Uppity Women

[butterfly]

I'm currently reading a book called Uppity Women of the Renaissance (part of a series about Uppity Women), which is about 200+ women who Did Things. It's short and conversational but a lot of fun. I'm probably going to search out and read the rest of the books in the series.

Uppity Women is a theme that is becoming increasingly important to me. It's certainly no shock that I like such women -- nearly all of my favorite female characters are ones that upset the status quo. Lois Lane, Vala Mal Doran, Buffy Summers, and Rose Tyler are all female heroines who refuse to play the role of damsel in distress. Atia of the Julii is my favorite character in the two-season series Rome. Kara Thrace qualifies, definitely, but the darker tone of BSG's characterization makes it harder to me to simply identify with her (both of my parents are alcoholics, so she hits my hot buttons). Pointedly, for me, none of these women are afraid of their sexuality and attractiveness. As this is something that I have deep issues with myself, it helps me to find role models in women who don't have those issues.

Also, as my admiration for blatantly uppity women grows, I find my affection for the more subtle movers and shakers to be growing as well. Lana Lang, despite her damsel-in-distress roots, has become a much-loved character of mine on Smallville (she's been kicking serious ass on S6, yet her core character traits all remain in place. Very impressive).

My affection for women is at an all-time high and is still increasing. Though I still enjoy a wide variety of slash pairings, my canon-het meter is registering higher and higher numbers. Is that because of something changing in me or because I'm watching more and more shows where the female characters are being shown to be just as strong as the male ones?

I do know that I've developed more trust and affection for myself recently. That may be related. It's something to think about, regardless.

Comments

[vampireborg.livejournal.com]

I was all concerned about calling jic and waking you up, but since you just posted, not so much. :D

[jic]

Good Morning!

(I neglected to tell Borg that you aren't here.)

[librarianstales.livejournal.com]

I think it is good and healthy to find role models in women. So often media has lacked strong female characters that is is relief to see such a good number now.

Female sexuality can be a tricky thing, even if you ignore personal experience and go for a more modern, general discussion. It has traditionally be a passive thing. While you can see it in other times and cultures, you can really see it in Victorian England and America. Women sexuality depended on a passiveness. Men needed to take care of women because it was thought that they could do and handle many things and that made them both feminine and beautiful.

That vein of thought still exists, but also the idea that sexuality has power. That a sexually attractive woman has a certain power over men and even her fellow women. The idea that a powerful woman, a woman that holds responsibilities, jobs and power in a traditionally male sphere has also evolved. Ironically according to modern society a sexual woman is asking to be victimized (raped) and, at the same time, has the power to screw you over.

I was made fun of a lot as a kid. I was told by the kids in school I was ugly. Ironically I didn't grow up afraid of my looks. I do look good now, quite possibly then too. I almost have a revengish feeling about how I look, like somehow I deserve to look as sexy as hell just to show all those people in middle school what's what. I like to dress in ways that make me look good but don't make me look slutty. Much of what makes someone look sexy, in my opinion, is how they hold themselves, how the walk. I find myself attracted to people that seem filled with a certain amount of self-assurance and confidence. After I got away from those that made fun of me and hurt me in middle school (I went to a private high school) I made a promise to myself to never walk hunched over like I did in middle school. To hold myself with a certain amount of confidence. At the time it was a strategy to avoid be picked on (so I won't look like a victim) but I think it really helped my self esteem over time.

I'm starting to ramble. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this at this point so...er...

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I think it is good and healthy to find role models in women. So often media has lacked strong female characters that is is relief to see such a good number now.

Indeed! I really think that there's a lot more choice out there than there used to be. More choice and fewer stereotypes. More writers writing for people who happen to be women rather than women (who may be people).

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

My affection for women is at an all-time high and is still increasing. Though I still enjoy a wide variety of slash pairings, my canon-het meter is registering higher and higher numbers. Is that because of something changing in me . . . I do know that I've developed more trust and affection for myself recently. That may be related. It's something to think about, regardless.

Definitely related. As your own self confidence grows, so does your willingness to explore fictional relationships in which you can identify more strongly with one of the participants.

Slash has its charms, but you'll never be a gay man, and your subconscious probably took comfort in that, thus allowing you to enjoy the intimacy of those 'ships without any direct danger of picturing yourself in the role of either character. I think that, as well as the taboo aspect which often gives the characters involved an excuse -- or even a reason -- to hesitate, is why slash is so popular with women.

Human beings like a good story of forbidden love, and in the twenty-first century we have an increasingly shrinking base for such stories, which is good in the sense of freedom and equality, but somewhat problematic for the creative arts.

For you, I think it's all about the bonds characters form, as well as the things they discover about themselves. This is why your fandom work shines -- you really form a connection with the characters. You'll always be drawn to compelling relationships between characters, and they don't need to be sexual to capture your attention. I think you will find that as your self-confidence grows, you will enjoy shipping characters with whom you have an increasing number of similarities, because fandom is very personal to you.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Definitely related. As your own self confidence grows, so does your willingness to explore fictional relationships in which you can identify more strongly with one of the participants.

Amusingly enough, though, in my favored het pairings, I actually tend to identify more with the guy. Though that, too, may be connected more with my (very) distanced relationship with any sort of 'female attractiveness' that I may or may not have. I can identify with traditional feminine emotions and vulnerabilities, but the sexual confidence that Vala (Lois Lane, Buffy, etc) shows is much more foreign to me than the awkwardness of Daniel when people may (or may not) be flirting with him.

