Tag Archives: gender

Gender Issues

Hedy Lamarr: Hollywood Actress & Tech Innovator

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As a digital native, the only world I have known is one with internet.

To imagine a time before that technology is unimaginable and almost unnatural (even as internet penetration has not seeped all over the world).

I was researching women in science and technology as that’s what I wanted to focus on this week. It was then that I discovered a most interesting character in Hedy Lamarr.

Image: pixabay.com

A 1940s actress, Lamarr is also credited for her contributions that led to the creation of WiFi.

As I looked for information about Lamarr’s work, I found out about the American Innovations podcast. I started listening to the episode on her life and work, which is one of most amazing stories I have heard.

Lamarr’s story is about more than a pretty face; it’s about an inventor and a passionate innovator and it’s about how that second part was left behind, just as with several women in history before her (and after). But that’s for another post, maybe. Here, I want to reflect on the podcast, and on Lamarr.

Even as the 46-minute run feels too little given the impact of Lamarr’s work, this episode is a great listen and a better learning experience.

So, if you haven’t already, go ahead and listen!

Gender Issues

Dolls and inclusivity: Mattel’s new line offers promise

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I don’t remember having one of Mattel’s dolls as a kid, but I still knew of them.

Especially Ken and Barbie – the iconic pairing that has defined beauty ideals for well over the past 5 decades.

Image: pixabay.com

However, given where we are as a society, inclusivity and representations matter. Mattel’s new line, Creatable World – a series of gender-neutral dolls, is a welcome addition in this regard.

In 2016, the French toy-maker had a landmark overhaul to their products, when they added three new body types to the Barbie line.

Creatable World, then, is another step in the right direction, because dolls are more than toys: they are mediums of expression and identity and that involves gender-neutral, gender-fluid; everything beyond and everything in between. As the first of its kind, the series is immense for representation, and this is just one example.

It’s only been two days since the line was announced, but there is promise here. That an eight-year-old boy who is gender-fluid, or a seven-year-old girl who is non-conforming can have a toy that represents them and looks like them is huge.

In a few years, someone will study the impact of these toys, but for now, Mattel can pat themselves on the back. Well done!

 

 

Gender Issues

Sam Smith, Gender & media representations of LGBTQ+ people

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Over the weekend, American singer Sam Smith came out as non-binary, announcing their decision in an Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2WpiusAc6h/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

According to Associated Press Guidelines, news outlets should honor individuals’ choices and use appropriate pronouns as required.

However, in their initial filing of the story, AP failed to follow their own guidelines and used he/him pronouns, drawing criticism from Smith’s fans, as well as several users on Twitter and other social media.

In this op-ed, journalist Ashley Dye expresses the symbolic meaning behind AP’s reporting error, calling their actions transphobic.

AP’s error in covering Smith is troubling, because it portrays LGBTQ+ voices and individuals as invalid.

Being a wire service, the Associated Press plays a key role in sourcing news and while AP subsequently corrected their report, the same cannot be said for news outlets who ran with the original update, as they may not have noticed the issue, and much less amended it after.

Smith’s case and the discussion around it are part of the wider conversation about LGBTQ+ narratives in media and their recognition as people. Words matter – and it’s time we respect people’s pronouns. Here’s to Sam Smith and to Ashley Dye!