gender roles

Feminism an ideology and movement, a striving force and necessity in making global revolution of equality (or it used to be, what is it now?). My philosophical, ethical and ideological ground. Perspectives into making wise revolution: what does it mean.

| Henna Timanttimetsä

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Division, separation, segregation, mutilation, denial, hate, abundance, abandonment.
2.3 Movement, theory and action.
2.4 Unity what could it be?

2.1 Introduction
We, fundamentally biological beings (I’m trying not to be hugely banal about the characterisation of us and biology, us as a species, genders etc., characteristics of what comes to being human as biologically determined form and shape, organic and changing. As we know it, us and nature, which we know, is what often happens, we think we now), are dictated by random events that happen (welfare state is to make the impact of randomness of life less hurtful and cruel, right? Nations are for humans to survive and thrive, not the opposite.) Our lives are up to a point very random still, not to mention the environment and hormones (funny combination but essential); our chemistry and what it makes us feel and do, is a big part of us and our world as is our anatomy, our biological functions, thoughts and needs etc. There are lots of things that dictate us, we just don’t like to admit it as we are not in control, we can be prepared to that hard fact. We like it to look like we are in control and build the structure of control, to control others and have control, things organised, having things done and having made it, give us the power feeling. We know what we are doing. I’m interested in how much power is an illusion and what is power in terms of self-discovery, living and doing in relation to others. Denying biology is the ‘new’ way of empowerment and it is the you can be what you want-ideology, which is a wild thought, thought that we have the ultimate control or want to have control on every aspect there is to being human because we so desire. This issue has come up with transgenderism and in bringing up children, sculpting one’s body to match the inner feelings and desires completely or images seen: this is what I want for me. How it seems to me is this, where we are headed to, towards the utopia of complete control of our bodies and our destiny especially thinking what makes one happy and what we are in the eyes of those who look at us. Feminism has a lot to say about this, lot to say about competition, competing and how opportunities stay open for all that we can make an effort to make it.

Meaning of biology for us is the inseparable and something to dive into constantly which has interested me as an artist: as it does not end, how much part of nature are we and dependable of it, as bodies and minds, to speak of this sounds naive, how come? Without nature there is no us but we like to move away from nature like we were standing on it, as we have no control over it we make shields. Nature is far away as it is the unknown eventful place, in part and for many for most parts we like to be unconnected to this beast we profit from. Nature does not connect with us in suitable, comfortable manner but affects and looks like as a disaster area with which we are ill-prepared to cope which always is a big mistake as we do not know what is ahead of us. Some survive, some don’t. Biology is the unacceptable as it does not do what we want, it eats us. Does this mean we are being alienated from nature completely because it is the easy solution to staying young and good-looking forever and that is what we should want to be powerful? In the making of us there is something I have been wondering what is it all about, what is the making. The very foundation of feminism is that we are equal and we should have equal opportunities as humans but what this means in action and every day is the interesting part and how feminism puts the case of equality forward today in terms of class, ethnicity, origin, looks, wealth, status, work, occupation, education, opinions, in terms of all things that make us different form each other and what does equal mean as we all want and desire to make something of ourselves which brings in the power relation aspect. Equality is a massive task, how it is implemented and understood, it sounds good. Equality, just to say the word is a weird thing and many think as such it is a naive one. What kind of relationship we have with this biology we are born in to, how does biology shape our chances equality-wise is a major issue and can it be altered is the hard question. How we accept ourselves and others, what is the route to acceptance and what we must accept and what not.

Nature has made it we differ much from each other, but we bleed when we hurt. What is equality required and possible in our differences? Living beings share vivid emotional and sensual world which lead us to thinking what separates and unites us. Gender and sex do not dictate intellect, abilities, character nor worth is the feminist idea and good human sense; what do they dictate? Feminism the ideology is to benefit all on grass root level and having choices not to be dictated, monitored and policed. We are more or less feminine, we all have a mother, we all have a relationship to femininity through bodily features still the feminine is under constant attack. Women are the foundation of any society. When women are well taken care of all society is likely to do the same, be and do well. When it is acceptable for a man to walk like a woman, talk like a woman and wear a dress without it being strange we have come closer to gender equality. When a woman can define her femininity, rule her body, sexuality, decide for her life, we are closer to justice and truth. Feminism is diminished down by many men and women as not needed and dead old-­fashioned movement, laughable and unnecessary. If women are not able to have a say over how society should work, as is the case in many countries, then society is not working for all of its members. If women are laughed at because of their sex and because it is seen weak, if they have to be ashamed of their sexuality, if they have to be afraid because they are women, it is a sorry world. If men have to be afraid of female qualities in them we live by macho dream not what is true. What is feminism now is the first and acute question. Who can be and is a feminist? What are the results of feminism and how can it accomplish needed social and cultural changes? Impact of feminism is already all over and pretty fundamental but not yet enough. It is important in this issue at hand to know whether to take a side or not, and on which one side violent gender division exists and is held tightly upon us. Decisions on what to think, how to react, how to judge and whether to judge at all. Gender is by rule problematic, always current and touchy topic where assumptions and given orders apply like an ancient legislation. Society where anything differing from mainstream is an oddity that should be covered up, silenced and removed as indecent and infernal is not living

