to fear whether my prejudice is being used against you. That is truly the only realm where I have the power to use my prejudice. Lucky for those who are in my classroom, I am very aware of my prejudice, and work hard to keep it in check. We all live with prejudice. The key is learning to balance your feeling with your reality. To take a deep breath, walk up to your prejudice, put your hand out, take a risk, and pull the mask of the boogey man off. Ultimately, if we truly believe in a just God, we believe that humans by nature are good. So, don't be so afraid of them. Don't look for the worst in people. Instead, until you get burned personally, treat me as a human being. Give me a chance to disappoint you.
"You're Amazing. . . "
Today was a good day. . . I feel worn down, tired, and a tad bit angry. And, as I think back about my day, I try to put my finger on why. . . Too often, we believe the negative easily, and the positive we brush off. We spoke today in Sociology about "positive" versus "negative sanctions". We are easily swayed by negativity. As I look back over my day, I realize how much I have to be happy about, and it boosts my spirits. I need to do this more often. So, here is my positive list for the day:
Got to go to First Watch friday with friends for a department meeting.
Jerry is coming on Thursday to revamp the old kitchen, so I don't have to do it.
70 degree weather when I get home, and the kids out running in it.
Try the software for Air Server, and it worked as described.
Kicked butt teaching Progressivism today.
Set up a teleconference about online learning and textbooks.
Received a $14 rebate debit card in the mail.
Fixed the stroller my wife busted, and expected to be busted for good. In seconds.
Made my kids a play bow to hunt for dinner with.
In the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day". Remember the positive when the world comes crashing down. You are great, and you make a difference. Thanks for reading this.
Got to go to First Watch friday with friends for a department meeting.
Jerry is coming on Thursday to revamp the old kitchen, so I don't have to do it.
70 degree weather when I get home, and the kids out running in it.
Try the software for Air Server, and it worked as described.
Kicked butt teaching Progressivism today.
Set up a teleconference about online learning and textbooks.
Received a $14 rebate debit card in the mail.
Fixed the stroller my wife busted, and expected to be busted for good. In seconds.
Made my kids a play bow to hunt for dinner with.
In the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day". Remember the positive when the world comes crashing down. You are great, and you make a difference. Thanks for reading this.
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