GIRLdrive Discussion Board

Antonia's Take on Sex and the City

2008-06-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

First of all, I don’t think the film or the show represent a singular definition of female experience in general--which I think is to their merit--because they include four distinctive female characters with unique situations and perspectives on relationships. The structure of a show allows for lack of resolution (as a ploy to have you tune in next week) that turns out to be more realistic and poignant in my view. But I think the movie dealt with the burden of tying things up at the end quite well as each character’s story promoted a different kind of happiness and fulfillment, with Carrie getting married, and Samantha ending her relationship, both of which was right for them as individuals, and neither of which was promoted as an answer for all women.

The goal of Sex and the City as I see it is to be a contemporary relatable comedy of relationship issues from certain female perspectives. Towards this end, it will define familiar types of people and situations that at worst are cliché and at best are moving and funny, but that I don’t personally find offensive. For example, one complaint might be that it presents a view of women as materialistic. Again, because I don’t think the show tries to be representative of ALL women, I don’t think the show is insinuating that ALL women are materialistic. It even includes Miranda as a counterpoint to the fashion craziness of the other characters, and each of the other characters has personal depth that complicates their materialistic inclinations. Evenso, I don’t think there is anything wrong with taking pleasure in material things in the first place, and in my personal experience, women tend to revel in these things more often then men do. I mean, if I look at myself, 75% of the physical things in the apartment are mine while Matt is more of an ascetic, and I know many women that appreciate visual and material things and many men who don’t even notice them, so I don’t think this is a negative or inaccurate picture to paint at all. And for the sake of visual interest in the medium of television, these extravagances make for a more pronounced aesthetic experience anyhow.

Matt's Take on "Sex and the City"

2008-06-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

****Warning: SPOILERS!!!******

I found some of the portrayal of women in Sex and the City to be kind of offensive. The general impression I got from most of the characters (the redheaded lawyer one being the exception) was that women are vapid, self-absorbed and capable of self-reflection only when pushed by others (which isn't really self-reflection after all, is it?). Why is it that Mr. Big realizes his big mistake just minutes after he leaves his wedding, while it takes Carrie the rest of the movie to see that she was insensitive to real concerns of his that he had tried to express well in advance? Jeeze, that's kind of depressing isn't it? Now given, I didn't have the context of the rest of the relationship from the ealier TV series, but this plotline struck me as particularily negative.

I was also concerned that the movie itself never really showed the women working. The women seem to be materialistic (which in itself if not neccessarily a bad thing) yet how they work to get the money for the designer clothes and whatnot its never portrayed - only referenced in passing. Is looking fabulous, having a lot of social capital and being witty really the key to life? Well, the underlying plot pieces would suggest "no". But if that is not the key to life, why is so much screen time devoted exactly to this?

Finally, don't even get me started about how racist the Jennifer Hudson plot line was. Ms. Hudson (the only black character, btw) comes in as Mammy to help poor old Ms. Parker's Scarlett O'hara put the pieces of her life back together. What does Mammy get in return? A Louis Vuitton purse ("Uh-huh, that's right girl, I got me a real Louis") and a pat on the back to go back to St. Louis (read, poor black city) and marry that black boy from back home. Nevermind that Carrie doesn't seem to impart any of her knowledge of the city or being a successful author to Mammy. Sorry, there's no place for Mammy in NYC - better go back home with your souvenir.

Mid-Week Maintenance: The Virgin

2008-06-01T19:07:00.001-07:00

Do you think the concept of virginity can be useful or relevant?

2008-06-01T19:06:00.001-07:00

Can you think of an equivalent way to describe ones first sexual experiences that would revise our culture's "aggresor-gatekeeper" dynamic?

CAROLINE

2007-12-21T13:20:00.001-08:00

1) What do you think of holistic and homeopathic methods of medical treatment? Do you think they will always inherently be thought of as "feminized"?

2007-12-21T13:19:00.001-08:00

2) Do you agree with the idea that for women to get ahead, they have to "join em, then beat em later"? Should a woman beat the system by playing by its rules, or create her own rules first?

LAUREN

2007-12-21T13:15:00.001-08:00

1) How important is the separation of church and state to the concept of feminism? Is it possible to fit in a feminist agenda in the midst of a Christian state?

2007-12-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

2) Do you think you can be pro-life and be a feminist?