149

the 21st century nor being on the nerve of things nor wanting equality at all. Sex, gender and sexuality are the most used tools of control. Identity and division are structured and ordered by our traditions. We seek to be accepted, desirable, wake attention, maybe make provocation to make ourselves and be seen. Sexuality is denied as damaging, corrupt, perverted, animal, uncontrollable, destructive force which women hold and use to destroy men, society and themselves. There are tight rules how to be a sexual human being and how to be a good human being. Sex is a taboo to be dealt with not out in the open although it is all over and nothing like ordinary. Still when one glances ads anywhere, music videos and movies anything entertainment industry produces for us to hear and see sexuality is there in the main role and in the very much learned way. It is a way to look, make statement, do business hypnotizing us and our thinking. It is way of selling using our basic needs, fears and prohibitions. We live with sex industry (like it or not) and by which rules business provides guessing what it is people desire and want and it is simple. What do we dream about in high-tech information society consuming, being entertained, sexuality making life a psychological sadistic game at worst. Disapproval and talk make controversy, breaking moral codes make headlines. What is it now, nipples, butt crack breaking the internet, look at the size of it, oh tits. The more we disapprove morals of someone the more controversial the issue gets the more fuel there is to be poured, bigger and bigger when nothing is enough. Press disapproving a racy pop artist’s performance giving her performance lots of space and media coverage, good for her and her manager. Is it disapproving or advertising and also good for the media company? What happens to journalism or us? Middle-­aged women disapproving how young girls walk and dress. Is it regret or concern? What are we concerned about, what do we regret and what do we make of the idea of a young girl and her sexuality, is it a possession and an asset for that girl?

What is behind disapproval is a moral behavior code, gender assumptions, traditions, what is good to do in life and why and who gets to decide. Intolerance, ignorance, religion, narrow­mindedness, worry over corruption of morals, desire to hinder change, fear what one is and showing it and plain fear for the unknown. For many sexuality is the great fright and truly an unknown island. It also makes me wonder why continuously so? Why the big mystery, fear, ridicule, shame and hiding? We desire to be sexually interesting. Most everybody thinks about sex and hopefully has sex. The most controlled sexual being is woman, her pleasure is dangerous. She cannot have it, because it is sinful, impure and evil.

2.2 Division, separation, segregation, mutilation, denial, hate, abundance, abandonment.

World as a whole is very much divided into ideological camps and bunkers which fight each other. People do not either wish to comprehend each other or simply don’t comprehend due to many often irrational reasons dividing us. How that other is thinking and feeling can

150

be a huge task to take into consideration and have interest over. There has to be a strong ideology and movement to defend those who are repeatedly beaten down. Something to call mine because it is personal, political and repetitious. Behavior and patterns which are not stopping until they are stopped. It is a demand and fight for human rights to happen for women, children and men, for indigenous people and other beings. Those who are persecuted because of their gender, ethnicity, background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, difference of any kind and to defend those who cannot defend themselves. In this regard feminism is not a cause for women only ideology and movement with strong barriers around although it is accused of this, rightly so. Camps fighting within feminism is the norm. Women contribute much in welfare in all society starting from home and neighborhoods. Feminism is a necessity and vital opposition against tyranny of corporations and traditions which are creating illusions of perfection and what is right. Feminism is opposition to tyranny of man, tyranny of people as products, against objectification, against one-sided views on color, size, ideologies, values, against tyranny and castles of finance and irrational despotic decision-­making. Women are and have been enslaved to the illusion of perfection, an image in our brain of what woman is, is manipulative, created to eliminate difference, clone personalities, pleasure giving machines and thinking security is found through being desirable. In addition to that women are caretakers, providers, producers of new people biologically, socially, culturally and traditionally. In this sense manipulation is harsh practice, cruel and unjust. Educating girls in to their roles as females, girls, future women, persons and people begin from very young age. We are taught to know, what is our part via our sex. Somebody else knowing what anybody’s place is and meaning in this life is the root of inequality and injustice.

A practice of likable personality is a kind of survivalist plan within patriarchal society. Practices of girliness, manhood and womanhood are to set roles, find security, a heterosexual practice of servitude, obedience and slavery. Woman is foremost a sexual being whose sexuality must be controlled, whose body is a possession and is either holy or cursed, disrespected and impure. Holy only when she does what is expected of her, is agreeable and nice. Situation is such for millions and millions of women. The way out is a hard struggle. Women who do not have a choice but to breed, feed and protect their honor which is also honor of man and family. There are tasks in society given to women on grounds of natural and on grounds of how things have been done before. How women should look like, what are feminine features and things to do. The whole gender issue should be addressed in technological language as women are much seen as objects and machines who are less than. Place of woman falls on her systematically and orderly without much questioning and without many wanting to change that pattern as it is suitable. This is how a factory functions, orderly producing brainwashed products where workers do not have a say. Case in many countries is that women have the part of reproduction and serving, which is fine if it is voluntarily chosen path in someone’s

