Yeah, I know it’s been a while. Between work and school, I don’t really have a whole lot going on to write about. I can only whine about work for so long, after all.
But, if you irritate me enough, I can muster a little grumble. Today, that honor goes to CafePress for perpetuating tired gender stereotypes. This is a clipping from today’s e-mail:
Of course, there’s nothing actually stopping me from ordering the cool Vitruvian Robot design. I just get so tired of the woman=mother drumbeat and the implication that interests and hobbies have to conform to gender roles. So this one gets filed with my wag of the finger to Target over that solar system canvas.
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I always thought Rosie the Riveter was a cool image.
When the Gender role models revise their personae, the public follows like lemmings. Consider Madonna’s shift from bustier-brandishing tramp to someone who now would appear quite in-character in the Supermom T-shirt. Likewise Angelina and Brittany: female role models all.
BUT there must be some non-stereotypical role models for women, mustn’t there? I was just looking at an Emily the Strange website. Okay, she’s not an actual person, but I see a template for nonconformity there. How about Ani DiFranco (though she’s passe and has been overshadowed by the likes of Ashlee. Paris, and Miley)?
Perhaps, the role-model stereotype is way overdue for a re-invention. Currently, the role model is one of a moneyed and pampered parasite/heiress/celeb-sibling who has already been sold (and has herself bought) into a role of pre-planned “life”wherein every action is calculated and formulated. The life these role models project is one where the individual enjoys the comforts and admiration in exchange for being told exactly what to do, what not to do, and (most importanly of all) not to think or act on any aspect of what is traditionally thought of as being an individual. Why bother blazing a trail? It’s easier just to follow the pattern. Hey–I see it all the time, and I feel your angst (I think there must be some book called “Gay for Dummies” which every gay man save for myself must have committed to memory).
Maybe you yourself represent a good place to start. I’m sure you’re not the only tech-savvy gal out there; and I’m sure many of the others are just as tired of the media-dictated stereotype as you are. I suggest an excellent image might be the female robot Maria from the classic silent film “Metropolis” (she was sexy and led a revolt, but, ultimately I suggested her because I love the image and the film she’s from).