Kristen and I had a discussion last night about social justice. In 1808 it became ulawful to import slaves from foreign countries to the United States. Isn't that wonderful?
Why does Mendon mention this, that's not social justice? you may ask.
That's exactly my point.
Kristen was thinking about writing a paper about the "American hijab" (i.e. the repressive dress code that is expected of our women).
For those of you who don't know, she is a women's studies major. Largely, there's a lot of angry women involved in this... from what I gather she seems to be studying the science of blame, occasionally I feel assaulted for being male.
I suggested that if she were going to explore what our culture's values of women's dress is that she might also consider exploring the justice system. at the lowest level (and highest) this is how we enforce our cultural expectations (I did not think to mention how media portrays women but should... think of the actors who are our favorites. when was the last time that Ellyn Burstyn, Meryl Streep, or Jennifer Connely was cast in a character that truly allowed them to express their talent? seems like Requiem for a Dream was it).
This led me to start thinking about social justice. Ironically, I've discovered something that is going to be really annoying. Social Justice as a concept that provides equity before the law for everyone did not exist prior to the Revelation of the B�b. If I'm correct, women were first granted the right to vote in New Zealand in 1846 (I think these were the first women to be 'suffered'). And, even then, still were not viewed as equal (they're still not).
Furthermore, I started thinking about the state of Christianity. Some would claim that it's been the Christians who have, largely, promoted the advancement of women but it hasn't been. In the case of the United States it was the very bigots themselves who opposed such growth that have spurred it and even passed legislation on it. And, the largest advancements have made way due to the rise of evil such as world wars one and two. Men were forced to give way to the women's uprising because of the dire nature of the situations. These were not social choices, for which many take undue credit, these are the manifestations of something that could, if attributed to anyone, only be attributed to the hungry, oppressed women who fought for them. I wonder how many of them would say that they were encouraged to push men to give them what was theirs by a patriarchal social and religious structure?
There is a short film that I just happen to own that approaches the idea of how media affects social norms for dress, body size etc.
Next time you come we will watch it. Or maybe you saw it with Mommy? There is a book in the book store titled Fat?So! I think it's pretty charming, though sad that we need something like that as counterculture stuffs to what we are inundated by daily.
Rae, which film is that? There are several.
Mensch, I'm having trouble following you around the page. Help me out?
Picture Perfect
Posted by: Rae at September 6, 2004 11:27 PM