ALICJA

2007-12-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

1) Young women frequently choose women rock musicians as their role models, often projecting feminist ideals onto unwilling participants. Alicja scoffs at the idea that her gender should be such a big deal as a rock musician, noting that she would not give special attention to a female fan. How does a fan reconcile between her (sh)ero worship and such a reality check?

KATE

2007-11-29T16:14:00.002-08:00

1) Do you agree that there are problems with, as Kate calls it, “the non-profit industrial complex”? What are they? How about Planned Parenthood in particular?

2007-11-29T16:14:00.001-08:00

2) How does anarchism conflict or coalesce with your understanding of feminism? What might be a reason for perceived male-domination in this sphere of progressive politics?

NOEL

2007-11-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

1) Do you agree with Noel, that the future of feminism should include a more flexible interpretation of gender?

INGRID

2007-11-20T22:04:00.001-08:00

1) Do you think there is value in rejecting classic texts written by men and instead incorporating women's and feminist's voices?

CARMEN AND YASMINE

2007-11-19T16:23:00.001-08:00

1) Do you agree with Yasmine’s assessment that when women claim to be “humanist,” it is a direct result of being afraid to confront sexism?

ABBY AND GINGER

2007-11-17T19:18:00.002-08:00

1) Is the (often spiritual) search for capital T truth incompatible with forming nuanced ideas about gender and inequality?

2007-11-17T19:18:00.001-08:00

2) Why are hairy legs automatically equated with feminism? Does this stereotype need to be reworked, or des it make sense?

KRISTA

2007-11-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

1) As a teacher, Krista sees damaging behavior forming for girls early on in school. How can teachers and schools help combat the frequent act of girls "playing dumb" without encouraging young women to form equally corrosive patterns of overachieving and perfection fears?

TEXAS ACTIVISM

2007-11-17T08:37:00.001-08:00

1) What do you think of Laurie's omission of the term "feminist" on Capitol Hill? Is this a necessary step to furthering a feminist agenda in a conservative environment? Or is it a relinquishing of power to those that villify the term "feminist" in the first place?

BIG STAR BURLESQUE

2007-11-17T08:35:00.001-08:00

1) What do you think are the differences in connotation between stripping and burlesque? Do you agree with the troupe that it is a feminist act?

MELODY and MANA

2007-11-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

1) Is the future of feminism to be found in the blogosphere and on the internet? How important has connecting through the web been to forming your identity and ideas?

MONICA

2007-11-12T18:44:00.001-08:00

1) Monica expressed a desire to "make my house all pretty and plant flowers, just sit and drink and not have to bust my ass." Do you agree with her that these goals are in conflict with feminism?

2007-11-12T18:43:00.001-08:00

2) How do you feel about women in the military? Does joining it have anything to do with feminism?

SZOKE

2007-11-12T18:42:00.001-08:00

1) What do you think of women's position in the service industry? Is it empowering or degrading or a little bit of both?

SIMAN

2007-11-08T13:36:00.001-08:00

1) Do you agree with Siman, that gender equality is not necessarily a priority when "your entire culture is under attack"?

2007-11-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

2) Do you think that there are innate qualities or skills that men and women do better or differently, as Siman said?

JOANNA

2007-11-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

1) What do you think of the connection between sexuality and feminism? Why do you think a younger generation relates more easily to Joanna's philosophy about sex and femininity than previous generations, feminist or not?

BECKY

2007-11-04T10:59:00.001-08:00

1) How and when do you think women’s studies should be taught? Should it be a required class in high school?

2007-11-04T10:58:00.001-08:00

2) Do you agree with Becky, that women who don’t consider themselves feminists are “masochists”? Should negative connotations matter when self-identifying?

KRISTEN MARILISA, SHANNON

2007-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

1) What do you think of men being part of a feminist movement? Would this require a redefinition of society’s gender roles in general?

LOS ANGELES LADIES: Culture and Tradition

2007-11-02T23:18:00.001-07:00

1) How does an American woman reconcile the double standard in many traditional cultures? Can you be a feminist and still believe in different rules of conduct for men and women?

LOS ANGELES LADIES: Women and the "biz"

2007-11-02T23:14:00.001-07:00

1) Is feminism directly connected to confidence level, like Anna says? Do you need to "believe in yourself" in order to call yourself a feminist?

2007-11-02T23:12:00.000-07:00

2) How accurately are young women represented in film and television shows? What kinds of women would you like to see more of in movies?

LIANA

2007-10-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

1) What do you think about the tradition of a woman changing her name when she gets married? How does it relate to feminism?