151

life. Why such control over women is still possible? How the kind of social factory has place anymore? Why woman needs to be put into a position of a dog and why women stay in that given place and when situation changes new problems emerge as men don’t keep up with women? Choices provided by society play a big part in how women manage to solve their lives. Fear of violence, death and abandonment are reasons enough to settle to what other people want. Women who want to decide for themselves to provide for themselves can end up alone. For an uneducated woman it can be a challenge and scary situation to find oneself struggling in a dead-­end. What options are there, how strong are we in this kind of situation or prepared? Religions are dictating position and tasks of women and do not give women power in their lives and let them have bodies of theirs. Women cannot have themselves, especially not themselves. What is the soul of women? By denial and placing fear of punishment religions acknowledge female power within her proving of being afraid of her power. Keeping women uneducated and unaware of their power is a way to rule, but it is also way to keep society from evolving and stopping all people from finding what they could do and express. What she can do with her body and mind is too much to handle. Question is who is not able to control oneself? Maybe chaos and disorder will follow, maybe something no one else hasn’t thought and done before. Interesting is how the feminine and feminine desire realize themselves in this negative, because they are there. Prohibition of expression, suppressed individuality and contempt for the natural sex, incontrollable. Human life and body molded by God’s word, God’s word put in praxis, God’s judgment put in action by people. Dividing good and bad, holy and evil, placing burdens on people because of which sex they happen to be born. Deciding what is what, maybe not knowing the truth but thinking one knows being scared of change. Diminishing and minimising something that is very complex makes complexity even stronger. There are such contradictions in what is said, what happens and what is believed to be true it is no wonder there are conflicts. Contradictions via interpretation, to comprehend and put in order life and the representation of humans, we continue fighting in everyday life because we have free will, visibly. Paradoxes which are difficult to manage, to change and unjust to live by. An overall religious view is to see body and bodily functions as impure especially female ones and the world as such where spirit and soul matter and wander in search of perfection and harmony. It could be as if life is somewhere else all the time, is for someone else, in some other time and we in despair.

2.3 Movement, theory and action.

The word Feminism originates from French Utopian Socialist and Philosopher Charles Fourier 1837, the year of his death. [1.] Words Feminism and Feminist first appeared in public in France and the Netherlands 1872. Claims for women’s rights started to happen at large in action at the end of 19th century and beginning of the 20th century by Suffrage movement in Britain, New Zealand, Australia and in the
152

United States claiming women’s right to vote and stand for parliamentary office. It is still knowing how religions dictate place of women difficult to understand the opposition feminists have faced and face today. The amount of bitter hate and disdain against feminists, women claiming their citizenship and human rights that for some are less than that of men which is God’s punishment and judgment for all women. Feminists have been treated as lunatics and criminals lacking decency. Feminism as something that will pass. Those unattractive misfits, bald angry lesbians who hate men and behave like prostitutes, unattractively angry. Those who fear say anything to put shame on dissidents. Women who don’t and did not fit nor accept the society’s mold of proper, place of woman, continuity of males as kings nor rules of hypocrisy have been self-evidently painted malaise, harmful, insane, ridiculous, hysterical, marginal and difficult. Women who didn’t accept their part as underdogs began a feisty battle which became violent towards feminists. They began peacefully demanding their rights which did not work and they began to break windows. Feminism is first a movement, demonstration and fierce action demanding and fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all. It is a fight for possibilities to choose how to live as an individual with will and mind of one’s own and as a capable decision-making thinking person. Prejudice and historical echoes have made it so that feminism is not mainstream ideology even we are bound to it as a thoroughly society changing and questioning political ideology. It is not all that common to be working class feminist even labor movement is very much women’s and children’s rights movement. Common is to hear celebrities say of not being feminists but. Desire of theirs is to pose as strong women of the business and live as sellable products earning money that being an illusion of having control over their image and being strong is a facade. Powerful yes but how? How scared can one be and how manipulation is strength? It is too common to hear the denial and keeping distance to that odd and hateful religion­-like ideology that want women to be ugly, hating men or something. Ignorance is once again biggest prejudice creator around. Woman is desired as a body that brings joy for someone else but her and to concentrate on staying pretty and desirable as long as you can is one kind of power but is it strength?

After having put action out with positive results groundbreaking feminist theory started to develop and wonder position of women in society thoroughly. Feminist theory is a complex set of ideas on how genders function, are supposed to function, genders and sexes as social and cultural beings and constructions. Feminist theory is much as any academic work working and looking from the middle­ class points of view but is seen as radical movement still. Working class and middle ­class stay separately still and suspicious of each other; can they mix and work together without suspicion and prejudices and why the division is there in the first place, what is the class divide all about? What happens to equality in this picture? It is a vital issue for feminism how classes function and change, how work is seen and defined, paid and appreciated. Which classes will perish, shall there be new ones, what is the meaning of discourse over the class question all together, whom does class system serve and

