in which naomi tackles Gender
This is the slightly ranty vid notes supplement for The Negative Sex. If you haven't watched it yet, I would advise that you do so first.
Before saying anything else, I need to preface this with the fact that I do not identify as a feminist for a lot of reasons. Partly due to being exposed to one too many scary second waves types that appear to actually hate women, growing up. But more on that later. Basically though, I am so, so not an authority on the subject, and don't claim to be by any stretch of the imagination, so you've been warned.
While I was in the process of assembling this, some other popular 'yay female empowerment' type multivids came out recently. I absolutely love them, and Glorious hits some very primal nerve that makes me all shivery and want to cry a lot. In a good way. But a not entirely rational way, too.
Whether we like to admit it or not, there are certain personality traits that tend to be very prevalent in girls, and there are certain personality traits that are much more prevalent in boys. Masculinity carries the connotations of aggression, violence, and that short tempered quickness to lashing out that makes me so. proud. to be a girl. There is no shortage of exceptions to the rule on both sides, but we are generally different in ways that define 'masculine' and 'feminine'.
Gender nonconformity still happens though, of course, and that's what this vid is really about. Badass, hard as nails girls and sensitive, compassionate boys both really turn my crank. It is a wonderful thing, which should be respected either way around. A lot of militant feminist types will tell you that what's generally considered 'feminine' is really something men imposed on us as a form of patriarchal oppression blah blah blah, and that the way to overcome it is to be as fucking ruthless as them. Which is, naturally, the actual default state of being for everyone. *rolls eyes*
In a lot of ways, this has worked. In a lot of ways, it hasn't. But the fact is that nowadays, it is socially considered normal for girls to have boys' names and wear boys' clothes, but boys who look/act girly are a lot more likely to be a subject of ridicule. They are more likely to be physically or sexually attacked at some point in life. For a fandom example, just look at how many times Daniel Jackson has died over the years. Would it be as hilarious a running joke if he were an actual damsel in distress?
I have no idea how many times I've heard the phrase 'strong female characters' as a goal or bar to be measured up against or praised for . Why is strength considered such an important attribute? Why not skill, compassion, empathy, knowledge, wisdom, kindness?
I intentionally set out the first sequence of action scenes so that they are all fair fights between protagonists of similar strength. Whether it's intentional or not, these scenes almost always have a certain 'battle of the sexes' type vibe to them, perhaps to play up to the still relative novelty of such a setup. However, there is a very big line that is crossed when a really fucking strong woman goes after a physically weak man, which I find no more excusable than if the situation were reversed. If power can go both ways, then why not chivalry?
In other words, when River kicks Jayne's ass in a fight, it is an awesome victory for womankind because he can fend for himself and she won fair and square. When River kick's Simon's ass to get what she wants, it is so not cool.
Also, I hadn't even noticed this before starting to make the vid, but when men sexually take advantage of women, it is generally portrayed as the horribly disturbing act that it is. Rightly so. When women sexually take advantage of men, it's framed and blocked as sexy. Ew, ew, ew. More glorification of a role reversal that really creeps the fuck out of me, with bonus exploitation of that whole 'I can be delicately sexy and open up a can of whup ass at the same time' third wave mentality. Which ordinarily I would be a huge fan of, but.. not like this.
If there are any butch people reading this, male or female, please don't think that I hate you or anything. I really don't. And thank you for reading. ^_^