JERLINA

2007-10-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

1) What do you think of the concept of ecofeminism? Do you see the enviroment and nature as inextricable from women's issues?

BEA

2007-10-27T14:49:00.001-07:00

1) How important is the idea of “women-only” spaces when pertaining to the trans community? Where do you draw the line?

2007-10-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

2) Do you think violence is an issue that could inspire young women to participate in a new women’s movement?

REBECCA AND JANE

2007-10-26T10:00:00.001-07:00

1) How does pornography fit into the goals of feminism? Is porn inherently degrading for women? What do you think of the concept of “feminist porn”?

2007-10-26T09:59:00.001-07:00

2) Is taking a leadership role in a profitable industry a feminist move regardless of whether you may or may not agree with the ideals of pornography? How much does economic power have to do with combatting sexism?

2007-10-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

3)If a woman wants to be dominated in bed, does this have anything to do with her feminism? To what extent should fantasies extend to your political and social beliefs?

ROXANNE

2007-10-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

1) What feminist issues do you think are particular to rural women?

CAREY

2007-10-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

1) Should feminism's success be measured in women's careers, and must you have a career if you are educated?

2007-10-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

2) How do you reconcile wanting to preserve classic theater while still realizing that most female characters in such plays are flat and powerless?

SPRINAVASA

2007-10-23T00:14:00.001-07:00

1) Do you think Sprina is right, that conflicts between white women and women of color are diminishing, and that an alliance between all racial groups is possible?

2007-10-23T00:13:00.001-07:00

2) As Sprina said, many young women don’t directly experience professional discrimination early on. Young women are in fact making more money than men in some cities. Do you think this is one of the reasons that young women don’t relate to feminism?

ANDI

2007-10-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

1) Do feminist magazines have a special responsibility to counter degrading material of popular women's magazines? Is their a way to be an empowering publication for women that doesn't have a "feminist" centered agenda?, or are the missions by default intertwined?

2007-10-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

2) What do you think of the idea of reclaiming words like "bitch" and activities like stripping? Does one really "choose their choice?" Is that feminist?

COLLEEN

2007-10-22T23:56:00.002-07:00

1) Do you think sororities, despite their reputation, have the ability to empower women and create a climate of sisterhood? Can a sorority be a feminist space?

2007-10-22T23:56:00.001-07:00

2) Feminist artists have often used their own body as a site of discourse and meaning. Why do you think self-portraits are so important to women-made art?

GINA & BANJI

2007-10-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

1) Watch Gina’s butch-femme video and answer Question 1:
Because many butch lesbians are transitioning into becoming transmen, Team Gina tells us in the video that it’s important to preserve the “hotness” of the butch aesthetic. Is something lost as this community transforms their gender identities?

2007-10-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

2) Is it more productive to engage in identity politics or, as Banji feels, to be a “pyramidist?”

CARLA

2007-10-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

1) As Emma wondered, do you think it’s possible for pop culture to embrace a rebellious female musician that isn’t either eye candy or a publicity stunt?

2007-10-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

2) Carla told us that she thinks we need to create a new word for feminism. Do you agree or disagree?

SHELBY

2007-10-19T18:14:00.003-07:00

1) Do you think the self-discovery side of feminism is stifled by pressures on educated young women, like Shelby, to immediately start a career?

2007-10-19T18:14:00.001-07:00

2) Why is the feminist history of Wyoming forgotten by many of its residents?

2007-10-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

3) To what extent is using your sex appeal degrading? empowering? Is it feminist to use sex for power?

MELODEE, CRYSTAL, KRYSTAL

2007-10-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

1) Crystal said that the future of feminism should include getting rid of the expectation of the “superwoman”—accepting that women don’t HAVE to do everything. Do you agree with this?

2007-10-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

2) As a feminist, do you have a responsibility to organize locally or get involved with your community, particularly a community in dire need of help?

CARMEN AND SARAH

2007-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

1) What is the relationship between feminism and industrialization? What kind of feminism is bred in an industrial city like Detroit?

2007-10-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

2) Sarah told me that feminism needs to be based both in community organizing and personal happiness. Which do you think is most important?

2007-10-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

3) Do you think that feminism has drifted away from a collective conversation and more toward pursuance of personal goals?

ISIS, VIOLETA, ZOE, ALE

2007-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

1) Isis and Violeta talked about having to choose between identifying first as a woman or first as an African-American (and that choosing whether to support the misogynist hip hop community is a prime example). Discuss

2007-10-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

2) Is there a difference between women’s organizations and feminist organizations? Should there be a distinction?