However (and this is something that strongly supports your argument), I have also, in the past, had a strong negative reaction to female characters who displayed that awkwardness (most notably Willow). I could forgive a fault in a male character where I couldn't in a female, and that was, I believe, most definitely rooted in my inability to forgive myself. As I've healed parts of my own damage, I've found so much more understanding for the Willows of the world.

For you, I think it's all about the bonds characters form, as well as the things they discover about themselves. This is why your fandom work shines -- you really form a connection with the characters. You'll always be drawn to compelling relationships between characters, and they don't need to be sexual to capture your attention. I think you will find that as your self-confidence grows, you will enjoy shipping characters with whom you have an increasing number of similarities, because fandom is very personal to you.

Fandom is definitely intensely personal to me. It's where I tend to focus my emotional energy. I was talking to jic about that -- I shy away from strong emotions in actual relationships with people, but fully and completely embrace them in a fictional setting. She opined that there was a degree of safety in that and I very much agree. But, over time, I am forcing (allowing) myself to share more and more, even in person. But watching the vast variety of shows and relationships that I do is helping me to form conclusions on what kind of risks are worth taking.

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

I admire the heck out of you for that -- real humans terrify me.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Real humans are the scariest thing ever. And I am not even kidding in the slightest. But I have my heroes -- Rose, Lois, Buffy, etc. -- and I wanna be brave like they are. Which means trying to take those chances, no matter how blindingly terrified I may be of the consequences.

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

If you like that series read the Wild Women series by Autumn Stephens - very well researched and entertaining. (I worked with her years ago and she was an amazing person)

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Women-Curmudgeons-Completely-Corsetless/dp/0943233364/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2187861-3194401?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174754283&sr=1-1

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

even her biography is wry

http://www.conari.com/authors/author_detail.jsp?supplier_id=20

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think that I'll go add that to my wish list.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

I am always glad to see such awesome women characters on tv today. The thing with het for me is I have always hated the assumption that you identify with the female character always and slash offers a nice rest from that. But it's really about identifying with whoever you relate to in that moment and I like being able to love, relate to and admire to men and women.

I'd recommend watching The Office. There are some great female characters and het relationships there of all varieties. I feel the same way in terms of developing more liking of myself lately and the show has really helped me with that.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Indeed! I've been shipping many het couples recently, but it isn't always the female character that I identify most with (very noticably in the Daniel/Vala pairing, where Daniel is definitely my POV character).

I've heard some interesting things about The Office. What is the show actually about?

[anoel.livejournal.com]

Well obviously it all takes place in an office and to my eyes the main theme is how you find the fun in life when you have a boring job. The main four pillars of the show are Michael who is the offensive, bad boss who really just wants a family which he looks for in people he works for, Dwight who is the authority obsessed, weird one (but who you can't help but love), Jim the office prankster and Pam his accomplice who win most people over with their cutest. The latter are the ones made for the audience to identify with but a big part of the show is the rest of the supporting cast who all have unique but relatable quirks. All of the relationships for the most part are handled very well on the show, I can't help but love all the canon couples. Not only that but its absolutely hilarious in a very smart way so you can watch it multiple times. I highly, highly recommend it at least to try out especially S2.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I'll add it to my netflix queue! At least the first disc, to see if I like it. Human relationships are among the things that I find most fascinating, so the show sounds as if it may be a good fit.

[szeretni.livejournal.com]

"My affection for women is at an all-time high and is still increasing. Though I still enjoy a wide variety of slash pairings, my canon-het meter is registering higher and higher numbers. Is that because of something changing in me or because I'm watching more and more shows where the female characters are being shown to be just as strong as the male ones?

I do know that I've developed more trust and affection for myself recently. That may be related. It's something to think about, regardless. "

What you write is scaringly alike my own experience!
This is exactly what I've been feeling the last year or so!

I think that TV IS showing women who are much stronger than they used to be, which is GREAT! I've always identified with men and I think that's one of the reasons (not all the reasons though) that I've liked slash so much and that I've always enjoyed seeing male interaction on TV.

The more we can see strong women on TV and movies, the more it will be accepted. :) I see it as a good evolution and it's more equal. :)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

The more we can see strong women on TV and movies, the more it will be accepted. :) I see it as a good evolution and it's more equal.

Definitely. And it's a very exciting development. There are just a whole bunch of very strong women out there right now, having interesting interactions not just with male 'love interests' but with other female characters.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! I like the 'Uppity Women' theme.

As my admiration for blatantly uppity women grows, I find my affection for the more subtle movers and shakers to be growing as well
Great call! I've been through a similar journey myself--honing in on female characters, female stories, and coming to a less black and white less cool-versus-boring viewing of female characters. I like the idea of growing compassion for other women, and the way this gets reflected back in affection for oneself.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Great call! I've been through a similar journey myself--honing in on female characters, female stories, and coming to a less black and white less cool-versus-boring viewing of female characters. I like the idea of growing compassion for other women, and the way this gets reflected back in affection for oneself.

There's more of a spectrum of coolness than I ever saw before. I remember what a huge shock it was to me, to come back to Smallville in the beginning of S6 and realize that I liked Lana. I find her character interesting, strong, and with her own sense of personal integrity. And I couldn't see any of those things in her the last time that I was watching the show (circa the beginning of S4). But when I've gone back now and rewatched the episodes, her character hasn't done any kind of massive switch in characterization. There were just parts of her that I didn't see, because all I saw was 'the girl', the one that all the boys love, and I dismissed her.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Ha! Yes, I know what you mean. It's quite frightening really. To realise that I dismissed her, and characters like her, in the past. Watching Friday Night Lights now, I've found myself starting to similarly dismiss the character of Lyla, but have stopped myself from doing so completely.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I know! All those women that just weren't loud enough for me to pay attention to. But I'm listening now and that's a start.