This is What a Feminist Looks Like March 26, 2008 Jill In case you didn’t already love America Ferrara, Amy Brenneman, Larry David and Alison Janney enough: via.
Good gods that is awesome. That has the feline seal of approval. Not that it means anything, but there you go.
But it would be so nice if someone said “Isn’t it interesting that in order to talk about feminism at all, we have to talk about what we LOOK like?”
thanks so much for posting this! although HUGE faux pas in the music credits, it’s ANI Difranco, not Annie!!
Thomas: I prefer to remember him as druggie-philosopher Charles De Mar in Better off Dead… “I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy. I know high school girls.” Quick pop culture question, though: how do people still know who Lisa Loeb is?
I agree with “prefer not to say”… I like the video a LOT, I really do, but it is funny that most of it is about what we look like, and it would be nice to have that addressed, though I know that would pretty much kill the whole mainstream appeal. I was pleased to see some guys in there; I know a lot of people don’t like Michael Moore now, but I still do and have admired his work for years, and Larry David saying he is a feminist but still likes to wear makeup made my day. And I also like the idea that calling yourself a feminist is acknowledging the gratitude you feel for the work of those who came before you — I have often thought of it in part that way, but never heard it put so succinctly.
I want to know why stuff like this jerks out my tears? Is it because not enough of us will stand together? And I think it comes to “what we look like” because so many people may feel a certain way, but there’s still a stigma or odd sense of shame–like coming out of the closet as a “feminist”. Never understood why, even though I was there for a while myself when in a male-dominated field. It was hard to admit it to myself, and the first step in saying I’m a feminist took me to another place of putting myself in that category and feeling pride. That pride made me change my life around. So yeah, it comes down to looks in the fact that we have to show ourselves and stand together.
camryn manheim also rocking it, and wasn’t that rob reiner (aka meathead?) and great music by the inestimable ani as well. 🙂
I actually love seeing the people in the video repeat “This is what a feminist looks like!” because everyone in the video looks different.
Nice! I love Rob Reiner, even if he makes bad movies sometimes. That said, let me the bean-counter-in-residence and mention there were no obviously-disabled people in the video.
I was torn between having my heart warmed and resenting the fact that the women had to establish their fondness for beauty rituals and assure us of their fab sex lives…although I suppose those tactics were employed to reach a wider audience.
That made my day. Seriously, I’m feeling really happy right now. I spent last night so angry and frustrated because I just felt like the world doesn’t get it (and the bf playing devil’s advocate didn’t help either). I want this video to be on TV. Maybe some people will roll their eyes, but maybe some people will actually think about it and join in. I don’t want to be angry and frustrated. I want to be happy and proud of who I am and what I stand for, and I don’t want to have to explain when things are sexist and when they’re not, and I don’t want to be put down because I claim the word and other women (and men) don’t. I really wish I could be part of another wave of feminism (or a tsunami, maybe) just because I feel like I really missed out on the first three and I want to make a contribution to changing the world today. Anyway, thank you again for posting this.
redblossom: I really don’t think they were establishing their sex lives or beauty rituals to grab more viewers’ attention – it’s sending a MESSAGE! That you don’t have to resort to changing who you *are* to be a feminist! I can be be feminine, wearing my make-up and short skirt, and still be a feminist. I have the power to engage in sexual activity with whoever I want because it’s my right as a person. It’s not about appearances or anything of the sort, it’s about a state of mind… Hence the term “THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE” – it’s kind of a slap in the face to ‘ideals’ that comes with being a feminist – anyone can be a feminist.. no matter how good your sex life is, or whether or not you shave your legs, or whether you’re male or female. Equality means *treating* someone as an equal instead of falling into the typical double standards men and women face every day…