153

what would world do without distinct separations. Colossal structures of research, work and education are there to be shaken. Working class (which still exists) is too scared to get radical, at least in Finland. Every society has working class of its own kind. Curious is how do they appreciate themselves, are appreciated and what kind of groups get made within. Education and work cultures reflect directly to position of women and rights of labor concern all of women. Feminist theory tends to float inside an academic bubble, thick walls round academies which may scare the common man. Feminist research does not address everyone as doesn’t science as a whole even though it is the meaning of science to be for everyone, serve welfare and the evolving of every man. Elitist academic towers can be isolating and again gaining position can be luring power element in academic competition. Academic position is much respected place to have. To talk only to certain kind of people about social change is an intriguing subject itself, matters of writing and talking but it is not enough to make that change happen at grass root level and be understood that the struggle is the same. Question is how and what message of change is put out, by whom and why? And how a change could be pursued if groups of people do not communicate with each other? It is clear change required does not happen within middle­class, in academies nor in theory. Question is what kind of groups of people globally are the ones who are oppressed enough and tired enough to act? Who don’t want empty promises, unemployment, dead-end future prospects, poor welfare and poor quality of education? Middle ­class and working class do not respect each other enough, know each other, speak the same language or desire to understand each other. There is mutual contempt there which stops multilevel interaction, compassion, understanding and collaboration. How could there be found mutual language and patterns for action which lack oppressive and biased hierarchical structures?

2.4 Unity what could it be?

Communist Manifesto published in 1848 demanded abolishing of child labor, education for all workers including women and children. The demand list of the Manifesto was modern, fresh and ahead of its time demanding equality, dignity and human rights for all. Importantly Manifesto stated abolishment of bourgeois individualism, changes to inherited position in society and right to property, which meant abolishment of slavery and exploitation of people, need to stop abuse of workers’ effort and time. It demanded progressively everyone’s right to work without fear, more time to schooling oneself and one’s family. Free development for each is the condition of development for all. [2.] [3.] [4.] Developed way of looking society and its people on idea level which was to be reality and revolutionary vision to be made come true, a utopia of a better world
154

within reach to applying all hopefully bringing welfare, well­being and prosperity. Demand for abolishment of bourgeois family could have meant a beginning for women to stand on their own and have multiple paths to choose from than only having one or two. Michel Foucault states in Foucault Reader, Rabinow, 1984 that bourgeois society before Freud’s inventions repressed sexuality and especially infantile sexuality to a point where society refused to speak of it or acknowledge existence of sexuality in children and women. Crusade against masturbation is a typical example of this as is giving diagnoses for women who in any way acted differently than what was the general ‘better’ judgment. Crusade is to the point essential word to use in contexts of bourgeois society and its determination concerning use of power over women and children and in general anyone who stands on the ‘weak’ side. Weaknesses strictly categorized, the weak labeled and stigmatized. Infantilizing women in terms of sex was the norm, female sexuality was beauty in statues, very fragile but obviously too powerful to let roam free.

As Communism firstly concentrates on abolishment of the bourgeois way of life and class and gaining global labor rights, feminism concentrates on ending sexism and slavery of women, standing for girls’ rights for education and rights of those in the marginal and  under threat because of their gender and sexual orientation. Feminism is against persecution, against mental and physical torture. Questions about difference and what is the difference between and why should it be pointed out are the core issues. [4.] Both ideologies, Feminism and Communism have interesting similarities in being hated, bigotedly stigmatized and activists persecuted for demanding basic human rights and equality. Focus and determination of ending dictatorship is admirable, needed and springs out from harsh reality and experience. It is good to bear in mind that slavery was ended by law 1723 in Russia where poverty has been more of a rule to this day for the large part of the population. Position of women is questionable in a macho culture self-evidently. [3.] [4.] Worldwide slavery has not ended nor extreme poverty and injustice nor exploitation of work nor abuse of women and children nor of those who do not fit in tight gender boxes. Strong political global movement and revolution is much required not as a local act but as global aggressive action (aggression here does not mean physical and violent warfare and question remains how to address anger that is boiling). People are more globally active and maybe even more aware than ever therefore it is appalling problems as extreme poverty and crimes against humanity such as human trafficking and slavery of maids exist. It is intolerable there is resistance against the demand for human rights. [5.] Feminism is at the moment making strong, new and active movement especially in Europe. Taking stand nonviolently and loud as hell.

155

Feminist movement Femen is fighting on the streets facing fascists, ordinary street men, politicians as well as the police, who continually arrest bare breasted women shouting Fuck your morals, God is a woman, Ukraine is not a brothel, in gay we trust, Nudity is freedom! Strength and visibility of such fearless action and devotion to the important cause is impressive, appreciated and joyfully effective. Feminism should be exactly that and in there, on the streets, in demonstrations, during world cups which lure prostitution to flourish, in places where world leaders meet to make people in suits face anger, attacking fashion shows to let them who exploit hear out those who really have an important message: Listen to those whom you abuse and manipulate! We are many and we force you to listen. Feminism is activism, sextremism, distraction, interruption, disturbance of status quo and destruction of seemingly comfortable balance breaking that clean surface. It is an unforgiving demand in itself and notion that women have to take their place to be heard, fearlessly speak out standing tall. Feminism is demanding abolishment of sex trade, acknowledgement of the problems which women globally face, abolishment of sexism and punishment for it, concrete demand for separation of the church and state, legalization for access to free and safe abortion, women to have decision over their bodies and work, punishments for rapists to be heavier than they are. It is demand for respect, justice and dignity. Feminism is demanding human rights and lasting social change to all human beings, environment and animals. It is one of the most important global movements at the moment and the importance of change shows in the way Feminists are treated. Importance of attitude change is immediate. Importance of finding conformity a repulsive tool of oppression and fascism. Importance of learning how fascism works today and manifests itself daily in ways of monitoring, dictating, suppressing and manipulating. Place of women is displayed by showing hate against women, against Feminism, stigmatizing those who dare to speak up and act against oppression. It is one of the most important issues globally to make concrete change to better lives and rights of women, minorities and children. [6.] Situation is angering and change is slow. Hierarchy, power and position of church is immense dictating places of genders, how people should live, what is right and wrong. Religions and dictators are obstructing development of human rights for people to achieve better quality of life, better treatment and appreciation of women and children as individuals and people. [7.] I see divisions very clearly anywhere, personally and generally and I refuse to be what I should be by my sex and gender traditionally, ordered by someone who is to be above me because he or she can. I can do nothing but go against. Change is coming and there is no other way.

