Good morning everyone! Or good-whatever-time-of-day-you're-reading-this.
I definitely enjoyed these readings much more than I expected, not only because of the fluidity in the content, but also because the content was funny, relatable, and got me thinking about much bigger things than just fart jokes: like why don't men like women who make fart jokes? Fey and Gret both discuss this, with little attention to the actual farts and focusing on the jokes.
Fey uses her own experience to show the problem of men attempting to restrain women and keep them within a designated sphere with a flat character, while Grey explains the same thing on a larger scale with examples of other women stars and the common woman rebelling against the harsh protocols placed onto them. Both of them show that comedy is what ties all people together, without gendered borders... or it should be.
It was refreshing to hear a feminist view that wasn't aggressive or overbearing. In the age of the internet, I'm sure we've all seen one or more of the "angry feminists" who only give a bad reputation to those taking a less explosive route.
I think the way they are approaching this is the key to its success. As I said, the classic "angry feminist" is essentially an overly animated version of what they hate the most, others pushing their beliefs and ideas on proper gender behavior onto others. Force and anger rarely solve anything - unless you're a tyrannical emperor, but even then you run the risk of being murdered.
I am in no way saying we do not need women advocating for women, obviously because of my support for our authors for the week, but I do believe, as they have explained and shown, there is a right and a wrong way to go about looking for equality, whether it be humor or general.
Regardless, Fey and Grey definitely take the best route to explain that women can act how they want and the ground won't split and release demons to destroy the earth. If anything, it just means there will be more fart jokes and everyone wins then.
Also in support of our wonderful SNL women, please enjoy these clips of some of my favorite skits.
Period Jokes
Joke Off
Mom Jeans
Hi Krista! In regards to your statements on "angry feminists", I completely agree with you. I feel as though in today's society whenever most people, and sometimes even myself, here the word "feminist", the instantly think of them being angry. I agree with you that Fey and Grey took the best route in advocating for women without seeming single minded or too forceful. I really enjoyed reading through your blog post and your thoughts on some of the readings!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Mom Jeans skit! You know what's actually kind of funny is that now "mom jeans" are actually trendy? Who would've thought that would happen and when will it stop? Haha I do agree that certain types of Feminism can be intimidating when they take the explosive route, but just to play devil's advocate and to make you think: isn't the idea that Feminism shouldn't be aggressive or overbearing a bit oppressive to women in and of itself? I definitely don't agree with anyone forcing their views on another person, but where does this idea of the "Angry Feminist" come from in the first place? To me, it stems from the oppressive patriarchal view that women should not be angry, aggressive, or overbearing. It seems to say that there are good Feminists and bad Feminists (similar to the idea of good girl vs bad girl that Dr. Hanrahan has taught in some of her classes), that Feminism is okay but only if it isn't too intrusive, that women don't need to be silent but if we're too loud than that's not okay either. I agree that force rarely is the solution to a problem, but I also think that perpetuating the view that Feminists need to be well-behaved or not too overbearing to further the aim of Feminism can be harmful to the cause and actually just plays into some of the presumptions and oppressive ideas about women that have been set into place by men/the patriarchy.
ReplyDeleteGreat links, Krista. And I am glad you see how Fey and other women writers can use humor as a strategy/alternative to anger.
ReplyDeleteBut I will push back a little (a lot?) and say anger can be really productive and that denying women that expression is, as Elisha says, reinforcing patriarchal ideas. (I know you aren't saying women shouldn't ever be angry.)
Of course, I write this as people are very angry and protesting racial violence and oppression. History shows, of course, that social change--badly needed social change--often only happens when people are pushed to anger. It's sad and sometimes scary, but true.
Also, women are often called "angry" when they aren't. But I could go on and on here. ;)
Oh--and, of course, what about angry humor from women? Lots of people HATE that, even as they love angry male comedians. It's all really complicated.
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