Trigger warnings: 2016 presidential election, sexual assault, misogyny
It seems like the patriarchy has been receiving a lot of airtime lately, not least because of this harrowing election season. It has become truly draining to hear, day in and day out, on Facebook, on Twitter, on the radio, a never-ending parade of violence against women. I was going to write about something completely different, but I’m not feeling able to ignore this, and the Northwestern student production of NSFW by Lucy Kirkwood gave me an opportunity to address it. It’s a new approach, so bear with me.
NSFW (Not Safe For Work) is a 2012 play set in London, but the setting did not make its themes of the production any less accessible to the current Northwestern student. After opening in the office of a Playboy-esque publication, Doghouse, the major conflict centers on a staff member inadvertently choosing a 14-year-old girl as the “Local Lovely of 2016.” The staff member, Sam, ends up being fired as a result, so the final act of the play is his job interview at Electra, another magazine similar to Cosmopolitan.
The audience is meant to feel a surprising mirroring between the Doghouse and Electra offices. Aidan and Miranda, the bosses at Doghouse and Electra, respectively, are both jaded and unscrupulous. They claw at any way to stay in business in a contemporary “climate” so unfavorable to print media, and they are both horrible to their staff. Aidan constantly comes onto his much younger employee, Charlotte, in a way that is deeply unsettling and threatening, while Miranda similarly harasses her male secretary. The show drives home that Doghouse and Electra are in the very same business of objectifying women. Miranda asks Sam to point out all the physical flaws in a photo of a woman, because Electra needs women to be insecure in their appearances so they will buy beauty products. After a long moral struggle, he does it, because he needs the job to keep his apartment.
I left the show feeling empty. I went to the gym to decompress and wondered to myself why I was working out: to be healthier or to look a certain way? I felt my mood getting worse and worse.
On my way home, I stopped at the Dittmar Gallery in Norris Center to see the exhibition there: Build Her a Myth by Carrie Ann Schumacher. I had read that this show also tackled issues of feminism and misogyny, and I thought that seeing it might be a good way to reflect on the play that was still plaguing me. Perhaps the dialogue between the exhibition and play would be meaningful. The gallery space was full of white, feminine silhouettes. Mannequins, large and small, showed off various styles of ethereal white dresses, all made from cut up pages of romance novels. They are beautifully, meticulously made, with hole punches, folds, and fringes adding texture to the text-covered material.
I made my way over to the didactic introduction: “Build Her a Myth examines the demands that feminine culture places upon women.” Huh. Feminine culture. “The displayed dresses are seductively beautiful, but are created from the pages of romance novels, unable to be worn. Completely without function, they represent how useless feminine myths are in real life.” So women create this culture of romance novels and dreams of white dresses and perpetuate this “useless” way of thinking amongst themselves?
Suddenly I realized why I had been feeling so terrible: I felt like women were being unfairly blamed for perpetuating the patriarchy. I felt ashamed that I want the “feminine myth” of getting married in a white dress someday, and ashamed that I often wish I were 10 pounds lighter like Miranda in NSFW, the symbol of “bad feminism.” At one point, alone in her office, she strips down to her bra and black tights, puts Spanx on her perfect body, puts on a full face of makeup, and then puts on a white Suffragette dress and sash for a costume party. Hypocrisy concentrate. I know that both artists aim to convey the message that the patriarchy lives in us all, but Sam still gets to be the tragic hero of NSFW while the evil Miranda tears him down to her level.
Hyper-awareness of gender is a sensibility of sorts that we share today, especially on college campuses. I’m deeply conflicted, because while the impulse to hold women accountable for their wrongs along with men is fundamentally feminist, at this moment in time it is exhausting to me. Both artists in this comparison are women, but I feel that their artworks ultimately lay more of a burden on women. I know I might be wrong, and I know that workplace harassment is wrong whether the victim is male or female. But I guess that at the end of the day, despite this newfound societal awareness, the world doesn’t feel that much fairer to or safer for women. Between “locker room talk” and the female self-hatred I unexpectedly saw in these works of art, I’m left frustrated, tired, and sad.
Well, this went off the rails. November 8 can’t come soon enough.
2,544 Comments
We provide Call Girls services all over the world. Our top-rated Lahore Call Girls set a new standard for all. We are pleased to announce that our Call Girls are the best compensated in Pakistan. If you’re looking for high-profile female Call Girls in Lahore, come to us. Model Call Girls in Lahore came in first in our Lahore Call Girls service. They are only known for providing VIP service. Customers hire Lahore Call Girls to meet their specific requirements. We exceed their expectations. As a result, we are an all-time favorite. We have over 10,000 satisfied customers, and the number is growing.
Interesting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next.. toto macau
I sincerely appreciate your article’s thorough research and excellent writing. It piqued my interest so intensely that I felt compelled to keep reading.
join website : slot online
Join a community where insightful articles and lively discussions unite us! Connect with like-minded individuals, share your knowledge, and stay updated on the latest trends and topics.
heycasino app download
situs slot online deposit 1000 hanya di forte99
How can you find the best call girl service in Lahore? If so, then this information is just what you need. Our guide will help you find the high class & Luxury call girls. We’ll talk about the different ways to find call girls that fit your price in this article. We’ll show you how to book professional call girls in Lahore without getting ripped off or cheat by them. Take your time reading our guide if you want to have a great time with exotic call girls.
situs slot deposit 1000 hanya di forte99
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist other customers like its aided me. Great job. Tonic Greens
I am constantly thought about this, thank you for putting up. Tonic Greens
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Could there be however you may get rid of me from that service? Thanks! sistemas antimosquitos
Toto Slot adalah situs judi online yang menyediakan permainan slot paling gacor dengan taruhan slot bet 200 perak.
If you want to have fun and pleasure in the bed, you should hire Independent VIP Islamabad Escorts These naughty babes can give you the best sexual experience and will make you feel wanted. Unlike other sex escorts, islamabad escorts Service are naughty and fun-loving and will treat you with warmth and kindness. These women are also very well-trained and know how to make a man feel sexy.
Thank you for sharing the news! I hope to see more updates from you.Visit mү web blog 789betting เครดิต ฟรี
Your content has a unique ability to both educate and captivate. A fantastic combination! best call girl service in Lahore
you have done great job on the blog posts. slot 1000 Loving the information on this internet site
Rokokbet
Nana4D
Great job and make Ayurvedic remedies for constipation at home
Victory is within reach – dive in now Hawkplay
Slot777 adalah situs slot online dengan taruhan kecil mulai dari 100, 200, 400, 600, hingga 800 perak. Dikenal sebagai situs slot gacor yang mudah menang Slot777 memberikan peluang besar untuk meraih Maxwin setiap hari.
I admire your ability to distill complex ideas into clear and concise prose. micro gaming
The things i have always told folks is that while looking for a good internet electronics store, there are a few issues that you have to take into consideration. First and foremost, you should really make sure to find a reputable along with reliable shop that has enjoyed great reviews and ratings from other shoppers and marketplace advisors. This will ensure you are dealing with a well-known store that gives good support and aid to their patrons. Many thanks for sharing your notions on this blog. promotional notebooks
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
123bet แนะนำเพื่อน
Thanks for such a valuable help again. https://mm789bet.com/
I gotta favorite this website it seems very helpful 올인구조대
Learnt some thing new these days! Thanks for that slot 1000
Your unique perspective adds immense value to the topic. Well done!
This particular is usually apparently essential and moreover outstanding truth along with for sure fair-minded and moreover admittedly useful My business is looking to find in advance designed for this specific useful stuffs… Kawaii
https://estom.id/