156

Links to the books read and which are to be read over and over again. Communist Manifesto is a recommended reading for those to whom the word communist is a curse word, to whom everyone who is on the left is a communist and communism equals to mass murder and oppression. People use philosophies and ideologies to force their personal interests forward in the world, this has been true before and is true today. It is not necessarily fault of the philosophers and dissidents.

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/communist-manifesto-ebook/

https://monoskop.org/images/f/f6/Rabinow_Paul_ed_The_Foucault_Reader_1984.pdf

“Chomsky answers by returning to other dimensions of universal human nature and reason. In his opinion, there is a universal human need for creative work and free inquiry. The possibility of satisfying this need is stifled in our society. Given modern technology and science, Chomsky argues, the means are currently available to overcome the alienation and drudgery of labor. If this has not been accomplished, the fault lies not in science but in the social and political organization of our society.”

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fourier
www.wikipedia.org/Feminism 18.12.2013
2. http://www.marx-seura.kaapeli.fi  uusi linkki 12.8.2018
3. https://www.skp.fi/asiakirjagalleria/kommunistisen-puolueen-manifesti 18.12.2013, 30.10.2013 Kommunistisen puolueen manifesti pdf.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_Russia 30.10.2013
5.http://www.tulva.fi/blogi2.php?aid=116088 by Lauri Punamäki ja Emmi Vähäpassi 22.11.2013 Naisunionin pohdintaa miksi miesten pitäisi sallia liittyä feministiseen järjestöön 6.https://www.facebook.com/FEMEN.International 18.12.2013 Feminist organization fighting for human rights worldwide! Their breasts are their weapons. Originating from Ukraine making fierce action against patriarchy rule and exploitation of women.
7. https://www.bitchmedia.org/post/on-our-radar-feminist-news-roundup-82 21.11.2013News post by Arielle Yarwood fight is far from over, fight for women to have right to their bodies, right for abortion
8. https://womanstats.wordpress.com/?s=state+feminism 21.11.2013 woman stats project, Feminist blog/ column about state feminism in political use during Cultural Revolution in China
9.https://www.salon.com/2013/05/07/how_to_fold_a_thong_a_straight_man_working_at_victorias_secret/21.11.2013 article by Christopher Pilny for Salon
10. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/05/topless-jihad-why-femen-is-right/275471/20.12.2013 by Jeffrey Taylor article of Femen demonstration in Belarus, demonstrators were kidnapped, tortured by secret police. 11.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third­wave_feminism 14.3.2014

 

Can you tell what is the meaning of sex? The core meaning for our existence?

| Henna Timanttimetsä

Is it an instant gratification to show one’s penis to strange women? It is seen today as something else than hundred years ago. It is a bit difficult still to capture the whole meaning of the theatre of image, all of them and difficult to see the mind behind nude photos which are an empowerment culture for free sex and do what you want. Dirty and naughty that is done maybe for laughs, maybe for other reasons which surely are many. Image of a penis is not enough to turn on no matter how pretty the organ is, well-shaped, large or what direction it is pointing at.

I really want this, should probably be the answer, which makes me ask why is it so that women are perceived differently here than men. Is it the question where goes the line of acceptable and prohibited and this line must be crossed to make an effect. An unstoppable need to know one is being wanted and seen in an openly sexist way, see this, all the things done with this thing shown and more to come if you are willing. I’ll be good to you. Portrait of a one way street. What is the moment when we look at genitals and what do we see in them? If you have seen enough, it is naive to think sex is what we live for, what keeps us alive maybe or definitely. To cross lines works up till it doesn’t anymore. Maybe it, sexism and harassment, is important when we need to breed and that is why visibility matters, I don’t know. It must have other meaning than having power and direct effect, a success.

Sexually implied harassment is an every day event. To be seen and desired as a sexual being who is aggressive in thinking and having sex, it is the most fun to people or you can have it and that hunting and showing off one’s sexual drive plus ability bring the high in life even unfilled, that act of playing and poking the ice, breaking the ice with all that heat from your sexy body and attitude radiating via electric cords and the way you walk and talk, is justified and ok. What kind of culture makes people think all want the same things and should like this.

