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AGA Roll Call: Pop Goes Feminism

Submitted by Dr. K on June 27, 2006 - 11:24pm.
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Just ripping a cd of mashups that a friend from the club made me this week- crazy stuff- "Pray for Pop" is a mashup of Duran Duran, Prince, Madonna, and MC Hammer!

Got me thinking. We are all literally immersed in pop culture. As feminists, how do you handle it?

For example, there's a lot of music out there that I love, and a lot that I hate; some of it's even offensive to me. Yet, I admit, sometimes I love to dance to a song when I know I probably wouldn't like the group if I ever met them.

What goes for music goes for tv shows, movies, and books, too.

I find it interesting that I've never been very excited by "feminist" media: Mists of Avalon does little for me, Ani & her ilk can be incredible singers, but I don't own the cds and haven't seen a show since 97, etc.

Write About:
Does being a "good" feminist require engaging feminist media? Is one a "bad" feminist if one does not? Do you decide you like a piece of media after you determine how feminist it is, or before?

And how does one decide? Is Buffy the Vampire Slayer a good feminist program b/c it showcases a girl kicking ass, or is it a bad feminist program b/c the girl is slender, white, blonde, and middle-class?

I am curious, and I don't usually get to have a discussion about this w/a bunch of women. What do you think?

Tag your post with "AGA Roll Call: Pop Culture." If you're a reader here, talk about women and strength in comments or at the All Girl Army forums, or a link to your thoughts on the issue at your own blog or journal in the comments here.

To read our writer's responses to this call as they come in, click here.

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I've had trouble with this

Submitted by Andrea on June 27, 2006 - 11:50pm.

I've had trouble with this issue, too. Because while I'll always like feminist/independent media, like for instance, Sleater-Kinney, I still dance to things that blatantly insult women - because that's what clubs play.

And I do feel like a hypocrite, shouting women's rights but then feeling moved to dance by something that uses the word "bitches" one too many times...but I think ultimately, i'm calmed by the fact that the only way i'll ever *truely* be perpetuating a message like that, is if I use my dollars on their CDs/shirts/merchandise - which I use, instead, on things I feel OK supporting. (This is also why I think piracy is an angel in disguise.) It may be a cheap way of justifying it, but it makes me feel a bit better.

I also try to find happy mediums, because they are out there. Le Tigre is the best dance music there is...Northern State can rap like crazy, and Missy Elliot is a saint.

As for shows like Buffy, and even the Spice Girls, I think they're a great start. They're taking it one issue at a time, but at least they're doing that much. I would rather have a show about Barbie kicking ass than I would about Barbie shopping and dating Ken.

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Roll Call

Submitted by Dr. K on June 28, 2006 - 12:03am.

Thanks for the thoughts. Just a heads-up, Heather suggested that I move this to a Roll Call- so feel free to craft a longer response if you'd like!

I think the idea of "voting with our dollars" is an interesting one- that we may use media that we rec'v for free that may be less tolerant of women, but that we spend money on things that have a more positive message.

I'll have to think more about it!

Contre tout le monde, je me defendrai...je suis le dernier homme, je le resterai jusqu'au bout! Je ne capitule pas!
- Ionesco, Le Rhinoceros

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