The Construction of the Helpless Female
The political cartoons that we have been looking at for Professor Serrata's part of the class really have me thinking. I keep thinking about Cuba being portrayed as the "damsel in distress" and what that signified and continues to signify today. In the context of the time period (the late 19th century to beginning 20th century), we can understand a bit that yes, women were considered to be inferior to men, and yes, this accurately portrays what the illustrator was trying to say about Cuba. But what is sad is that even in our 21st century mindset, we can still see that - that Cuba is portrayed as a woman because, in a lot of cases, women are considered to be inferior to men. This is not how it should be!
This even relates back to way in the beginning of the year when we talked about the difference between sex and gender, and how gender is really just a construct that we as people of the society have dictated. But it is this construction of gender that people created so long ago that still permeates society - even in a society that is trying (somewhat halfheartedly) to get rid of gender roles, stereotypes, and classifications. At one point in time, women were viewed as inferior and that was a precedent that was set from there out. This was the value that was given to women with the construction of the female gender. Inferiority was placed into that construction. No matter how hard we try to progress as a society, there are still many people who do not give women equal rights, fair treatment, and view them as inferior. They put women into categories that are dictated by discourses, and lead them to oppress women. These gender roles stereotypes, and classifications are prevalent throughout the history that we have been learning in this class, with women always taking the backseat to everything, even if they did play a huge role in history. This far-dated view of women is what still shines through to our present day society. Women have always been portrayed as needing the help of a man, as helpless creatures, and this is seen in the political cartoon where Cuba is begging for the United States to help and save them. But viewing women this way is something that we were taught, not something innate - therefore, it can be changed.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post because I feel similarly. I am frustrated with how Cuba was (and still is) portrayed as feminine, and I am frustrated with the reasons behind why that femininity is still seen as inferior. I agree with your stance that after all of the years, gender equality is still not completely present and that this is not right. The laws have been put in place, but society is still catching up with them. I think it's great that more people are becoming aware of the problem and are standing up against it. Since these constructions of ideas on women are not innate, I'm hopeful that they can be unlearned, and that someday gender discrimination will no longer be a part of society.
Hey Emily!
ReplyDeleteAs you witnessed in our group discussion in class ;), this topic also got me thinking and frustrated. Frustrated that not only was a woman used in an attempt to depict Cuba as weak, helpless, and inferior, but that a woman was also objectified in order to make Cuba seem more desirable. Frustrated that in a way, this is still way too familiar. Why was inferiority incorporated into the gender construct of women? Why do these constructed ideas of women still permeate our society? Why are we STILL fighting for equality? And with regard to the objectification of women, why is so much emphasis still placed on a woman's exterior characteristics? Why does whether or not a woman is stereotypically "beautiful" matter? But after all this, reading your post did also make me hopeful that maybe someday this can change. So I will keep hoping for the day that these constructs are destroyed and women are valued in the way they should be.