The most of you being your penis is not much and it is not a turn on but off. Reason for me to inquire is that the need to bring the subject forward, act of sexism fucking a mind, fucking in mind disregarding consequences, harassment and display are on the wall and unbelievably rampant. It is like no other part of culture, sex. I have come to think it is the energy we live from, even those who deny sex being important or are ashamed of it, such vulgarity is what is a kind of nonstop pain but tolerated because it is the fun, fun for me kind of self-centred self-pleasuring. Is it a thrill to go to a stranger and make an advance just like that, flash. That there are no ties, no other pressure than the harassment done by a person to another person who is supposed to give response of some sort. Someone who wishes to be openly sexual in predatory fashion, make verbal and visual comments thinking this is the best shit there is and play with people in hopes to end up having an act of fucking for fun. Who says yes and agrees to being used?

It must be something to people who prey online. They do not see it themselves like being wrong because the behaviour is normal, the search for fun and amusement happens in a flash of a moment, it is something made for them and theirs. It is their game which all should understand. When you turn it upside down and do it reverse, response is an utter surprise and silence, ummm. Then it is not normal anymore. There is a point when repetition mode will get tiring. It is when the majority of messages are the sort where intercourse is the main reason to contact and interact with women. To say someone is interesting and suggest anal sex and any casual meeting for you to get your release is the lamest shit, lazy, boring and unacceptable. Sure it makes me laugh out loud, still I wonder what the fuck goes on in people’s heads.

http://nautil.us/blog/the-novelist-and-critic-siri-hustvedt-raises-an-eyebrow-at-science “There are these rather weird sexual connotations attached. The idea that women are closer to nature, which is of course out of birth, is absurd. Nobody is more or less natural than anybody else. This gets played out in a number of interesting ways.”

Race, gender, religion and class are the biggest conflict creating issues on the surface constantly. Inequality and discrimination over and over again.

| Henna Timanttimetsä

http://lithub.com/black-protest-writing-from-w-e-b-dubois-to-kendrick-lamar/ “That’s a lot to unpack: disillusionment and resolve; countering negative messaging about black bodies and heritage; acute awareness of racial hatred against black life and culture; threats of vengeful action arising from the pressures of racial prejudice; recognizing the calculated hand of systematic racism in the destruction of black communities… A lot under that hood for sure.”

 

Let’s get back to Flashdance: There is more to the movie than the plot. It is more clever than you give it credit for.

| Henna Timanttimetsä

It is a fairytale kind of spectacle or anti-spectacle in a spectacle, if that is a thing. Anti-spectacle in the sense of changing of the perspective towards gender, class, work and art, romantic is the spectacle, a pattern we expect. The spectacle we are used to seeing and thinking in terms of movies and in general how class, work, gender and art function and are, are thought to represent and be like. The American dream in this case where a beautiful young woman reaches out for her dream, a place in the sun and ends up getting more or ‘all’, a romantic relationship with a Man with a Porsche, who is also the owner of the factory where Alexandra, the woman in question, works at as a welder. One big plus of the movie is it does not highlight the work Alexandra does, welding is just work with men as co-workers, it makes the movie hugely more interesting though, and her the one who lives outside the box and is allowed to do so. She is not harassed by her co-workers, her abilities are not questioned. It is truly a beautiful setting, which her choice of work, most definitely would be seen weird still today.

To explore deeper into what the movie is all about is worth our while as it has been deeply overlooked as many romantic movies that are meant for women usually are. To pay attention to details, characters, camera shots, what is being looked at and told via tensions between women and men and why those tensions exist. What happens between the sexes, between women especially, what are sexes both expected to do, look and be like. Movie is a language as is dance as is sex, sexuality, clothing and gender. You have to focus on to read it all and actually think what are we looking at, what happens there and why all the time. It is not just an entertaining show where you can relax and forget what is going on, this is told via contrasts between sleazy bars, working men and art, how women are treated in different settings and how these settings differ, how women want to be treated and what do they desire of their lives to be. Movie is never just a movie that is meant to entertain, not even those that are made for that purpose, nor is music or the dance acts that seem to be out of place. Point is easily missed when the romantic is what stays interesting and in the focus.

In a bar where ambitious fit and talented dancers show their art, act for paying customers who are watching and are a bit amazed by the unexpected shows. Contrast is also to the other bar where dancing is not the primary interest of anyone, only nude female bodies, that move in a certain way. Women are dancing for money but in a show-your-ass-kind of way, but they still want to be discovered and dream of making it. What are people watching and why, who gets attention? Watching happens for instant gratification, simplicity of getting pleasure cheap and for fun. A bar is a world of something else than the workplace and not a place of thought, burdening oneself. Customers of the bar are not the assumed ordinary art lovers, but that is the point. Why should people be provoked to think more than is necessary, why not give them what they want? To whom is art for and why is it a class issue? What is art and where is art, who is capable of art and why it is a special occasion in a special place? High and low seem to be repulsed by each other, classes stay separated  like oil and water. The dance acts, art and artists, are really in the right place. Intention of the movie is not to depict a straightforward story in a manner of this is what happens: this is what we dream of happening to us. It is not a children’s story and it is not pink. It seems light, but is heavier when one starts exploring. That are the expectations and frame women are supposed to fit in, want, act upon and are shown in the movie, that those who dare, can change the game. There is social critique hidden there to be found.