2007-10-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

3) In order to be a feminist, do you have to be doing something about it, like Ale believes? Or is living out the concepts of power and equality enough?

RACHEL

2007-10-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

3) What do you think is the future of women in theater/comedy? Why is it that there are few straight women comedians that don’t rely on their sex appeal?

2007-10-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

2) Is being "one of the guys"? empowering or frustrating? Or both?

2007-10-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

3) Why is women comedian sometimes unattractive to men? Is being funny in opposition to being sexy?

MARIA

2007-10-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

1) Maria Garcia’s organization “GirlBad” was named as a post-“riot grrl” incarnation, and riffs off the popular myth that girl rock musicans are “bad girls.” Tounge in cheek as it is, is this cliché a limiting stereotype, or a cause celebre?

2007-10-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

2) Do women in rock need their own showcases and venues to advance? Is creating a “safe space,” such as Ladyfest does, productive in raising women’s visibility in music, or does it only suceed in creating a sense of sisterhood and bonding for the band’s involved? Which is more important or is there a conflict?

2007-10-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

3) Is religion automatically in conflict with feminism, and how? Or why not?

2007-10-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

4) How does one reconcile cultural traditions with modern feminism?

KEMI AND ELIANNE

2007-10-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

1) As a woman of color who has accomplished a lot, should one feel the responsibility of representing a type of feminism? Shoule one feel like they should have to "speak" for other women of color?

2007-10-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

2) Both Kemi and Elianne interpreted feminism’s home in academia. Is feminism an academic thing, and does one need to know the vocabulary to be a feminist?

2007-10-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

3) Ours is one of the first generations that has been raised with the idea that we can “do it all”—have a career, babies, and a life partner at the same time. Both Kemi and Elianne agree that, feminist or not, this goal is kinda unrealistic. Do you agree, and are you not a feminist if you choose not to work?

ROADTRIPPING SCHEDULE-WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW!

2007-10-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

We'll go where the road takes us.

If you invite us, we'll try and be there!!!

(if gas prices stop rising, that is)

2007

October 8-10: Twin Cities
October 12-14: Detroit and Flint
October 15-17: Wyoming/Idaho/Montana--en route to Seattle
October 18: Yellowstone
October 19: arrive in Seattle
October 20: Seattle day, Portland night
October 21: Portland
October 22: Portland day, San Francisco night
October 23-25: San Francisco
October 25: night Santa Cruz
October 26-28: Los Angeles
October 29-30: San Diego (stopping in Claremont the 29th early afternoon)
October 31: Las Vegas
November 1: Grand Canyon
November 2-4: Tuscon/Phoenix
November 4-5: Santa Fe/Galeisto
November 6-7: drive through Colorado
November 8-9: Kansas City
November 9-10: Saint Louis
November 10: Tulsa
November 11-14: Austin
November 14-16: New Orleans/Baton Rouge (spending the night in Mobile, AL on the 16th)
November 17: Memphis
November 18-19: Nashville
November 20: Raleigh
November 21-December 10: New York City (Thanksgiving)!
December 10-January 5: Recuperation time: Nona in her New York home & Emma in her Chicago home

2008
January-June: Chicago home-base (Thanks for moving Nona!).

Weekend trips to Madison, Milwaukee, Gary, NYC.
March 16: Nona speaks at the Left Forum in NYC
March 31: Emma speaks at A.I.R. feminist art conference in NYC
June 20-July 4: NYC

June 27-29: Philly

June 29-July 1: DC
July 2-August 12: Chicago; Weekend trips tentatively to south Michigan, Omaha, Fargo, Sioux Falls, Bloomington, and other choice spots of the greater Midwest.

August 13-31: MASSachusets, here we come: Camp Kinderland (13, 14), Northampton (15), Providence (16), Boston (17-18), Provincetown and Cape Cod (19-31)

August 31-Sept 30: Chicago

Sept 30-October 15: California: San Fran, Berkeley, Santa Cruz...

2006-12-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

blue line 12noon

blue line 5pm

blue line 2pm front off the train

blue line 11pm back of the train

goldstar 12midnight

goldstar 8pm

goldstar 4pm

Observational sketch part 3

2006-12-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

Sad

Baby

Old man

Mysterious

Odd clothes

El train and Gold Star

2006-09-29T22:41:00.000-07:00