Page 95 - Šolsko polje, XXXI, 2020, 5-6: Teaching Feminism, ed. Valerija Vendramin
P. 95
m. adamović ■ what can we learn about feminism from web portals?
Physical attractiveness and charm are pointed out as crucial in
achieving success which is portrayed as the seduction of a prince and en-
tering the royal family, as is the case with Meghan Markle.
Her beauty and charm seduced even Prince Harry and she managed to get all the
way to the Buckingham Palace. (CF–2)
This thematic framework is not deprived of emphasising the actors’
awareness of gender hierarchy and inherent discrimination; on the con-
trary, it strongly accentuates feminist awareness and activism.
Nine-year-old Meghan participated in the “Nick News” show in 1990, protesting
against sexist commercials … Meghan was included after having written a pro-
test letter explaining that it is wrong for the show to be called an educational pro-
gramme if they’re promoting sexism in their commercials. (CF–1)
When I was arrested in Washington during the protest against the Supreme Court
nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a man who spent his life disrespecting women,
the news headlines weren’t about the protest but about the shirt I was wearing. Even
left-wing female commentators, who completely supported my reasons for protest-
ing, were commenting on how I managed to forget to wear a bra under the white
shirt I wore with my jeans. (CF–2)
Social implications of feminist values are well mirrored by
Ratajkowski’s statement: “Give women the opportunity to be what-
ever they want and learn to accept the differences. Preconceptions be
damned!”; because its message is clearly that female power can be ex-
pressed and strengthened even through one’s relationship with their body.
At the core of that relationship, obviously, are individuality and the feel-
ing of personal empowerment.
If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair
is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose – a choice based
on how they want to feel. (CF–2)
However, accepting this kind of feminist exposure did not result in a
wider understanding of the readers because the social network comments
were mostly focused on the hygiene aspects of women’s relationship with
their bodies, which derogated Ratajkowski’s actions and intentions to the
level of triviality.
The comments mostly focused on the photograph published with the essay, which
featured Emily Ratajkowski with unshaven armpits. (CF–2)
This thematic framework also superficially stresses the class dimen-
sion of the Meghan Markle case: “She grew up in a completely normal
93
Physical attractiveness and charm are pointed out as crucial in
achieving success which is portrayed as the seduction of a prince and en-
tering the royal family, as is the case with Meghan Markle.
Her beauty and charm seduced even Prince Harry and she managed to get all the
way to the Buckingham Palace. (CF–2)
This thematic framework is not deprived of emphasising the actors’
awareness of gender hierarchy and inherent discrimination; on the con-
trary, it strongly accentuates feminist awareness and activism.
Nine-year-old Meghan participated in the “Nick News” show in 1990, protesting
against sexist commercials … Meghan was included after having written a pro-
test letter explaining that it is wrong for the show to be called an educational pro-
gramme if they’re promoting sexism in their commercials. (CF–1)
When I was arrested in Washington during the protest against the Supreme Court
nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a man who spent his life disrespecting women,
the news headlines weren’t about the protest but about the shirt I was wearing. Even
left-wing female commentators, who completely supported my reasons for protest-
ing, were commenting on how I managed to forget to wear a bra under the white
shirt I wore with my jeans. (CF–2)
Social implications of feminist values are well mirrored by
Ratajkowski’s statement: “Give women the opportunity to be what-
ever they want and learn to accept the differences. Preconceptions be
damned!”; because its message is clearly that female power can be ex-
pressed and strengthened even through one’s relationship with their body.
At the core of that relationship, obviously, are individuality and the feel-
ing of personal empowerment.
If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair
is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose – a choice based
on how they want to feel. (CF–2)
However, accepting this kind of feminist exposure did not result in a
wider understanding of the readers because the social network comments
were mostly focused on the hygiene aspects of women’s relationship with
their bodies, which derogated Ratajkowski’s actions and intentions to the
level of triviality.
The comments mostly focused on the photograph published with the essay, which
featured Emily Ratajkowski with unshaven armpits. (CF–2)
This thematic framework also superficially stresses the class dimen-
sion of the Meghan Markle case: “She grew up in a completely normal
93