To say Flashdance is a feminist movie is not quite what a true movie lover might expect. What do you think about the turn, that a seemingly light Hollywood movie is feminist in a very kick-ass way and about the structural difficult issue of choosing how to get ahead in life, on one’s own terms and talent, and not sleeping with the boss or buddy who has connections. What do you think about when after having seen and evaluated for example the scene where Alexandra goes and finds her friend who has gone to work as a stripper, moving herself in conventional stripper manner, she is grabbed off the stage by Alexandra and escorted out. In the scene Alexandra’s clothing and standing position compared to her friend tell a lot when friend the stripper ends up in a puddle on street wearing only panties and high heels and is cold. Money, she earned gets wet in the rain on the pavement. Alexandra’s loose pants and sneakers when she stands firmly behind the naked woman who has fallen down and sold her body for money to please men may seem easy and naive, but it is something very basic, a woman on the ground beaten down feeling there is no other opportunity for her.

After having read couple of critiques about the movie and clearly many have missed the point: When one is an art critic it is essential to see behind the expected, the image and be free of bias. What is the seen image telling us, what happens without words, what is the setting and who are the characters, what do they do. Do you need more clues, because explaining has to be done also in a very basic manner, obviously also for critics. When you are an art critic, don’t fall for the simple clichés. Such poor analysis destroys a lot, as does arrogance, assumptions and cynicism. Minimizing culture that is aimed at and is about women and girls is a normal practice. It is a learned reaction which comes without thinking. A black woman eating a banana in a scene where women talk about relationships, well sounds as cliché as anything, but it happens in couple of seconds, and is easily missed, but telling. To make it as you with your raw capabilities, without handouts and favours..

Flashdance, is a feminist movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashdance in which woman does work as a welder and pursues her dream to become a professional dancer, also in which women help each other, face sexual harassment and deal with it by acting out, consequences lurking there and threat of violence is almost a certainty. To oppose men means you have to be one and be prepared. Movie portrays different kinds of female roles, a gallery of different kinds of women. The expectations of what women should be like, playing with stereotypes with which women struggle and hold on to as coping mechanisms. They may be afraid to go against the machine or don’t know how to or should they, and those who do not fit in the accepted roles especially, seem to be out of sync or do what they need to do despite whatever. Interesting are the different kinds of female characters there, how there are systematic learned rules of behaviour that stick, codes for genders and how these codes are taken for granted. How women portrayed are in their places and obviously struggle and lack power. They try to move on up as do men, they have dreams. Men try to move inside women’s panties and sex is clearly a very basic tool of control and making it. It is the first thought, easy way out, a getaway car and motive. World of art is a dusty stagnant relic too, which needs heavy dusting. Alex, the leading women, is afraid to enter this monument of perfected trained fragile-looking fairy-like ballerinas and primadonnas. She want’s to make it on her own with her own credentials with her talent and does not need a man to do that for her.

Real life is stranger than fiction says this welder.

 

“I have a friend who has a simple test for a movie: Is this movie as interesting as the same things would be, happening in real life? A lot of movies aren’t, and “Flashdance” sure isn’t. If this movie had spent just a little more effort getting to know the heroine of its story, and a little less time trying to rip off “Saturday Night Fever,” it might have been a much better film.”

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/flashdance-1983

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085549/reviews

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/09/entertainment/la-et-cm-flashdance-musical-review-segerstrom-20130509

Reviews and critiques strongly reflect the persona of the critic who is writing. For some reason in this case feminist perspective does not shine through. Wonder why.

To lose femininity, to be without that characteristic of yours which is a stigma, which puts you in to a group and frame. To me it is impossible and stigma I refuse, stigma of weakness. I am first a person not my gender and sex.

| Henna Timanttimetsä
It is strange to think that women who do manly jobs which for some reason are majority of jobs, that imitate men to make it in their branch of expertise would mean losing their femininity. Femininity is still something that does not speak up, seduces, does not take over other than sexually and women have to learn how to physically defend themselves since feminine women do not know how to. Or maybe they know but the ban is so strong they are paralyzed and scared that punch on them is lethal. Something that is lost may be visible and a tradition we like to be used to, that is expected to be there, be found and it strikes as odd when it is replaced with something that does not belong there ‘naturally’. Femininity is seen a natural characteristic and women are expected to bring that natural element in them forward appropriately: caring, submissiveness, beauty and fragility, helplessness, posing and being wanted, loved, looking for love forever. When women begin to help themselves they are easily viewed as to rough, outsiders, too active, outspoken which is not good for them and not having time to pay attention to their outer bodies and beautify themselves, not giving attention to their families enough, forgetting to keep themselves smelling good for joy of others.
Women’s naturalness versus beautifying is the paradox, too much or nothing at all? Finding likability as women, that niceness, kindness and gentleness which are virtues, of course, such things in a person are good to have but such unchanging obedient category where women very easily are put in and they put themselves in is not working anymore if it ever has. To be able to choose and have variety is what is good for the whole of society. Societies develop on many levels much quicker and wider when women are applauded for courage to make change happen for them experimenting their limits and limits of all in society because it is other people who have the opposition and hold up the wall for women to climb up, to fight against. Preconceptions hold on tight also in Finland. To try to work in a field which is usually for men only, not because to make a feminist move but out of pure interest for the craft, is in many ways demanding, it is adjusting and feeling the atmosphere. Bias is strong and women are seen as physically and mentally weaker which is interesting, incapable even evidence of otherwise is there and to talk with women, what topics are there that bunch of men could ever find interesting to talk with women.
When gender is not fluid and expectations are build solid thinking how things should be means exactly that, nothing much changes especially when society is very gender bound, when there are jobs specially for women and men. And how slowly things change in that area. What are women capable of and do we have to compare to men since we can do both, things that men do too.

http://review31.co.uk/article/view/353/uncategorised-freedom “Mechanics of language and gender are performative in the Butler-sense (‘gender is a kind of imitation for which there is no original’)”

Open derogation of women in art, in anywhere where power position is to be had and fought for.

| Henna Timanttimetsä

It could be any scene, science, technology, on the street, in school and at work. Justification is that women who are harassed should feel happy and satisfied for harassment as man is paying attention and noticing women and what women have got, giving them thanks for existing and looking beautiful. When I face harassment I do not feel happiness, harassment is harassment. It is humiliation usually in public to rip off any dignity and power. I strongly think my world view is completely opposite to the person who thinks harassing is a good way to give feedback and show interest. Harasser is not interested in how women feel and what makes women feel happy and good about themselves because to harass is for harasser to feel good about himself. Harasser does not respect women or how women think. Women are only bodies and disposable ones for harasser, not capable of doing what men do, not equal, not even possessing the same rights as men since women do not have the same amount of power as males traditionally do. For harasser power is visible and physical strength, threat and right to take whatever he pleases. Harasser does not see how strong women have to be in a world of harassing and bullying because only thing he sees is himself and only thing he values is bodily power, physical authority which he thinks is superior.

So when women enter scenes populated and ruled by men it is clear there is no respect to be had for trying to enter and take the jobs men have, or maybe even be better at what men do. People who find indecency and poking (testing what someone can take) grown up and suitable ways to interact do not have any idea what other person is, that one is facing a human being with history, feelings and thoughts but a threat. For lot of men women are a threat in lot of ways. Such matter as sensibility, respect and decency are of course not relevant to harasser because only he is someone with potential and right to act anyway he wants. He takes, acts, does and someone else gives to him what he want. It is like interacting with a child and patterns of thought are very simple. After having got what he wanted object can be discarded. Harassing is meant to humiliate and it is very strange when harasser states that he is giving a compliment by showing interest and that woman should be grateful when she gets attention.

It is astonishing how backward the world can be and continues to be.

| Henna Timanttimetsä
It is a fact that women can be hugely talented and bright. It is sad this has to be stated in this manner for people to believe it and act accordingly. Women have been and are discriminated in science and in art because they are women. It is a tradition that denies the fact that women have capabilities of their own and can be as good and far better than men. Tradition which denies human rights, dignity and full existence of women and girls is doing an awful lot of harm not just for women and girls but to societies as it is now being proved. I myself have experienced this in a fairly civilized country due to many outer traits and due to my gender. I have been seen as weak. It hasn’t made any difference what kind of proof I have displayed of my knowledge and ability, which is astonishing itself. It is as if evidence would not matter, it does not play a role in a world that has set its mind to thinking in a certain way of women like myself. I am of course my best example. It is quite jaw dropping to witness.
http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/08/26/434616512/selecting-boys-over-girls-is-a-trend-in-more-and-more-countries?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social “And for every missing woman, there is a surplus man who will never establish a family. “Men are unable to marry,” Hudson says, and frustrated, single men are more likelyget into trouble. “It leads to instability. In masculinized societies, there are issues such as rising violent crime rates, increasing rates of gang activity and rebel group activity, increasing prostitution and trafficking, and greater constraints on the movement of women.””

That women don’t have what it takes? It?

| Henna Timanttimetsä

For women to be taken seriously there must be a formula. I just don’t quite grasp what it might be when in a world where male qualities are seen more reliable than female starting from appearance and having the privilege of being born male. The volume of being reliable enough women have to do serious fighting to accomplish the same status as males, imitate male posture, way of presenting, speaking, tone of voice or just know your topic better than anyone, be many times more qualified and capable? Could it be so or does the lesbian card get thrown at us like it was the most unattractive thing there is when women try to blend in? Do we have to blend in and pretend we are good guys? I sure as hell am not a guy and don’t call me one. Is the situation that desperate that in technology women don’t convince as women?

I have noticed it can be difficult for men to listen women speakers. It is difficult for them to accept woman’s point of view and that woman could know more. That woman argues and debates, guides and accomplishes more is a heavy deal to accept. Technology is a very sexist area of exact science and work requiring expertise and skill, that woman does something well in technology be it welding, engineering, programming it is hard for men to believe or accept a woman doing anything well or better than men. Could give you couple of examples when men didn’t believe their eyes and kept saying it was not my doing saying she cannot be that good. It is even more ridiculous when someone who stood next to me and witnessed me welding something demanding perfectly and then the other bloke refuses to believe I did it. It is hard for me to believe something like that could happen in Finland but it did. What does it take to give a woman credit for her skills? It takes balls.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/25/woman-sexism-tech-founders-forum-london-entrepreneurs?utm_content=buffer6da72&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer “This year, there were more than 68 men speaking at the event, and four women.”